This isn’t your usual dog fight, it’s a couple who battled it out in court for the custody of their pup.  Eric Dare and Doreen Houseman both thought they deserved custody of Dexter the pug,  so they ended up in front of a judge (twice) to determine the outcome.

Dare thought he deserved Dexter because he was the one who bought him, while Houseman felt since she took care of him when he was sick and dressed him for holidays she should get custody. They both proclaimed their love for Dexter.

In 2007 the case was heard in court for the first time in front of Judge Tomasello, at that time Dexter was awarded to Dare. According to the judge it came down to simple possession, Dexter is considered an object, property.  Houseman was not alright with that and has spent at least $20,000 since then fighting to get Dexter back.

Dissatisfied with the outcome Houseman’s lawyer got the case to go before a  three-judge appeals panel for review of the decision.

Here are details of the appeals case from the Philly.com News.

“Dogs are chairs. They’re furniture,” Tomasello said, explaining that they are just one of many objects to be divided in a breakup.

But Houseman wanted Dexter, not cold cash. Her lawyer, Gina Colagero, took the case to a three-judge appeals panel that concluded Tomasello had failed to consider Dexter’s “subjective value.”

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In Bowie, TX. nearly 500 dogs were seized from the Maggic Pets/Heddins Kennels after a complaint the animals weren’t receiving proper veterinary care.

There were several dead animals found on the premises which according to the website offers breeds including pugs, schnauzers, toy beagles, akitas and shitzus.

Cloyce Heddins, the husband of the kennel’s owner, told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram that the dogs received proper care and authorities had bad information. He said his wife, Carol, has heart problems and was taken to a hospital by ambulance when officers arrived.

“We’ve been in this business a long time,” Heddins told the newspaper. “If you raise dogs, you’ve got to get them veterinary care, especially if you’re trying to make a living of it.”

Sandy Grambort, a supervisor with the Humane Society of North Texas, said authorities found dogs in crates double-stacked in outbuildings, as well as in outdoor pens and kennels. Some had skin conditions and open sores, she said.

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In December I did a post on artist Kathryn Beals who painted Dogster member Sabrina’s portrait. The painting came out great, I was really impressed.  As it turns out, Sabrina is just one of many Dogster members she has painted.

Kathryn recently contacted me with an offer I couldn’t refuse, a chance for a Dogster member to win a head portrait of their dog. The winner gets a free 14 x 18 head shot portrait, shipping and tax included.

The winner’s portrait progress will be featured on Kathryn’s How I Paint blog. It’s a really cool site where you can follow the progress of her latest, and greatest, paintings. It’s so interesting to see how she takes an image from a photograph and turns it into an amazing painting.

To enter just leave a comment in the comment section sharing why your pup is picture perfect.  Just the fact that your dog is adorable is reason enough. The contest runs today through Monday, April 27th when I will choose one lucky winner.

Kathryn’s portraits are a great gift to give yourself or one of your dog loving friends. It’s also a wonderful way to memorialize your dog,  something special you’ll have long after your best friend is gone. One of the best things about Kathryn’s work is that she guarantees it. If for any reason you are not happy you can get your money back. How many artists offer that deal?  I can tell you, not many.

Right now Dogsters have an opportunity to get a portrait at a discounted price. If you order a painting now through the end of May you will receive $50 off. All you need to do is email Kathryn at kathryn[AT]bealsstudios.com and let her know you are a Dogster member prior to placing your order. If you have any questions regarding the special or to do with a commissioned painting just send her an email.

* Dogster member Sam pictured on top,  Fig Newton shown below.

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Our very own Dogster member Pugsly, is a semi-finalist in the First Annual Worldwide Fido Awards, premiering Oct. 5th on Nick at Nite.

