A Special Message from Dillon: "Tragedy stuck last week with the sudden passing of our friend Smoke. We'll all miss this great dog who raced with us just a few weeks ago. In honor of Smoke, please take a moment to hug your puppies today. In times of sadness, sometimes laughter is the best medicine."
Who will be the next dogs voted off? Please take the time to get to know our 4 remaining teammates - Kasey, Keeper, Kess and Xena.
Meet Kasey: We found Kasey, a Jack from Garland, Texas, sunning herself by the lake. "I am letting Xena believe that I am a typical Jack that gets distracted by rodents, when in fact is just my suspicions and mistrust in everyone that keeps me close to her so I can make sure that she is not getting anything that I can not claim as my own," said Kasey when asked about her strategy versus Xena. Kasey discovered her shared Canadian heritage with Ruby, and used this to win security from the Meanies. "My obsession with winning the Survivor Title is my one and only goal, because it is only then that everyone will know what I am the only one deserving of any attention." When asked about her competition, Kasey replied, "the BCs are not even in my class and are good only to work for me as house dogs, Especially Kess, My human likes her way too much so she deserves to die. After all, if I didn't set the jumps lower for her she would not have a chance of running the fast times that she runs, It is, after all, all about me!" At home, Kasey works as a National Feather Weight Champion bodybuilder, and that strength helped her play her game here in the Texas wilderness. We asked Kasey what she planned to do with the prize if she won Texas Summer Survivor Flyball. "When I win the million dog bones, they will be mine..mine.MINE!" Rumor has it in Kasey's past she spent time in therapy for dog bone addiction.
Meet Keeper: Keeper, a Border Collie from Nevada, Texas, known for her silky long black and white coat, was more than eager to interview with us. Keeper has kept her wits about her under pressure in the hot Texas summer. "I am very confident of my chances against the final four dogs. I'm the only pretty one left, the rest are either mean or ugly or both!!!" Keeper seems to think this competition is a beauty pagent. When asked about her competition, Keeper had this to say, "It has come down to a dual between the Border Collies and the JRT's, all have played good games so far but they have also made a lot of enemies with the previous tribesman. As far as Kess goes, well she is a nice girl but she can't herd!!! What's up with that??? She also voted for herself if I remember correctly so she is not the brightest bulb in the pack. And good lord girl, eat something! Kasey - She puts on a nice face but she will talk about you behind your back. I think this will come back to haunt her. Helloooo, how about waxing those eyebrows. Xena is just pure evil and I think that people will remember this when it comes time to vote. She scares me" We asked Keeper what was the most memorable thing to happen since day one of Survivor Flyball. "I was shocked to learn about the Snowman porn!!! I have been working with and passing Ruby for 1 1/2 years and in all that time she has never hinted to her tainted past. I won't let this hurt my working relationship or my friendship with Ruby but I am hurt that she couldn't confide in me. Maybe she has learned her lesson about Jack Russells!!!" We asked Keeper why she deserves to win: "Because I am pretty!!! No, just kidding!!! I played a well thought out game and I don't think that I made too many enemies along the way. That is crucial to this game...don't make enemies! I was also honest with everyone and I think they appreciated that and hopefully they will remember this when it comes time to vote." Keeper said this of her plans for the million dog bones, "If I win, I will give one dog bone to every hungry dog in the world so that we can all join together, paw in paw, to make this world a better place."
Meet Kess: The sneaky smooth coat Border Collie Kess, who some have claimed to be part Greyhound, met with us as she hid behind the couch guarding her food bowl. "It's a dog eat dog world. These other dogs will try to steal my food. And hiding back here, I'll be able to sneak up and steal their food. Ha Ha!" Kess has confounded the other competitor with her eratic strategies and aloofness. "My decision to vote against myself was brilliant! After that, everyone thought I was not a threat. It allowed me to slide under the radar. Oh, I am so sneaky." That's the truth, Kess has appointer herself chief utensil inspector. If you can't find your knife or fork, just look behind her couch. "I'm a trained Ninja. I can sneak in and out, you won't even know I'm there. I'll win the Idol with my stealth." Asked about her relationship with Bella, "I've learned a lot from Bella, she's my best friend. She taught me to obsess over Frisbees, although not quite to the same extent. Mostly, she taught me how to Boogle. Yeh, Boogling is a full time job these days." When asked what exactly Boogling is, Kess responded, "I'm not at liberty to discuss it! Grrr!!" Okey Dokey, sorry we mentioned it. So, which competitor is Kess most worried about, "Ha, none of them! Keeper is a prima donna. Kasey can't catch me, little runt, and even her parents like me more than her. And Xena, well, I've already stolen her parent's hearts away too, she doesn't stand a chance." What does Kess plan to do with the million dog bones, "I am a rescue, so I'll donate 100,000 bones to Border Collie Rescue. Then I will pay off Sadie so she leaves me alone, then Bella and I will Boogle the rest. Woo Woo Woooooo!"
Meet Xena: Xena, a Jack from Glenn Heights, Texas, was the most difficult dog to find. We searched for several hours, and after finally deciding to give up, she attacked our ankles from the bushes. "That's right I'm Xena Warrior Princess a/k/a "The Ball of Hate" and I am a survivor. I have survived eating a self rising Pizza, a Giardelli Chocolate bar and the loss of my best friend. I am a survivor! I even convinced my dad to do flyball. Some say I have an attitude!!" No kidding! This little demon-dog has survived by infiltrating the Meanies, becoming a member, and successfully getting rid of them! "Do NOT start with me. You will NOT win". We kept a safe distance from Xena during this interview after she bit the microphone. We tried to cheer her up by throwing her a few peppermints (her favorite snack), and our camera man lost a finger. "I have made it this far on attitude alone". Attitude and teeth maybe. We asked Xena what part of her visit was the most memorable. She replied, "I would have to say that Rhino surprised me the most, what with getting naked in front of me and all - but I wish he was still in the running because Rhino is so easy to push around. I once snapped at him and he just looked at me. He may be big, but I am not afraid. I am not shocked easily so nothing so far has surprised me." Xena had this to say about her competition: "I think Kess, Kasey and Keeper - the KKK I will call them, will not survive on the island, Kess and Keeper are pushovers and Kasey is only brave if she is with her "Mommy". Obviously you people don't watch much TV. Xena Warrior Princess always wins." Xena showed her evil side for the first time in Episode 2 where she distracted Sydney with kid flying a kite while riding a horse wearing roller blades, and got Sydney eliminated in the process. We will never know how she got those roller blades on that horse. Xena plans to binge and purge her winnings. Her parting words to us were, "How can I miss you if you won't go away? Grrrrrrr."
Now it's up to you, Region 5! There is a poll on the TXFlyball Yahoo group. You can vote any time between now and Monday, August 8, 2004. You can only vote once. Please take the time to consider everyone in the final 4 and how each played the game. Now get out there an Vote! Thank you for your votes! The poll is now closed.
George's Press Statement: "My client, Sunshine Rain, has decided to put her differences with management aside and return to her role as Expert Analyst. Sunshine Rain wants to express her gratitude for all the fine people who entered the Summer Survivor Tournament. Please, she asks that you respect her privacy and not ask for autographs."
Sunshine Rain's Analysis: "Wow, we are down to the final four, and what a great group they are. Honestly, I can't believe Sadie and Ruby didn't make it, there was a rumor that they might have some influence over the management of this competition, I guess not. The real shock is that two Jacks are still alive. Combined, they almost add up to one real dog! Ha.Ha. Seriously, on behalf of myself, Dillon, the management and all of the competitors in this competition, I would like to say one more thing, 'We love you Smoke!'"