Busy, busy, busy week! 2011/10/06

Dear friends,

I apologize for not having my regular Dancing with the Stars entry up for your to devour. This week has been a hefty week for me at work. I had to bring in my wonderful friend and coach to many, John Swick. He is a lovely man who smells of Green Tea and gives me treats. Then today, I have to go to Inside Columbia for my glamour shot as one of the top five pets in Columbia. I think I will win, I am the cutest after all. Ashley spent a lot of time with me after John left to get me beautified for my shoot.

When John Swick was here, he worked with five students on Monday and several more on Tuesday. I could tell everyone appreciated his help because their dancing looked so much better. Having him watch them and give them pointers seemed to be an important thing to do because I heard a few people telling Ashley as they came off the floor that John would explain things to them in a different way that finally made sense! So — the biggest thing I learned from welcoming John to work with me this week was that getting extra coaching IS important and should not be passed up if given the chance!

After John left, the rest of my time was devoted to getting ready for my time in the spotlight! I did a few extra jumping tricks and sprints around the red couch to shed a few ounces after those special treats John Swick would give me. Ashley also gave me a bath. It feels so good to be clean, I am just the prettiest girl ever! I will blog more once I return from the photography studio about what it was like to be famous.

For a short prelude to my Dancing with the Stars post, I was correct once again. Kristin and Mark were eliminated on Tuesday! Do I know my Dancing with the Stars or what! … Sadly, I wish she had not been eliminated, but knowing how the show work, she didn’t have a fan base and was the next logical choice. But that means I am 2-1 in guessing the elimination! I will try to have my discussion of the show this week posted tomorrow.

But, for now, my busy, busy week continues. Off to my photo shoot! Wish me luck in winning the Columbia’s Cutest Pet contest!

Dancing with the Stars – Week 2 Show/Results 2011/09/27

This week the show got even better. And oh what a powerful night of dancing it was. The hardest two dances, I don’t know how they do it, but I love it all the same.

Here is my overall analysis of each couple:

Carson & Anna | Dance: Quickstep | Score: 18 | Change over previous week: +1 | Total points since week 1: 35/60

He makes me so happy. I just get up and dance along with him when their routine starts. If I were a human, I’d want to be the Cyd Charisse to his Fred Astaire! I say Cyd because no one can ever take the place of Ms. Ginger.

He was very happy and kicky, but that got in the way of his dancing as he was not in correct promenade or outside partner position sometimes and his shoulders need to be rolled back more. But not a bad job over all! Love ya Carson!!

Ricki & Derek | Dance: Jive |  Score: 23 | Change over previous week: +3 | Total points since week 1: 43/60

Now this was a good routine! It might have been a little slow at times, but overall I was very pleased to see, for the most part, Derek not out dancing Ricki like he did last week. But I mean, if Derek dressed like that I would dance up to his level too!

Elisabetta & Val | Dance: Quickstep | Score: 21 | Change over previous week: +6 | Total points since week 1:  36/60

My Italian friend was much much much better than last week. When they were in hold I liked it, outside, not so much. She needs to not bounce quite as much and her head was a little unbalanced. Val better fix that if they survive this week.

David & Kym | Dance: Jive | Score: 18 | Change over previous week: None | Total points since week 1: 36/60

This week seemed no different than last week. David still was frantic and spastic and had little to zero of the Jive technique I have grown to love and adore watching people dance it out on our floor. Kym was right to be upset with him at the beginning of their spot. I hope I have not put too much pressure on poor David by saying he was one of my original favorites. Dolce still loves you David!!!

Chaz & Lacey | Dance: Quickstep | Score: 17 | Change over previous week: None | Total points since week 1: 34/60

I continue to impress myself. I believe it was me who said, before to the show beginning, that Chaz would have trouble with Quickstep and that might be his downfall. I hope it is not the case because he was so adorable last week. Throughout the whole of the dance, he looked like he was not only afraid of breaking himself but Lacey too. It wasn’t bad, but it was no Thursday night Quickstep class at Studio B!

Kristin & Mark | Dance: Quickstep | Score: 22 | Change over previous week: +3 | Total points since week 1: 41/60

Still not a fan. I guess my distaste for Chihuahua’s carries on. Anyway, there was better dancing than last week, however, not enough to warrant a 22. A 20 or 19 would’ve been justified. Mark really needs to stop out dancing her and making her look bad.

