Aw. Though bazillions of young ladies are head over heels for Twilight New Moon star Kellan Lutz, he tells Doggie Aficiando magazine that the real love of his life is Kola, his adopted dog. In this interview, he talks about driving home with the doggy for the holidays as the footage shows things like the star feeding Kola treats. Quite cute.
Many stars are known for their outrageous requests on set. I read once that someone demanded bowls of M&M's but with one of the colors removed. Anwyay. Pop star Mariah Carey wanted her appearance at a London shopping center opening to include 20 kittens -- all white ones.
According to this report, the mall management turned her down, saying no animals were allowed on the property. And, um, maybe it wasn't such a good idea anyway?
This white kitten will not be appearing with songstress/actress Mariah Carey. Photo courtesy of Daisyree Bakker's photostream on Flickr.
Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot, center, his wife Annie, left, and their Labrador retriever, Henry, compare notes with Robert Dull and his dogs Saturday at the 39th annual Waterfowl Festival in Easton, Md. Like many others, the Franchots came to town to enjoy festival artwork, exhibits, entertainment and cuisine. Franchot, however, seems rather dressed up for an afternoon with the dog..... (AP Photo/The Star Democrat, Chris Polk)
One thing is for sure: Baltimore loves Rescue Ink.
Something about the tattooed gang of animal rights crusaders has hit home with pet lovers in this city. First the barrage of tattoo pledges to convince the Long Island-based group to come to town. Then the actual tattoofest last month when they made it here, to this: Locals throwing a fundraising bash in their honor.
The benefit will be Saturday, Nov. 21 at Midtown Yacht Club. Things kick off at 9 p.m. There probably won't be any appearances by the guys, nor any tattooing being done on site -- it's just having a good time to support a good cause. And, hey, maybe a chance to show off some of those new paw print tattoos.
There will be drink specials and raffles. Admission is $10.
Continue reading "Another local fundraiser for Rescue Ink" »
Back in the day, Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Namath was known for his dangerous arm. Now settled into a comfortable retirement in Florida, it's his dog that's dangerous.
Namath, 66, appeared before a hearing officer on Thursday in West Palm Beach to answer to charges that two of his dogs attacked people who came to his home in Tequesta, a quiet community about 90 miles north of Miami.
His 6-year-old yellow Labrador retriever, Leo, was declared "dangerous" during Thursday's hearing. The case against another of Namath's dog, a 6-year-old Weimeraner named Stella, was dropped because a witness didn't show, said Capt. Dave Walesky of Palm Beach County Animal Care and Control.
I love, love, love Simon's Cat, the creation of artist Simon Tofield. Here's a little treat he recently posted on the website, Simonscat.com. Reminds me a few kitties I know.....
Snowboarder dude and Dancing with the Stars contestant Louie Vito can add "dogowner" to his resume. He just adopted a young pit bull mix named Darla from the Animal Advocate Alliance. Vito renamed Darla Gucci, telling People "Gucci Vito just sounded right."
Hopefully Vito and the spotted Gucci will have more chemistry than the snowboarder showed with his partner on the dance show.
"We no longer have to wonder why our sweet little Darla keeps getting overlooked at adoption events as the perfect match for Darla fell in love with her and she is now living in her new home," the rescue said on its website, announcing Vito adopted the dog.
"We miss Darla incredibly but are thrilled that she found the perfect home. Send us a postcard from the slopes Darla girl and have a great life!"
Photo of Gucci (once Darla) and Louie Vito courtesy of Animal Advocates Alliance.
The world's fastest man adopted the animal kingdom's fastest sprinter Monday, as Usain Bolt welcomed a new baby cheetah named "Lightning Bolt" into his life, the Associated Press reports.
The Jamaican sprinter's sponsorship of the three-month-old male cheetah is part of an effort to boost Kenyan conservation efforts of its famous wildlife, whose survival is threatened by trophy hunting, climate change and human encroachment.
The world record-holder in the 100 and 200 meters paid $13,700 to formally adopt the cub. He will also pay $3,000 a year to care for Lighting Bolt, who will be raised at an animal orphanage in Nairobi.
The money will go to the Kenya Wildlife Service, and some will be used to protect Kenya's endangered species, KWS director Julius Kipngetich said.
For Kelly Osbourne, daughter of Ozzy and now of "Dancing with the Stars" fame, life is pretty good these days. She's on a hit show, she just turned 25 and she just got one of the cutest little puppies around.
Her parents, well known for their love of dogs, gave Kelly this Pomeranian puppy for her big day. His name is Sid and he could be none more cute. The b-day girl posted this picture on Twitter. He looks like an incredibly fuzzy monkey bear.
'If I want to put it on the floor, I have to put it in the playpen because the dog is that small,' she told the Daily Mail. 'It’s the size of a one dollar bill! I’m so excited.'
Unleashed reader Jaime sent in this awesome picture of her meeting up with Rescue Ink. She ra
n into the guys Saturday night at their Baltimore hotel. Just so happens, Jaime got the paw tattoo earlier Saturday at Baltimore Tattoo Museum to benefit the Rescue Ink nonprofit and Baltimore Humane Society. She shows off her new wrist bling, too.
The guys are supposed to visit Golden Ring Middle School Monday morning, stop at the Maryland SPCA and then head back to Long Island.
Anyone else got the paw tats? Send in some pictures. We all want to see what they look like. (Saw Baltimoregal's at BARCStoberfest this afternoon...it looked great!)
At left is Shannon's tat, the paw print of her dog, Lucy. Shannon, btw, was the first of anyone to suggest getting a paw tattoo to get Rescue Ink here.
Continue reading "Rescue Ink in B-more: Looks like this!" »
This Saturday from 10 a.m to 7 p.m, the Baltimore Tattoo Museum (1534 Eastern Avenue) will sponsor a Tattoo-a-thon to accommodate all those who pledged to go under the needle to bring Rescue Ink to town.
Proceeds from the Tattoo-a-thon will benefit both Baltimore Humane Society and Rescue Ink, helping both groups to continue their important work in animal welfare. Tattoos will be given on a first come, first served basis. There will be two designs to choose from (shown here -- dogs to the left, cat to the right) and the prices will be $100 each. Rescue Ink will not be present at this event. The size of the tattoos will each be about the size of a silver dollar.
Continue reading "Rescue Ink/Tattoofest: Here's what's up" »
Rescue Ink is coming to Baltimore! I repeat: RESCUE INK IS COMING TO BALTIMORE!
Thanks to your amazing tattoo pledges that started here on Unleashed, to the amazing offer by Baltimore Humane Society to donate not only their property but transportation and lodging for the tattooed ones to get down here to Baltimore Tattoo Museum for agreeing to allow their artists to give their time...it's HAPPENING.
More details to come. But the quick down and dirty is this:
The tattoo fest will be Oct. 24 at the Tattoo Museum from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. The tattoo price will be split with half going to Rescue Ink, and half going to the Humane Society.
Rescue Ink will be at the Humane Society Oct. 25.
So...everyone ready for paw print tattoos???? There were WELL over 100 of you last time we counted!!!!!
I am a huge, huge, huge fan of Simon Tofield.
You might not know who he is, but you might know a
bout his adorable and funny videos that have been such a hit on YouTube. They're not just cute. If you have a kitty, you'll realize what a genius Tofield is at depicting the character and mannerisms of a spunky cat.
Well, Tofield has published his first book called "Simon's Cat in his Very Own Book." Just released September 24, it's really sweet and would make the perfect stocking stuffer sort of thing for any kitty lovers on your holiday list.
If you're going to go do a You Tube search, might I suggest you start with this one, my personal favorite. You'll soon see why it's gotten more than 10 million hits. Simply brilliant.
