August 30, 2007

Run, do not walk, to your computer and log onto eBay for a chance to bid on celebrity-signed dog collars to benefit CCI. I'm trying to talk Marianne into bidding on at least one (after all, she has three dogs, counting me!)

Here's the back story, as they say in the news biz.

Kyle Orent is 9 years old and lives in Northport, New York. Two years ago he asked for a lemonade stand for his birthday so he could raise money for a charity. He picked CCI because he likes dogs, among other reasons. How cool is that?

Here's the amazing part: so far he's raised $20,000 for CCI! WOOF!!

This year he asked celebrities to autograph dog collars (generously donated by a company called Bamboo). The collars are available on eBay starting today. Every penny goes to CCI.

Think of it! Your pooch who loves to fetch could have a collar signed by Hank Aaron or Yogi Berra. Does he like to howl? Then the Billy Joel collar is for him!

Perhaps your pup tackles you when you come home at night, and would enjoy a Joe Namath collar. If Fluffy is a diva I know she'd like the Wendie Malick collar. There are lots more -- something for everyone!

Kyle graciously agreed to answer a few questions because he's never been interviewed by a dog before, even though he's done lots of interviews. I feel very honored!

PARKER: What do you like best about CCI?

KYLE: On the wall when you walk into Canine Companions I like to see the smiles on peoples' faces that just got their puppies.

PARKER: How did you think up the dog collar idea?

KYLE: I like different ideas and I thought people that like dogs might like an autographed collar. Also it's for a charity.

PARKER: Was it hard to get autographs?

KYLE: Really hard! I wrote to all types of celebrities, but it was the hardest to get autographs from actors and the few singers I picked. I wrote to my favorite ones but I had to go through their publicists and most never got my personal letter to them. I wrote why I picked them. It's not their fault if they didn't get my letter.

(PARKER'S ASIDE TO PUBLICISTS: GRRRRRRRRRR.)

PARKER: Do you have your own dog? What do you like to do with your dog?

KYLE: We just got a dog, a puppy. It's a cocker spaniel mix called Jessie. She likes to give kisses and fetch. She's still very little. And I have a Betta fish.

PARKER: Anything else you want me to know?

KYLE: Any dog that is a CCI dog has to be a great dog.

PARKER: Aw, shucks, you made me blush. I think you're a great kid, too.

So, let's get busy bidding on those collars and make Kyle proud! Here's how you do it: go to www.ebay.com. Click on "Community" in the upper right corner, enter KLEMONADE33 under member name, then click on ME, and start bidding!

Keep checking back because Kyle will be adding more collars. I can't wait to see which one Marianne is going to bid on.

Chow for now!

Parker

Questions or comments for Parker? Send them to call7forhelp@thedenverchannel.com.

Would you like more information about Canine Companions for Independence, or perhaps be a puppy raiser? Call 1-800-572-BARK or go to www.cci.org for details.