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PRODUCED BY RARE BULLDOGS
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10-18-08 Gulf Breeze pup reigns in
Atlanta
'Herschel' the bulldog wins newspaper's pet contest BY
SCOTT PAGE Gulf Breeze News
scott@gulfbreezenews.com |
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 Submitted
photo Herschel is owned by Gulf Breeze resident and
University of
Georgia alumnae Martha Merrill. More pictures of the
award-winning English bulldog can be seen on YouTube.com
The Atlanta Journal Constitution recently named a local
English bulldog, Herschel Walker Merrill, "Atlanta's Top
Dog." Herschel wasn't born into the lap of luxury, but he
has always had star potential according to Martha Anne
Merrill, a Gulf Breeze resident and Herschel's owner. "He
loves people, and everyone in our neighborhood knows his
name," Merrill said. Herschel also enjoys a link on YouTube
full of his pictures and videos. Merrill, a graduate of the
University of Georgia, purchased Herschel from a breeder in
Cantonment and named him after her favorite football star.
"Herschel Walker has always been my favorite football
player," Merrill said. "I always wanted an English bulldog,
and I've always known that I would name him Herschel."
Herschel's road to stardom began in July when The Journal-
Constitution asked for photos of reader's dogs of the
American Kennel Club's top 11 breeds. "When they asked for
bulldogs, I submitted a few of Herschel," Merrill said.
"They published two of his as the first two." Merrill said
that the AJC editors then decided to choose two pictures of
each breed and have readers vote on their favorites. After
the vote, the results were clear: Herschel was "Top Dog."
"It really wasn't a contest when I submitted the pictures,"
Merrill said. "I found out a week later that he had won this
contest." Herschel's title as "Atlanta's Top Dog" earned him
a feature story in the AJC. "Herschel won and the editor
e-mailed me for info on him and asked for his YouTube link
so they could post it," Merrill said. According to Merrill,
Herschel's popularity and star power skyrocketed after his
YouTube link was printed in the AJC. "Once they printed the
link his views went from 2,000 to 10,000." Herschel might
live a small-town life in Gulf Breeze, but he will always be
the second-most famous Georgia Bulldog to at least one
woman. "He is just so cool and laid back," Merrill said. "He
doesn't like to fight, and he loves people."
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Hi Alesia...Herschel made the paper again...my in-laws live in
Birmingham and sent in his Halloween picture and it was chosen for
last Sundays paper! Below is the scanned page that she sent
me...He truly is a star!! Love him to pieces!!
All the best!
Martha Anne
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I thought I'd send some more pics of our baby....I honestly don't
know how we have lived this long without the little guy. He has captured
our hearts. He is growing by leaps and bounds. You wouldn't believe it
if you saw him. His coat is so beautiful too. His coat now has light
brown spots on it all over and people always comment on what a beautiful
dog he is. He is a hit everywhere we go. If we go to the park, we draw a
crowd immediately. He is by far the most popular dog anywhere and he
LOVES the attention. He is especially fond of children. He wiggles his
little bottom in excitement whenever the neighborhood kids come over to
play with him. He was around a two year old baby this past weekend and I
was nervous b/c of her age, but he was so gentle with her and just
licked her..she loved him. His personality and temperament are
remarkable. He loves people and loves other dogs. He isn't the slightest
bit possessive of his food or his toys and he always performs his tricks
when asked. He is just a love and without a doubt the cutest pup we
have ever seen...people just go nuts over him. Thanks again for breeding
such terrific puppies! He is irreplaceable and we love him immensely!
Sincerely, Martha Anne Merrill |
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