(DOG)SPIRED » Rose Parade

Mac: The DOGSPIRED Dog’s Thoughts on Water Dogs, Music Therapy, and Dog Smarts

Mac — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 04:14:56 +0000

I was sitting around watching football…and who doesn’t love the Rose Parade before the big game? This year, there were diving and skimboard-loving dogs jumping around in water on a parade float. That’s just plain cool. Not only do they get to participate in a parade, but they get to show off their water skills!

So, I started thinking about what I could do to get into the parade? I could learn how to do a doggie somersault, or maybe I could jump through hoops. However, my biggest dream is to drive one of those miniature motorcycles like the Shriners do. A dog has to dream, right?

I consider myself to be a crooner. Just throw me some Frank Sinatra or Marvin Gaye and I’m good to go. On this topic, did you ever see that study on psychoacoustics about music (especially classical) that can calm dogs and relieve anxiety? Anything that can relax or improve the health of canines is a good–but what if they want to dance? It’s hard to get down to Beethoven or Mozart unless you’re at a ball. Since these dances are hard to come by, I hope they find some music that can ease stress but is also good to groove to. I admit that when we get really excited and our tails really get wagging, we’re doing our own Twist and Shout.

So what’s Avacara? I was looking through their Think Smart Challenge on dog intelligence and how it helps with dog shelters. Well, I’m a dog, and I’m typing, so case closed, right? But what about this company that is looking for your opinion (meaning you humans)? I’m out of the running because I’m a dog, and I’m sure the judges would see that as biased. But as you learn more about Avacara, it really is a great opportunity to share your opinion about, for example, what makes dogs smart.

I’m just one dog, and you are many humans, so I hope you’ll share your thoughts and even win some cool prizes!

Water-loving Dogs to Perform at Rose Parade

DOGNews Feed — Thu, 30 Dec 2010 17:20:32 +0000

Elex Michaelson

IRWINDALE, Calif. (KABC) — At this year’s Rose Parade, the Natural Balance pet foods float has flowers. But no doubt, the stars of this float are the pooches.

A group of dogs diving into a pool will be one of the float’s main attractions.

Among the divers is Arcadia resident Quinn Hettich’s dog, Bubbles.

Quinn turns 8 years old on New Year’s Day. His gift will be a ride on the float.

“It’s my float because it’s my birthday on that day,” the boy said.

Also on Quinn’s float will be a group of skimboarding dogs, including Tillman, a bulldog who usually skateboards.

“He learned to skimboard during a heat wave a couple of summers ago when it was too hot to skate,” said Tillman’s owner, Ron Davis of Oxnard. “I took him to the beach everyday and he finally got it. He just loves it.”

Filling the pools took more than 35,000 pounds of water.

The California Highway Patrol weighed the float Wednesday. It tipped the scale at 84,000 pounds, a new Guinness world record.

Driving all that weight to Pasadena could be a challenge. The test run failed when a bump in the road damaged the tires.

Bulldog Casting Call November 6th!

Leslie Brown — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 15:04:57 +0000

Fastest Skateboarding Bulldogs

Your favorite talented bulldog can now audition to snowboard down the Natural Balance® Pet Food Float with Tillman and friends on New Year’s Day in the 121st Rose Parade®!

The casting call will be at 10:30 A.M on November 6th. The location is at Natural Balance at:

12924 Pierce Street, Pacoima, CA 91331

To schedule your dog and get priority for the audition process, register your bulldog now and email the following information to betsy@naturalbalanceinc.com:

Your name
Your dog’s name and age
Your email address
Phone number(s) where you can be reached
The best time to contact you

You will receive a confirmation by email. If you have not heard from us within 48 hours of emailing, please call 800-829-4493 and ask for Betsy Martin. Print out your confirmation and bring it with you to Natural Balance on the day of the audition.

Your bulldog must be well behaved and get along with other dogs and people. Proof of current vaccinations is required.

To take a look at the audition information, you can also visit the site http://www.naturalbalanceinc.com/programs/auditions.html.

For the latest videos, pictures, and news about “Tillman, the World Famous Skateboarding Bulldog” and “The World’s Biggest Float,” visit the JonesPetsTV website at http://JonesPets.tv.