Reality stars visit with local fans

STAFFORD — Memo to political promoters in this election season: If you want to draw a big crowd, go to the dogs.
That did the trick last Sunday for Laurie Williams, owner of Pup 'N Iron Fitness and Learning Center off U.S. 1 in central Stafford. A reception she sponsored there that afternoon for fellow contestants in CBS's weekly "Greatest American Dog" reality show drew hundreds of dogs and their companions to see the TV stars.

Of course, much attention during the two-hour affair centered on Williams herself, and especially her white fluffy Maltese, Andrew. The little fellow seemed content enough to remain in Williams’ arms most of the time.

In contrast, Teresa Hanula, of Fairfax, let her Border Collie Leroy run freely among the other dogs present, on leashes or in arms.

They, along with Williams and Andrew, were still in the elimination competition with three other pairs going into the show that aired Wednesday night.

Wednesday night's results were not available prior to press time.

A third pair, comely residents of Los Angeles, also mingled freely among the well-wishers on Sunday, although they had been eliminated in the previous

Wednesday's contest, shown each week beginning on CBS at 8 p.m through Sept. 10.

Laura Nativo told of the pressures on performance she and her Pomeranian, Preston, faced in the earlier, six-week live contest in California, packaged for TV and showing currently.

One of the most strenuous and diversionary tasks the dogs endured, Nativo said, was their having to stay sharp during the many photo sessions and live television shoots.

Still unannounced, since all the contestants were pledged to secrecy from the start of the contest, is the winning pair. That will be revealed Sept. 10.

Championship in the "Greatest American Dog" show carries with it an award of $250,000.

Ben Blankenship is a contributing writer at the Stafford County Sun. Reach him at info@staffordcountysun.com.