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So ugly, they’re cute

Posted on October 19, 2013 | Leave a comment

The World’s Ugliest Dog Contest has been held annually in Petaluma, California as part of the Sonoma-Marin Fair for 25 years. This contest has grown in popularity and is now featured on cable television channel Animal Planet.

Although dog moms and dads who enter their dog mainly come from the United States, anyone can enter. The Chinese Crested, a largely hairless breed, has figured prominently amongst the winners.

This year (2013), the title was awarded to Walle, a beagle, boxer, basset hound mix with a large head and a duck-footed walk. He beat 29 other contestants for the title.

Walle, the World’s Ugliest Dog 2013

Vicki DeArmon has written a book about the contest which profiles winners, other entrants, and their owners. The pictures really do prove that some creatures are so ugly that they’re cute.

Maybe the dog lover in your pack would like this book for Christmas, or perhaps you should treat yourself?

Marilyn Monroe and her dogs

Posted on March 20, 2012 | Leave a comment

Over the course of her life, Marilyn Monroe owned a number of dogs.

A black and white mixed breed by the name of Tippy was given to then Normal Jean by her foster father.

A spaniel named Ruffles was an early companion around 1940-1942.

Her husband Jim Dougherty bought her a collie named Muggsie.

Around about the time that she was signed by Columbia Pictures in 1948, Marilyn reportedly owned a chihuahua but I can’t find a record of the name.

During her marriage to Arthur Miller, a basset hound named Hugo was their companion. Miller retained ownership of Hugo when the couple divorced.

Marilyn Monroe and Maf, photo attributed to Eric Skipsey

Maf was a maltese given to Marilyn by Frank Sinatra. The dog’s full name was Mafia Honey in honour of Sinatra’s alleged mafia connections. When Marilyn died, the dog was given to Sinatra’s secretary.

In 2010, author Andrew O’Hagan documented Maf’s story in a book The Life and Opinions of Maf the Dog, and of His Friend Marilyn Monroe. Written from Maf’s point of view, we read about Marilyn’s last two years (she took the dog to Hollywood, New York and to Mexico).

One of Maf’s comments: “I mean, if you have to pee you have to pee and why not next to the swimming pool at the Chateau Marmont, right?”

A lot has been written about Marilyn and her all-too-short life. What a nicer way to picture the actress than through her dog? (Dogs don’t lie and they don’t tell tails – oops I mean tales)

Kathleen Crisley, specialist in dog massage, rehabilitation and nutrition/food therapy, The Balanced Dog, Christchurch, New Zealand