Posts tagged "bulldogs"

This summer, the Inchmarlo Continuing Care Retirement Community welcomed a new addition which may be its cutest ever: a bulldog puppy named Humphrey. The innovative community, set on bucolic grounds in Inchmarlo, Banchory, Scotland, offers luxurious homes for independent people over 55 who can then take advantage of the facility's nursing care once they need it. Adding regular visits from a therapy dog is just another way Inchmarlo is attempting to ease residents' transition into older age.

The public-service pooch is becoming somewhat of a sensation. He's appeared on the BBC, Scottish Television news and local radio according to Graeme Lindsay, who heads up marketing for the Skene Group owners of the Inchmarlo retirement community. Lindsay tells Paw Nation, "we were going to appoint Humphrey anyway, but we thought the media would be interested."

Press-savvy Humphrey even has his own blog, "Diary of a Bulldog." On the blog, Humphrey fans can follow his whole life, from his birth ("My official name is Warricks Son of Selkirk but my new owners have christened me Humphrey.") to his adoption by his new human parents ("We drove all the way back to Aberdeen. I slept in the back seat in my sleeping basket and I'm told that I was very good.").

The blog follows the travails of potty training, the difficulty of learning not to nip at people's shoes, the horrors of bathtime, the fun of car rides, garden romps, and of course, Humphrey's introduction and subsequent assimilation at Inchmarlo. The blog is fun for anyone who's interested in what it's like to have a new puppy and all dog owners will chuckle while reading of Humphrey's internal struggles with ankle-biting and sock-nibbling.

Sure, there are some dog breeds whose breathing can be problematic (see bulldogs and pugs), but also bear in mind that for all the possible aggravation, owning such a pooch can bring with it some priceless moments, just like this one. We could watch this funny snoring shar-pei video for hours.



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Name: Bruce

Location: Belton, Texas

Age: 4 months

Breed: English Bulldog

Favorite Toy: A squeaky, leopard-print plush in the shape of a bone.

Favorite Treat: Busy Chewnola treats.

Likes: Chewing on whatever he can sink his teeth into, stealing toys from cats, eating bacon-flavored anything, and sleeping at his owner's feet.

Dislikes: Getting scolded for climbing up on the couch.

Specific Tastes: He's not a huge fan of taking a bath, but loves taking showers.

Congratulations to our submitter, rachelm1981. If you'd like to submit your pet, upload your favorite pet photos to our Flickr pool!

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Beth Ostrosky Stern and her megastar husband Howard Stern have two pets: an English bulldog named Bianca Romijn-Stamos-O'Connell, and a newly adopted, special-needs cat named Apple. A lifelong animal lover, Ostrosky Stern is the author of the new book, "Oh My Dog: How to Choose, Train, Groom, Nurture, Feed, and Care for Your New Best Friend." She took a few minutes to talk to us about her book and living life with a pampered bulldog.

Why did you write "Oh My Dog"?
I go on TV shows and talk about my work with animal rescue, and my husband talks about my work. And because of my association with [North Shore Animal League America] and hearing my husband talk about me, people just assume that I'm this animal expert. People ask me dog questions on a regular basis, and I'm not a dog expert; I just love animals! [But] when I realized there is so much bogus information out there I thought, why don't I take all of these experts that I know who are at the top of their field, give them all the questions I've been asked over the years, and come up with a guide?

It's filled with invaluable information that you never thought you needed to know, but once you read the book, you're going to be so glad it's there. It's something to keep with your doggie supplies. For example: What is the normal [body] temperature for my dog? That's what I hope people will use it for, to answer quick questions.

Is Howard a softie with your pets?
He's in love with this dog. And now this cat, Apple, just sits at his table. Howard plays chess, and she sits on his desk and watches him, and it's the cutest thing ever. Bianca at his feet and Apple at his desk.

Do you think some people go too far in treating their dogs like children?
Yeah. You see the crazies, but I guess I'm a crazy too.

