Recently I wrote about how I’m loving the new reality show “The Greatest American Dog.” One of the reasons I find it so endearing is because of the people. Both the dog owners and the judges.
I‘ve only watched one episode (the second, because I missed the first), but that one episode spoke volumes about the experience of being a dog owner and dog lover. There were three quotes in particular that really grabbed me.
Quote #1
“She’s not a pet, she’s a companion.” Bill about his dog Star.
That one isn’t word for word, but it’s the general idea. I have always felt this way about my dogs. (And now even my cats.)
I like Bill’s word to express the relationship better than “pet.” Because I know with mine they most definitely keep me company. The word “pet” just doesn’t cut it for what they mean to my heart. It seems too cute. They’re family.
So what if they’re fuzzy and four-legged and not related by blood? We’re kin nonetheless!
Quote #2
“If he runs off the stage to sniff another dog’s butt,” shrugs, “That’s my dog.” Ron, Tillman the bulldog’s dad.
This one cracked me up. Tillman is a skateboarding bulldog and his dad is nothing more than a laid back surfer type himself. Neither are pretentious at all and don’t pretend to be anything they’re not. This quote personified that.
I think that’s awesome. Dogs never feel a need to make excuses for themselves because they never take themselves too seriously. People could learn a lot from their examples!
Quote #3
“A dog is not a Barbie doll.” Judge Victoria Stillwell
I’m not positive it was Ms. Stillwell who said this, but it was one of the female judges. (It might have been Wendy Diamond.)
Whoever it was, she was commenting on one of the contestants, Beth Joy, who dressed up her dog, Bella Starlet, for one of the competitions. No one else on the show dressed their dogs in more than a bandana, but Bella Starlet had a dress on.
Right when Beth Joy walked in the judges frowned. And, being outspoken as they are, made sure to comment that dogs don’t need clothes. They come complete with fur coats. Clothes only serve to mask important features, like body language crucial to communicating with other dogs.
Beth Joy didn’t take the comment too well, but I was glad the judge said something. I think there’s something very wrong with dogs that have wardrobes. (Well, not wrong with them, but wrong with their owner’s heads.)
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