June 20, 2005 - Ed Runs With The Dogs

In the classic of all classic movies, Citizen Kane, the last word of the rich patriarch is “Rosebud”. The movie explores the meaning of this final word. It turns out to be … well we won’t spoil it for those of you who haven’t seen it (just like we won’t tell the two of you who haven’t seen the latest Star Wars, that Darth Vader is actually Anakin Skywalker). One thing we will tell you is the name of the dog who finished last in yesterday’s State Street Dog Mile. The name of the dog is, Rosebud.

Mind you, Rosebud really didn’t have much of a chance in the Mile. She’s only a two-month old Chihuahua puppy, up against an assortment of labs, pit bulls, and border collies. Jet, a former dog of the week was there as well, as were dogs with such great racing names as Zip, Krypto, Dash, and Fred. Rosebud’s best chance seemed to have been being held and carried down the street and past the finish line, like a baton in a running relay. Rosebud’s owners and running partner fitted the young dog with some miniature lightning bolts to help her on her way. But, at the end of the race it was Rosebud.

Yesterday, the dedicated staff of edhat.com was at the Dog Mile, taking pictures of the brave canines who were entering the 5,280-foot race on State Street from Pedregosa to De La Guerra. The Edhat dog was with us, dressed in an orange bandana. She was ready to run, but wasn’t sure if anyone would take her. The dedicated staff was very busy locating dogs, asking their names (and their owner’s names), cataloging their breeding, and taking their pictures. The contest over the weekend was to identify the most common breed of dog in the race and to predict the breed of the winning dog.

We had gotten most of the names and pictures by post time, and were just finishing the last interview with Krypto, when the dogs were suddenly called into position to begin the hunt. In all our fussing, we had forgotten to enter the Edhat Dog - and we neglected to tell her that! When the gun when off, signifying the start of the race, the Edhat Dog bolted like a teenager who has just been asked to clean the bathroom. The dedicated staffer holding the leash had two options – be dragged along the pavement like a can following a Just Married car, or run. He ran – pulling back on the leash like a water-skier. And that is how the pair descended State Street – finishing an uncounted top 10.

The Edhat dog was one of the nine labs running in the race – by far the most prevalent breed. There were also four golden retrievers, three pit bulls, three border collies, and two vizslas. But yesterday, the one-mile dash for cash became a run for the border – border collies that is. The breed traditionally known for its ability to herd sheep, proved yesterday to be bred for running. The 3 border collies entered in the State Street Mile finished 1st (Zip), 3rd (Emily), and 4th (Jet). The labs, who had as many chances to win as Nick Zito in this year’s Kentucky Derby, only managed a 2nd (Cody).

Two Edhat subscribers, MtbSkiGuy-SB and Burney24, picked Lab as the most common dog and Border collie as the winner. The Edhat dog, not the least bit tired after her mile pull down State Street, and a tiny bit ashamed about her breed’s poor showing, was called into action. Two pieces of cheese were placed 10 feet from her nose; each one assigned the name of one winner. It only took one second – Ski Guy’s cheese was eaten first signifying him as the winner of a cool Edhat t-shirt.

See Edhat's Dog Mile Results for pictures of the entries and final placings

... or just see our picture gallery

Want to get instant fame and cool prizes? ... enter today’s contest

We want to hear from you ... tell us what you think of this tidbit