Three Dogsters have the opportunity to win a copy of the newly released Hotel For Dogs DVD. It’s the story of two foster kids who have a dog they need to keep hidden, and the lengths they go to do so.

The movie is about unconditional love, showing it doesn’t always take a family in the traditional sense to make a home.

HOLLYWOOD, Calif. – The hilarious family comedy HOTEL FOR DOGS finds a new home on April 28, 2009 when it arrives on DVD and Blu-ray from Paramount Home Entertainment.

Starring Emma Roberts (Nancy Drew), Jake T. Austin (”Wizards of Waverly Place”), Don Cheadle (Ocean’s 11), Lisa Kudrow (”Friends”) and Kevin Dillon (”Entourage”), the exciting and inspiring animal adventure shows just how far friendship and imagination can take you. When two orphans find themselves in a foster home with a strict “no pets” policy, they set out to find a home for their canine companion and end up creating a haven for all the strays in the city. Filled with loveable dogs and ingenious kids, HOTEL FOR DOGS has the kind of pedigree that the whole family can enjoy.

Loaded with over 45 minutes of special features, the HOTEL FOR DOGS DVD and Blu-ray presentations include the making of Hotel For Dogs, behind-the-scenes featurettes, deleted scenes, photo galleries and more, as well as commentary from director Thor Freudenthal, producer Ewan “Jack” Leslie and cast members Emma Roberts and Jake T. Austin.

If you go to the Hotel For Dogs site there is something very cool going on, you can make your dog a star with the “Make Your Dog A Star” campaign.  It allows you to print out customized DVD covers and posters featuring your dog and have your pooch featured in the trailer. It’s fun, and the best part is that it’s free. I admit, I just tried it, and it is cute.

If you would like to enter to win a  Hotel For Dogs DVD just leave a comment in the comment section sharing why your dog is a star, at least in your eyes.  The contest runs today through Friday, May 8th when I will choose three lucky winners.

Just a reminder that our Marley & Me contest ends on Friday, April 3rd.  You’ve got to be in it to win it, get those paws typing.

As I’m sure most people know, Marley & Me is coming out on DVD March 31st. Even more exciting is the fact that five lucky Dogsters are going to win a special edition 2 disc DVD set.

Go to the original post to find out all the details and to enter. Click on the link and you’ll be brought to where you need to be.

On January 16th you can check-in at your local movie theater and watch Hotel For Dogs. It’s the story of two foster kids who have a dog they need to keep hidden, and the lengths they go to do so.

The movie is about unconditional love, showing it doesn’t always take a family in the traditional sense to make a home.

“Hotel for Dogs,” Andi (Emma Roberts, niece of Julia) and her younger brother, Bruce (Jake T. Austin) live in a strictly no-pets household and are fast running out of ways to keep their perpetually hungry dog, Friday, under wraps.

When they accidentally stumble on an abandoned hotel that is already home to a couple of resourceful strays, Andi has an idea. She taps Bruce’s mechanical genius for turning everyday objects into mechanical marvels, and, with the help of their friends in the neighborhood, transform the down-and-out hotel into a magical dog paradise – not only for Friday, but for every stray they can find.

But when the barking dogs make the neighbors and the suddenly out-of-work local dog catchers suspicious, Andi and Bruce have to use every invention at their disposal to prevent them from finding out “who let the dogs in.”

There were many dogs used in the making of Hotel For Dogs.  When you see a film with animals you  may recall the  “No Animals Were Harmed” disclaimer, that’s part of the American Humane Film & TV Unit. They make sure that when animals are involved everything is done in a safe and non-stressful environment. Have you ever watched a movie where there is a stunt that looks like an animal was harmed ?  That’s called perception vs. reality, it looks so real, but it was done in a safe manner with a lot of prep work.  The American Humane is there to document this so that there is no doubt everything was done properly.

I had the pleasure of doing a phone interview with Jone Bauman, Head of Communications for the American Humane, and Beth Langhorst who is a Senior Certified Animal Representative. Beth has a very impressive background, graduating from Moorpark College with a degree in Exotic Animal Training and Management. She was on the set of Hotel For Dogs for three months during the filming overseeing everything that involved the dogs: stunts, make-up, special effects.

One of the neat things I learned from the interview is that approximately 75-80% of the dogs you see in movies are rescued animals. After the movie many are adopted by the cast and crew, the rest go to other forever homes.

The American Humane provides this service free of charge which is great, plus they can never be accused of making a decision based on who’s paying them. They work on over 1,000 productions a year with only 11 full-time  and 25 part-time safety reps.

So, go enjoy the movie and know that “No Animals Were Harmed” thanks to the wonderful work of the American Humane.

* Photo courtesy American Humane.

Marley & Me has been at the box office number one spot for two weeks in a row, proving who the top dog is.

According to Box Office Mojo, it’s “the third-highest grossing dog movie on record,” a coveted position, as we all know. It falls behind only Scooby-Doo (really? That movie?) and 101 Dalmatians, and is fast approaching the top of that list.

Remember the success of Beverly Hill Chihuahua in 2008? Even with mixed reviews it proved to be a commercial success, hitting the number one spot a few weekends in a row.  With the recent release of Beethoven’s Big Break (made for DVD) and the upcoming film Hotel for Dogs it shows that dog movies aren’t a phase, they’re here to stay.

The movie industry has finally picked up on what dog lovers knew all along, there is a big market out there.  As long as the movies are a commercial success, even if panned by the critics, there will be more to come.

Marley & Me has had its share of mixed reviews.  Have any Dogsters seen it?  Give me a bark and let me know what you thought, did it get a paws up or down?

* That oh so cute puppy above is Sophia.

For all the Beethoven fans out there you’re going to be very happy to hear about Beethoven’s Big Break. It’s a brand new adventure staring everyone’s favorite St. Bernard, to be released on DVD December 26.

Although animal handler Eddie (Jonathan Silverman) works with lots of creatures, he has a strict NO PETS ALLOWED policy and won’t let his son Billy keep adorable stray dog Beethoven and his family of puppies.

But when dog-nappers steal the canine star of the movie Eddie’s working on, the studio big shots must quickly find a replacement and unexpectedly cast the lumbering canine as their next big star.

Through his rambunctious antics and larger-than-life personality, Beethoven not only crashes into Hollywood but into Eddie’s heart as well.

Lisa and I got to watch a preview copy of Beethoven’s Big Break,  definitely an enjoyable film for the entire family.  While the humor is geared towards kids  it’s also fun for dog lovers of any age.  I don’t know about you, but anytime you stick a cute dog along with three adorable puppies on the screen,  count me  in.

The other cool thing, you get barkin’ hot bonus features. You’ll see Beethoven with animal trainer Mark Eschevarria,  he teaches how to train your dog to roll over. Watch behind the scenes as the cast and crew made the film in Orlando, FL. Plus, Cesar Milan is going to explain the keys to working with animals and how he got started. There’s more,  but you’ve got to get yourself a copy to see it all.

For viewers in need of even more puppy love, Beethoven’s Big Break will also be included in the new Beethoven’s Dog-gone Best Movie Pack, available on December 30.

Six hilarious full-length movies for one great price. With over 8 hours of action, laughs and surprises, Beethoven’s Dog-gone Best Movie Pack will satisfy the most devoted fans of the big-hearted, wet-nosed Beethoven and his adorable puppies.

So whether you’re looking to buy Beethoven’s Big Break or Beethoven’s Dog-gone Movie Pack mark your calendars for the release dates, in the meantime go check out a movie clip.

* Picture courtesy Yahoo! KIDS.