The Academy Award Nominations were finally announced and for the first time in years I found myself bored to tears not only by the actual nominations themselves, but also by the announcement that the nominations had been made at all. I’ve become less and less charmed by entertainment awards over the years. And now, I suppose I have hit a pinnacle of apathy. Who cares?

We are at war. The economy is a frightening sight for those of us not making boatloads of cash by acting in movies. The jobless rate is up. The housing market is in the pits. We are facing a Presidential election that has not a single viable candidate.

So, who in the world cares about the Academy Award besides the self-congratulating entertainment industry itself?

In fact, I am much more excited about the prospect of the Canine Celebrity Awards.

In years past, when times have been tough, people have turned to light entertainment like Shirley Temple and The Three Stooges. We don’t want to hear hard hitting political messages in our movies. We want to be joyfully entertained. And, animals tend to fill that category of pure entertainment.

Happytails line of spa, grooming & wellness products is sponsoring the Canine Celebrity Awards. And, this is a ceremony where people like you and me can actually benefit. There are two categories: Best in Show- Photo and Best in Show- Video. Each category will have three winners and the winners’ owners will come away vacation packages worth move than $1,000 each.

All you have to do is submit your photos and videos of your “Canine Celebrity”, as well as a brief essay on why your pooch deserves to win. Go to www.happytailsspa.com to enter. While you are there, hold onto this coupon code: HTCCA08. It will get you 25% off the Happytails Celebrity Dog pack.