Well, you're not dressing her up.
I do for fun. Bianca accompanies me to a lot of TV shows. She was on ["The Tyra Banks Show"] with me, and I put her in a bridesmaid outfit because I was talking about my wedding and how cute it would be if Bianca was in my wedding. So I do dress her up for fun for TV. But on a regular basis, no.

And Howard doesn't want to walk a dog with a pink leash and collar. He's a little macho. So we have a red leash and harness for her. But we don't go overboard.

International soccer star David Beckham and his wife Victoria are cuckoo for Coco, their new four-month-old English bulldog. Purchased as a Christmas gift, Victoria spent a reported $3,200 on the pup, according to The (U.K.) Sun. Victoria apparently chose the pugnacious-looking breed as a reflection of her husband's fighting spirit on the soccer field.

Coco was part of the festivities this holiday season when chef Gordon Ramsay -- best known in America for his fiery reality show "Hell's Kitchen" -- arrived at "Beckingham Palace" (the Beckhams' mansion in England) to cook a delicious Christmas lunch of roast turkey with all the trimmings.

Coco was then scheduled to fly to the United States, where Victoria was headed with the couple's three sons to appear as a guest judge on "American Idol," while David flew to Italy to start training with his soccer team, reports the (U.K) Daily Mail. But Coco wasn't feeling well and stayed behind to be nursed back to health at chef Ramsay's home.

Representatives from PetAir UK arrived at Ramsay's home on Friday to collect Coco for her first-class flight to the United States, reports the (U.K.) Daily Echo. Rumor has it, the chef treated Coco to a delectable meal before sending her off on the 5,500-mile journey.

The astonishing cost of Coco's first-class flight -- $3,200 -- has raised eyebrows around the world. But PetAir acknowledges on its Web site that "the cost of shipping a pet abroad is an expensive process and will usually exceed the cost for yourself."

The Beckhams chose PetAir's "Gold Standard" level of service, reports the Daily Mail, which includes an airline ticket, custom-made travel container with bedding and water, a pre-travel health exam and one night in the care of a veterinarian.

"She is a gorgeous little dog," PetAir representative, Bob Ghandour, told the Daily Echo.

Name: Bulldog

Personality: Despite its name, the only sign of bullishness in a bulldog (a.k.a., the British bulldog, which is a different breed from the American bulldog and the French bulldog) is an occasional stubborn streak. They are actually quite docile, easygoing, friendly creatures known to get along well with other dogs and humans young and old. In fact, the bulldog's stout legs and below-average intelligence can actually give off a rather lazy temperament.

Grooming: Bulldogs are low-maintenance when it comes to grooming, and their coats will need only a light, gentle brushing once or twice a week. Baths are rarely necessary, but a daily, light cleaning of the bulldog's skin folds and curled tail -- which can be done with a warm, damp washcloth and a little shampoo, or an ordinary baby wipe -- will prevent skin problems and infections. (Follow up this treatment with a sprinkling of corn starch.)

There's excited, and then there's this bulldog, Gus. We're pretty sure that the human equivalent of this emotion is winning the lottery on Christmas day while on Prozac.

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Fifty bulldogs from eight states converged on downtown Des Moines, Iowa to compete in this year's Beautiful Bulldog Contest at Drake University. Among all the heavy breathing, droopy jowls and bow legs were bulldogs dressed in blue tutus, blonde wigs and a cheerleading outfit. But it was Porterhouse, a four year-old brown and white bulldog dressed in camouflage and an Army helmet who was named this year's winner.

Maybe it was the touching little poem he had penned to be read aloud as he waddled down the runway:

My name is Porterhouse like a piece of steak.
I'm the ultimate fan of this great school called Drake.
To be in 'Spike's Army' I'm incredibly proud.
I hope my unrefined beauty impresses the crowd.
Dressed in 'camo' I'm strutting my stuff, hoping that this year I'm beautiful enough.

After three years of coming in "second, second and third," this year, Porterhouse was beautiful enough. He struggled to hold back tears as a crown was placed upon his head and he was led to a throne-like chair. (Okay, not really, but he sure did look pleased with himself.)

Watch the video and see for yourself:

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