Nancy & Tristan | Dance: Quickstep | Score: 21 | Change over previous week: +5 | Total points since week 1: 37/60

She definitely did much better than last week but she had me looking for my pillow half way through the routine. She looked as though she was really struggling to pull it together to get up and dance. She just needs to let go and have fun!

Rob & Cheryl | Dance: Jive | Score: 21 | Change over previous week: +5 | Total points since week 1: 37/60

He really didn’t do much better than Nancy. I think the judges were too nice here. An 18 would have done nicely.

J.R. & Karina | Dance: Jive | Score: 22 | Change over previous week: None | Total points since week 1: 44/60

Wow! What a tail shaker that was! J.R. did fantastic keeping up with the high energy of the dance and his partner. I was very impress and might have a new leader after this one. Karina … ugh! You do a lift just to please the crowd but it didn’t need it! He did fantastic without it. Showcase your partner’s strength to impress, don’t do flashy moves.

Chynna & Tony | Dance: Jive | Score: 21 | Change over previous week: -1 | Total points since week 1: 43/60

You go girl! I thought you did a good job, not as good as you could have done, and not as good as last week, but still you did an excellent job! One thing you need to learn is that being spunky all the time is hard … you have to be, well, me to pull it off. Just take a deep breath and go for it. Tony is still so debonair too. Doesn’t out dance his partner and yet still shows what he can do without being a Mark.

Hope & Maks | Dance: Jive | Score: 19 | Change over previous week: -2 | Total points since week 1: 40/60

Oh how my champion has fallen! Hope, what happened? I thought you did so well last week, but this week you run in the wrong direction. Please don’t pull a Ralph (Macchio) and be good one week and then die off! Maks pull her together and get out there and do a correct dance next week!!

My bottom 3 couples:

• Elisabetta & Val – My elimination choice from last week – ELIMINATED
• Rob & Cheryl
• Nancy & Tristan

Score card: 1-1

I predict that … Kristin and Mark will be eliminated next week.

My updated final three

1. J.R. & Karina
2. Hope & Maks
3. Ricki & Derek

Dancing with the Stars – Week 1 Show/Results 2011/09/21

I love Dancing with the Stars. It is just perfect. The new ballroom looked so beautiful and was exciting to see it get a fancy upgrade. The dancing over all was really good and fun to watch. Hope Solo was my favorite!  I was disappointed to see was Ricki & Derek and David & Kym. Derek out danced Ricki and showed us that she is really stiff. But I still love Derek and my puppy-crush continues on!

Here is my overall analysis of each couple:

Carson & Anna | Dance: Cha Cha | Score: 17

He was very entertaining and fun to see. He seemed really happy to be there and would probably love to play tag with me at work! He was, however, a little to floppy, like my ears when I run from Scott.

Ricki & Derek | Dance: Viennese Waltz |  Score: 20

Technically it was alright, she needs to stretch more and not let Derek out dance her. I look forward to seeing more of Derek … and Ricki too as the season goes on. She has a lot of room to grow.

Elisabetta & Val | Dance: Cha Cha | Score: 15

It was very lack luster and sleepy … literally. Maybe she needs to come to Ashley’s Quickstep 2 class on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. for $10 to see an improvement in her dancing for next week’s performance!

David & Kym | Dance: Viennese Waltz | Score: 18

David looked a little rushed and panicked. He needs to look not so scared! This isn’t a horror movie, it’s just dancing no different than walking.

Ron & Peta | Dance: Cha Cha | Score: 14

They didn’t  dance together, and he way very stompy. This was not Peta’s fault though, he is just HUGE! I was worried he was going to dance out of the television and squash me!

Chaz & Lacey | Dance: Cha Cha | Score: 17

He was so cute! I got up and danced with him! It was a lot of fun to watch. He actually looked like he was trying. Can’t wait for more! Go CHAZ!!!! Four paws and a bark for you my friend!

Kristin & Mark | Dance: Cha Cha | Score: 19

She was definitely entertaining and better than I thought she’d be. Mark needs to not out dance her and needs to give her real steps to do, I saw maybe two half basics and thats it! It was not a real Cha Cha; the judges were way to generous.

Nancy & Tristan | Dance: Cha Cha | Score: 16

It was good. Tristan gave her a routine she could handle, however, she still looked lost a some parts. Tristan has the cutest accent too! This might be the start of another puppy-crush!

