Wednesday, March 25, 2009

America's Most Adorable Dog

No, I'm not bein' presumptuous, though he is kinda adorable don't cha think? More on this in a minute...

I knew it would happen. My husband pushed and prodded for me to agree to take on the puppy when he was found abandoned in a cardboard box in the WalMart parking lot, left only with a little handwritten sign taped to the side that said, "Take Me."

"I'll help with him," my husband said, "promise."

I have a soft place for animals, but it had been a long time since I had actually dealt with a tiny puppy - yet I had no problem with remembering the work that is involved. And this one was only about 5 weeks old. I knew it was going to be a lot of work. I knew it would be me doing all of it. On the other side of age 50, did I really want to take on this task?

Well, as soon as I saw him of course, my heart melted. And I have gotten so attached to him, and he to me. But, I was right. I have done it all. From stumbling through the dark in the middle of the night to take him outside, to getting up early every morning for his first feeding, to living my life around his schedule, and having to tiptoe and keep quiet while the 'baby' napped.

The rambunctiousness, the nips from his sharp teeth. The equally knife-like claws that have scratched me literally everywhere. The feedings. The play times. The multiple trips outside hoping this time he'll go to the bathroom. Followed by the inevitable accidents on the kitchen floor. It has been an experience that has left me exhausted for sure.

But it is in certain other special moments, that I understand why I have fallen so in love with this new four-legged man in my life. When a loud and unexpected noise, or a large dog barking nearby, sends him quickly running to my arms for protection. Or those moments when he is beginning to tire and nuzzles his face into the crook of my neck. The look of anticipation toward the corner where he knows the puppy treats are kept. The exuberance he expresses when he comes out of a nap to see only my face. Such sweet innocence, such dependence on me, his surrogate mom. I do not only love him. I am in love with him.

If you have a special canine that has captured your heart (and I know that some of you do) why not enter your special four legged love into the America's Most Adorable Dog contest, sponsored by All You Magazine. Just send in a photo and an essay about why you love your dog so much.

Contest ends May 17, 2009

Send an email to pets@allyou.com with a photo of your dog and tell them why you love your dog so much. Include your name, age, address, phone number, and email address.

For a complete list of rules and how to enter, see page 152 of All You Magazine, Issue 4 April 17, 2009.

All entries will be judged by All You editors based on the following criteria:

a) Overall Charm and Appeal of Photo and Essay explaining why you love your dog (25%)
b) Composition and Quality of Photo (25%)
c) Photogenic Qualities (25%)
d) Appropriateness to Contest Theme (25%)

Winners and runners-up will be notified by telephone or email.

Open to legal residents 19 or older at time of entry.

Prizes:

One winner will receive either a gift card or pet care products. Approximate retail value - up to $600.00

Five runners-up will receive either a gift card or pet care products. Approximate retail value- up to $100.00

TAXES ARE THE SOLE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE WINNER

Entrant warrants that the entry is original and does not infringe the intellectual property rights of any third party, that the picture has not been published in any medium and has not won an award.

To enter via postal mail instead, send a photo and your essay to:

Pets Editor
All You Magazine
135 W. 50th Street
Suite 253-P
New York, NY 10020

Good Luck!

18 comments:

  1. I've fallen in love with your Boo Boo just lookin' at his pictures so I can imagine how you feel. He is adorable. God blessed you and that little dog when he brought you together.
    I am in love with my little yorkie. I mean I love her like she's a child. Like Boo Boo, she depends on me for everything and she loves me right back. Our pets mean a lot to us, huh? And they bring us such joy.

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  2. Well, what a sweetie for sure ! I have a dog blog, called COTON TALES WITH BEBE, and I totally recommend getting the Poochie-Bells ! Hang them on the door, and he will 'ring' the bell to go out to potty... ! It works, I promise !!!

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  3. P.s.
    Here's the link to poochie bells on my blog :)
    http://theroyaldog.blogspot.com/search?q=poochie+bells

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  4. You're absolutely right Rebel! This little booger has definitely stolen my heart for sure. I can't wait till he's housebroken so he can have more freedom. He's actually doing really well with it - no accidents in about a week and a half (crossing my fingers lol)

    Queen B - I remember your baby from visiting your blog! I have heard of those bells. What a terrific idea - I need to get some of those! He's not quite there yet, but hopefully not too much longer!

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  5. What a cute puppy dog. Hi from the SITStahood.

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  6. Hi Tammy - thanks for stopping by!

    Thanks Joyce! He's my little baby for sure.

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  7. You've seen how I carry on about my dog! ! He is a big part of our family. Your little poochie is very lucky you and your husband were in the Walmart parking lot that day! Thanks for informing us of the contest.

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  8. You bet! I would love to see somebody I know win one or more of those prizes!!

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  9. Cute doggie.. found you over on white trash mommas site.. nice to meet you.. Looks like a fun site here. Im glad I stopped by:)

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  10. How cute that face is! I can't believe he was abandoned! Will you post more pictures???

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  11. Hi Michele, oh... I'm sure that I will be posting more pictures as he grows!!

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  12. thanks for stopping by from sits and what a cute puppy, please come back and enter the giveaway if you haven't already!

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  13. Stopping by from SITS!
    Your new dog is precious. I keep reminding myself of the 'puppy days' when we think about getting a companion for our other dog Pixie.

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  14. Hi Dina! Thanks ... I did!

    Ashley thanks for stopping by! He is just so sweet, it's not so bad, but yes, it has been WORK. Especially when Hubs rough houses with him for an hour, then instead of taking him out puts him straight into the crate which he then pees in. Arrrrggghhh! I keep trying to explain to my husband that you can't do that - he HAS to go out after playing! (Men.) It sets the pup back 2 weeks in his housebreaking training, cuz that's always followed by an accident or three on the kitchen floor!! It has been a joy, but I'll be happy when this stage is over, if ya know what I mean.

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  15. He IS adorable, and how could you not take him home with that little sign posted there... I would have too :)

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  16. Yeah, I'm a sucker for animals, I admit it. :)

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