Either American Idol judge Simon Cowell is much sweeter than he lets on on TV, or he's trying to make up for the nasty situation involving an Idol wannabe over the summer, but the judge has written a really big check for the animals.
The Los Angeles Times reports Cowell donated $30,000 to Linda Blair's WorldHeart Foundation. Cowell apparently learned from a mutual friend that Blair's rescue was having financial problems.
"I think what Linda is doing is incredible," Cowell was quoted as saying in ContactMusic. "Seeing pictures of the dogs makes you [realize] what a fantastic job she's doing. When we spoke, I was really impressed by her passion and commitment, and offered to help her out financially."
Cowell also did an ad for PETA warning of the dangers of leaving pets in hot cars after an Idol auditioner left his dog in the car in 90 degree heat while his girlfriend tried out for the show.
Continue reading "Simon Cowell a softie for animals" »
First Michael Vick gets out of prison. Then he's signed with the Philadelphia Eagles. Now? He's getting his own television show.
According to this report in the LA Times, Vick, who was convicted for his role in a dogfighting ring, Vick is working with BET on an eight-part docu-series to run early next year. It's tentatively called "The Michael Vick Project."
"I just want people to really get to know me as an individual," Vick told the paper last week in an interview from his home in Philadelphia. "What I want to do is change the perception of me. I am a human being. I've made some mistakes in the past, and I wish it had never happened. But it's not about how you fall, but about how you pick yourself up."
It's unclear how much Vick is getting paid for the show.
Continue reading "Michael Vick to star in his own TV show" »
The Dog Whisperer, who you can see all the time on cable TV, is going on tour...and he's kind of a pricey ticket.
Cesar Millan will bring his PackPower Tour to the Patriot Center in Fairfax, Va., on Dec. 6. Tickets will cost anywhere from $39.50 to a whopping $150. That seems like quite a bit of money for a guy whose act is usually free. And he's not exactly Bruce Springsteen, performancewise.
Tickets go on sale October 10 at 10 a.m.
According to his press release the live show will be quite something: “From Sheepdogs to Schnauzers, Poodles to Pomeranians, Cesar Millan will have audiences spellbound as he shares his amazing insights on dog psychology and how people can inadvertently play a role in their dog's behavioral issues,” said tour producer Bill Silva.
Continue reading "Would you pay to see 'The Dog Whisperer' live?" »
So about a zillion of you are waiting and waiting for more word of what's up with Baltimore's effort to get the Rescue Ink tough guys to town to rally support against animal cruelty in town.
Well, after last week when MORE THAN ONE HUNDRED OF YOU volunteered to get paw print tattoos if they guys would come here, that got the attention of the network, their fundraisers and, as I told you late last week, the guys themselves.
On Wednesday, one of the show's producers called, sounding quite interested in the possibility of bringing the show to Baltimore. While she made no promises, she was really impressed with everyone's passion about animal issues and wants to further the explore of doing a Rescue Ink episode in town.
Continue reading "Rescue Ink Update: The producer gets in touch!" »
Michael Vick, convicted of his role in a dogfighting ring and now out of jail and with the Philadelphia Eagles, tells a crowd at a Washington, D.C. church: "I would fly home every week. Every week to go home and fight dogs. For what reason? I don't know to this day. Something so pointless."
Vick spoke Tuesday at Covenant Baptist Church, in one of the city's poorest neighborhoods.
For those of you caught up in the organically growing movement of sorts to tempt the guys of Rescue Ink to come to Baltimore to kick some animal-abuse butt, you'll want to know that two of the people who pledged to get a tattoo if they guys come here have created a Facebook page for the effort.
See it here. It's the work of Emily and Jacob.
I just got off the phone with two of the guys from Rescue Ink -- Eric and Johnny O. More coming on that later.....Meanwhile NEARLY 60 Unleashed diehards and animal lovers have promised to get paw print tattoos if the guys can make it to town. Wow. You are all pretty impressive!
(Of course if anyone's headed to Facebook, don't forget to become a fan of the Unleashed page, if you haven't already!)
In response to the Unleashed throwdown yesterday, asking readers to make pleas to the muscled, inked men of Rescue Ink to come to Baltimore in the name of stopping this city's animal abuse....not one but TWO brave readers offered to get paw print tattoos if the guys come to town. (Note from Jill: As of 12:56 p.m., it's now THREE thanks to Lindsay!) (Another note from Jill: As of 1:15 p.m., we've got FOUR thanks to Carol and a few more folks on Twitter acting interested....) (Um, at 1:26 p.m., we've got FIVE!!!) (Update: As of 1:53 p.m., thanks to Reada and DCDiva, we're up to SEVEN!!!!) (Update. 2:01 p.m. Kathy says she'll be EIGHT!) (Update: Betsy and Shannon make NINE and TEN.) (BIG UPDATE!!! 2:29 p.m. Two of the Rescue Ink guys are going to talk to me tomorrow afternoon! I'll tell them all about everyone's pledges!) (2:32 p.m....Julianna and V make 12.) (2:43 p.m. Steven and "BehindBJ" make 13 and 14.) (Caitlin makes 15 at 2:51 p.m.) (2:58 p.m. Spam and his girlfriend Anna make 17!) (Samstersmom makes 18 at 3:09 p.m.) (At 3:31, Stephanie makes 19.) (Tracy makes 20, providing it's not too expensive, she says. 4:07 p.m.) (4:30 p.m.: SoboJosie makes it 21.) (4:45 p.m.: Lauren and Dawn join the pack, making 23.) (6:48 p.m. Baltimoregal and Jen are in, rounding out a nice 25.) (7:37 p.m. Janet makes 26.) (8:07: 27 = Michelle!) (8:12 p.m.: K.M. says it would be "a pleasure." So, 28.) Phew! (9:19 p.m.: We've got four more: Megan and Andy her housemate, Gina and Frank. That would be 32.) (Add in Wendy C. to make 33.) (And Anna = 34). (And at 11:18, the last of the day, Stephanie, to make 35.)...(Thursday morning: Larissa said overnight she'd be willing to be "inked for the cause." 36!) (10:08 a.m., Valerie says she'd get her 1st tat for this. 37.) (10:26 a.m. Brian confirms. He's 38.) (Davida makes 39 at 10:40 a.m.) (10:49 a.m. Husband and wife Barbie and Joey are in, as is "Cynical Eastern Shorn Girl." That would be 42.) (And Melanie. 43.) (44 with Josh.) (12:04 p.m. And apparently Tara, to make 45!) (At 46, Jacob says "Bring it," Rescue Ink!) (Emily R. makes 47.) (12:15 p.m. Patrick L. and Meekrat make 49.) (12:19 p.m.: Plus WendyLou, even though she doesn't live in Baltimore anymore. 50.) (Lauren and Emilie make 52!) (12:43 p.m.: Amy for 53.) (No. 54 is Mila.) (We've got Darlene at 55.) (Jackie is 56.) (Hope is 57.) (4:10 p.m. Shaun, another B-more ex-pat is in. 58. Deborah might make 59.) (Theresa and Sara, the latest to join the potential tat club. That's 61!) (Make it 62, says Maegan.) (JillyBean, no apparent relation to Teddy Bean, would like to be No. 63.)...FRIDAY: John says he's 64. Liz is 65. Pat and Kerry make 67. No. 68? That's Adel! Mary and her husband are in, for 70. 11:30 a.m. Tim T. proudly joins the pack. 71....No. 72 is Sara who says, "Anything for the animals." ..Justine says she's ready for paw prints. 73....Tattoo and kitty lover Kim is 74....75 is Michele.....Sisters Diane and Dona are ready for paws. 77. James is 78...Dave is 79. Stacey makes it an even 80....Stephanie says she'll make tat No. 8 a paw. She's 81... Leonard's daughter convinced him: He's 82. Making 84, there's Cynthia and Jennipea.... Couple Toni and Tony, Krystal, Melissa are in for tattoos. It will be Melissa's first! 88. Co-workers Casey and Tiffany make 90! Add Joshua. 91. And Angela: 92. Virginia and Andrea want in: 94....Michael and another person who together have four dogs and two cats. 96....Pat, Mike and Jacq for 99...Tara is 100. Wow. 100...Shaun is 101. 102 is Joshua.
