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Grand Champion I Get A Kick Out of You At The Magpie is a top dog at American Kennel Club dog shows, area wins rank him as the No. 12 bloodhound in the country. He's aloof apparent ol' "Otis" aback home in Bethel Park, area he is a lovable, laid-back, low-energy couch potato who has never met a dog or a being he doesn't like.
The 2-year-old basset has added a new brilliant to his resume, now actualization in two civic television commercials for Freshpet dog food. Otis lifts his channelled face to the sky and howls. Around his close is a assurance that says: "Hunt Down Candy Food."
Is that absolutely the articulation of Otis? Yes, it is, said Kim Briglia, who co-owns him with her daughter, Kara Berestecky, a inferior at Slippery Rock University.
Shooting the bartering in June in New York City, "they asked if I could get Otis to bark on command," Mrs. Briglia said. "I said, 'Well, array of.' The aboriginal time Otis heard us sing 'Happy Birthday' to Kara, he howled. Now he howls anytime anyone sings that song."
"Otis is awesome!" said Cathryn Long of All Creatures Great and Small, the New York beastly abettor who finds aptitude for television shows and commercials, movies, magazines and alive performances. "Otis brand to please. He is apparently the best bloodhound I accept anytime seen."
Ms. Long has been an beastly trainer and "shoot consultant" for added than 30 years. She works with her mother, Ruth Manecke, a zoologist and trainer who founded the bureau 50 years ago and for abounding years provided the animals acclimated in "Captain Kangaroo" television shows.
In the Freshpet commercials, dogs of abounding breeds are "protesting adjoin candy pet food," according to the website -- http://freshpet.com/the-freshpet-commercial/ -- which appearance Otis and added dogs, including a Pomeranian, Dalmatian, bi-weekly and Boston terrier.
The commercials accept been active actuality and beyond the country back August and are accepted to run for abounding months. Mrs. Briglia said she's apparent them during "Jeopardy!" and "Wheel of Fortune" and on Beastly Planet.
All Creatures Great and Small had aboriginal contacted Claudia Kaminski, who breeds "Hounds of the Magpie" bloodhounds in Milford, N.J., because one of her dogs had auspiciously formed in commercials. "But he's old and gray now," Mrs. Briglia said, "so she gave them our name."
Otis backward in the Auberge Pennsylvania in Manhattan because it was an accessible airing to the bartering shoot. While New York City is actual dog-friendly, dogs are not accustomed to ride in taxis, Mrs. Briglia said.
"It was an experience. Otis was absolutely the brilliant on the streets, area I didn't see any added bloodhounds. Bodies would get a big smile on their faces and stop to allocution to us."
In their bend of Manhattan, "there was no grass" and it took some backbone to argue the burghal dog that he could do his businesses on paved burghal surfaces.
If you anticipate your dog has what it takes to be a star, Ms. Long says you can email All Creatures Great and Small at info@animalagent.com. "But I consistently acquaint bodies don't apprehend your pets to accomplish money to accelerate your kids to college."
Otis was paid $400 for three hours of work. Mrs. Briglia was not reimbursed for travel, commons and auberge expenses.
"Dog bodies are crazy," she said, answer why she did it. She and her babe are appreciative and blessed to see Otis in the commercial, admitting "most bodies don't apperceive it's him."
Otis doesn't accomplish money on the appearance circuit, either, area he competes with able abettor Bill Colbert of South Park. It's an big-ticket amusement and the alone rewards are ribbons, trophies and credibility against championship titles.
Christmas wrapping
After a day of Black Friday shopping, you can accept your ability captivated to account Angel Ridge Beastly Accomplishment in Washington County. Volunteers will be wrapping, for a donation, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday at Ponderosa Steakhouse Party Room, Trinity Circle, Washington, Pa. There will additionally be handmade ability items, stocking stuffers and raffles to account the accomplishment animals.
Pets for vets
Twenty apartment animals accept gone home with aggressive veterans back summer, and the soldiers got them for chargeless through the Western Pennsylvania Humane Association Veteran's Acceptance Program. The action still stands.
In accession to waiving the acceptance fees of dogs, bodies or rabbits, shelters in Elizabeth Township and Pittsburgh's North Side will additionally bandy in chargeless training classes, a alone ID tag, and a $50-$100 agenda at the Humane Societ stores. Veterans get a chargeless one-year association membership, which includes bargain fees at the veterinary clinic.
Active aggressive cadre or advantageously absolved veterans can go to www.wpahumane.org and bang on "programs" to ample out an application.
Thanksgiving dog show
The anniversary accepted for turkey and televised football amateur is additionally the day for the Civic Dog Appearance Presented by Purina. It's televised on NBC from apex to 2 p.m. with host John O'Hurley and able analyst David Frei. About 2,000 dogs are competing.
Mr. O'Hurley's ball accreditation accommodate arena J. Peterman on "Seinfeld," and he has authored two books about active with his dogs and his son, Will.
Mr. Frei, who additionally hosts broadcasts of the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Appearance every February, is a constant dog buyer and a adjudicator at American Kennel Club shows. He's a active apostle for analysis dogs, and he and his own dogs absorb abounding hours visiting hospitals and added venues.
Local apartment finalist
The Beastly Accomplishment League Apartment and Wildlife Center is one of three finalists in the active to win $25,000 in a civic contest, the 2012 ASPCA Rachael Ray $100K Challenge. The Larimer apartment is additionally in the active to win the $100,000 admirable prize. Winners will be appear Nov. 30.
The added two finalists are the Humane Association of Central Washington in Yakima and the Bangor Humane Association in Maine.
A absolute of 50 shelters beyond the country competed. Finalists adored at atomic 300 added animals in August, September and October than they did in the aforementioned months in 2011. Contestants additionally had to appearance their apartment generated activity and abutment from the public, volunteers and the media.
Pet Tales appears account in the Saturday Home & Garden section. Linda Wilson Fuoco: lfuoco@post-gazette.com or 412-263-3064. Aboriginal Published November 17, 2012 5:00 AM
