I’ve watched the whole series of this show, as I’m sure many of you have. I mainly watched because I know Bill (of Bill and Star). Well, not so much know him as know of him. I see Bill at agility trials and have spoken to him on occasion, but I’m sure if you mentioned my name, he wouldn’t know who I was. But that’s all beside the point. It’s still pretty exciting to have someone that you know even remotely, on a reality show.
I had an idea that Bill was just a big “mush” before the show even started. But Greatest American Dog has absolutely confirmed it. He’s just a sweet ‘ol country boy, who loves his family, and adores his dogs. Sounds like a winning combo to me.
After a couple of episodes, it became obvious that Bill and Star were two of the more “stable” participants on the show.
And while entertaining, the longer the show went on, the more I started to question the rational and judgement of the folks running it.
I will admit that the only judge I was familiar with was Victoria Stilwell,
and I’ve always enjoyed her show (It’s Me or the Dog), and agree with most of her training protocols. So I was even more surprised at some of the episodes.
While it was very cute to see the dogs tested on things like being able to leave a tasty treat alone, I thought the episode “My Dog Can Fly” went WAY TOO FAR!!!!
Let me start by saying that I”ve been a fan of elephants forever.
I think they are extraordinary creatures, but when it comes to one charging within a few feet of my dog, I’d have to draw the line. I’m sorry, but elephants are not the most dependable animals on the planet. And even the possibility of a 9,000 pounder veering off the intended path, and having a dog in the way, (or a person, as was part of the challenge) gives me shivers up my spine. I would have had to pull my dog if I had been a contestant.
The other exercise that I had a major problem with was the zip line (airing on the same episode). They expected the dogs to jump off what seemed like a 2 story space, into sheer air. The dogs were fastened into a harness that would keep them airborne, but of course they didn’t know that. Why would you expect a dog with an ounce of common sense to jump off a virtual cliff? And why would the judges encourage that? Was it to show how well trained they were? To show that they would do ANYTHING for their masters? Sorry, but I think they were just way off base with that one. So the dogs that decided that it wasn’t a good idea were penalized. Okie - dokie.
While I was hoping that Bill and Star would take it all - you know - the BIG prize, I was privately thinking good for you guys that Star is smart enough not to jump into “nothingness”, and that her master was smart enough to realize that he was asking for something unreasonable, and unsafe.
I had some other problems with the show too: like one of the contestants getting chided one week for his training methods, and praised the next. But whatever.
What I really wanted to say is just how proud I am of Bill and Star, and of how they conducted themselves throughout this experience. You were helpful and supportive to the other players, and your obvious love for Star is exemplary. You’ll always be winners to us, guys!!!! Good job!!!!
Tags: agility trials, Bill and Star, Greatest American Dog, reality show, Victoria Stillwell
I had this exact conversation with my dad over the “elephant/zip line” episode. Ridiculous! My dad said the Maltese should have been kicked off the show for being too stupid to move out of the way. I thought the dog was paralyzed with fear. In any case, I’m with you: I would have yanked any of my dogs and said send me home, but my dog is NOT participating. If anything were to go wrong, how were they going to steer a NINE THOUSAND POUND elephant away from your pet? Absurd. And the zip line thing really had me angry. The dog doesn’t understand that he is harnessed.
I could go on and on about the judges, too. Inconsistent, petty, bickering, self-serving lot. Although I didn’t care for JD and his arrogance, I felt he was unfairly picked on for his methods. I didn’t see anything abusive from him.
Have to say I was surprised to see Travis and Presley take the prize. Every week, I kept thinking they would be going home, but either someone did worse than them or they had some redeeming quality. I was rooting for Bill and Star all the way. Was so sad when they were sent home. The judges were very inconsistent in their judging of Bill two weeks in a row.
I will watch the series again. I just hope they get a different set of judges!
*rant over*
Wow! Maybe there are lots of people who feel the same way! Good! It WAS ridiculous. I think if they have the show again, I might have to pass.