Competing with dogs is rewarding and challenging and I was afraid when I first started watching this 
program that the one other thing that is inherent with dog competitions would be sadly lacking. And true to my concerns, it has been missing in most of the other episodes of this competition. I was afraid that this was going to be yet another show that exemplified and even promoted greed and avarice and win-at-all-costs that all the other “reality” shows do. Until tonight, it seemed like that was going to be the case.
I’m so happy that I got to see one of the most generous and touching examples of good sportsmaship exhibited tonight on this show.
I’m not going to deny that I’m pulling for Bill and Star — they both exemplify to me what’s great about being a dog owner. Their obvious love for one another just shines through and has from day one. No matter whether they win the ultimate prize or not, Star is, IMO, the GREATEST AMERICAN DOG.
However, in tonight’s competition for the ownership of the dog bone room, they were denied the win by Teresa and Leroy who completed the challenge in 4.5 seconds compared to Bill and Star’s 16 seconds. By the way, these were the only two teams to complete the challenge period.
You could have knocked me over with a feather when, as Jarod Miller, the show’s host went to award the key to Teresa, she asked if she could give it away to another competitor. This competition also came with what was called a “leg up” — the exact form of that came later — and Jarod told her that if she gave up the room, she would also have to give up the leg up. She unhesitatingly said “OK” and passed the room and the leg up to Bill and Star.
Bill has been missing his wife and family during the weeks at the Academy and one of the things you get along with the room is it’s personalization with photos and letters from family. By giving up the room to Bill, he was able to get those photos and a letter from his wife which went a long way to boosting his morale.
No matter who wins overall in the end, Teresa just won a prize way bigger than $25,000 as far as I’m concerned.
She won my respect.
I think she won the judge’s respect, too.
Although it’s not up right now since the show just aired on the East Coast, I’m sure the episode will be up at CBS’s website by tomorrow, so if you’re reading this on 8/6, come back tomorrow and click the link to go and watch it. If it’s already tomorrow, click it now. Be sure to have a Kleenex handy.
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I agree. I think everybody I know is rooting for Bill and Star to win. Even if they don’t win the money, they have won a lot of hearts. And I think the judges got it right this week, for the first time, in their decision of who to eliminate. You don’t want to get me started on the ones I think have “cheated” to stay in the competition.
We like Bill and Star, too! I loved how, after they got done dancing, Star was so excited she had to run over to the judges’ table.
Oh that is great.
I missed last night and last week… but I have them recorded and plan on watching. Usually I fast forward through the human bickering and watch the dog training.
The show is very lacking, indeed, and like you I like Bill and Star. I’ve been wanting to see some of Leroy’s tricks, maybe there will be some on my recorded episodes.
I stopped watching when they kicked off the bulldog, Tillman. How dare they?
I agree. Bill and Starr are fantastic! But Theresa is an angel! I love the relationship between her and Bill. This show is not just about dogs; it’s about dog owners too. Some of them are as wonderful as their dogs and some of them don’t deserve their dogs.
Bill and Star are gone…. Sucks. But not as much as these “judges”. Star failed out because she would not jump off of a platform that was too high except that she was wearing a “zip-line” harness. I personally would have said. “No way on earth that I am climbing up there just to teach my dog to jump off.” Bill, if you ever see this, you have my respect and admiration. Star is a real lady and you are very right to be proud of her. Be proud of yourself too, friend.