Go Shannon and Jaime!
"We need some muscle to rough up the scum who abuse innocent animals," Jaime writes....
Wow. How can they refuse that? These are men who respect the tattoo. ... Someone also offered to buy them a round of drinks.
I'm still trying to get these offers in front of the Rescue Ink crew. Hopefully they'll even respond.
Image of paw prints in the snow courtesy of rmceoi's photostream on Flickr.
English fashion model Daisy Lowe and her dog walk down the runway during the Vivienne Westwood Red Label Fashion Show on September 20 in London, England. Pixie Geldof, who also modeled the collection, had a toy frog attached to her waist. We're not sure about the outfit here, but the puppy sure is cute.
(Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)
Have you heard of the Rescue Ink guys? They're a gang of heavily tattooed, none-too-dainty chaps on a mission to, perhaps surprisingly at first blush, stop animal abuse.
They've got a new TV show that premiers Friday night on the National Geographic Channel. And they've also got a new book -- a few copies of which I'm willing to give away to folks who can come up with the best pleas to get the guys to come to Baltimore.
This city has animals in need. Big time. So write up a few lines beseeching the be-inked crew to get down here and start busting some heads or whatever they do in the name of furry ones.
They say they "stop at nothing within the bounds of law" to help helpless, abused and abandoned animals.
Don't you think we could use them? Get your pleas in.... I'll pick some winners by the end of the day..... And I'll do my best to make sure the guys see what you write.....
Continue reading "Win book by tempting Rescue Ink to Baltimore" »
Joel Silverman, host of Animal Planet's "Good Dog U" and author of "What Color Is Your Dog?" is coming to Camp Bow Wow on at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday for a free talk.
The one-hour seminar, at 7165 Oakland Mills Rd. in Columbia, is expected to include topics such as: Silverman's background as a Hollywood dog trainer and building a relationship between you and your dog.
He'll also talk about his book and how to train your dog based on personality. You can find out which of five colors represents your dog's personality and how training will vary based on that color conclusion.
There will be time for a question and answer period and book signing.
The talk is free, but Camp Bow Wow is encouraging a small donation to help support area shelters -- things like dog treats, dog food and lightly used blankets or toys.
Space is limited; please RSVP to reserve a spot and to leave your dogs at home. Call 410.964.BARK (2275).
Victoria Stilwell, from Animal Planet's "It's Me Or The Dog," chants "No more puppy mills!" with the crowd during the 6th Annual Puppy Mill Awareness Day at the Intercourse Community Park on Saturday Sept. 19 in Intercourse, Pa. As Teddy Bean was rescued this summer from a Pennsyvania puppy mill, he's incredibly supportive of her efforts. (AP Photo/Sunday News, Vinny Tennis)
Recently found kidnapping victim Jaycee Dugard apparently kept a number of pets with her while she was being held for years at the California home of Phillip Craig Garrido and his wife.
Reportedly, Jaycee wants the pets back in her life, though the animals, which include a Rottweiler mix, a Labrador mix and domestic short-haired cats, are being held at an area shelter.
According to the SF Gate's crime blog, the larger animals were found in the yard or in the various tents and outbuildings on the property. Lt. Nancy Anderson of the county's animal services agency told SF Gate: "They're very friendly and socialized."
Jaycee's pets include five shorthair cats, the two dogs, three cockatiels, a pigeon and a mouse. They've all been at the Contra Costa County Animal Services facility in Martinez since Aug. 27, says the San Jose Mercury News.
This undated image provided by the Dugard family shows recently recovered kidnap victim, Jaycee Dugard. An animal lover even years ago, the young Jaycee is wearing a sweater with kitties on it. (AP Photo/ Dugard family)
Wow, It's a good week for K-9s.
First we hear Ozzy Osbourne will donate a police dog to a department in Indiana. Now we here Steelers star quarterback Big Ben Roethlisberger is doing the same thing in Illinois.
Adding another dog to the canine unit "will enable our department to even better serve the citizens of Cook County," Sheriff Tom Dart is quoted as saying in a Chicago sports blog, Sports Pro(se). We are honored to be the first recipient of this year's grant and thank the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation for its generous support to local law enforcement."
AP File photo of Ben Roethlisberger.
It seemed like a matter of time for the Jon & Kate dogs....poor things.
According to this report in US Weekly, Jon is taking the dogs back to the breeder. What with 90 million paparazzi interviews every day, who has time for two energetic dogs?
"It's not fair to the dogs to not be wanted in their own home," Jon, 32, tells E! News.
The couple adopted the German Shepherd puppies in better times. They're named Nala and Shooka.
Earlier this year there was a report that the family was being a bit too rough with the young dogs. The Humane Society of Berks County, Pa., was flooded with complaints.
Maybe the dogs will be better off in a new home where they'll get the attention and the gentle touch they deserve.
The so-called Prince of Darkness is having some image trouble -- he keeps doing nice-guy st
uff.
Here's a very sweet story that will certainly ruin what's left of Ozzy Osbourne's bad guy image -- that is if there's anything of that left. He's reaching into his own pocket to buy the Muncie Police Department a new dog.
The department's Sgt. Jay Turner told the Star Press that Ozzy's son, Jack, convinced him to buy the new dog for $10,000 to replace the dog, Rover, who is retiring.
"Jack and Ozzy are sending the check either this week or next week and then we'll go get him," Turner told the paper.
The dog will, of course, be named Ozzy.
File photo of Ozzy Osbourne/The Associated Press.
Jessica Simpson is not having a good time of it. First she's dumped by her football star boyfriend Tony Romo. Now her beloved dog, Daisy, is gone.
In much distress, the star Tweeted Tuesday:
"My heart is broken because a coyote took my precious Daisy right in front of our eyes. HORROR! We are searching. Hoping. Please help!"
Daisy was a gift from her ex-husband Nick Lachey. The above poster was uploaded to Twitter, too.
Here's to hoping she finds her pup.
A few months ago I poseted this photo. Then Patrick Swayze, who was sick with pancreatic cancer, announced he would be writing a memoir with his dogs at his side.
The Associated Press is reporting tonight that Swayze has died at age 57.
Hopefully the dogs offered him some comfort in his final months.
He's here with his poodle, Lucas, and Kumasai, his Rhodesian Ridgeback puppy at Swayze's New Mexico ranch.
Shh. What's that? It's either the rustling of money or Cesar Millan whispering about a new venture...maybe both.
The canine trainer famously known as The Dog Whisperer is launching a new magazine called Cesar's Way. This is in addition to his book, products and TV show about helping dogs with behavior issues.
The Wall Street Journal reports: Cesar's Way, which hits newsstands next week, is filled with slick photos of celebrities such as Mariah Carey, Paris Hilton and Jennifer Aniston with pets in tow. Articles include "Can Your Dog Fix Your Marriage? Just Ask Jada Pinkett Smith" and "7-Day Doggie Detox." IMG says it plans to publish two issues this year and six in 2010.
Continue reading "Dog Whisperer launching magazine" »
Academy Award-winning Hilary Swank will be lending her name to the pet adoption advocacy effort.
She's been named the ambassador for Iams Home 4 the Holidays campaign, which aims to find homes for 1.5 million pets this holiday season.
Swank's own dogs, Karoo and Rumi, were rescues that she adopted.
