Meet The Dogs

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Nevada	Nevada is a border collie mix that was once a stray on the streets of New York City. He was first rescued by a NJ shelter that Dawn did temperament evaluations at. When she met Nevada it was love at first site. She didn't really want a dog and for two weeks kept telling the staff that if no one else wanted him she would take him. She came in early one day to find an adopted sign on his kennel and her heart sunk. Dawn went to the manager and asked when he was going home. The manager replied "when you sign the papers and take him". They knew it was meant to be and Nevada has been Dawn's shadow ever since! He is one the the smartest dogs and he believes he has Dawn better trained then she has him! It was Nevada's attitude and tricks that got Dawn the job offer at the Comedy Barn.

Scooter	Dawn was not looking for another dog when she found Scooter. She was "just looking" on Petfinder.com when she came across his face. Dawn experienced a gut feeling at the very sight of him. The Lake Cumberland Animal Welfare League brought him down from KY to meet Dawn. It was an instant bond! She knew this dog was a winner from the start. Scooter was the happiest dog she had ever met. His tail never stops wagging and he is so excited to meet everyone! He was a perfect fit in the group and in her heart. Scooter's enthusiasm is contagious and makes him one of the favorite dogs at the Comedy Barn.

Sierra	Sierra was a 6 month old ball of fur when Dawn first saw her at the shelter. She was the most loving dog, and all she wanted to do was curl up on your lap and snuggle. This would have been fine if it weren't for the fact she was covered in mud and muck! Dawn decided to bathe her so she would be more adoptable. And it worked! Dawn took her home the very next day! Sierra is often mistaken as the oldest dog of the group, but in reality, she is just one of the laziest! She is the only dog in the bunch that will work just for lovin'.

Dallas	When Dawn walked into the Sevier County Animal Shelter one afternoon, she was greeted by a crazy dog barking and jumping all over the lobby. He was out for some fun time and the shelter staff was laughing at his ability to jump on the counter top and tables. Dawn knew she needed a jumper for her dog act and "Wild Thing" was definitely up to the task. When he came up and rested his paws on her leg and leaned in for loving it was a done deal. Dallas is the star jumper of the group and his ability landed him and four others a spot on Pet Star in 2004.

Liberty	It was September 11, 2001 and Dawn sat at home with the dogs watching the devastation on TV. She knew that she needed to get out to get her mind off the horrible events. The animal shelter was calling her name. When she got there she found the sweetest beagle mix just going in circles in her pen. She took out the little girl who then proceeded to shower Dawn with kisses. What Dawn found was the love she needed that day. "Spot" needed a more patriotic name and the name "Liberty" was it. Liberty almost didn't make the cut. Dawn was talking to her sister about finding Liberty a new home since she didn't seem to get any of the tricks she was trying to teach her. Well, Liberty must have heard that conversation, because later that day it all seemed to click and she became one of Dawn's star performers.

Jay Jay	Dawn's sister has always loved chinese crested hairless dogs. In Dawn's mind, they were cute, but not her style. That was until she met Jay. A breeder had contacted Dawn when she found out she was training dogs to perform at a theater. She had a dog coming into rescue that was a beautiful example of the breed. Unfortunately Jay was too much work for the woman that bought him and due to a heart problem in one of his babies, she couldn't make money off of him by breeding. So, she got rid of him. Dawn went to meet him and he walked up to her on his hind legs. He looked like a natural performer. Jay Jay was the start of a hairless group that now runs the house! Jay Jay is short for "Naked as a Jaybird"!

Blondie IN LOVING MEMORY... to the smartest dumb dog I will ever have the pleasure of knowing.	One night Dawn had volunteered to bring some dog food to the shelter. As fate would have it she spotted Blondie sitting alone and quiet in the back of a cage. Dawn immediately thought that this dog has "the look" and would be a great addition to her act. It turns out that Blondie's owner moved to an assisted living home and could not take her. Dawn proceeded to take her out and see just how well she responded to food and toys. Blondie didn't respond to anything! Since she had just come in, it was probably nerves. She was adopted and brought home that night. Blondie ended up being the world's best couch potato! She didn't care to learn new things and couldn't care less about food and toys. It took her almost a year to learn to play and enjoy treats. She is known as the "one trick wonder". She knows one trick, but does it very well!

Kona	Dawn received a call from her sister one day that she had a puppy that mom had rescued from someone. At the time Dawn didn't need anymore dogs and said NO. Her sister continued to explain how agile this dog was and how perfect he would be. The answer was still NO. Then mom called. Dawn explained to mom that they had plenty of dogs and she didn't want a puppy. Mom then said she was bringing the dog anyway. Dawn said NO. Mom then asked Dawn if she remembered all the animals she brought home when she was a kid, despite the NO. Mom said this dog is "payback". That is how Kona came to be part of the pack. As they say "momma knows best", because Kona has become one of the best workers in the show.

Taz	Just last fall Dawn received a call from a local guy that wanted to give his chinese crested hairless to her if "she would put him in the show". This couple had bought him for their granddaughter and then could not housebreak him. He ended up living outside with a goat! Dawn did not want another dog, but when she met Taz it was an instant bond. He was the biggest hairless she had ever seen and so motivated to work! Taz loved the other dogs and made himself at home by sleeping under the covers and snuggling every chance he got. Although Dawn told the couple she couldn't promise anything about the show, he was part of the team in just over a month. His signature trick is the circle, which earned him the name of the Tazmanian Devil Dog!

Miss Ellie	This fine example of a chinese crested hairless (hah hah) was another dog that was not suppose to stay. The lady that Dawn adopted Jay Jay from had asked her to keep an eye out for a good home for an older hairless. She then introduced Dawn to a skinny little dog with warts, pimples, and a tongue that hung out constantly. Dawn knew a lot of people that wanted a hairless dog, so she offered to take her home. Miss Ellie made herself right at home and Dawn fell in love. What is worse, is that her husband fell in love even more. When Dawn and Doug met he fell in love with Ellie before Dawn! Miss Ellie was used to propose to Dawn (ring on the collar) and she was even part of the wedding! Unfortunately she showed up in a wedding dress and was the only one to speak out and contest the wedding! Luckily she settled for just being "the other woman".

Odie	This handsome guy was yet another dog that wasn't suppose to stay. The rescue that Dawn adopted Scooter from called and asked if she wanted another hairless. Dawn offered to foster him and find him a home. He had allergy problems and major separation anxiety. Doug had warned Dawn that no more dogs were staying! Just a few weeks after Dawn got Odie she traveled up to Vermont to teach at Camp Gone to the Dogs. When she got home she was excited to tell Doug that she found someone that really wanted Odie. Doug looked up at her with puppy dog eyes and exclaimed "we can't get rid of him, he loves me!". And so Odie became part of the family!

Iki	This little guy was found on the side of the road. And, you guessed it, was not supposed to stay! Dawn found him sitting in the middle of the street with no identification. He jumped right into her car and was ready to go. Dawn called the local shelters, vets and drove around the neighborhood for almost two months trying to locate his home. He was a sweet dog, but she soon realized could scale any size fence and loved to take off. After two months of trying to find his owners, she tried to find him a home. Of course during this time he got along so great with the family, loved to snuggle, and had a great attitude for learning tricks. Iki (the Hawaiian word for little) was destined to be a part of the family.