Duke the dog, the mayor of Cormorant, is headed to the land of the stars. The 8-year-old Great Pyrenees that gained local fame in August after winning the popular vote in Cormorant is in Los Angeles this weekend competing for “Dog of the Year” in the World Dog Awards, hosted by comedian and actor George Lopez. Duke was chosen by the entertainment company that puts on the competition after he made national news for becoming such a unique pillar of the community. Before heading out, the mayor got quite a makeover at a Moorhead spa where he underwent five hours of grooming, even getting his chompers brushed for the first time. With a shining coat and good smelling breath, the canine celebrity was ready to head out Thursday. Owners Karen Nelson and Dave Rick are traveling with Duke, who doesn’t have just a royal name, but is, of course, a mayor. “So he did get a first-class seat on the plane - the spot with all the extra leg room,” said Nelson, who said Duke did not have to travel down below with the rest of the animals but received star treatment. “Everybody loved him - the flight attendant got on the loud speaker and announced that there was a celebrity on the plane,” laughed Nelson. “It was so much fun; he was walking around the airport with his little mayor hat on.” Unlike many first-time flyers, Duke had a restful flight, sleeping the entire time. When they arrived in California, a Cadillac was waiting to pick the trio up. “And then when we got to the hotel, they had dog treats for him and a toy with his name on it,” said Nelson, who said Juma Entertainment hooked them up with accommodations that are quite comfortable. “It’s a $350-a-night hotel,” said Nelson, who says all their expenses are paid for. They spent Friday at rehearsal and Saturday at the competition and show, which was in Santa Monica at the Palomar Hotel. For the first time, the show will air on television at 7 p.m. CST on Thursday, Jan. 15, on the CW.
There are many categories within the competition and several celebrity dogs that appear on TV shows will be there. Duke’s category is “Dog of the Year,” and he needs his constituents’ help. Voters decide the winners of the show. To vote for Duke, go to www.cwtv.com/world-dog-awards and go to “Dog of the Year,” where five dogs are up for the award. He’s up against Hank, the unofficial Milwaukee Brewer’s mascot; TV Host Andy Cohen’s dog, Wacha; a “supermodel” dog named Sky, who has won Best in Show for the Westminster Kennel Club, and Peanut, the world’s ugliest dog. Nelson said Thursday they’re not quite sure what to expect once the cameras start rolling, but the nerves already are. “For me, not him - Duke is so easy going,” said Nelson, who isn’t even sure if there is a prize for Duke if he wins. But if he does, this canine politician isn’t just a pretty face - he’s been making a difference in his community. “If he wins something, we’ll donate it to the Humane Society of the Lakes - that’s where all of Duke’s fundraisers have been going since he was elected.” Duke helped raise $700 for the humane society at a Cormorant Halloween party, while also making appearances at Pumpkin Fest and Potato Day parades. “When his one-year term is up, we’ll present whatever he makes to the humane society,” said Nelson, who says Duke has been loving the attention. “We laugh because he’s so relaxed; there must have been 90 kids getting their picture with him at that Halloween party, and he just loved every minute of it,” said Nelson. Duke also made an appearance on the online version of the Steve Harvey show in Chicago this past fall, but all the attention doesn’t distract him from his civilian job. “He’s makes sure nothing gets in our garden,” said Nelson. “He even keeps the coyotes out, which is pretty good because I can’t imagine him having to get growly.” With all of this popularity, it does beg the question: Is he considering running for re-election in August? “Well, I don’t know,” laughed Nelson. “I guess we’ll have to see when the time comes.” Tweets by @DLNewspapersDuke the dog, the mayor of Cormorant, is headed to the land of the stars.The 8-year-old Great Pyrenees that gained local fame in August after winning the popular vote in Cormorant is in Los Angeles this weekend competing for “Dog of the Year” in the World Dog Awards, hosted by comedian and actor George Lopez.Duke was chosen by the entertainment company that puts on the competition after he made national news for becoming such a unique pillar of the community.Before heading out, the mayor got quite a makeover at a Moorhead spa where he underwent five hours of grooming, even getting his chompers brushed for the first time.With a shining coat and good smelling breath, the canine celebrity was ready to head out Thursday.Owners Karen Nelson and Dave Rick are traveling with Duke, who doesn’t have just a royal name, but is, of course, a mayor.“So he did get a first-class seat on the plane - the spot with all the extra leg room,” said Nelson, who said Duke did not have to travel down below with the rest of the animals but received star treatment.“Everybody loved him - the flight attendant got on the loud speaker and announced that there was a celebrity on the plane,” laughed Nelson. “It was so much fun; he was walking around the airport with his little mayor hat on.”Unlike many first-time flyers, Duke had a restful flight, sleeping the entire time.When they arrived in California, a Cadillac was waiting to pick the trio up.“And then when we got to the hotel, they had dog treats for him and a toy with his name on it,” said Nelson, who said Juma Entertainment hooked them up with accommodations that are quite comfortable.“It’s a $350-a-night hotel,” said Nelson, who says all their expenses are paid for.They spent Friday at rehearsal and Saturday at the competition and show, which was in Santa Monica at the Palomar Hotel.For the first time, the show will air on television at 7 p.m. CST on Thursday, Jan. 15, on the CW.
There are many categories within the competition and several celebrity dogs that appear on TV shows will be there.Duke’s category is “Dog of the Year,” and he needs his constituents’ help.Voters decide the winners of the show.To vote for Duke, go to www.cwtv.com/world-dog-awards and go to “Dog of the Year,” where five dogs are up for the award.He’s up against Hank, the unofficial Milwaukee Brewer’s mascot; TV Host Andy Cohen’s dog, Wacha; a “supermodel” dog named Sky, who has won Best in Show for the Westminster Kennel Club, and Peanut, the world’s ugliest dog.Nelson said Thursday they’re not quite sure what to expect once the cameras start rolling, but the nerves already are.“For me, not him - Duke is so easy going,” said Nelson, who isn’t even sure if there is a prize for Duke if he wins.But if he does, this canine politician isn’t just a pretty face - he’s been making a difference in his community.“If he wins something, we’ll donate it to the Humane Society of the Lakes - that’s where all of Duke’s fundraisers have been going since he was elected.”Duke helped raise $700 for the humane society at a Cormorant Halloween party, while also making appearances at Pumpkin Fest and Potato Day parades.“When his one-year term is up, we’ll present whatever he makes to the humane society,” said Nelson, who says Duke has been loving the attention.“We laugh because he’s so relaxed; there must have been 90 kids getting their picture with him at that Halloween party, and he just loved every minute of it,” said Nelson.Duke also made an appearance on the online version of the Steve Harvey show in Chicago this past fall, but all the attention doesn’t distract him from his civilian job.“He’s makes sure nothing gets in our garden,” said Nelson. “He even keeps the coyotes out, which is pretty good because I can’t imagine him having to get growly.”With all of this popularity, it does beg the question: Is he considering running for re-election in August?“Well, I don’t know,” laughed Nelson. “I guess we’ll have to see when the time comes.”Tweets by @DLNewspapers