In this photo released by Iams, actress Hilary Swank feeds two puppies during a visit to the Helen Woodward Animal Center in Rancho Santa Fe, Calif. AP Photo/Iams, Brian Bowen Smith.
A new calendar that features Orioles players posing with their pets benefits the Maryland SPCA.
It's just $15 and available at the shelter on Falls Road, Camden Yards, local Petco stores and online. The 15-month calendar starts in September, so you can start using it right away.
The calendar features players and the animals they love including Brian Roberts, Nick Markakis, Jeremy Guthrie.
And hey, since they're not playing so well, it might be nice to look at these guys with something in their hands other than bats and gloves.
Continue reading "The O's calendar perfect for pet lovers" »
Gerard Butler, the actor known for his role in "300" and for allegedly canoodling with starlet Jennifer Aniston, is being accused of smacking a greyhound in New York.
According to a report in Radar Online, the star was walking his pug, Lolita, near the set of "The Bounty," which he is filming with Aniston.
He says he got in a verbal argument with Fred Varecka and his wife Maria after oen of their two greyhounds bit Lolita.
Varecka says his dogs, Mayfly and Mikey, never came near the pug and that Butler hit his dog for no reason.
Associated Press file photo of Gerard Butler.
So today I'm going to be spending a fare share of the day watching Michael Phelps and Shaquille O'Neal. The two athletes will be sparring this weekend in Baltimore for a taping of Shaq's new TV show, "Shaq Vs" in which the basketball champ takes on other sports stars at their own games.
This weekend, he'll be trying to outswim Michael Phelps in the pool.
While that will be fun to watch, I can't help but wish Phelps would bring Herman, his elusive pet bulldog. We see Phelps all the time, but little Herman so rarely.
Maybe Shaq could beat Herman at swimming? Herman looks rather dense, like he might not float. Then again, so does Shaq. (Shh.)
Picture of Phelps and Herman from the Olympic champ's Facebook page.
I'm not sure what the going rate for a really nice German Shepherd is -- but I'm pretty certain $10,000 is a snippet high.
That's what former Phillies star Lenny Dykstra claims to have paid for his dog, according to bankruptcy filings uncovered by The Smoking Gun.
(If one thinks it's a good idea to spend ten grand on a dog that regularly appears at the pound, perhaps it's little wonder they're in bankruptcy.)
According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, in June Dykstra went on Bryant Gumbel's show, held up a picture of the dog, and said he planned to buy it for $10K.
"That's a world champion," the paper quotes him as saying. "That's the only dog I'll buy."
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Wow. America might have talent, but it seems at least one dog has more than some people.
A springy pup named Rory who can do wonders with a Frisbee has made it to the finals of "America's Got Talent."
Judge Piers Morgan said if the dog made it that far and not a piano-playing singer, it would be "the biggest scandal" in the history of the show. So, I guess it is. I wonder what Rory will buy with $1 million. That's a lot of Milkbones.
Judge Sharon Osbourne, however, called Rory's performance "brilliant."
Bethenny Frankel, part of the reality show Real Housewives of New York City, poses on the red carpet with her dog Cookie. The two recently attended QVC's Super Saturday Live at Nova's Ark Project in Water Mill, New York. Photo by Matthew Peyton/Getty Images for QVC.
A number of animal advocacy organizations are complaining that Leona Helmsley's estate isn't going to the dogs -- as promised.
According to this Associated Press story, animal welfare groups have accused the trustees of Helmsley's estate of a "scheme to deprive dog welfare charities" of their stake in the real estate baroness' fortune.
The hotel magnate, who died in 2007 at 87, had a beloved Maltese named Trouble. She named Trouble as a beneficiary in her will, leaving a $12 million trust fund for him before a judge whittled it down to $2 million.
Humane Society of the United States, American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Maddie's Fund say the trustees of Helmsley's estate are ignoring her wishes to use her money to help dogs.
File photo of Leona Helmsley and her dog, Trouble.
Donna Meade Dean, wife of Jimmy Dean, stands with dog, Pepper, beside the stone fireplace inside the den of their home in the Varina district of Henrico County, just outside Richmond, Va. She's talking about how they escaped the fire that heavily damaged the structure several months ago.
The Deans are living in their "party house" while their main house is being rebuilt. The wood in the fireplace never ignited, even though flames were all around.
Isn't it fitting that Jimmy Dean's dog is named Pepper? Kind of spicy and sausage-y.
AP Photo/Richmond Times-Dispatch, Bob Brown.
Celebrity chef and dog lover Rachel Ray plans to distribute more than $200,000 to needy animal organizations.
The money is proceeds from her pet food brand, Nutrish.
Ray launched the “Mutt Madness Awards Program” to find "the most deserving charitable organizations in America." She's looking for groups that have "demonstrated exceptional commitment to pet rescue, rehabilitation or adoption."
Charities, with 501(c)(3) status that employ no-kill practices, can go to this website and apply to be considered for a Mutt Madness Award.
The deadline is Sept. 30.
Ray will narrow the field to 64 with the help of Kathy Griffin,
Britain's Prince William greets a dog trained for rescue work during a fell walk in Cumbria's Lake district, in England. He's accompanied by a group of young people helped by the charity Centrepoint and volunteers from the Mountain Rescue service.
Prince William is a patron of Centrepoint, a charity for young homeless people and of the Mountain Rescue in England and Wales. AP Photo/John Giles, Pool.
Told you the other day about Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick's very adorable puppy, Tobey, who made headlines when he nipped a woman (no injuries) at a town meeting in Boston.
The Gov. has apparently been taking little Tobey everywhere since he got him recently as a birthday present. I can't blame him. That's one cute dog.
Here are a few more pictures of Patrick and Tobey. AP Photos/Boston Herald, Stuart Cahill.
Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick's ridiculously cute new puppy got a bit too frisky at a town meeting and nipped a woman on the hand.
The incident occurred Thursday after the governor brought his 9-week-old black Lab, Tobey, with him to a meeting in Boston.
The puppy has been an attraction since Patrick received him last week. He has been bringing him to work for house-training purposes. And probably just to show him off.
Children touring the Statehouse have asked to see Tobey, and youngsters played with the dog at the town hall meeting. Could Tobey be trying to be the next Bo Obama? Maybe political pups are the next big thing?
Aides say the woman was bitten when she bent down to pet the puppy but continued to play with him nonetheless. (He's THAT cute!) She was left with a red mark on her hand, which was treated with a bandage. She went to the hospital as a precaution.
Photo of the Deval and little Tobey courtesy of the governor's website.
The other day Unleashed told you about a pretty stupid guy, to say the least, who left his dog in the car while waiting with his girlfriend in line to audition for American Idol. The dog died. It was more than 90 degrees in Denver that day. Well, the animal rights group PETA has rushed into circulation a video featuring Idol judge Simon Cowell and his dog, Claude. In the public service message, Cowell talks about how he's "appalled" at people who leave their dogs in cars. Check the video out above.
Ruby Gettinger, of the Style Network's Ruby, holds her dogs Foxy and Lucy. Gettinger used to weigh more than 700 pounds and the show is about her effort to lose weight. Maybe running after these two little ones is helping her struggle. AP Photo/Style Network.
Tennis champ Andy Roddick nearly won Wimbledon recently, but opted out of the Davis Cup, instead choosing to watch it on TV with this very cute, very relaxed dog. This is a photo that Roddick posted on his Twitter account. He wrote: "Me and the dog watching Davis cup."
Richard Gere stars in a Hollywood remake of Japan's long-cherished story of Hachiko, a faithful dog that died at a train station waiting for its master. But "Hachi: A Dog's Story" is more about the dog than about Gere, the 59-year-old actor told The Associated Press Wednesday.
"On this movie, I was definitely second-class," he told reporters at a Tokyo hotel.
