I’d be lying if I said I didn’t enjoy this week’s episode. There. You, happy? Here are the highlights:
• Most pleasantly uncomfortable moment: Beth Joy got verbally bitch-slapped for dressing up her mutt, Bella Starlet (pictured). This week’s theme was obedience, so in the Best in Show elimination challenge, the owners were judged on grooming of their dogs, as well as their dogs’ responses to the commands "Sit. Stay," "Leave it," and "Heel." I didn’t think anything would top Tillman, the skateboarding English Bull Dog, fighting his desire to eat the steak that was placed before him. (Amazingly, all the dogs left their favorite foods untouched.) But then, when Beth Joy and Bella Starlet were placed again in the bottom three, all bets were off. The judges explained to Beth Joy that by putting Bella in clothing (a dress that wasn’t as cute as Beth Joy thought it was), she was actually masking the body language that Bella uses to communicate with other dogs. After being told that clothing was "completely inappropriate," Beth Joy spoke: "This is a fancy dinner party. Yeah, I’m gonna dress her up because when she walks a red carpet, she dresses up." After judge Wendy Diamond said, "A dog is not a Barbie Doll," Elan got a smug look on her face, thinking that she and her Giant Schnauzer, Kenji, had just been saved. But no, they were sent home…
• Most delusional moment: Elan thought that she and Kenji actually had a chance at scoring the luxury suite by winning this week’s obedience-themed Dog Bone Challenge. Ha! They went out in the third round when Elan couldn’t get Kenji to give her a shake with her right paw. Eventually, it came down to two of my favorites, Laura and her Pomeranian (Preston) and Travis and his boxer (Presley).
Travis got Presley to circle left, then circle right, first. Everyone was happy for him because he’s caused no drama in the house. I was happy for him because he is absolutely adorable. He was so sweet with Presley, petting him between rounds and giving him plenty of "Good boy" kudos. Like judge Victoria Stilwell said after Travis’ performance in the Best in Show challenge, it takes a big man to use baby talk with his dog. ("That’s my good boy. That’s my good boopers.") And it’s a good owner who can use baby talk and still be an authority figure. But back to Elan and Kenji. Elan’s constant "Eh-ehs" to rambunctious Kenji irritated her fellow competitors, the judges, and, I think it’s fair to say, the viewers. That duo got eliminated.
After the jump, an emergency trip to the vet.
• Best quote: At the start of the episode, as David and hisParson Russell Terrier, Elvis, prepared to move inside from the doghouse, Elvisgot into a tiny physical altercation with Tillman and drew a littleblood."Tillman’s a farter, not a fighter," owner Ron said. (Tillman wasfine.)
• Worst sound: That would be Brittany Star’s little yelp and whimpering after she tangled with a cat or a wire off-camera and needed to be rushed to the animal clinic for stitches on her left ear. The blood on owner Bill’s sweatshirt was scary, but Star, too, was fine. "She’s not a pet, she’s not a dog. She’s a companion," Bill said, explaining the tears that flowed in the waiting room. He brought her home and laid her down on the bed to rest. He sat on the floor beside her with his hand on the bed, and she put her head on it. Ahhh. Who besides me (and Travis in his confessional, when he imagined something happening to Presley) got misty? Chances are, if you have a dog, you know that feeling of helplessness, of seeing pain in the eyes of a creature that has brought you nothing but joy. I’m welling up just thinking about how I held my parents’ Dachshund Dakota on my lap when we drove her four hours to a canine cardiologist. And how I sobbed next to the recovery-room table as I said goodbye to their Dachshund Frasier before he went to sleep. And how I made a special trip to their home a few months ago because their 14-year-old Dachshund, Madison, was having surgery and I needed to see her before it. (Maddy’s fine.)
Okay, so back to the show: Who’s your pick to win the $250,000 prize? Who hopes that Brandy and her Miniature Schnauzer, Beacon, are the next to go? And who (like me) is in full support of Laura getting closer to Presley (and Travis)?
