October 25, 2012
"Canines with Courage!
"Dick Van Patten’s Natural Balance Pet Foods salutes and gives recognition to the brave canine members of America’s armed forces that so gallantly serve our nation with this patriotic salute honoring their loyal service and heroism.
A flora replica of the bronze and marble United States Military Working Dog Teams National Monument, to be dedicated in late 2013 at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, is prominently displayed beneath lush orchid laced cherry trees. Flowing floral flags of America’s armed-service branches; U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Air Force and U.S. Coast Guard are proudly displayed as a background to the monument. Featured on the monument are (left to right) the Doberman Pinscher, German Shepherd, Labrador Retriever and Belgian Malinois.
Guiding the float is a floral American flag displayed within a manicured garden lined with elegant red roses and framed with oversized stars. Displays of roses cascade from floral arrangements bordering this magnificent floral entry. Daytime pyrotechnics explode amid floral fireworks at the rear section of the float.
This is the first time in the history of the United States military that an animal, a dog, has been elevated to National Monument status by U.S. Congressional Law. The National Monument is solely funded by sponsor and citizens donations (zero tax dollars). To be a part of this historic Monument, contributions can be made at http://www.jbmf.us." (**Article from http://www.naturalbalanceinc.com/events_new/roseparade2013.html)
January 1, 2010
In the weeks leading up to the Rose Bowl, Lyle and I were on ABC, KTLA, NBC, FOX, ESPN, and Fuel TV. It was an endlessly fun ride of press and appearances. I would prep Lyle the night before these big debuts with a bath and a great meal. Now wondering almost every second how he was feeling, was he hot/cold, tired, bored, happy, ready…I had gone off the deep end with pleasing my pup, but then again he had gone off the deep end with being so rad at snowboarding that I called it a wash.
We were also incorporated into a TV special "The Making of the World’s Longest Float" www.jonespets.tv that aired on KTLA a subsidiary of ABC in Los Angeles. It was our first official appearance on TV (together, that is) and we were happy with the results, especially the part where I held Lyle like the baby he is, wondering if he was asleep or awake as he snored on national TV (a perfect representation of our reality).
By this time, Lyle had officially bonded with his new team mates and new best friends: Tillman, Rose and the new puppy, Sully. Sully was purchased in November to be the newest member in the float team, and boy did Lyle love Sully. So, as we checked into the Sheraton of Pasadena, our home for the 7 days leading up to and following the parade, Lyle and his friends were stopped constantly in the hallways, pet to no avail, and begged for their photos to be taken with their fans. They loved it and so did we, however, getting to and from our room to the lobby was a half and hour venture. But who could complain, we had the world’s most famous dogs and people were there to see them, not us.
So much happened while in Pasadena - almost too much for me to recount now - a play by play could be a book, so I will share some personal highlights. The custom dog bed, dog gift-bags loaded with Natural Balance food waiting perfectly in Lyle’s room for his arrival. Being able to see the incredible detail of the floats decorated with all natural ingredients like poppy seeds, coconut, and fresh flowers. Riding in the messiest van I have ever seen with my co-worker, his son and my mother as the 4 super dogs romped with delight in the mess. Being a part of a once in a lifetime opportunity of riding on a Rose Bowl Float with millions of people watching to see if our bulldogs could indeed snowboard down the World’s Longest Float. Feeling like a proud Mom when Lyle NEVER missed 1 ride out of 300 - a perfect batting average with stamina that shocked all of us. And of course, spending New Year’s Eve with so many amazing and positive people, like my dear friends Matt and Vavine, my Mother who needed to cut a rug like nobody’s business, and my new found bulldog friends.
I will pass the baton to my dear friend and fellow blogger Vavine Tahapehi who so eloquently wrote the best article on her experience at the Rose Bowl Event.http://livinginamorica.blogspot.com/2010/01/rose-coloured-beginning-to-2010.html