The Hero Dog Awards Tribute to Human Hero Farrah Fawcett: by Megan Blake, The Pet Lifestyle Coach

The Hero Dog Awards Tonight on Hallmark Channel!   All to shine the spotlight on the profoundly deep bond we humans share with our K9 heroes.  A rescued Pit Bull, Elle, wins the top dog spot.  Many of the nominees are rescues and went on to save their people on many levels.  And, our rescued friend, Super Smiley is the National Spokes-Dog!  

Smiley and I had the honor to present The Inspiration Award on stage with Victoria Stilwell - but not to a hero dog, but to a hero human, a dog-lover who made her mark on the world.  Farrah Fawcett.  Here's what Smiley and I shared about this beautiful soul who's now at "Rainbow Bridge."  Her soul mate, Ryan O'Neal, and the light of their lives, their son, Redmond, accepted for Farrah.  Tune in tonight at 8 PM Hallmark Channel to see the entire Hero Dog Awards, but first, hug that furry hero looking up at you now. 

On Farrah and Ryan:

Upon first meeting Farrah, I was struck by her gracefulness and sweetness of spirit…  And by “That Light” she just seemed to emit.  Publicly sharing her cancer battle and fighting it as she did revealed her as a Hero shining another type of light, that of Hope.  Ryan O’Neal too emits “That Light” and also houses a gentleness fit for a Hero’s heart. Seeing Ryan and Farrah together, it was apparent these spirits had to find one another.

Farrah’s passion and compassion for life struck me personally when my two dogs of 15 years both passed from cancer within 3 days.  On my voice mail, the first call was from Farrah.  Her empathy witnessed to the profoundly deep bond she had with animals.  She just “knew.”

After her passing, Ryan, at dinner with Super Smiley and me, would pat Smiley and ask, “Where did he come from?”  I shared how Smiley had been “thrown away” two times.  He was a rescue.  With all of his resources, Ryan could have any pedigree with the best training flown in from anywhere in the world.  But Smiley with his soulful, perfectly “eye lined” eyes and super smile had made his point.  Ryan decided not only to adopt a shelter dog, but to do it publicly on his reality television show to advocate for pet adoption.

Ryan and Farrah are inspired lovers of life and animals.  Smiley and I are so proud to know them and Redmond, and to have been a part of bringing these Heroes to the American Humane Association and to The Hero Dog Awards.  May we all see Inspiration in our dogs and in such fellow humans.

From the heart,

Megan Blake and Super Smiley, National Spokes-Dog for the American Humane Association Hero Dog Awards

The Hero Dog Awards: by Super Smiley, National Spokes-Dog for The AHA Hero Dog Awards

Woof and Super Smiles!  I'm Super Smiley, and I believe All Dogs are Heroes!  The Hero Dog Awards, presented by The American Humane Association, shares Dog Heroes with Whole World!  I’m their National Spokes-Dog, so it’s my job to Woof for Hero Dogs!

BEYOND BELIEF!   Roselle, the 1^st dog named Top Hero led her blind person down over 1,000 steps out of the burning 9/11 Tower!  The second winner, Military Dog Gabe, saved 100’s of humans far far away in something people call war.  Thanks to Gabe, those humans got to come home from the Middle East and kiss their dogs again.  Four Paws up Gabe and Roselle!

Beeeautiful blue pitty, Therapy Dog Elle was named 2013 Top Hero Dog at the American Humane Association Hero Dog Awards presented in Beverly Hills at the glamorous Beverly Hilton Hotel!  She lives a mission of gentleness, kindness and teaching kids to read.  She also helps people who are afraid of big dogs see how sweet we big dogs can be.  Thank you Elle.  Woof!

And Betty White!   Everyone Loves Betty White!  I am sooooo good at smiling at the camera when it’s on, but all I could do was look in her beautiful eyes!  At her loving smile!  See her child-like spirit!  We love you Betty!  Woof!

Stars walked the Red Carpet – all dressed up looking extra beautiful - All to shine the light on Dogs!  Betty White, Glee’s Lauren Potter, Jennifer Cooledge, and Emmanuelle Vaugier presented awards on stage along with many other luminaries. Joey Lawrence emceed, and Donald Trump presented an award by video appearance to Lois Pope who donated giant medical trucks to help save animals lost in disasters!  Now, that’s a Human Hero to me!

And I presented The Inspiration Award with my person Megan Blake (The Pet Lifestyle Coach) and Victoria Stilwell (It’s Me or the Dog)!  Hero Dogs help people, and people can be inspirations to help dogs too. That very special Award went to Farrah Fawcett for her inspiration to the world during her life and even after.  She inspired her love, Ryan O’Neal to get a dog, which Megan brought to him on his TV series!  So Ryan adopted Mozart on television as a statement for pet adoption!  Woof!  Presenting the Inspiration Award to Ryan and Redmond O’Neal for Farrah Fawcett was a Super honor.  Thank you Ryan and Redmond O’Neal for your love of dogs and thank you to Farrah - at Rainbow Bridge.

All the dogs there are Heroes.  Service dog, Bronx, is a true miracle to his 14 year old person, who had died during seizures and was afraid he would die again in his sleep.  With Bronx, Chris can sleep without fear.  The Emerging Hero Dog, Cassidy, lost a leg from abuse now speaks for special need dogs. Law Enforcement dog, Lakota, who apprehended many suspects keeping us safe, almost died in a car accident while on duty, and continues to speak for care for retired police K9’s.  Lola helps her person hear sounds like the phone or lifesaving sounds like traffic! Military Dog Carlos helped our troops lived another day to return home. Jingles who helps her person “see,” works in tandem with a second service dog to help her person live life!  Search and Rescue dog, John D, found missing people when humans could not.  Even if they were found “too late” their families got their loved ones back.

And Elle helps people relax, love and learn to read.  She will also be an amazing ambassador for Pit Bulls, Staffordshire Terriers and all big dogs.  Thank you Elle and to her beautiful person Leah. 

And thank you to all the Hero Dogs and Hero Humans who help us get our hero heart messages out to the world. 

Special thank you to The American Humane Association for presenting the Hero Dog Awards and to their Media Sponsors who shine the light for us.  Modern Dog Magazine, Pet Life Radio – A Super Smiley Adventure, and Hallmark Channel!  You can hear some of the Hero Dogs interviews Now on my radio show at http://www.petliferadio.com/supersmileyep51.html  and Please Tune In to The Hero Dog Awards on Hallmark Channel Oct 30! 

Now, look down at the eyes looking up at you, and Hug Your Hero Dog!  Woof!

For more see www.HeroDogAwards.org and www.SmileyTheDog.com 

PHOTOS above:

1. Super Smiley!  That's Me!

2. I love Betty White!!  Here with Robin Ganzert, President and CEO of AHA and with my person, Megan Blake, The Pet Lifestyle Coach!  Woof!

3. Glee's Lauren Potter.  She is one of the Stars Shining the Light on Dogs! 

and I'm just Shining my Smile!

4. Presenting the Inspiration Award to Ryan O'Neal and Redmond O'Neal for Farrah Fawcett!  

Here with Victoria Stilwell!

5. Victoria Stilwell, Ryan O'Neal and Megan Blake at The Hero Dog Awards!  Woof!