The story of Hachiko is a legend among Japanese, a pet-loving nation that honors self-sacrificing loyalty.
Hachiko, the story goes, always used to wait at Shibuya train station for its master, a professor at the University of Tokyo.
Even after the professor died, the dog waited every day at the station for a decade, until it died in 1935.
People were so moved they built a statue of Hachiko at the station, which remains a popular rendezvous spot for Japanese today.
The story of Hachiko was made into a 1987 Japanese movie. Gere's version transports that story to a station in Rhode Island.
The movie premiered in the U.S. at the Seattle International Film Festival in June, and opens in Japan in August.
Gere said the Japanese breed of dogs called Akita used in the movie are close to wild dogs and very difficult to train. In the beginning, Gere was instructed not to even look at the three dogs that played Hachi.
"They only do something because they want to. You can't really buy them with food," said Gere.
Continue reading "Richard Gere: Dog is his co-star " »
From left: Stars Keana Texeira, Cassie Scerbo and Ashley Rickards arrives with their dogs for the grand opening of Artist Knox Luxury Grooming Pet Salon on June 27 in Hollywood. Something about this screams "accessory."
I'm not sure why it took nearly five months for the Clinton folks to release this news, but it's sweet, so here it is, compliments of The Associated Press:
Socks, a one-time stray cat who roamed the lawns of the Arkansas governor’s mansion in Little Rock, has returned home for his final rest.
Officials spread some of the cat’s ashes in the mansion’s west flower garden during a private ceremony in March.
Attending the ceremony were Linda Dixon of the Clinton Presidential Library and the Arkansas first lady, Ginger Beebe, who read a poem she wrote in honor of the cat. A small plaque off a porch outside the mansion’s kitchen now honors Socks.
Continue reading "Clintons' Socks finally home" »
Gossip alert. Mischa Barton has been spotted smooching someone new! The British born actress kissed a smooth coat dachshund dog, as she attended the official opening of the Harrods Summer Sale with Harrods store owner Mohamed Al Fayed in London on Saturday. AP Photo/Simon Dawson.
People magazine has solved the mystery of whatever became of Michael Jackson's famous chimp, Bubbles. The magazine reports:
With all the discussion surrounding the shocking death of Michael Jackson, people have wondered whatever happened to his beloved chimpanzee Bubbles. It turns out, the chimp is alive and well and monkeying around in a Florida primate sanctuary, PEOPLE has learned.
The 26-year old chimp, who lived with Jackson in the late 1980s, has spent the past four years at the Center For Great Apes, home to forty-two chimpanzees and orangutans.
"He's a very sweet and nice chimp, he really is," says sanctuary director Patti Ragan. "I've seen him go to the drinking fountain, start to take a sip of water and then, when he hears one of the younger ones coming, he'll step back and let them have a sip."
File photo.
Michael Jackson cuddles a koala bear on the way to his hotel room in Adelaide in 1996 during the Australian leg of the HIStory World Tour. Besides his three children and millions of fans, Michael Jackson has also left behind less likely progeny -- a dancing chimp, four giraffes and other exotic pets. AFP/Getty Images.
More on Michael Jackson's pets, click here.
This piece in Discovery News take an interesting look back at Michael Jackson's relationship with animals. At times odd, at times the target for criticism, the star's affection for exotic animals was legendary:
Animals played an important role in Michael Jackson's life, abruptly cut short yesterday.
One of Jackson's earliest hits, and a personal favorite song of his, was "Ben," a loving tribute to a pet rat. Jackson was just 14 years old when he recorded the song, becoming the youngest ever performer at the time to top the U.S. charts while still being a member of a group, The Jacksons. "Ben" was written for a 1972 film of the same name.
A young boy befriends Ben the rat in the movie, which was echoed in Jackson's own life since he owned a rat as well. Pet rats were just some of the animals that Jackson cared for, and was associated with, throughout his much too short time on Earth.
Like many young boys, Jackson owned a mini menagerie of dogs and reptiles. But, just as his superstar life spun out of "normalcy," so too did his collection of animals as time went on. His November 1986 line of stuffed toys called "Michael's Pets" paid tribute to just a handful of these animal companions— frogs, rabbits, snakes, ostriches, giraffes, llamas and, of course, Bubbles the chimp.
Continue reading "Revisiting Michael Jackson's many, many pets" »
According to a story in the San Diego Union-Tribune, Greg Louganis these days is more about dogs than dives.
The paper writes: "He spends his mornings these days in a spin class on a stationary bike, followed twice a week by 90 minutes of yoga. He takes daily naps. His afternoons are devoted to his true passion, training dogs in obedience and agility. He has two Jack Russell terriers, a border collie and a Hungarian pumi.
"He has flowing gray hair. He is tan. He wears a necklace with a diamond-studded peace sign.
He is at the San Diego County Fair today for the Purina Incredible Dog Challenge, the western region qualifier for the national championships in October in St. Louis. He and Dobby, a 12-pound Jack Russell, are entered in the small-dog agility competition – a timed run through an obstacle course with jumps, slalom poles and tunnels. Louganis runs alongside Dobby, providing guidance and instruction.
"One of their fellow competitors at the fair is Elizabeth Evans of McKinney, Texas. She has been competing for 13 years, but today is the first time she has faced the man who won gold in the springboard and platform events at the 1984 Summer Olympics, then did it again in 1988."
Former diving star and Olympic gold medalist Greg Louganis competes with his dog Dobby in the small dog agility event during Purina Incredible Dog Challenge in Del Mar, Calif. on Saturday, June 13, 2009. AP Photo/Purina, Gus Ruelas.
Recording artist Dierks Bentley and his dog, Jake, arrive at the CMT Music Awards in Nashville, Tenn., on Tuesday. Jake was apparently Bentley's date. Cute date! AP Photo/Evan Agostini.
The group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals wants the flyswatter in chief to try taking a more humane attitude the next time he's bedeviled by a fly in the White House.
PETA is sending President Barack Obama a Katcha Bug Humane Bug Catcher, a device that allows users to trap a house fly and then release it outside.
"We support compassion even for the most curious, smallest and least sympathetic animals," PETA spokesman Bruce Friedrich said Wednesday. "We believe that people, where they can be compassionate, should be, for all animals."
Wow, I hope they don't find about what little Leo can do to a fly!
During an interview for CNBC at the White House on Tuesday, a fly intruded on Obama's conversation with correspondent John Harwood.
"Get out of here," the president told the pesky insect. When it didn't, he waited for the fly to settle, put his hand up and then smacked it dead.
"Now, where were we?" Obama asked Harwood. Then he added: "That was pretty impressive, wasn't it? I got the sucker."
Some celebrities really like their pets. And then there's Michael Vartan.
The actor, who has the dog's name, Millie, tattoo'd on his arm, tells People that he can't resist the pup's kisses and that she can't resist broiled chicken.
Millie, a 5-year-old chocolate lab, seems like a very sweet dog. Vartan tells People that Millie is "labradorable." He calls her his "drinking partner," "co-pilot," and "therapist" but not, um, his lover. "I wouldn't go that far," he says. "Though she does give wonderful kisses."
Thanks for clarifying.
Ah, more pet news via Twitter. Celebrities can't resist Tweeting about their little furry ones. Kellie Pickler, of American Idol fame, is the latest.
Pickler recently posted this picture of a creamy little pup, implying, according to People, that her boyfriend, Nashville songwriter Kyle Jacobs, gave it to her. The sweetie is an 8-week old Labrador named Nala. According to People, Picker practically has a barn full of animals, including a python named Boots, a Chihuahua named Moo Moo and a tabby cat named Pickles.
Michael Phelps is apparently a children's book author.