Rob & Cheryl | Dance: Viennese Waltz | Score: 16

I could hardly watch this dance. Cheryl, your dress was so scary looking, when did your neck get wings!  But you did a good job with Rob. Your scores could’ve been a little higher, maybe. He looked like he was falling through the routine at some parts though.

J.R. & Karina | Dance: Viennese Waltz | Score: 22

His basics were good. Not enough Viennese Waltz for me but not bad overall though. Karina needed a better dress though. It was see through!

Chynna & Tony | Dance: Viennese Waltz | Score: 22

It was good! Nice amount of basic steps and a routine she could handle. That little faulter at the beginning didn’t hurt her at all; she handled it with grace. Tony needs to challenge her more next time.

Hope & Maks | Dance: Viennese Waltz | Score: 21

A little shaky but so was everyone else. Best routine of the night. Maks danced with her and not better than her.

My bottom 3 couples:

1. Elisabetta & Val – My pick for elimination
2. Ron & Peta – Actually Eliminated
3. Kristin & Mark

Score card: 0-1

Next week I predict Elisabetta will go home

My updated final three

1. Hope & Maksim – winner
2. J.R. & Karina – second place
3. Chynna & Tony – third place

Season 13 Predictions 2011/09/08

Dancing with the Stars season 13

As I have said before, I am really excited to watch this new season of Dancing with the Stars! Now that I have had a week to ponder the possibilities of who should be the winner, I will reveal how this season will shape up. You can also click on the names to see a photo of the couple.

12th place:
Elisabetta Canalis and Valentin Chmerkovskiy. She may be an okay dancer but she will definitely not quickstep past week one. This will simply be due to the fact she is an Italian actress/model and is not well known in America. She looks like a cat person, unable to tolerate my cuteness anyway, so that’s fine by me.

11th place:
Kristin Cavallari and Mark Ballas. I think she will be given the boot second. She seems like she’ll be similar to Kendra from last season in that she is afraid of how the girl needs to act in ballroom dancing. I’d give her some tips, but she doesn’t seem like a papillon person. I’ll save my winning secrets for my favorites!

10th place:
Carson Kressley and Anna Trebunskaya. I don’t want to see him go but he looks the most terrified out of all of them in his cast picture. I can’t wait to see his glamorous outfits though because if I know Carson, his outfits will be a major wow factor! And I just can’t help but love the sparklies!

9th place:
Ron Artest and Peta Murgatroyd. I would’ve thought he would chassé off the show sooner than 9th, but other people just are going to leave first. He is so tall I think that when he dances Peta won’t be able to touch the ground! I’d be worried he wouldn’t see me and squash me too …

8th place:
Rob Kardashian and Cheryl Burke. I think the popularity of his family will carry him to 8th place. Since he has Cheryl for a partner, I think his dancing skills will be alright, but not enough to twinkle over the rest of the litter.

7th place:
Nancy Grace and Tristan McManus. She looks like a ball of fun. She says she has two little twins at home, maybe they’ll come over to play! Nancy seems nervous, but in the good way that will motivate her to go far, but I don’t think it will be enough to win it all though.

6th place:
Chaz Bono and Lacey Schwimmer. He will do really well with most of the dances in the competition, might have a tough time with the Quickstep, but most do. I see him ending the competition here though, because I don’t think he will be spunky enough to have energy to out dance the other competitors and last until the end.

I don’t blame him either, I feel the same way after a long day of greeting and playing with people at work and then I have to work the party too! I am always so tired.

5th place:
Chynna Phillips and Tony Dovolani. I see her going far with her dancing. With Tony as a teacher, how could she not! I’ve seen him on the show for as long as I can remember and met his professional partner Elena Grinenko and Tony is the best! Chynna looks like a papillon lady herself too so I am definitely going to be watching her close and might have to have Ashley vote for her!

4th place:
J.R. Martinez and Karina Smirnoff. Because of his strong manly-man presence, he’ll have the acting and dancing part down, but I reserve the finals for dancing lovers of Dolce only. I don’t think he’d like a small puppy anyway, he’s ex-military macho man, looks like a dog named Bruce would suit him well.

THE FINALS

THIRD PLACE
David Arquette and Kym Johnson. He’ll be the ultimate showman of the season, but I think the other two will out shine him. You just can’t stop, Ricki Lake! Especially when she’s paired with Derek Hough!

SECOND PLACE
Ricki Lake and Derek Hough. Ricki would love me. She’s got that innocent yet refined look about her. And her partner, I’d love to get up and cuddle with him! They’d be definite fans of Dolce!

