11/05/07 2008 Dog Calendar Unleashed
09/19/07 2008 Dog Calendar Winners
10/19/06 2007 Dog Calendar Winners
09/29/06 Carmel-by-the-Sea’s Canine Casting Call
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 19, 2007
A Dog's Tale: Carmel-by-the-Sea Announces Winners of Dog Calendar Casting Call
Carmel, CA—James was anxious but ready for his close up, sort of. His ears, tapered into fluffy tassels, were getting a final brush. “He just doesn’t take a bad picture,” his owner said.
A Bedlington terrier, James was one of more than 175 four-legged stars and their owners that tried out September 8 in the second annual Carmel Dog Calendar Casting Call on Carmel beach.
The 12 lucky pin-ups selected by judges were announced on September 19. Their names and photos are posted on www.carmeldogcalendar.com along with all the dogs who participated in the casting (click on “behind the scenes” to view all dogs).
As anyone who lives in Carmel-by-the-Sea knows, dogs are distinct and important personalities here. According to DogFriendly.com, Carmel is the #1 most dog friendly city in America. In fact, Dog Fancy magazine, the world's leading canine magazine, has named Carmel-by-the-Sea a “Top 10” 2007 winner of DogTown USA —the national competition in which its readers nominate America's most dog-friendly city in the current October 2007 issue.
From Australian shepherds to Italian Spinonis, Saturday’s competition brought out a kaleidoscope of Carmel’s most charismatic canines.
Walt deFaria, one of this year’s judges, said picking the winners was like splitting hairs.
“Good behavior and personality are important, but sometimes it’s just a magnificent looking animal, deFaria said. “Plus, you have to keep a good mix of breeds in mind for the calendar.”
DeFaria, along with Denny LeVett and Sherrie McCullough, evaluated the contestants on personality, charm, face, and first impression.
Like last year, the event was hosted by Carmelite and newscaster Erin Clark of KSBW-Channel 8. Clark’s natural charm and wit kept the procession of canine hopefuls moving along smoothly. “It’s a fun event because everyone’s in a good mood, including the dogs,” Clark said.
The casting call began at 1:00 and lasted four hours. The contestants filed past a few doggie-themed vendor tables, had their picture taken, then wound across the sand at the foot of Ocean Avenue to the judging platform.
Everyone minded their p’s and q’s, although it didn’t take a dog whisperer to know the dogs were dreaming of a full speed run to the surf.
Bitty was one of the dogs entered in Saturday’s competition. Black, white and tiny, Bitty came to Carmel from Maryland where she was found wandering on a highway. Her owner described her as “a cross between a fox and a rat.”
Next in line was a muscular American mastiff whose favorite hobby is burying his toys. “He likes to dig them up like he’s never seen them before,” his owner said, squeezing a sqeaky shark. “He’s also very big on sunbathing.”
Guiness, a handsome Airedale terrier “has his own house, his own car and a driver,” according to his owner-driver Joe.
Other competitors included: a Tibetan spaniel, a schipperke, a bulldog, a bichon fries wearing booties, and a shepherd mix from the SPCA.
“Dog people get out more than cat people,” said Cameron Woo, owner of Bark, the dog culture magazine sponsoring the event. “When you have a dog, it’s a bridge to meeting people. I think most people figure if you have a dog you can’t be all bad.”
After judging last year’s calendar casting, deFaria even adopted a rescue dog of his own, which he describes as “half Pomeranian and half something or other.”
The casting call, which netted more than $865 for its beneficiary, the SPCA, was dreamed up by the city’s marketing and public relations guru Jeff Burghardt of Anda-Burghardt Advertising.
The calendar idea was a natural. Dogs are everywhere here. You stumble over them as you enter a store. You weave your way around them on the sidewalk.
Not only is our white sand beach a playground paradise, many merchants welcome four-legged visitors into their shops and restaurants.
At the Doris Day and Denny LeVett-owned Cypress Inn, a welcoming jar of dog biscuits greets guests waiting to check in, and pets are welcome to spend the night. Restaurants like Portabella and Forge in the Forest seat canine companions with their masters.
The 12 winners will be professionally photographed by Paul Schraub for the 2008 Carmel Dog Calendar. The calendars will be available for purchase in late October.
2008 CARMEL DOG CALENDAR WINNERS
#42 Name: Bella/Arnie (Breed: Havanese / Owners: Jaclyn & Jason Togneri) & Cali/Charlee (Breed: Bichon-Havanese / Owner: Jane Marcus)
#46 Name: Remy (Breed: Irish Terrier / Owner: Ben & Cate Barrera)
#72 Name: Xebi (Breed: Wire Hair Pointer / Owner: Brenden Jones)
#105 Name: Toby (Breed: Newfoundland / Owner: Eileen & Mariano Catbagan)
#108 Name: Sophie (Breed: Long Hair Mini-Dachshund / Owner: Ethel & Jim Wood)
#109 Name: Cagey Mueller (Breed: Malamute / Owner: Richard & Rachel Mueller)
#121 Name: Hickory (Breed: Catahoula/Aussie Mix / Owner: Justine Englehardt)
#122 Name: Boomer (Breed: Tibetan Terrier / Owner: Hugh & Sheila Barton)
#133 Name: Harry (Breed: Sheltie / Owner: Jennifer Neal)
#142 Name: Tempe (Breed: Doberman Pinscher / Owner: Patricia Neil & Marilyn Altheide)
#144 Name: Lola (Breed: Great Dane / Owner: Katie Estes)
#145 Name: Ellie Jelly Belly (Breed: Mini–Dachshund / Owner: Barbara & Darin Barr)
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CONTACT
Jeff Burghardt, president
Anda-Burghardt Advertising
(831) 646-9200
Fax (831) 646-9300
jeff@abadvertising.com