And more importantly, his bulldog Herman is part of it! (At first I thought Herman had actually done some drawings himself. That would have been so much cooler! Alas, he's merely featured in the book...JR.)
What a cute doggie!
Yes, according to the Associated Press, the 14-time Olympic gold medalist has a new book in stores titled How to Train with a T. Rex and Win 8 Gold Medals. It features illustrations by Ward Jenkins of Phelps, his bulldog Herman and his coach Bob Bowman.
In the book Phelps describes his training regimen in terms relatable to kids. For example, during six years of training, he swam 12,480 miles. He points out that's the same as swimming "from my hometown of Baltimore to the North Pole and back, and doing it all over again!"
"It's a fun way for kids to learn and for me to get a lot of different messages out there," Phelps said Sunday at a swim meet in Santa Clara. "Having Bob and Herman in the book is cool."
In the book, Phelps recalls the 100-meter butterfly race from the Beijing Olympics, when he won by one-hundredth of a second to preserve his successful bid for a record eight gold medals.
The book is published by Simon & Schuster.
Martha Stewart had some sad news this weekend: her beautiful cat named Mozart had died.
The domestic diva released the news on her Twitter account.
"Mozart the cat just died- he was nineteen and did indeed have a beautiful life. we just buried him next to pawpaw-he was a lynx himalayan," she Tweeted on June 11.
The next day she posted a tribute to the kitty on her blog.
She wrote: "He was bred in Connecticut and I waited patiently a long time for him. As a kitten, Mozart was especially adorable. As he matured, his adult personality was that of an elusive, mysterious, and most wonderful feline. When friends and guests would come to visit, a favorite game was to try and spot or catch a glimpse of Mozart. I will certainly miss him and so will my other cats and dogs."
She posted eight photos of the kitty on her blog, including the one at right that shows little Mozart as a very, very fluffy kitten. He was quite the photogenic little beast.
Our condolences to Martha. Particularly as she just lost a dog a few months ago.
Picture of Mozart courtesy of The Martha Blog.
Singer Katy Perry of I Kissed A Girl fame apparently has thrown a few smooches to her cat, too.
According to the Kansas City Star, Perry, recently reunited with her boyfriend, Gym Class Heroes frontman Travis McCoy, said after a four-month split, that she prefers her cat, Kitty Purry, to men because her relationship with her furry feline friend won't make the cover of gossip magazines.
"I'm a bit obsessed with my cat. She's my substitute boyfriend," the 24-year-old singer told the paper. "It's pretty funny that I can't go for dinner with someone and not be sleeping with them. That's one of the unfair things. I have iChat dates, those are fun."
The singer earlier this year, when she was broken up with her man, was telling everyone she was taking a vow of celibacy for 2009 -- except for Kitty Purry kisses.
Photo of Katy and her kitty, Kitty Purry, courtesy of Katy's Flickr photostream.
Paris the heiress might not literally feed her three dogs with a silver spoon. But she might as well be.
According to E! Online and Paris Hilton's own Twitter musings, it seems the small pups are living better than most Americans. She recently posted pictures of the dogs and their posh digs. The pictures are a little out of focus, but I think you get the idea of things....
Marilyn Monroe, Dolce and Harajuku Bitch -- yes, those are actually their names -- live in a doggie mansion complete with a spectacular staircase, a glamorous chandelier and, of course, air-conditioning.
"I Love and treat my puppies as if they were my own children," she gushes on Twitter. "I have to admit, I may have spoiled them a little too much. But how can I not?"
I wonder if they host good parties, these dogs?
It's more accusations of dog issues for the beleagured Jon & Kate Plus 8 household.
According to People, Jon Gosselin denies his family is not playing nicely with their two German Shepherds, Nala and Shooka.
Gosselin told People recently: "Those kids beat them up, climb on them, pull their tails, bite at them, drag them around and everything you can imagine not to do to an animal, they've done."
The Humane Society of Berks County, Pa., was flooded with complaints. But the reality show star says people got the wrong idea.
"Shooka and Nala are loyal companions who we consider members of our family. We would never do anything to hurt them, and treat them with the respect and love that they deserve," he told the magazine.
Jon and Kate brought the puppies home for Christmas last year.
Photo of Cara Gosselin with Nala courtesy TLC.
What exactly is up with those two, wee German Shepherd puppies that Jon & Kate brought home -- to their already sizeable brood -- for Christmas?
No one seems to have seen or heard much from little Nala and Shooka lately. Gossip sites are wondering if the Gosselins still have the dogs with all of the other marriage and tabloid drama going on with the family.
In this video from mid-March, we see Kate feeding the puppies, marveling at how big they're getting. She says the vet expects them to eventually be 100-pound pooches -- and she says she doesn't want two nearly-100 pound dogs tearing through the house.
Kate seems to like the dogs, put doesn't seem to be a natural dog person. After feeding them, she opens the patio door to let them out. The dogs walk through the door and seem to wait for her on the patio. "Go play," she says, as the dogs just kind of hover there. "Go play.... OK. Just sit there and stare at me."
Anyway, where are the dogs? Did they take them away "to the country"?
If you have info on Nala and Shooka, let us know. We're curious!
Photo of Cara Gosselin with Nala courtesy TLC.
When Susan Boyle, the songstress and unlikely superstar found on a British talent show, collapsed recently, tabloids reported she was crying out for her kitty, Pebbles.
This, of course, is something any pet lover can understand -- when you feel really bad, you just want to hold your furry best friend.
Tabloids including The Sun said: "As she entered the clinic on Sunday she called out for her beloved cat, wailing 'Where's Pebbles?' until medics arranged a phone call to the purring pet."
The tabloid quotes an unnamed source saying, "Susan was distraught and convinced they'd taken her cat. She was crying she hadn't fed Pebbles and flapping her arms like a confused child."
Here's hoping Susan feels better soon -- and gets to spend some quality time decompressing with Pebbles.
Scottish charity worker Susan Boyle appearing on Britain's Got Talent. Boyle, the Scottish spinster who became an unlikely worldwide star thanks to her soaring voice, was reportedly rushed to a London clinic on Monday, crying out for her kitty. HO/AFP/Getty Images.
For more on Susan and Pebbles, click here.
Steeler linebacker James Harrison wants to save the life of the dog that recently bit his toddler son.
Harrison's pit bull, Patron, bit the child last week at Harrison's home in Pittsburgh. J
ames Harrison III was treated for wounds and released from an area hospital.
According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Patron, named after a brand of tequila, was taken to Animal Control of McKees Rocks where the dog would have been put down after a 10-day quarantine.
Apparently Harrison, who was "very close" to the dog, wants to instead find Patron a new home.
The paper quotes Harrison's agent saying: "I just got done talking to James and he would love to find a home for him, but only if it was a home that would provide maximum security. This decision is not being made lightly, and it would have to be in the best interest of the welfare of the animal as well as of people."
Photo of James Harrison/AP
Dolores Hope, the widow of comedian Bob Hope, is joined by her dog Toro as she celebrates her 100th birthday in Los Angeles on Wednesday. Wonder how old that is in dog years? (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Actor Patrick Swayze, who has stage-four pancreatic cancer, is writing a memoir with his wife, Lisa Niemi.
In this photo released by the couple's publicist, Swayze and Niemi pose this month with their dogs, poodle, Lucas, left, and Rhodesian Ridgeback puppy, Kumasai, at their ranch in New Mexico.
The couple has apparently been working on the book at their ranch. The picture was taken during a writing break, Swayze's publicist tells E! News.
Hopefully the dogs are as comforting to Swayze as they look in the picture.
The book is set to be published by Atria Books this fall.
AP Photo/WKT Public Relations
Jane Fonda and her refined looking dog, Tulea, were spotted this week heading into the Ed Sullivan Theater for an appearance on the Late Show with David Letterman.
