More Than 9,000 Dogs to Descend on Broadway

The Purina(R) Dog Chow(R) Brand Shines the Spotlight on Thousands of Cute
Canines With Its 'Picture Your Dog in Times Square' Event on June 19; Dog Park
Grant Winners to Be Announced

ST. LOUIS, June 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Lights, camera, Fido? At least that
will be the case on Thursday, June 19, 2008 when Purina(R) Dog Chow(R) brand
Dog Food showcases the photos of more than 9,000 unique dogs in the bright
lights of New York's Times Square. The Reuters/NASDAQ Digital Tower Billboards
will be illuminated with pictures of pooches from across America, turning the
world's most famous intersection into a giant photo "dog park."
This spring, Purina(R) Dog Chow(R) brand Dog Food teamed up with Drew
Lachey, "Dancing with the Stars" winner, and his German Shepherd, Luka, to
invite dog lovers to visit http://www.pictureyourdogintimessquare.com and
upload photos of their one-in-a-million dogs. On June 19, beginning at 6:00
a.m. EDT, those dogs will become stars on Broadway when their images are
broadcast in Times Square until 2:00 a.m. EDT, Friday, June 20. The digital
displays also will be simulcast on the Purina(R) Dog Chow(R) virtual dog park
at http://www.longliveyourdog.com, so you don't need to be in the Big Apple to
see these hot dogs.
One Lucky Dog Will Be There to See It Live
While more than 9,000 dogs will get some face time on one of the famous
big screens, one lucky pooch and her owner will be there live in Times Square
to see her picture broadcast to the world. Sassy, a 2-year-old Yorkshire
Terrier and her owner, Dayna Culbertson of Marysville, Wash., won the grand-
prize trip, which includes a five-day, four-night dog-friendly getaway to New
York City. Culbertson was alerted to the opportunity by the Delta Society, a
not-for-profit organization that helps people by introducing them to the
healing power of pets. For more information about the Delta Society visit
http://www.deltasociety.org.
Sassy definitely fits the "one-in-a-million" dog moniker, as she has
overcome a leg deformity to thrive and live a full and active life. Sassy was
born with a malformed front leg, so her breeder wanted to place her in a
special home. Dayna Culbertson heard about Sassy from her best friend and
rushed to Portland to adopt the 6-week-old Yorkie.
"Sassy has become vivacious and her disability has never once slowed her
down," said Culbertson. "She has touched the hearts of many with her
personality and unconditional love she gives to everyone. If a person was to
watch Sassy run they wouldn't even realize she uses only three legs. She's
fast, energetic and lives life to the fullest. She really is one of a kind."
While Sassy will be there in person, dog lovers everywhere are invited to
join in the fun by watching online at http://www.longliveyourdog.com beginning
Thursday, June 19 at 6:00 a.m. EDT until 2:00 a.m. EDT, Friday, June 20. So no
proud dog owner will miss the image of their favorite pup on the big screen
during the 20-hour live simulcast, all featured dog owners will receive
personal e-mail notices letting them know approximately what time their dogs
will have their close-ups.
"There is something unique about each and every dog, and we are taking
this opportunity in Times Square to celebrate one-in-a-million dogs all over
the country," said Andrea Leas, Purina(R) Dog Chow(R) brand manager. "What
better way to showcase the country's most adorable canines than putting them
up on one of America's most recognizable stages?"
From Virtual Parks to Local Reality
Purina(R) Dog Chow(R) brand Dog Food also has pledged to help support
real-life dog parks nationwide with the creation of a dog park grant program.
Up to $40,000 in grants will go toward maintenance and upkeep of dog-friendly
areas across the country, including dog parks and other off-leash designated
areas. Winners of a Purina(R) Dog Chow(R) grant include:
o New Orleans City Park: NOLA City Bark - New Orleans, La.
o Preservation Society of Huntington Dog Beach: Huntington Dog Beach --
Huntington Beach, Calif.
o Buffalo Off-Leash Area, Inc.: The Barkyard - Buffalo, N.Y.
o Friends for Sophia's Dog Park, Inc.: Patterson Dog Park - Newman,
Calif.
o Friends of Reservoir Dogs! Park: Reservoir Dogs! Park - Phoenixville,
Pa.
o Friends Forever Humane Society: Friends Forever Humane Society Dog Park
- Freeport, Ill. o STAR Foundation: Tomahawk Area Dog Park - Tomahawk,
Wisc.
o Puptown Dog Owners Group: Puptown - Chicago, Ill.
o Provincetown Dog Park: Pilgram Bark Park - Provincetown, Mass.
o Friends of Stamford: Stamford Dog Park - Stamford, Conn.
o Dog Owners Group for Park Access in WA: DOGPAW Off-Leash Park -
Vancouver, Wash.
To be considered for a grant, applicants had to meet certain eligibility
requirements, submit an application of 500 words or less explaining how the
funding will be used and include a photo of the park facilities to be upgraded
or maintained.
For more information on the Purina(R) Dog Chow(R) "Picture Your Dog in
Times Square" event and the Purina(R) Dog Chow(R) Grant Program please visit
http://www.longliveyourdog.com.
Nestle Purina PetCare promotes responsible pet care, community
involvement and the positive bond between people and their pets. A premiere
global manufacturer of pet products, Nestle Purina PetCare is part of
Swiss-based Nestle S.A., the world's largest food company.
CONTACT:
Melissa Cuttone: 312.729.4262
GolinHarris or
Kerry Lyman: 314.982.2094
Nestle Purina PetCare Company

SOURCE Purina Dog Chow brand

Melissa Cuttone of GolinHarris, +1-312-729-4262; or Kerry Lyman of Nestle
Purina PetCare Company, +1-314-982-2094, both for Purina Dog Chow brand