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.

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.

A hilarious tail about a family who learns important life lessons from their adorable, but naughty and neurotic dog.

When newlyweds John and Jenny Grogan (Wilson and Aniston) leave the snow of Michigan for the beaches of Miami, they decide to adopt a yellow Labrador retriever named Marley, in order to give them a taste of parenthood.

However, things get ruff when the adorable 12-pound puppy transforms into a highly-strung, boisterous and uncontrollable 100-pound steamroller of unbridled energy that always finds trouble.

Last week I had the privilege of speaking with the Animal Coordinator on Marley & Me, Mark Forbes.  On the set there were 22 dogs with eight trainers, Mark is the person who oversaw the entire operation.  He worked with each trainer, breaking down the script so things went smoothly.

Mark has been working in television and film for many years. He trained and worked with Dreyfuss, the long running character on the television show Empty Nest. Mark’s first major character in a feature film was Pongo in 101 Dalmatians.

Mark has displayed his skills as Head Trainer on films such as Dr. Dolittle, 102 Dalmatians, Homeward Bound II and Wonder Boys. He has also been the Animal Coordinator, overseeing all of the animal work on Dr. Dolittle II, Hidalgo, The Shaggy Dog, Evan Almighty, and recently released Hotel For Dogs.

The dogs who played Marley were a variety of ages, ranging from puppies to 13-year-old Clyde. Something interesting I found out was that Clyde is privately owned, his owner had to give him up for a few months to be in the film. She wasn’t allowed to be with him on the set. But rest assured he was very well taken care of. Because of Clyde’s age he had someone assigned just to take care of him, along with his own trailer, and special assistance for any medical issues related to a dog that age.

Mark has worked on many movies, but he said this one was the most fun he’s had making a movie. Besides the actors all being great to work with, he said the director really emphasized that everyone was there to fun. I think when you watch the movie that really comes through.

Before finishing up our conversation I asked Mark if he had any advice for Dogsters trying to train their dogs. Unfortunately, there is no hidden Hollywood secret. It’s a matter of having a clear plan, and knowing the rules beforehand. The best way to train is in short session, between 10-20 minutes, two or three times a day. You must be consistent, and don’t give up, it’s just a matter of time.

To enter the contest just leave a comment in the comment section sharing your favorite part of the book, or movie if you’ve seen it. The contest starts today and runs through Friday, April 3rd when I will randomly pick five winners.

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.

Owning a dog is more than just fun and games, it requires a lot responsibility. The American Humane Association wants to make sure movie-goers who see “Marley & Me” realize what goes into dog ownership.

They are running a new education campaign around the movie, along with adoption events in at least 15 cities.

American Humane Association and 20th Century FOX are working together to ensure viewers of this holiday’s anticipated hit, Marley & Me, fully understand the responsibility and accountability that comes with owning a puppy. Their goal: to educate potential dog owners to find dogs that fit their lifestyles; to encourage adopting dogs from shelters; and to prevent owners from abandoning puppies because they got “more than they can handle.”

Opening Christmas day, Marley & Me is based on John Grogan’s best-selling novel and columns in the Philadelphia Inquirer. In the movie, Owen Wilson and Jennifer Aniston star as the owners of Marley, a high-strung Labrador retriever that teaches the couple about unconditional love.

Some things American Humane and 20th Century FOX have in the works:
1. FOX is arranging for a local shelter to put on an adoption day at each theater nationwide that will hold a special Marley & Me screening. American Humane will be working through its shelter network to provide potential shelters with which to work on creating the adoption event.

2. American Humane is providing dog training tips and important pet ownership information to FOX for an American Humane/Marley & Me pamphlet that will be available at each of the adoption/screening events.

Eleven years ago there was some media coverage concerning the staggering number of Dalmatians purchased and abandoned following the release of Disney’s 101 Dalmatians.

Labs are already America’s favorite dog, standing at the top of the AKC’s list of most popular dogs for 10 years.  As a result, there are many Labradors available for adoption. It also speaks volumes for the number of Lab puppy mills (not ethical lab breeders) that may be preparing to flood the market with cute Labs that carry some of the breed’s genetic problems, such as hip dysplasia.

So many dogs are adopted and then returned, people adopt without thinking about the whole picture.  They look at that cute fuzzy face and don’t think about how much care, time, love, and money it takes to raise a dog.

Hopefully this campaign will raise awareness, giving a potential adopter all the information needed to  make an informed decision.

* Allie Phillips, Sandi Buck and Tracy Coppola (of the Office of Public Policy) with Marley. Photo courtesy American Humane Association.

If you live in the Denver, Colorado area here is a great way to help out some very needy dogs.  It doesn’t cost much, only a can/bag of food or a blanket, and will make a big difference for these homeless animals.

The drive is in conjunction with American Humane Association and runs from December 1st to the 12th, so you have still have plenty of time to donate.

Hard economic times are taking their toll on everyone — including pets. Shelters and rescue groups are overcrowded and in even more need of basic supplies.

To help, the American Humane Association and 20th Century Fox’s new movie “Marley & Me” — based on the best-selling book about a family and its rambunctious Labrador retriever — are teaming up this holiday season to support Denver area animal shelters and rescue groups through the “12 Days of Marley — Dog Food & Blanket Drive.”

The Denver area community is urged to drop off unopened bags and cans of dog food or clean blankets at one of 65 participating locations, including Denver metro area Suncor Energy/Phillips 66 sites and independently owned pet stores. Suncor Energy/Phillips 66 sites will also host a donation drive at the cash registers of its Denver area locations, so patrons can opt to make monetary donations as well. The pet food drive will run Dec. 1-Dec. 12, 2008. Select locations will participate throughout December.

To learn all the details on how to help and participating drop off locations visit the American Humane site. Thanks in advance to all the generous Dogsters out there.

In September Purina’s Marley & Me video contest began, contestants sent in videos of their dog(s) showing what makes them unique, rascally and one-of-a-kind.

The videos poured in, the judges have now narrowed down the entries to the final twelve.  One of the finalists is our very own Dogster member Jack, a beautiful Golden Retriever.

Jack was adopted two years ago, after his owners lost two of their Goldens within three weeks of each other.  They were very sad and lonely, the house way too quiet.  Shortly after their heartbreaking loss they found out about a litter of Golden puppies, and Jack found his forever home.

Now through December 5th you can join in the fun and vote , for Jack or your favorite video.  The winner gets a very cool prize, a trip to Hollywood for the premier of Marley & Me.

If you missed out on entering the contest, don’t worry, there’s still a chance to win a prize.  The great folks at Purina have been kind enough to give Dogster 25 Marley & Me 2009 Calendars for a giveaway.  To enter leave a comment, in the comment section, about what makes your dog unique or rascally.

The contest will run today through Friday, November 28th when I will pick 25 winners at random.

This is a very cute calendar, good luck.