I didn’t get to see all of last night’s episode, but the whole Star emergency did make me all teary. (My “oldest daughter” is a Dachshund, btw, and was sitting in my lap while I was crying over Star.)
I got a little teary eyed when Travis broke down talking about what he would do if something happend to Presley. My Beagle/Jack Russel mix Bailey was curled up on my lap, looking and me with her big brown eyes and I couldn’t help but give her a pat and a hug. This show is definitely for dog people.
I got teary too. Especially because Presley looks like my dog Ally and I always think if/when anything happens to her… Love Travis and Presley and Tillman. Also I cant think if her name but the lady with the white long haired dog seems really good too. I thought lasts nignts was better than the first episode.
back off laura, travis is mine!!!
No Travis! Run to the light! Anyone who spray paints a mohawk on their little foo-foo dog is not a real dog person. You and Presley don’t need any distractions. Eh-eh!
Boxers are my favorite so, of course, I’m praying Travis and Presly win! I cried when Star was hurt and then just boo-hooed more when Travis came on as I sat there with my “twelve”…yes I said twelve boxers. I told you I love them.
I’m glad to see I’m not the only one who was completely suckered into this show last night. I got teary too when Star got hurt. It’s about a hundred degrees outside and I made my Black Lab/St Bernard Jack come over and snuggle with me.
I’ve had the privelege to meet both Beth Joy and Wendy Diamond from numerous dog events in NY and they are both exactly how they appear on TV. Beth Joy is a nut and gets insulted and weepy if you don’t think Bella is a celebrity and Wendy is a high strung, self-important, pompous know-it-all. Just thought you would all like to know!
I’m a guy and I have to admit I got a little teary-eyed when Star was hurt and Bill had to rush her to the vet. It reminded me of the time I had to take my dog in for a few stitches when she was attacked by another dog. I was so happy when Bill and Star won “Best in Show”. They are such a good team and Bill is such a gentleman. I also like Travis and Presley. Beth Joy and Bella Starlet have got to go next. How about that tattoo she has above her ankle? I’m a dog lover, but that’s a little weird, in my humble opinion.
OMG, I totally forgot this was on last night. Thanks for the good recap.
I’ve never watched this show, but the first thing I thought when i saw the picture was “Oh my god, is that a tattoo of her dog on her leg?” Then I remembered that I have a tattoo of my cat on my arm. And I felt ashamed…for a minute..until I called home and said “we must DVR Greatest American Dog.” Then I felt better.
Beth Joy must go. She’s by far the most annoying person on that show and neither she nor her dog are nearly as cute as she thinks they are. I loved how she claimed she only dressed up her mutt cuz they were on the red carpet. Remember the first episode where she admitted they dress alike every day? Pick a story and stick to it, Beth Joy. The only reason you’re still on the show is because Elan was even more obnoxious that you are – if that’s possible. Eh-eh!!!!
Mandy, I got teary eyed reading about the time you said goodbye to dachshund Frasier, I am so sorry. Now back to your recap, I’m glad Presley and Travis won the Doggie Challenge. Presley, Star, and TILLMAN are my 3 favorites – but I’ll have to say TILLMAN STEALS the SHOW! He is AMAZING, TALENTED, LAIDBACK, HANDSOME & Mr. Personality. My bulldog isn’t anything like Tillman. I’m glad Star got better after the vet visit. I also think Andrew, the long haired maltese is a nice doggy. I like Leroy also because he reminds me of my sister’s border collie, Chief. I love this show. I enjoy your recap!!
Funniest moment of the show for me was when the judge was telling Elan how annoying she was and every time Elan opened her mouth, the judge snapped “Eh” to her – and each time, Elan responded with “yeah” – to which she received another “Eh”. Hilarious.
I worry about poor Kenji’s future. He’s going to be miserable with Elan if she keeps treating him that way!! I was actually hoping they’d keep them in the competition so Elan could be “trained” to be a better owner. I agree with Shannon about the funniest moment. Victoria really put Elan in her place. Unfortunately, I don’t think Elan gets it.