Athleisure Mag #52 Apr 2020 | The Oscars for Dogs with Maria Menounos

THE OSCARS FOR DOGSwith Maria Menounos

There's nothing that relaxes us more than watching a dog show. This year's 4th Annual Beverly HIlls Dog Show Presented by Purina (airing May 17th at 8pm EST on NBC) is a new breed of dog show that allows us to see 1,500 dogs that are represented by 200 eligible breeds and varieties. During the portion that is aired on TV, you will be able to see each group winner walk the show's runway for the Best in Show judge to determine this year's champion. Before they hit the judging floor, they spend time with Emmy Award-winning journalist, author and TV personality Maria Menounos as she interviews the dogs as well as celebs when they hit the red carpet. We took some time to chat with her to find out why she loves being involved in this show, how she prepares for it versus traditional Awards Season shows and more.

ATHLEISURE MAG: Your career has included so many things as we have been a fan of yours since your days with the WWE and have had a number of WWE Superstars as our cover from Nattie, Naomi and Carmella which has been fun. We also love seeing you host a number of shows, your podcasts, Afterbuzz and more - when did you know that you wanted to work in broadcasting and hosting?

MARIA MENOUNOS: I feel like I have always been kind of, a fan of so many different things. I have been able to be apart of so many different worlds in my career so I am really grateful that I have been in the serious news world as well as the entertainment world, the wrestling world and the sports world – even the dog world. I feel like I always knew that I had a lot of interest, but the fact that I have been able to pursue all of them has been so cool.

AM: Can you tell us about the Beverly Hills Dog Show presented by Purina?

MM: Absolutely, The Beverly Hills Dog Show presented by Purina, will air Sun May 17th 8pm EST/7pm CT and you will get to see beautiful breeds of dogs – over 1,500 actually! They will be there and competing for Best in Show. What's cool

about the Beverly Hills Dog Show as opposed to other shows is that you have Hollywood a part of this because it is Beverly Hills of course. We have stars like fashion icon Olivia Culpo to The Office star Brian Baumgartner to Instagram stars like Doug the Pug show up. I can’t get enough.

AM: This isn't your first time being a part of this event. What continues to draw you to this show?

MM: For me, I’m an animal lover. I love my dogs of course so it’s a natural fit for me to work with Purina and the Beverly Hills Dog Show. We’ve done a lot of cool things over the years together. It’s my happiest place on Earth. I literally live to be with all of these breeds. I’m in awe of their beauty and being able to go behind the scenes and see them get ready, it’s like the Oscars for dogs – right? We get glimpses of the stars getting ready for the Oscars and getting their hair coiffed and it’s the same for the dogs. I’m back there with the groomers doing their thing and the trainers getting them ready!

AM: How do you prepare to cover the carpet for this event?

MM: So for me, it does require putting outfits together that are chic and comfortable because I want to be able to on the ground on the red carpet. For most red carpets, I’m usually standing but for this one, I’m usually sitting down and playing with the dogs. So it has to be comfortable so I can play with them and preferably, nothing black so the dog hair isn’t totally apparent. I have to have a little dog roller and I need my allergy medication with me usually as well. I also have a whole different process for a dog awards show versus a celebrity awards show. The same thing applies – you have to be prepared, you have to eat a good meal. I have my nutrition in there and I get to do the fun stuff like squish all the babies!

AM: As a dog lover - have you picked up any tips from the show that you will bring back to your four legged friends?

MM: Yeah. I usually get tips from the trainers in terms of what to use with their eyes. They call it Angel Eyes like when the little white dogs get that stuff here.

AM: What is your favorite part of being involved in this show and what are you specifically looking forward to for this next one coming up?

MM: For me, it would be like someone in your hometown being able to see all of the celebrities. People love that stuff. I feel like that person at the Beverly Hills Dog Show because I’m just goo goo ga ga. My eyeballs are like window shield wipers because I’m like, “Oh my God, look at the poodle – look at the Golden Retriever. Oh my God, look at the little terrier.” I’m a crazy person at this show and that’s why I feel like it’s a match made in heaven.

AM: As we're all staying in during this time due to COVID-19, how are you navigating the past few weeks in terms of staying safe and sane and are there things that pet owners should do?

MM: I had a very famous veterinarian, Dr. Barbara Royal of the Royal Treatment Veterinay Center. She is Oprah’s veterinarian and she was on my show, Better Together early on in the crisis and had a ton of tips.

She explained that if someone is sick with COVID-19, they should restrict their contact with their pets as they would with people. Although there have not been reports of pets or other animals becoming sick with COVID-19, it is still recommended that people that have the virus limit their contact with their animals until more information is made known about the virus. This also includes avoid petting, snuggling and kissing them.

While there isn't solid evidence that animals can carry the virus internally, their bodies may act as a surface that can transmit the disease. In theory, one person touches the pet, another person touches the same area and inadvertently may transfer it to their hand and rub their eyes

She also suggested that if someone is sick and if it's possible, have someone else in the household care for them while in recovery. If this isn't an option, make sure to wash your hands before and after interaction with your pet, avoid sharing food and wear a facemask if you have one.

She also shared another tip that even she found to be a hard one to do but necessary! For those that are not sick and are going out for walks, it's best to not have people touch your pets. This can be a hard one; however, it's important to maintain social distancing. People want the comfort of getting affection from a pet but social distancing must apply to your pets too.

Finally, she reminded us that if a pet becomes sick and you don't know why and you're concerned, make sure to call and go see your vet.

@Purina @MariaMenounos