Scratchings-and-Sniffings

Olive and Emily Speak Out About the Stupid Bowl

So, the Stupid Bowl was last week. On Sunday, I think. Or, thereabouts.

Olive and Emily were slightly confused about it. Here's a little conversation I overheard them sharing. 

"What's up with this football thing?" Olive asked Emily. They were both in front of the TV (and subsequently moved as soon as they saw me coming with the camera - do your dogs do that?), as a sports report was on.

"It's the way the humans work up an appetite," Emily answered. 

"This weekend," the sportscaster was announcing, "Peyton Manning will do this and that and theotherthing for the amazing Broncos..." I guess that's what he said. I don't know. I don't watch sports. I sure don't watch football. And don't write me nasty notes. It's a free country. I don't have to like football. 

"They chase a funny ball around a muddy field, usually in the snow or rain - for some reason they like being out in bad weather, chasing this funny looking ball around," Emily was explaining. "It makes them hungry and they order pizza and wings afterwards."

I do not know where she got that idea from. I mean, everyone knows you order wings and pizza during the game.

Team Dog or Team Cat It's All the Same

Are you team dog or team cat? It doesn't matter. Either team or both are worth being part of.

I want to share the most amazing Super Bowl commercial with all of my readers, hoping to put that other horrible commercial that was all over social media the other day out of people's minds. 

But first, let me tell you a little about The Lucy Pet Foundation . Do hop over and read Joey Herrick's note about how many animals are euthanized yearly and how we can stop it! Joey decided to do more than just talk it up - this issue we have with overpopulation and euthanasia in this country - he decided to start a foundation that would go around and spay/neuter animals for free. The website says, "The Mission of The Lucy Pet Foundation is to reduce pet overpopulation by having mobile spay/neuter clinics across the country and to support causes that benefit animal welfare." w00t! w00t!

Must See Dog Training TV

Not everything on TV is worthless. Granted about 98% of it is mindless electronic prozac, but occasionally I run across something interesting.

It's Me or the Dog is a dog training show I can get behind. It's insightful, realistic and pretty darn funny at times. Best of all, Victoria Stillwell, the star and dog trainer, knows what she is talking about.

She understands dog behavior and she practices rewards based training to get results. She helps dog lovers understand why their dogs are behaving the way they are. She also helps them understand that their reactions to certain behaviors are often part of the problem.

Sit back, relax, and enjoy the show

Not a movie review, today's post is focused on the Hallmark Channel and its "Jack Hanna's Animal Adventures" and more four-legged fun during one day!

Now, Jack Hanna is one of my favorite people in the whole world. NO, I've never met him in person. I've only seen him on TV. But, when he's on TV he's the best animal ambassador I know. He bumbled and stumbles and makes everyone laugh (except Letterman, cause it's usually at Letterman's expense), and through it all, he teaches us about the animals of the world. I personally think his bumbling

routine is staged, and even if it is, you have to admit it works. It endears this gentle man to everyone.

Hallmark, so I discovered, is having a great time showcasing Jack Hanna on his Animal Adventures show, premiering October 3rd (a Saturday not far from today) and then every Saturday from 6-9 am and even Sundays from 8-10 am.

Incredible Dogs

Dave Letterman had the Purina® Incredible Dogs on his show again last night. He does this from time to time. These are dogs from Purina's Incredible Dog Challenge®. I know, I wrote about a Purina program yesterday but...sometimes I can't help myself. Know that I am never pressured to write about their programs on this blog. But, when I get great content (sometimes via a press release, but sometimes via a Google alert on my own), I like to share.

I especially love the Incredible Dog Challenge. In fact, we recently got a bunch of Incredible Dog Challenge DVDs that I'd love to share. Stay tuned for a neat contest you can participate in, to win one of these DVDs. They are really incredible!

Anyway, on Dave's show, he does the diving dogs. While I applaud the skill and the excitement of having your incredible dog chase a Frisbee or other toy into a large pool, with the goal of seeing how far he can jump, I prefer the agility trials and the actual Frisbee toss. Wouldn't it be fabulous to be one of those dog parents...and watch your pup win (or just compete, hey, it's a world of fun!)?

2008 National Dog Show presented by Purina: Results, Videos, and more from NBC

Check out the Best in Show video from the 2008 National Dog Show presented by Purina (Thanksgiving Day - we watched a bit of it but then had to get off to an American Legion Hall cause there were 60 of us at dinner!).

There are dozens more videos of the dogs from this year's show (2008), as well as side stories about show dogs, handlers, and much more on the National Dog Show page at NBC Sports/MSNBC.

Last year, almost 20 million viewers tuned in to the show, but if you missed it this year — or just want to see your favorite again — just click on over!