According to Fonda's website, Tulea made a break for it during a curtain call for 33 Variations, darting away from her dog sitter for a little Broadway bow -- right on the stage. Fonda had to scoop her up as the actress left the stage.
Tulea, by the way, is a Coton de Tulear, a breed known for its fluffy, cotton-like coat. Check out Tulea's own page on Fonda's site.
Photo by AP/Charles Sykes.
American Idol judge Paula Abdul gives Idol Scott MacIntyre, who is blind, a guide dog. Abdul, along with Dick Van Patten's Natural Balance Pet Foods, Petco and independent pet stores, have teamed up to raise money and awareness of guide dogs. May is National Guide Dog Month. AP Photo/Natural Balance Pet Foods, Glen Lipton.
Sun reporter Meredith Cohn wrote a story Monday about a program to help guide dogs. See it here.
Don't get me wrong, I think Christie Brinkley is a stunningly gorgeous woman. But I came across this picture in our photo system, and one thought crossed my mind: Christie Brinkley looks a little like her dog.
Or maybe it's that Maple Sugar resembles the model. A dog should be so lucky, right?
Maple Sugar is a Labradoodle, a cross between a Labrador retriever and a poodle. Doodles, as they are sometimes called, had their moment of fame when President Obama and his family seriously considered getting one. We all know that a Portuguese water dog they named Bo won out, but the Labradoodle has plenty of fans. Tiger Woods and Jennifer Aniston are among them, according to Peoplepets.com. (To see a way-cute Labradoodle, click here.)
The photo above was taken last week at an event for the publication of Today show correspondent Jill Rappaport's new children's book Jack & Jill: The Miracle Dog with a Happy Tail to Tell.
One other thought I had: Given the tough time Brinkley has had with men in recent years, maybe it's better for her to just stick with dogs.
Photo by Richard Drew/Associated Press
As if she doesn't have enough to keep herself busy, Octo-mom Nadya Suleman is shopping around to add a four-legged member to her brood. According to US Weekly, the mother of 14 is thinking about a dog and maybe a pig.
"For a couple of years, the kids have been asking for a dog," Suleman told the magazine. "I've actually been looking into a pig, like a little one." She added that she'd like the pig to wear a diaper and live outside. Right.
PETA is apparently beside itself at the news.
"In today's uncertain economy -- and with all the demands that come with raising 14 children -- we urge you to reconsider adding two more dependents to your family," PETA's Michelle Cho wrote in a letter to Suleman, according to the magazine. "Like children, pigs and dogs are intelligent, social beings with complex needs. They require a lot of attention, space, and exercise as well as a huge financial commitment."
Photo by Nick Ut / Associated Press
Since we're writing about Chihuahuas today, here's the latest in celebrity Chihuahua news. Paris Hilton and one of her teacup pups are starring in the spring/summer ad campaign for Guess.
Famouschihuahua.com identifies the dog as Tinkerbell. We guess the newest member of the Paris Hilton canine club -- the teacup Pomeranian she got for her birthday last month from beau Doug Reinhardt of The Hills -- wasn't camera ready.
The way we see it, the world needs less Paris and more pets in ad campaigns. Anyway, one of the cutest Chihuahua pictures around can be seen here. Take that, Paris.
Is Angelina a dog hater?
The gossip sites are abuzz that Angelina Jolie and her doggie co-star, Bingo, are at odds. On the set of her new spy thriller, Salt, Mrs. Brad Pitt has four scenes with the golden retriever. But the word is, the actress, who plays a CIA agent named Evelyn Salt, has complained to the director that the dog isn't doing his job.
In one scene, the dog reportedly was supposed to run to Jolie and (shockingly!) went past her into the arms of a crew member.
Who knows whether the story is true or just the Hollywood blogosphere in overdrive. It is funny, though, that we never heard anything like this about Jennifer Aniston during the shooting of Marley & Me.
(Above: Sony Pictures photo of Angelina Jolie on the set of Salt)
I was in the shower this morning singing the song that's been stuck in my head for days: "I Dreamed a Dream" from Les Miserables. That's what you get, I thought, when you watch the Susan Boyle video from Britain's Got Talent 15 times in three days.
As I'm singing (badly), I hear my cat Phoebe on the other side of the shower curtain begin to meow along to the song.
This must be our way of cheering for the 47-year-old Internet sensation (pictured). Associated Press may describe her this way: "Susan Boyle lives alone in a row house with her cat Pebbles, a drab existence in one of Scotland's poorest regions."
But we single women with cats know what a bum rap that is. Now thanks to Susan Boyle, millions of people around the world do too.
Photo by Associated Press/Andrew Milligan
Anyone who's ever longed to look like (or at least dress like) Ellen DeGeneres is getting the chance.
The popular daytime talk show host is cleaning out her closet for charity. She's selling some of her more memorable clothes, and some clothes worn by guests on her show, to benefit The Humane Society of the United States. "Whatcha Sellin' Ellen?" the eBay auction, runs through May 8.
She's described some things as "clean...ish," but that's unlikely to deter shoppers.
When we last checked, the top clothing item was the plaid shirt she wore for the Chris Matthews visit. It had 41 bids with the highest being $810. (This was from the infamous episode where Matthews "groped" DeGeneres in that became known as "The Incident." What really happened was a dance move went awry, and the Hardball host's hands landed in the wrong place.)
A basketball that Zac Efron autographed for DeGeneres is the hottest auction item so far at $2,375.
We're also partial to the Helmut Lang corduroy suit she wore for Barack Obama's visit in 2007; the Ellen and Britney Spears Go Caroling outfits from 2008, and the low-top Converse All Stars from Heidi Klum's appearance.
What we like most of all is that 100 percent of the proceeds go toward animal welfare.
Click here to check out the auction.
AP Photo/Dan Steinberg
TMZ.com is reporting that the First Dog will arrive at the White House on Tuesday.
The site says the black Portuguese water dog is male, about six months old and named Charlie (although his name will be changed). That syncs up with some details out earlier this week from WBBM News Radio in Chicago.
The dog was bred at a kennel in Texas, sold and returned, according to TMZ. There's even a Kennedy connection. The dog came from the same lineage as Sen. Ted Kennedy's (D-Mass.) beloved Portuguese water dogs, and the Kennedy family is "presenting the new dog to the Obamas," according to the site. There's no sourcing for any of this information, but it is intriguing. For more on the story, click here.
Earlier today President Obama classified the ETA for the first family's dog as "top secret." When asked by a reporter about the dog's arrival, the president replied, "Oh, man, now, that's top secret."
During the planting of the White House garden yesterday, First Lady Michelle Obama was questioned when the dog would turn up and said, "Soon...so soon," according to the Associated Press.
(Photo by Mary Bloom (C) AKC: The dog pictured is a Portuguese water dog, not the exact dog that the Obamas are getting.)
On tonight's Dancing With the Stars, Steve-O said his work on the show was hurting his private life. "I haven't had enough time for my dog Boogie," he said, as the camera showed a glimpse of the little brown dog.
Reality Check Sarah is the expert on this, but I'm eager for the Jackass star to spend 24-7 with Boogie instead of Lacey Schwimmer.
Or perhaps Steve-O could channel Boogie when he's practicing next week. The dog, after all, has a name that's made for dancing.
AP photo/ABC, Kelsey McNeal: Steve-O and Lacey Schwimmer perform last month on ABC's Dancing With the Stars.
Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy
But the veep got attention of a different sort after his wife, Jill, gave him a German shepherd puppy as a gift several months ago. At first, Biden got heat from groups that said he should have adopted a shelter dog.
Then it turned out that the dog, later named Champ, was from a Pennsylvania breeder whose kennel was cited for violations including unsatisfactory ventilation, inadequate maintenance and sanitation, and missing vaccination records, according to the Christian Science Monitor. (Biden's spokesperson said the kennel had received a perfect score in five previous inspections, according to the Associated Press.)
