I was sorry to see Tillman, the skateboarding bulldog, eliminated from the "Greatest American Dog" show. Then again, he's probably better off.
I had pretty high hopes for this reality show, but it has not lived up to expectations. This show has focused more on the humans than on the pooches, which is a pretty big mistake considering the dogs are entertaining and most of the humans are not.
Tillman was a bright spot on the show. He was a real dog. Even though he rides a skateboard, which seems to be a talent shared by a few English bulldogs, he usually behaved like any other dog.
He didn't always do exactly what he was told. He slept a lot. He drank too much pool water and then tossed it back into the pool. He farted. Often.
If this show had lived up to it's potential, Tillman's human, Ron, could have learned about ways to make Tillman less gassy, a solution to a problem shared by many dog owners that logically make up the viewing audience of this show. Useful training tips would be appreciated, too.
But instead, we get to watch some childish behavior from Brandy toward Travis and Laura in what is shaping up to be a classic love triangle that many of us can relate to, if indeed we want to re-live middle school.
What has this got to do with the dogs?
Last night's competition had the humans trying to get their dogs to strike a pose for a photographer that illustrated an emotion. Ron and Tillman were expelled from the Canine Academy because Tillman's photo did not adequately express "lazy."
Are you kidding me?
Spared from eviction was Teresa, who curses and yells at her border collie, Leroy. She was chastised for using a rubber band to make Leroy snarl to demonstrate "angry." Judge Victoria Stillwell said she thought that was inhumane.
I think that's stretching it a little, no pun intended. While I certainly don't think you should make a habit of putting a rubber band on your dog's snout, and realistically why on earth would you, the dog was never harmed.
Still, if the judges thought Teresa was mistreating her dog, as she does almost all the time, why was that a more forgivable sin that a less-than-artsy photo of a sleepy bulldog? Great message there.
If you are watching this show, post a comment and let me know what you think. I am about ready to bail on this nonsense.
Comments
[July 31, 2008 5:17 PM]
Skip Haynes : →http://www.musicforanimals.orgI liked the show's concept – but mostly the dogs so much I created a song especially for all the great American dogs out there. Check it out at http://www.musicforanimals.org It's a free download, it's fun and it's for all the dogs that mean so much to all of us dog lovers. Great American Dogs Rule!
[August 1, 2008 7:41 AM]
Don DollarTillman was the show for me. We dog lovers love dogs for being dogs and Tillmans a dog. Way too much footage on the humans and way too little on the dogs. That was obvious from the first show, but I continued to watch for Tillman. Now that he's gone I'm tuning out and don't care. We can see spoiled Brandys anywhere we want to look and don't have to put up with someone from New York that talks Baby Talk to her dog. Bill and Star are the only saving grace the show has left, but without Tillman its not a show. Go Tillman!!! I for one want to see more of you and Ron. Bring him with you and I'll be watching YouTube for news.