Hugo star Blackie the Doberman is expected to secure a nomination at this year’s Golden Collar Awards after a campaign by Martin Scorsese.

In a letter to the LA Times, the director complained that Blackie had not been recognised in the ‘best dog in a theatrical film’ category.

He urged readers to contact the awards’ organisers to support the canine.

Dog Daily News agreed it would add Blackie to the category if it received 500 write-in nominations.

The canine starred in the Oscar-nominated film as an attack dog owned by a train station officer, played by Sacha Baron Cohen.

“How could she not be nominated?” Scorsese wrote in his letter, noting the two nominations Uggie the Jack Russell scored for The Artist and Water for Elephants.

“Jack Russell terriers are small and cute. Dobermans are enormous and – handsome,” the director said.

“More tellingly, Uggie plays a nice little mascot who does tricks and saves his master’s life in one of the films, while Blackie gives an uncompromising performance as a ferocious guard dog who terrorises children.

“I’m proud of Blackie, who laid it on the line and dared to risk the sympathy of her audience.”

’6th nominee’

In response, Dog News Daily said: “Rather than engage in a war of words over the merits of the brilliant and nimble Jack Russell versus the imposing stature of a handsome Doberman, we will do what Mr Scorsese so eloquently requests.”

It said if it received 500 write-in nominations for Blackie via its Facebook page by 6 February, “the Golden Collar nominating committee will request that the panel of 14 judges add Hugo’s Blackie as the 6th nominee”.

More than 400 supporters have so far submitted write-in nominations in the 24 hours since Scorsese’s letter was published so it is expected that number will be reached.

Also vying for Top Dog at the Golden Collars are Cosmo from Ewan McGregor film Beginners, Denver from comedy drama 50/50 and Hummer from Charlize Theron film Young Adult.

Click here to read Martin Scorsese’s awesome letter.

While preparing for their roles, Liam Neeson and other “The Grey” cast members crossed the line from fantasy into reality: as a form of method acting, they requested real frozen wolf meat to be flown in to their filming location in Alaska.

Though the wolf was already dead prior to the actors’ request, it is unclear why the animal was killed.

The movie’s subject matter, combined with the actors’ unnecessary consumption of real wolf meat, are disrespectful to these native creatures and will perpetuate negative stereotypes of wolves. Please sign the petition to boycott this irresponsible film.

Click here to sign.

Lucy, a therapy dog from South Jersey, is quite the handful.

Actually, she’s about half a handful.

And as of Saturday, the 3-year-old mini Yorkshire terrier is the newly crowned “world’s smallest working dog” by the Guinness Book of World Records.

Just 6 inches long, 5.7 inches high and 2.5 fluffy pounds, Lucy was unfazed by the huge honor and heightened attention, says owner Sally Leone Montufar.

“She gets a lot of attention already,” Montufar said. “She stops traffic.”

Lucy snatched the title away from a 6.6-pound dog in Japan.

“I didn’t want Lucy to unseat him because he’s employed by the Japanese police as a search-and-rescue dog,” she says. “But she’s a different kind of working dog.”

Homeless and out of work two years ago, Lucy now works as a therapy dog through the Cherry Hill, N.J., program Leashes of Love, visiting hospitals, nursing homes and special schools often in dog dresses and bonnets.

Montufar contacted Guinness in November and learned of the diminutive dog’s admittance in December.

“I said I bet she’s not the tiniest, but I’m sure she’s the tiniest therapy dog,” recalls Montufar, who also owns a Cockapoo.

And not every dog is cut out for employment, or certification as a therapy dog.

“She had to be trained to sit for long periods, lay for long periods, not be flustered when there’s wheelchairs and walkers all around,” she says, “And she has to be able to walk for me and be nonaggressive.”

But it’s not all work for Lucy. According to Lucy’s Facebook fan page, her many interests include “food, chasing cats who are 10X her size, cuddling by the fire, twirling for treats.”

But Lucy’s life could have been far from fancy had her trip to the pound not been sidetracked by a stop into Paw Dazzle.

A woman entered the pet boutique with several dogs hoping someone would claim them before the shelter did.

But Montufar was more focused on the woman’s Juicy Couture dog carrier, specifically the nose poking out of it.