Biden quieted some critics by saying he'd be getting a second puppy, and this one would come from a shelter. In an interview with ABC News' George Stephanopoulos, he said that he and his wife have always had two dogs and have had rescue pets.
But that interview was back in December and so far there has been no announcement about the second dog. If Biden is looking for a place to go, Baltimore Animal Rescue Care Shelter (BARCS) is near the stadium and the Maryland SPCA isn't far away either.
Award-winning singer/actress Jennifer Hudson, who was in Baltimore last night and performs at DAR Constitution Hall in Washington tonight, is a serious dog lover.
So serious that when she got engaged recently to David Otunga, a Harvard Law grad and reality star show (I Love New York 2), she could already name some members of her wedding party: her three Pomeranians -- Oscar, Grammy and Dreamgirl. (Hmmm, wonder where those names came from?!)
"I want my dogs to be in my wedding. I am so serious," Hudson, 27, told Access Hollywood .
She may make Oscar the ring bearer, she said, and is contemplating putting him in a tiny tux or, um, dress.
We hope she reconsiders the dress, but we love that stars including Peter Wentz and Ashlee Simpson and Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi have had their dogs as part of their ceremonies. The most memorable day of your life could only get better with your pet by your side.
Tomorrow make sure to check out Rashod Ollison's review of the Jennifer Hudson concert.
Associated Press Photo: Jennifer Hudson and David Otunga at the 51st Annual Grammy Awards.
As if trying to rally the world behind his economic policies weren't enough, President Barack Obama is being pressed to make a decision about his dog. At a town hall meeting in Strasbourg, France, the president was asked if there is a dog in the White House. Soon, the president said.
In the past, Michelle Obama hinted that the family was leaning toward a Portuguese water dog, but a spokesman later said no decision has been made.
So, Mr. President, the world awaits.
Tonight at 9 MPT airs a one-hour special, Citizen Schaefer, that relates the extraordinary political career of William Donald Schaefer. While Baltimore Sun TV critic David Zurawik praised the documentary for its satisfying telling of Schaefer's 50-year political career, there's one side of Schaefer the biographers left out: William Donald Schaefer, the pet owner.
Today I visited the former governor in his home at the Charlestown retirement community to find out about his newest animal companion, an orange and white long-haired mixed breed cat named Willie IV.
It should be noted, that Willie I, II and III were dogs. In fact, according to Schaefer, all the dogs and cats he had were named Willie after his father. Schaefer took Willie IV in to live with him after the cat was abandoned at Charlestown several months ago.
"I mostly had dogs," Schaefer confides, "I'm more of a dog person." Ceramics of dogs, a decorative plate with a picture of a black lab and a photo of Schaefer holding one of his dogs are on display in his living room.
He fondly remembers his black labs, including the one that lived with him in the governor's mansion in Annapolis. Willie the dog loved to charge out of the mansion and frighten pedestrians walking nearby, Schaefer said.
Willie IV, however, turns out to be more ferocious. Schaefer says the cat has scratched him several times. "Cats don't like me," the governor says.
Two-year-old Willie IV enjoys sleeping and looking out the sixth-floor window of Schaefer's apartment. Schaefer says the cat sleeps with him, and eats "everything."
Schaefer said he appreciates how clean and pretty his cat is, but after being in charge of running Baltimore and Maryland, the former governor seems a bit perplexed as to how to deal with the independent-minded Willie. "She never does anything I say," he says.
Check back here tomorrow to see a video of Willie and hear Schaefer talk about his pets.
Top Photo: William Donald Schaefer and Willie IV. Photo by Ken Lam, Baltimore Sun Staff
Bottom Photo: Mayor Schaefer bids farewell to his dog before leaving for City Hall in 1971. Baltimore Sun file photo.
Among the other pressing matters he discussed in his Tonight Show appearance, the president says the dog will be "in place" by the time he returns from Europe in early April. (If you're sick of the financial crisis, you might want to fast-forward to the end; he talks about the dog in the last two minutes.) "They say if you want a friend in Washington, get a dog," Obama told Leno.
But I don't know...he also said, tongue in cheek: "This is Washington. That was a campaign promise. ...The dog will be there shortly."
Proceeds of Carrie Underwood's remake of the Motley Crue song "Home Sweet Home," the new anthem of American Idol losers, will go to benefit The Humane Society of the United States.
The song by Underwood, the Season 4 American Idol winner and four-time Grammy winner, was featured on this Wednesday's results show and it has been released as a digital online single. A longtime supporter of The Humane Society, Underwood says “I’ve always loved this song, and besides being very fitting for Idol, to me, the title is also very fitting with animal rescue and finding animals their own homes. So we felt it was important to tie the release into an amazing animal charity like The HSUS.”
Follow the American Idol results at Reality Check.
Photo: Carrie Underwood poses on the press line at the Elton John Academy Award viewing and after party in West Hollywood, Calif. on Feb. 22, 2009. (AP)
Martha Stewart, whose Chow was killed in a propane explosion at a Pennsylvania kennel (above) on Friday, has posted more about the tragic accident on her blog. She writes:
"I just spoke to Karen Tracy of Pazzazz Chows and she gave me the following update. In all, Karen lost twelve of her own dogs and five boarder dogs. Three of her chows are at the veterinarian’s in intensive care. Timothy Kleinhagen, the heroic driver of the propane truck, remains in critical condition and is facing lengthy hospital time. The cause of the blast has yet to be determined.
Karen explained that dogs are her life and despite this horrific tragedy, she remains hopeful and optimistic. Her plan is to rebuild her kennels and continue on as a breeder of chows and a boarder of other dogs. In fact, she has been receiving many calls from loyal clients begging her to do so. Karen has spent the past fifteen years building her champion line of chows, producing six generations of the breed."
Stewart goes on to say that Karen Tracy's home was also badly damaged. She and her mother have been staying at a relative's since the accident. A local credit union has established a fund for donations.
To read more, click here.
In the photo at right, made available by Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, nine-week-old Ghenghis Khan is seen. (Associated Press/Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia)
In the top photo, the damaged Pazzazz Pet Boarding kennel, near Lehighton, Pa., on Sunday after a propane explosion. (Associated Press photo/Pocono Record, Melissa Evanko)
Is it just me, or do the last few days seem rife with celebrity pet news?
First there was the happy story: Oprah showing off her newest addition -- a blonde Cocker Spaniel puppy she named Sadie; Then came the sad news of Martha Stewart 's Chow, Ghenghis Khan, being killed (along with other dogs) in a propane explosion at a Pennsylvania kennel.
Now in the what-are-we-to-make-of-this category: Paris Hilton.
The party girl extraordinaire turned 28 recently and received a tiny, furry and expensive gift from new beau, hunky Doug Reinhardt of The Hills...a teacup Pomeranian puppy.
Why someone who reportedly has 17 dogs needs another one is beyond me, but I guess I'm not thinking like a hotel heiress.
For more on how Hilton celebrated, click here.
(Paris Hilton arrives to celebrate her birthday at Body English at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas on Saturday. Photo by Robert Kenney/Associated Press)
Martha Stewart, whose Chow Chow Ghenghis Khan was killed in a propane explosion at a Pennsylvania kennel on Friday, is already catching some snark from celebrity bloggers.
Here's why: On Twitter, she wrote that Chow breeder Karen Tracy had lost eleven chows and five boarders, including Ghenghis, in the tragic accident. (The number of dogs lost may have increased since then.) That was followed an hour later by a mention of making lunch for guests.
For more, click here.
Blogging columnist Andy Ratner pointed out to me that the Martha backlash was beginning.
Photo by Associated Press