Many of you may know that in a past life I was the host of a radio talk show called “The Pet Guy Show” where each week for two hours, I would field calls from pet owners who had questions about anything to do with their pets. The show was actually a very creative way to drum up business for our pet supply businesses and it worked well! But like Jason Alexander who played “George Costanza” on Seinfeld, I was typecast and couldn’t shed the character of “The Pet Guy.”

I was recently approached by a local charitable foundation - The Luzerne Foundation, which also happens to administer our own fund - Solid Cactus Cares, to star in a commercial to promote a benefit Texas Hold-em tournament. Being the wallflower that I am, I took them up on the offer. Why? Because of my supporting cast. I was going to be “playing poker” with a bunch of dogs.

The day of the shoot came and the dogs were all ready, some big, some little, some all hyped-up, some who couldn’t care less. I was quite surprised at how well they behaved during take after take. I was sweating like a rusty pipe from the heat of the lights, which is why if you watch the video, the dogs really “loved” my face.

Working with dogs is quite stressful. I remember when we would do product shoots for ferret products, we would spend the day in a studio with a bunch of ferrets who wanted nothing to do with a photographer and by the time the day was over, you didn’t want to see a ferret ever again! The dogs were a lot better, but there were some things that you will see in the “blooper reel.”

Some things you won’t see…. Me getting peed on by the small dog that I’m holding on my lap. Me having chicken fat rubbed on my face so the dogs would “kiss me.” Suzanne underneath the table “begging” the dogs to sit still. But hey, it’s for a worthy cause and I needed a bath anyway.