Williams: It's guys like you, Mickey!

I wanted Mickey Rourke to win this year's Oscar for Best Actor. His portrayal of Randy "The Ram" in "The Wrestler" was so heartwarming, and you could tell he poured every bit of his heart and soul into the performance. But in addition to that, Mickey's a dog person. Now for all I know, Sean Penn may have dogs, too. I've researched it thoroughly and have combed the internet to find any mention. I've found nothing, so I'd say it's doubtful. On the other hand, when it comes to Mickey Rourke, you can't get through an article or interview with him without hearing him mention his dogs. He thanked them in his Golden Globe acceptance speech. He is almost always accompanied by one of them on the red carpet, most notably his beloved sidekick Loki, who recently passed away. So he's not just a dog owner, he's a dog lover. His dogs are a part of who he is and everything he does. That always makes a person's stock go up in my eyes. If I were keeping score it would be Mickey Rourke, 10, Sean Penn, 0.

And as if he needed any more points, have you seen Mickey's dogs? He's a big, burly guy, former boxer and proclaimed Hollywood bad boy. What kind of dog would you imagine him to have? Well I will confess when I heard his Golden Globe speech and imagined his dogs, I pictured Rottweilers, Boxers, Pit Bulls, Bulldogs or anything "bull." Not so. Much to my delight his menagerie includes Chihuahuas and various Chi mixes, all small dogs, and some of whom wear clothes and jeweled collars. You go, Mickey! To me, it takes a strong, confident guy, secure in his own manhood to publicly display his love for his "girly dog." In my book, that's a slam dunk, home run and a touch down all wrapped up in one making Mickey Rourke the winner by a landslide.

This has had me thinking a lot about celebrities and their pets. In an age when we are all so busy and overstressed, it's pretty telling that quite a few major celebrities, who undoubtedly have some of the busiest schedules of all, share their lives with furry, feathered and finned loved ones. Of course there are the high profile ones like Paris Hilton and Britney Spears whose pets have become an accessory and featured part of their red carpet outfits. At last count I heard Hilton has at least 17 or 18 dogs and both she and Spears have earned the honors of the "worst celebrity dog owner" in the past. However I'm mainly referring to the celebrities who don't necessarily parade their pets around town with them, but more like the rest of us, return to them for comfort after a busy day. Celebrities like Jake Gyllenhall who can be spotted from time to time at the dog park with his German Shepherd Atticus. "Desperate Housewives" star Nicolette Sheridan is a big supporter of animal rescue and shares her life with her Golden Retriever Oliver. Beth Ostrosky-Stern (yes, Howard's wife), took her love for the couple's Bulldog Bianca to another level by becoming the spokesperson for the North Shore Animal League in New York City. Even the late Anna Nicole Smith was an avid dog lover. When she died she left behind her beloved Maltese "Marilyn," her toy poodle "Sugar Pie," and Shih Tzu "Puppy."

It's probably not fair to favor celebrities with pets over all the others, but on the other hand, I believe people who share their lives with animals have specific qualities that set them apart from the rest. I do believe it says something about a person when they share their lives with animals. It takes selflessness. When you get home from a hard day's (or night's) work and want to just plop down on the couch and kick up your feet, if you share your life with a dog or demanding cat, this is rarely an option. They want and need your attention and because you love them, you comply. It definitely takes some latitude and compromise in many areas. Animals have no regard for cleanliness, this we know.

But all in all, I'd say the celebrities with pets are perhaps the most open and approachable as well. During the past two or three months I've seen Mickey Rourke in more photos and interviews than I could ever count. He even stops to talk to TMZ! As for Sean Penn, we all know how he views the papparazzi. He's gotten into more than a few high profile scuffles with them. Who can blame him? They certainly are more than annoying, however Penn has also been known to refuse to sign autographs as well. One thing I've found that unifies pet lovers is our willingness to talk about our pets. We seize almost every opportunity. It comes at no surprise that in nearly every interview I've seen with Mickey Rourke, he is asked about his dogs. Smart move, journalists! As for Sean Penn, et al, you're on your own!

Laurie Williams is a Stafford business owner who appeared on “Greatest American Dog” with her dog Andrew. Reach her at onesmartpooch@aol.com.