Look Ma! One Paw!

Canines compete for cash prizes for their owners, treats and a shot at "Dave Letterman' glory.

By MELANIE AVE

© St. Petersburg Times, published August 6, 2000

[Times photo: Toni L. Sandys] Erik Adams of Riverview and his 10-year-old toy poodle, Mr. Bones, show off the balancing act that won them $500.

TAMPA -- The humans hung over the second-floor railing and crowded the stage Saturday afternoon at University Mall to get a glimpse of a heated national canine competition.

But this was no Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show with dog lovers oohing and ahhing over purebreds. This audience was marveling at about 30 of man's best friends, mutts included, jumping into purses, riding skateboards and chasing trashbags during a stupid dog trick contest sponsored by Purina.

They clapped when Raven, a 12-year-old black Labrador, counted the number of fingers her owner held up and barked three times. They stared when fiesty Tigger Maggoo, an Australian terrier, jumped off his master's back and then caught a small football in midair. And they sighed when Dalton, an Australian shepherd mix, got a case of stage fright and refused to catch Frisbees to the Jimmy Buffett song, Fins. In the end, it was a 10-year-old toy poodle named Mr. Bones that walked away the proudest pooch of all -- with $500, a six-month supply of doggie treats and a chance to go on the Late Show with David Letterman.

Mr. Bones, who belongs to animal trainers Erik and Bobbi Adams of Riverview, was not only the judges' unanimouspick, but he was the hands-down crowd favorite.

When the dog with puffs of white fur and a shaved midriff took center stage, the audience, many with their mouths gaping open, clapped wildly.

His trick: balancing on his right forepaw on his owner's forehead as if he were glued there.

Even his competitors, at least the human ones, were impressed.

"That was great!" said Brenda Piccirillo of Tampa, whose Yorkshire terrier named Mookie opened two wrapped packages like it was Christmas. "I can't believe that."

Now, Mr. Bones must compete against five other national finalists for $5,000, a year's supply of treats and a trip to New York City to see a live taping of the Letterman show. The national winner may get to perform on Letterman's popular Stupid Pet Tricks segment.

Finalists have already been chosen from Pittsburgh, Dallas and Boston. Another finalist will be picked next weekend in Atlanta, and one more will be chosen from a pool of videotaped entries later this month.

Mr. Bones' national competitors so far include Milo of Pittsburgh, who runs on a treadmill; Baci of Boston, who bounces a ball on his nose; and Augie from Dallas, who can fit six tennis balls in his mouth.

His Tampa runners-up were Charney, a black Labrador who could fetch tissues when his owner Rick Brzezinkski sneezed; and Reno, a German shorthaired pointer who ignored treats offered by owner Steve Baughman when he told the dog they were laced with poison.

Baughman, who lives in Tampa, admitted that Mr. Bones was good.

"I kind of can't do that," said Baughman, looking down at his 90-pound dog and pondering the impossibility of balancing him on his head.

On Saturday, Mr. Bones seemed unphased by glare of the cameras and the proud pats from his owners as he sniffed the ground after his crowd-stopping performance and begged for an Oscar Mayer wiener.

"I would like to make him a star," said Erik Adams, a lifelong trainer who takes Mr. Bones to fairs and circuses to perform.

"I would like to see him in a commercial," said his wife, Bobbi.

Mr. Bones, who is the equivalent of 70 in human years, has been standing on one paw on Erik Adams' palm and forehead for about six years.

"There is a lot of trust there," Bobbi Adams said. "But do you know what the secret is?

"Hot dogs."

- Melanie Ave can be reached at (813) 226-3473 or melanie@sptimes.com.

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