“(The designer tote bag) was very beautiful,” she says, “and out came this peanut.”

“This peanut” was a freakishly small, skinny pup by the name of Lucy. Along with medical help, Montufar knew to give Lucy a home, and then a job.

“She was so pitiful and lethargic,” Montufar said. “I couldn’t leave her. I didn’t know if I could save her or not. And kind of as a mother would, I said I’m going to help this one. I’m not going to turn my back. The others looked pretty healthy, she didn’t.”

While researching her incredible book about Rin Tin Tin, (the Dog Files highly recommends it), Susan learned that Rinty received the most votes at the very first Oscar ceremony, but the Academy, thought that no one would take them seriously, so they awarded it to a man, Emil Jannings.

Check out the entire story right here.

The Dog Files supports Susan Orlean. We hope the academy is listening. If not, we want then to hear us. The Dog Files has stated a petition to get Rin Tin Tin his Best Actor Oscar! Check it out right here! Please share this with all your friends!

Thanks!
Kenn, Max & Remy

Max is Number 2, but Remy is nowhere to be found.

Petfinder has announced the most popular dog names from 2011. “Buddy” continues to dominant the doggy world for the fifth year in a row. The Twilight saga seems to have some influence over dog owners, as the name “Bella” appears high on the list.

Dog Names

1. Buddy

2. Max

3. Daisy

4. Bella

5. Lucy

6. Molly

7. Charlie

8. Jack

9. Sadie

10. Rocky

]]> http://www.thedogfiles.com/2011/12/28/most-popular-dog-names-of-2011/feed/ 57 http://www.thedogfiles.com/2011/11/10/rin-tin-tin-in-the-news-video/ http://www.thedogfiles.com/2011/11/10/rin-tin-tin-in-the-news-video/#comments Thu, 10 Nov 2011 17:04:42 +0000 Kenn Bell http://www.thedogfiles.com/?p=24889 I’ve been reading the new book, Rin Tin Tin, The Life And The Legend written by Susan Orlean, author of “The Orchid Thief”. I highly recommend it and I think all of us dog lovers will recognize ourselves in Rin Tin Tin’s owner, Lee Duncan. Lee was a man that was driven by the love of a dog.

]]> http://www.thedogfiles.com/2011/11/10/rin-tin-tin-in-the-news-video/feed/ 4 http://www.thedogfiles.com/2011/11/10/watch-american-humane-association-hero-dog-awards-friday-night/ http://www.thedogfiles.com/2011/11/10/watch-american-humane-association-hero-dog-awards-friday-night/#comments Thu, 10 Nov 2011 16:34:35 +0000 Kenn Bell http://www.thedogfiles.com/?p=24878

Hallmark Channel will present the inaugural American Humane Association Hero Dog Awards at 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 11. The program, presented by Cesar Canine Cuisine, will also be broadcast for U.S. troops worldwide through Armed Forces Network after its debut on Hallmark.

Hosted by Emmy Award-winning Carson Kressley on Oct. 1, the Hero Dog Awards pay tribute to eight dogs and their handlers — each partnership a testament to the age-old bond between dogs and people.

After a nationwide online search that elicited about 400,000 votes, each dog was selected among hundreds of nominees from all 50 states in one of eight categories: Law Enforcement and Arson Dogs; Service Dogs; Therapy Dogs; Military Dogs; Guide Dogs; Search and Rescue Dogs; Hearing Dogs; and Emerging Hero Dogs, a category that highlights ordinary pets who do extraordinary things. At the end of the evening, one dog was named the overall “American Hero Dog.”

Celebrity judges and presenters on hand for the festivities included Betty White, Peter Fonda, Faith Ford, Pauley Perrette, Michael Vartan, Jason Lewis, Candy Spelling, Victoria Stillwell and Joey Lawrence.

You can find more about each of the eight dogs and their stories at the Hero Dog Awards website.

]]> http://www.thedogfiles.com/2011/11/10/watch-american-humane-association-hero-dog-awards-friday-night/feed/ 1 http://www.thedogfiles.com/2011/09/14/meet-the-dog-with-the-biggest-ears-in-the-world/ http://www.thedogfiles.com/2011/09/14/meet-the-dog-with-the-biggest-ears-in-the-world/#comments Wed, 14 Sep 2011 15:04:07 +0000 Bobby-Tucker http://www.thedogfiles.com/?p=24445

Harbor is an 8-year old Black and Tan Coonhound with big ears. His ears are so big, he now holds the Guinness World record for the Longest Ears on a Living Dog.

