DogTown heads to Hollywood - Day Three

The final day for Georgia at TCA concluded with her meet and greet with some of televsion's best known critics. By the sound of it she impressed her audience. Below is the final installment of Georgia's trip to Hollywood.

For more information on the show DogTown click here, and to learn more about how to help dogs, such as Georgia, head over to Bestfriends.org.

Michelle Besmehn
Best Friends Animal Society

Our third day was a busy day. We had an interview with Inside Edition in the morning. Georgia had her own chair for this one. She stayed in her chair, looked at the camera when the interviewer spoke to us, and was great about meeting the camera crew.

After the interview, the camera crew from Inside Edition followed Georgia and John out to the pool, where she was served her lunch in a glass dish while lounging on a lawn chair. Again, she was a bit nervous about being so close to the pool, but I think the food helped to distract her.

Once we were done with that interview, it was off to prepare for the panel that would take place in the afternoon. Georgia was relaxed going up onto the stage and even took a little nap during the preparation session. Georgia then rested in the "green room" with Juliette while the rest of us had lunch with some of the reporters.

It was finally time for the panel. Georgia accompanied us on stage to answer questions from some of the 60-plus reporters who attended. She was a bit more nervous this time because of the lights and all the people, but soon she decided that it wasn't so bad and she actually fell asleep. I guess we had tired her out.

Once we were done answering questions, Georgia woke up in time to greet all her fans. She was again wonderful with all the people who wanted to meet her. Georgia was exhausted by the end of these activities, so John took her up to her room early and let her have a good rest. It's tough being a celebrity!

I am very impressed with how well Georgia did. She is well on her way to being ready for her own home. From what I saw, a home in Beverly Hills would suit Georgia just fine!

John Garcia
Best Friends Animal Society

Day three was when Georgia really had to earn her kibble. The day started out poolside while we practiced for the first interview, and she just lounged around while we talked. Around mid-day, Michelle and I had an interview with Inside Edition that couldn't have gone any better.

Georgia again demanded that we go poolside so she could eat her Canine Caviar out of a fancy bowl while she worked on her tan. I could tell she was a little uncomfortable by the strange blue water with people swimming back and forth. She took her spot on one of the lounge chairs by the pool while the Inside Edition people finished up.

I can't help saying again how proud I am of Georgia and how she did with this whole experience. She met everything under the sun with no problems at all, everything from kids to adults, skateboards to crutches. She not only handled being in a city better than I did, but she seemed right at home alongside all the celebrities."After that, we walked back through the hotel lobby and she said hello to everyone she came across. Even though we have a strong bond, I'm still amazed by how well she listened to me; she didn't miss a beat. Every time I said her name or asked her to do something, she did it with no issues whatsoever. We had worked on a lot of different things - like loose-leash walking, sit, down, recall, etc. - but she showed me that her willingness to please was extremely high.

Every time she became a little nervous, she would make eye contact for reassurance. We even saw several dogs being walked on our little adventures and every time I would say her name and "change the subject" before she could become worked up. Not once did she lash out at any dogs or people the entire trip. I'm so proud of her.

After the Inside Edition interview, it was Georgia's time to shine. I really feel she knew what was happening. When we were in the "green room" waiting for our time on stage, Georgia had a chance to swap stories with a national hero, former astronaut Buzz Aldrin. Georgia had a blast socializing with the other stars of the Nat Geo lineup and when it was finally time to get on stage, she was raring to go.

Again, I think we were all way more nervous than Georgia was to be in front of all the TV critics. Once on stage, she simply took her same spot at my feet and began to snore a little (even celebrities snore). She was a perfect angel on stage and only stood up when she heard her name; otherwise she was content to simply take a break.

After the Q&A, Georgia was on her best behavior with all the people who wanted to meet her. We wanted it to be structured for Georgia's sake, but she handled it like a pro. I was still more nervous than her at this point. At no point did she show me any stress signals. Everyone who met her had to give her a belly rub or let her give her patented Georgia kisses. This is a dog who had been put through so much in her life and all she wanted to do was give kisses. I couldn't imagine going through what she did and then learning how to trust all over again.

As I was thinking it couldn't get any better, Chris, one of the Nat Geo executives (I think Georgia had a crush on him), came over and told us we could get our picture taken with Buzz. Georgia sat politely while the photographer took several pictures of Georgia with one of our nation's heroes. By that time I could tell Georgia was getting a little tired, so we went to the room for a quick nap. She was doing so well and having so much fun, but it took a lot out of her and she deserved a break.

We all ended the day poolside again with Georgia sleeping soundly between Dr. Mike and me. It took me a few minutes to wake her up and go back to the room (it's hard being a star). After packing, Georgia and I took one last potty break and went to bed. This time, she slept soundly and I did, too.

The last day was perfect, with Georgia seeing all her fans before we loaded up in our limo/Escalade to go to the airport. She did great on the flight even though it was a bit bumpy. Good thing we had an excellent pilot, or it would have been worse!

I can't help saying again how proud I am of Georgia and how she did with this whole experience. She met everything under the sun with no problems at all, everything from kids to adults, skateboards to crutches. She not only handled being in a city better than I did, but she seemed right at home alongside all the celebrities. I know a lot of people don't believe in this breed and particularly this group of dogs, but Georgia set the record straight and was the highlight of the trip. As Dr. Mike said, "Georgia is our Buzz Aldrin" (our hero!).

P.S. There's no such thing as pit bulls, only pitties and cupcakes.

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2 Comments

I think we were all way more nervous than Georgia was to be in front of all the TV critics. Once on stage, she simply took her same spot at my feet and began to snore a little (even celebrities snore). She was a perfect angel on stage and only stood up when she heard her name; otherwise she was content to simply take a break.

many thanks to the staft menbers of dogtown, am so glad all those animals found great people to care fot them, I wish I could, but with no job is hard pay bills & get food for my 2 lil dogs, 1 cat,(they get lots of love, they are my babies)Hope in the near future i get a job so I can help you people for all the hard work u doing with the animals, HOOray for Georgia, she has come a looooong way!! vick will get what he rightfully deserves for the dogs suffering, thanks, Mrs S, Hom

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