by Animal Gambill LouisvillePetPals.com Staff

Event Column Canine Idol Rocks Feeders Supply!

LOUISVILLE, September 16, 2006 -- The Animal Care Society’s 1st Annual CANINE IDOL open Click to view full-size images

casting call started with a Bow-Wow Bang!! That’s right, Kentuckiana’s talented canine critters (and one feline critter) attended in Furry Force at the Feeders Supply on Brownsboro Road on the morning of September 16th. The sun was shining as the dogs (and one cat – this cat is throwing a glitch in my canine writing, but that’s okay because I love cats too!) and their 2-legged companions prepared for competition. The judges took their seats and watched in Paw-Awe!!! “Pawla” Abdul (aka Animal Answers’ Jackie Gulbe), Randy “Jack Russell” Jackson (aka WDJX’s Mike “the Wild One” Shannon), and Simon “Howl” (aka “Bark in the Park” co-chair Diane Martin) braced themselves for their tough task of judging these 4-legged, talented tail-waggers. Meanwhile, I had the pleasure of hosting this event as Ryan “Ruff-Ruffin” Seacrest.

A beautiful yellow Lab named Cleo circled chairs and played “dead” on command while finishing her trickfest in true Dog-Gone Diva form by jumping up on a velvet covered wrought iron stool. Do you think Cleo might be a little spoiled? Hmmmm?

In true Border Collie fashion, an energetic dog named Shadow jumped through not only one, but two hoops as the crowd clapped in support of his efforts. Next up was Tundra, who apparently thought we were in Las Vegas, because he didn’t blink an eye after his mom brought out 2 small dice. He flipped those dice around as only a crafty canine in Vegas would do (and I have never seen a canine do this – and I’ve never been to Vegas either. Sorry, I digress). Moving on…

Dodger decided to throw a little kink in the whole idea of CANINE IDOL by introducing a cameo by a cat named Sniper (Dodger’s 5-month-old feline friend). All I can say is that Simon “Howl” was kind enough to allow it. I was prepared to hear a sassy retort that would exclude the cute kitty, but I (and the crowd) was pleasantly surprised to see that this didn’t happen. Simon must have been in an unusually good mood. Anyway, Sniper jumped up on Dodger’s back and extended his neck and paw, as Dodger did the same, toward their proud mom and politely asked for a treat. Needless to say, they received their treats, as well as ample “ooos” and “awwws” from the crowd.

Next, it was time for Olivia (a frisky black and white cutie) to get jiggy with her mom (Maggie Carnes). “Pawla” Abdul was particularly interested in Olivia’s talent since “Pawla” is a choreographer by trade. “Pawla” proceeded to give Maggie a tip for her return to the finalist CANINE IDOL competition – “Pawla” suggested that Olivia and Maggie dance to one of “Pawla’s” many songs. Okay, I see how this works…

The final canine contestant did something I never thought could be done by a dog on pavement – slalom!! Yep, that’s right, and not through 12 poles, but 24!!! I tell you what, I couldn’t pull that off without spinning around in a circle of dog-gone dizziness and then falling down right on my face!! However, Caryn Westmeier’s talented Beagle, Cha Cha, did this without a puppy-dog problem!! Get down with your bad furry self Cha Cha!!!

As a finale, my Diagnosable Dog Duo entered the ring. Riley and Lordy couldn’t resist showing the crowd that they are Critter Crazy too (as is their mother - but we won’t go into that). Riley and Lordy played “Simon Says” (we thought Simon “Howl” might like that) and we danced like complete idiots – believe me, we had nothing on Olivia and Maggie (they were much better). Nevertheless, it was fun and it made Riley and Lordy sleep like babies that night.

The judges moved all the contestants on to the finalist CANINE IDOL competition which will take place at the New Balance of Louisville “Bark in the Park” for the Animal Care Society on September 30th at Seneca Park at 1:00 pm.  At that time, the judges will award the “Pup Daddy” and “Mutt Mama” winners of the CANINE IDOL contest. That’s right, your dog could secretly possess the talent that would award him or her the honor of being the next “Pup Daddy” or “Mutt Mama” of the “Bark in the Park.”  What a “furrific” opportunity for your dog – the chance to be Louisville’s next CELEBRITY CANINE!!  Furthermore, the “Pup Daddy” and “Mutt Mama” will be awarded some paw-perfect prizes from Three Dog Bakery!! By the way, CANINE IDOL will be allowing three Bow-Wow Wild Cards to enter the competition the day of the “Bark in the Park”. These Bow-Wow Wild Cards will be decided via raffle-type drawing the day of the “Bark in the Park” event (one drawing at 11:00 am, noon, and at 1:00 pm). So bring your talented critter to the “Bark in the Park” and you may get the chance to be a Wild Card entrant in the finalist CANINE IDOL competition (along with the 6 other contestants who have already secured their spots in the competition).

The “Bark in the Park” events also include a 5K Run/1 Mile Walk, “furrific” vendors, cool raffle items, dog agility demonstrations, dog obedience training sessions, a K9 Police Dog Unit demonstration, a Tail-Waggin’ Tongue Twister Contest (for kids and adults), and the Mutt Millionaire Trivia Contest.  

Runners and Walkers can register for the 5K Run/1Mile Walk (taking place on Sept 30th at Seneca Park) by going to New Balance of Louisville (174 North Hurstbourne Parkway by Sept. 23rd ), completing a registration form online at www.animalcaresociety.org , or by mailing a registration form to the Animal Care Society, Attn: Animal Gambill PO Box 17124 Louisville, KY 40217.  Registration forms are available at New Balance of Louisville, Ken Combs Running Store, the Animal Care Society at 12207 Westport Rd. Louisville, KY 40245, Feeders Supply stores, and www.animalcaresociety.org  

Runners and walkers can also register the day of the event between 7:00am and 7:45am on Sept 30th at Seneca Park (located where the Park almost meets Cannons Lane).  The timed 5K Run/1 Mile Walk starts at 8:00 am. Day-of registration fee is $25.00.  Pre-registration must be submitted by September 23rd at New Balance of Louisville, Animal Care Society’s shelter, or www.animalcaresociety.org The pre-registration fee is $20.00

Come and join us on September 30th at Seneca Park!!!!!!!!!
We will have a Bow-Wow Blast!!!