This particular breed of dog is known for its larger ears, but Harbor’s ears are off the charts. His left ear measures 12.25 inches and his right is a whopping 13.5 inches. Ever since he was a pup, Harbor has been tripping over his ears though it has lessened as he has gotten older, says owner Jennifer Wert.

But these large ears are not for show or even for improved hearing, Coonhounds use their large ears to help them smell their environment. As they walk, their ears flop around their face and push scents towards their nose.

Awesome!

Story by Elaine Furst for Dog Files

]]> http://www.thedogfiles.com/2011/09/14/meet-the-dog-with-the-biggest-ears-in-the-world/feed/ 3 http://www.thedogfiles.com/2011/08/04/hero-dogs-to-get-their-own-tv-awards-show/ http://www.thedogfiles.com/2011/08/04/hero-dogs-to-get-their-own-tv-awards-show/#comments Thu, 04 Aug 2011 13:21:41 +0000 Bobby-Tucker http://www.thedogfiles.com/?p=23858

Film star Ewan McGregor and actress and animal rights campaigner Betty White will join Whoopi Goldberg and other all-star panelists to judge a new heroic dog award show which will air on the Hallmark Channel.

The American Humane Association is bringing the celebrities on board for its inaugural “Hero Dog Awards,” a TV contest which will recognize “the thousands of specially trained dogs giving comfort to people every day.”

The winning dogs will also get to attend their own red carpet awards gala in Beverly Hills.

Canine movie star Rin Tin Tin, a dog rescued from the frontlines of World War I in France who later became an American icon and movie idol, will be given a special legacy award, presented to one of his doggie descendants.

Dogs will compete in eight categories: law enforcement and arson dogs; service dogs; therapy dogs; military dogs; guide dogs; search and rescue dogs; hearing dogs, and emerging hero dogs, for “ordinary pets who do extraordinary things.”

White, 89, of “The Golden Girls” TV fame, also works for several animal organizations, including the Los Angeles Zoo.

Other celebrity judges will include personal trainer Jillian Michaels and “Glee” cast member and dog lover Kristin Chenoweth.

The 90-minute show will be broadcast on the Hallmark Channel on November 11.

Story by Elaine Furst for Dog Files

]]> http://www.thedogfiles.com/2011/08/04/hero-dogs-to-get-their-own-tv-awards-show/feed/ 2 http://www.thedogfiles.com/2011/08/03/koko-australias-canine-star-enjoys-the-good-life/ http://www.thedogfiles.com/2011/08/03/koko-australias-canine-star-enjoys-the-good-life/#comments Wed, 03 Aug 2011 14:34:05 +0000 Bobby-Tucker http://www.thedogfiles.com/?p=23851

Stretched out on the couch in a penthouse suite overlooking Western Australia’s Swan River and lapping up water from a Moet & Chandon ice bucket, Koko the kelpie is living large.

The charming canine is taking part in a publicity blitz for the new film Red Dog, based on the true story of the dog who roamed the Western Australian outback during the 1970s.

The film, starring Josh Lucas and Rachael Taylor, is a must-see for animal lovers of all ages.

Producer Nelson Woss, who describes the film as a love story between a community and a dog, hopes the film, which drew giggles and tears from viewers at the Perth, Australia premiere last week, will become as well-loved as Crocodile Dundee and Babe.

As for Koko , he couldn’t sit on command when he was picked after a nationwide search and needed three years of training from animal trainer Luke Hura before he could step onto the set.

Although Lucas was desperate to take the kelpie to New York with him, it was Woss who got to keep him.

Once the national media tour winds up, Koko will step away from the spotlight.

“It was hard to make this movie. It was a hot, harsh, tough environment and Koko was just a real pro,” says Woss.

“He worked so hard, and now he’s just going to enjoy being a dog. We go for long walks and he has a feed, and he’s a happy dog.”

Story by Elaine Furst for Dog Files

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