WINNERS
Hope Solo and Maksim Chmerkovskiy. This is Maks’ season to win it! I think his determination to win will help him push Hope to the top. The athletes always do well so I expect big things from these two!

• Just remember, I will be here every week to let you know what my expert opinion is on the competition. I’d love to hear what my friends think so please leave a comment below!
• Oh, and there is only one more week to vote in the Cutest Pet contest. I would really appreciate every vote possible! Leave a comment below my photo and I’ll be sure to thank you in my acceptance speech when I win!

Dancing with the Stars — Cast Announcement 2011/08/31

Dancing with the Stars season 13

Hello my friends! I want to take time to discuss an important issue that deeply interests all of us at my studio, Dancing with the Stars. This is my absolute favorite show ever and Mommy and I watch it every night it is one after we get home from work on the DVR. I am really happy that they announced the new litter of humans on Monday night and I have to say, I do enjoy this cast. Sadly, Ashley and Billy, from Room 38, did not make the cut despite winning Judges Choice at Dancing with Missouri Stars. Shouldn’t that count for something? I gave them four paws and a bark for their routines!

Anyway, since it is my job to keep you, my friends, informed of all things dance, I will divulge my week-by-week commentary of their dancing as I see it. Follow along with my blog all season and see my perfected method of selecting elimination order prove true.

Incase you missed the announcement, or were too busy voting for me in InsideColumbia.net’s cutest pet contest, here is the list of celebrity dancers:

David Arquette

Ron Artest

Chaz Bono

Elisabetta Canalis

Kristin Cavallari

Nancy Grace

Rob Kardashian

Carson Kressley

Ricki Lake

J.R. Martinez

Chynna Phillips

Hope Solo

The professional dancers and the pairings were announced this morning on Good Morning America. After I have had time to mull over the pairing, I will announce my selections for elimination order and eventual winner.

Get ready, this will be a fun and exciting season.

Leave a comment below and let me know what you think of the cast!

Modeling Mayhem 2011/08/08

Log on to InsideColumbia.net to vote for me every day until September 15!

Finally my beauty will be recognized by all. This is my official announcement of my race for Columbia’s Cutest Pet. Vote for me, because it’s about time my modeling career took off!

All about me. 2011/08/07

I want to introduce myself to anyone who doesn’t know me yet, because I am a canine you definitely want to meet! My name is Dolce which is Italian for sweet. My human Ashley gave me that name and I think it fits me quite well, although Cory who works at my studio, might not think so because my snarl is pretty fierce, and sometimes I just really want to bite him. That guy just can’t seem to accept that I’m the alpha dog around here. Any way, back to me.  I am a papillon and I’m four years old. Papillon means butterfly in French and when you see me you’ll know exactly why my breed was named after those tiny fluttering bugs. Some say I look more like a gremlin then a butterfly but I disagree. I am the most graceful dog you will ever see, which is the reason my human gave me a special job to do. That’s right, I have a job, I’m a working girl. I’m the brains, beauty, and brawn here at Studio B Dance Center.  I teach humans young and old how to dance on a daily basis.

When people come to see me they have to dance with me in my carpet territory, around the couch and chairs, before I let them pass onto the wood floor. I lure them to twirl, prance and leap with my special toy bear.  I’m not sure what’s with you humans, you all want my bear! That’s why I use bear to warm you up for the other less important instructors. I’m not allowed on the wood floor, I think it’s because Ashley doesn’t want to make anyone jealous of my amazing dance skills, and in a wide open space like that I could really do some damage. It can sometimes be intimidating. But when she’s not looking I like to sneak onto the edge of the floor and show off, just a pirouette or two to remind everyone who the real talent in this joint is. However, my special dance performances are reserved for those who bring me food, I can’t just give world class entertainment like this away for free, so bring me something good, like bacon, and I’ll amaze you with my abilities.

I’m not just a pretty face you know, I am also in charge of security. This is because of my fierce appearance, bone chilling growl, and super sonic speed. If I don’t like the looks of that tree swaying in the wind or leaf blowing across the parking lot then look out world, cause you’re about to get all six and half pounds of lean mean Dolce on your tail! I don’t like any one messing with my studio! When you’re at Studio B, you know you’re safe with me on guard.

Now that you know what I’m all about, come see me any week day and we’ll play, I mean dance. I love meeting new people, it’s pretty much my most favorite thing in the world, besides, napping and bacon.