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New Port Richey Terrier Is A Photo Contest Finalist

Photo by Patricia Patterson

Baarney's owner says the Bedlinton terrier will get ice cream if he wins the contest.

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By MEGAN HUSSEY

Tribune correspondent

Published: December 20, 2008

HOLIDAY - Chosen from a field of more than 700 entries, Baarney, a Bedlington terrier who belongs to Patricia and Robin Patterson of New Port Richey, is one of 20 canine finalists in USA Today's "Marley & Me" photo contest. A photo of Baarney decorating a Christmas tree is featured at usatoday.com, where people can vote for their favorite pooches. The winning dogs will be featured in the print edition of USA Today.

Patricia Patterson posted Baarney's photo last week in the contest, intended to celebrate the Christmas Day release of the movie "Marley & Me" starring Jennifer Aniston and Owen Wilson. She said her dog, which she has owned for three and a half years, has about 800 votes.

"Baarney is a very special dog," she said. "He looks like a lamb and some people think he's a stuffed animal. He's so soft and cute."

Baarney's name, in fact, is spelled with two "As" as a nod to the "baa" sound that lambs make. This is not his first brush with fame; in fact, he is the official spokesdog for the Pattersons' Holiday-based company Read My Paws, which makes custom shirts for dogs - sometimes their owners.

"The company has received national attention for their 100 percent organic cotton shirts made in the USA with fun 'green messages' for the caring and socially conscious dog owner," read a news release. "'Recycle: Adopt a Dog' is the leading message of the line of shirts known as the Green Paws line. The shirt is available for both humans and doggies."

Read My Paws donates part of its proceeds to SPCA Suncoast. Today, Baarney will appear at Doggie Cakes, 5644 Main St. in New Port Richey, to support pet photos with Santa and raise funds for SPCA Suncoast.

"Baarney has a Doggyspace.com account," Patterson said, referring to a canine social networking Web site. "One of his Doggyspace buddies who lives in the area, Morgan the Miracle Maltese, sent Baarney a note that he is coming on Saturday with his entourage to meet him, buy the awesome treats at Doggie Cakes and get their picture taken with Santa to help raise money."

Baarney also has a blog and receives fan mail at Baarney@ReadMyPaws.com. For more information, visit www.ReadMyPaws.com or call 1-866-934-5320. To support Baarney in USA Today's "Marley & Me" contest, cast your online vote before Monday.

"Baarney has been promised ice cream if he wins," said Patricia Patterson with a chuckle. "He loves ice cream."

Carl Orth contributed to this report.

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