Greatest American Dog, Episode 8: My Dog Can Fly!

Last week on Greatest American Dog, puppies prevailed and a few were nipped. Bill & Star and Travis & Presley won the Dog Bone Challenge and the Leg Up, but both ended up in the bottom three. In the end, all the antics of Beth Joy couldn’t save her and Bella Star from being eliminated. Who will go this week?

Back at the house that night, the remaining five teams relax at the house. Most of them seem to be relieved that Beth Joy and all her hysterics are gone. Laurie thinks that much of the tension will be gone. Travis and Laurie laugh about how quickly Beth Joy could come up with stories and excuses about Bella’s performances.

Laurie is proud that Andrew is the last little dog standing and she’s worried that they may be the next to go. Uh oh, that’s usually not a good sign.

The next day, all is well in the house. Andrew is getting a bath. JD & Galaxy are playing outside. Bill, Travis, and their pups are playing in one of the rooms. Bill enjoys being a personal Yoda to anyone he can help and really seems to relish in watching Travis learn so much as he goes through this process. I’m so looking forward to talking to Bill in the next few weeks. He seems to be such a genuine person. And I do just love the way he says “hep” for the world “help.” It’s such a great east Texas accent.

This week’s theme is courage, according to our host, Jarod. The Dog Bone Challenge is going to be particularly difficult in that it involves a rather large character. This week, the dogs must be able to stay within a circle as a 9,000-pound adult elephant heads their way. The elephant will stop at about 20 feet from the dogs, shake its head, and make the elephant sound. If the dog is still there, the trainer will continue to bring the elephant forward until the dog runs or the elephant can pick up a banana a mere foot away from the dog.

Amazing! I’ll be surprised to see which dogs will make it. I’ll also be surprised if little Andrew doesn’t end up like an ant on the sidewalk, splatted under the elephant’s giant foot. If I were one of the contestants, I’d be very wary of the giant animal. I’ve been around enough horses to know that a large animal can be dangerous if it’s spooked in any way. A much larger beast is even more terrifying to me around a smaller dog.

All of the dogs start barking at the elephant as it approaches. None of them look thrilled that the giant is near. Jarod sends the teams to a holding area and calls each team one at a time.

Teresa & Leroy are up first. My guess is that Leroy will be barking a bit more during this one and I don’t blame the black and white pooch. Off to the side about ten feet away, Teresa tries to calm him as he barks a warning bark at the beast approaching. He’s not happy and before the elephant even makes it to the 20-foot line, Leroy steps out of the circle. No suite for you, Teresa.

Laurie & Andrew are next. Andrew doesn’t even look afraid and I wonder if he can even see the giant coming towards him. Susie the elephant stops at the 20-foot line and does the yell. Andrew doesn’t even flinch. Laurie isn’t saying much to him, but calms him with her voice. Susie continues forward, her shadow covering the little dog. She gets close enough to grab the banana at his feet and all is well in Andrew’s world. He is hardly fazed and everyone is amazed at his performance.

Bill sets his orange dog Star in the circle and immediately starts telling her to “sit” and “stay.” Though I don’t think he realizes it, his tone probably makes her a bit fearful, as he probably is fearful about his dog being near Susie. As Susie approaches, Star hunches a little and is ready to bolt. Sure enough, as the elephant lets out her roar, Star slinks off, watching it the whole time. She is curious, but ready to run in an instant. Star & Bill are out.

Galaxy has been around bulls, donkeys, and horses all her life, so JD thinks that she won’t have any trouble with this challenge. On a side note, I love the way JD calls Galaxy’s name when he’s working her through something. There’s a different inflection in his voice and it’s so different. Anyway, JD calmly tells her to stay. She’s not happy and slinks off out of the circle. She jumps into his arms as they walk back to the pen; she watches the elephant the entire time.

Finally, Boxer puppy Preston is up with his buddy Travis. I still love this pair. How can you not love a Boxer with its face full of expression? Preston is ever watchful of the elephant, but he listens to Travis the whole time. Travis calls him “good pooper” and I laugh. Growing up, we called our dogs “poopers” all the time! At one time, Preston starts to get up, but Travis gets him to sit again. You can see that he’s more curious than fearful, but he’s ready to spring if he can. Susie grabs the banana and it almost looks as if Preston wants to take the banana first.

Of course, the prize this week isn’t shared so there has to be a sudden-death match to see which of Preston and Andrew can win for their owners. This time, both dogs will be in the circles while their owners are nearby. Travis and Laurie have their backs to the elephant as she charges towards the dogs. The first dog to get up from the sit position will lose. This doesn’t look good for Preston as Andrew is steady as can be. And that is exactly what happens. Preston flinches.

Back at the mansion, Laurie enjoys her suite with pictures of her family and Andrew scattered throughout the room. She is so proud of Andrew and everyone else is flabbergasted at how well he performed. She also gets a letter from her husband. The camera zooms in on a picture of her and her hubby on their wedding day and she’s so beautiful. She has such an amazing smile in that picture.

Travis is heartened to see her softened a little with her letter from home. It makes her seem more human and not such a cut-throat competitor. She’s in tears as she reads the letter of encouragement from her husband. I’m personally glad we cut to commercial so I can grab some tissue. I hate being such a sap.

One of the commercials cracks me up every time I see it. It’s the new Honda Element commercial with the dog pointing out a squirrel, a bird, the seats, and everything else. It’s so perfect for a dog personality.