A blues-singing beagle, a bull dog who can skateboard and flush the toilet on command and a Jack Russell terrier who can jump rope and walk up steps backward are among the semifinalists as the final round of voting begins for the top six pups who will compete for the champion title on the First Annual Worldwide Fido Awards, airing in primetime, Sunday, Oct. 5, at 8:00 p.m. (ET/PT) on Nick at Nite.

The one-hour special event hosted by actor/comedian Fred Willard (Best in Show) will showcase the six Fido finalists and best of WorldwideFido.com’s user-generated videos, where one lucky dog will ultimately be crowned the 2008 Worldwide Fido winner.

Fans can vote now on www.worldwidefido.com to determine the finalist in each of the six categories, including “Cutest Dog,” “Best Dressed,” “Best Voice,” “Most Outrageous,” “Best Trick” and “Dog/Owner Look-Alike.”

Pugsly is entered in the “Best Voice” competition for singing I Love You.  In order for him to get on Nick at Nite he needs to make it into the finals.  Take a look at his video and then put your big, or small, paw on the vote button. You have to vote on the actual Fido site.

If you have trouble viewing the video click here.

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Happy Labor Day, everyone. Well, the running Pug seems to have inspired a lot of creativity over the past week but in the end Shelby reigned supreme and scored the Zealies with her witty offering below. Congrats, Shelby!

Be ready for the next contest appearing tomorrow.

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In the last few months I’ve had a bunch of pug clients, including the little cutie named Mummers starring in this week’s contest. Pugs never fail to amuse when they’re in front of the camera and Mummers was no exception with his classic entry.

To compete in the contest make a comment on this post and replace “What was I thinking?” with your own suggestion. The winner scores 25 Zealies and will be announced next Monday, September 1st.

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In West Seattle, WA a burglar broke into a house and when the owner came home she found her two pugs gone.  The only things missing were two men’s rings and her pugs, 6-year-old male named Bandit, who is blind, and a 4-year-old female named Pippin. 

Barney Lubetkin’s wife, Marsha, reported her dogs missing Monday after she returned home from work to find a screen from an open window had been bent and tossed on the deck and her drawers and jewelry box had been emptied.

Police told Marsha Lubetkin the dogs might have gotten out of the house during the burglary, but she thought they were stolen because the blind one couldn’t have gone far, she said, and nobody in the neighborhood had seen them.

What a horrible feeling to come home to find your house broken into and your beloved dogs gone.  The Lubetkin’s spent weeks putting up flyers, posting on blogs, searching the surrounding neighborhoods, and following up on leads from callers.  All to no avail, the dogs could not be found.  On Thursday all this changed when they recevied a phone call from the King County Animal Shelter in Kent.

The dogs were dropped off at the King County Shelter where they were identified by microchips embedded under their skin. Shelter workers told owner Barney Lubetkin that an unidentified woman had brought in the dogs, saying someone put them in her yard. She then quickly left.

 The shelter where the dogs were dropped off was 15 miles from the Lubetkin’s home. A rather long distance for a blind dog to travel. The shelter took the license plate of the woman who dropped off Bandit and Pippin but have no further information on her. Marsha Lubetkin said she would pay the $1000 reward offered if she is found, and is indeed a good samaritan. I’m just happy that her dogs are home safe and sound.

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Dogsters, you outdid yourselves for this week’s contest. It was a tough call but the champion and winner of 50 Zealies is Tala for a pitch-perfect take on this photo. Stay tuned tomorrow for a new photo and contest for the coming week.

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Ok, Dogsters, this time I’m upping the level of effort and the stakes on this weekly contest. This week’s photo features two pups locked in an epic pug of war and each one of them deserves their own quote.

Just make a comment on this post and replace each  “What was I thinking?” with your own suggestion. The winner with the two best suggestions wins 50 Zealies. The winner will be announced next Monday, July 21st.

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Moxie and Molly wrote in to let us know about a glamorous photo spread in Vogue Italia with Linda Evangelista. I’ve renamed it ‘The Puggesses.’

Biped fashionistas will love the blog it came from.

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