It’s no secret I love helping out various charities in the DC Metro area. In the past few months I’ve lent my paws in to help All Shepherd Rescue with Santa pictures & I’ve “walked” 3 miles for the American Heart Association. But this was going to be the biggest event of my bulldog life to this point, the 2 day NBC 4 Health Expo at the Washington DC Convention Center. I was invited to help support my good friends from Dogs on Deployment in their booth at the Expo!
What does Dogs on Deployment do? Military members nation-wide confront a multitude of problems during their careers, the last thing they need to worry about is their pet’s care during their service commitments. Dogs On Deployment is a 501(c)(3) national non-profit which provides an online network for service members to search for volunteers who are willing to board their pets during service commitments. Dogs on Deployment promotes responsible, life-long pet ownership by military pet owners by advocating for military pet owner rights, providing educational resources, and granting financial assistance for military pet owners during times of emergency. Join Dogs on Deployment’s mission in changing the lives of our military members and their pets. Find out more at their website.
So, I had to bring my “A” game to make sure they got the attention they deserve! To ensure success, they brought out my bulldog girlfriend Marley, heavy bulldog firepower at the Health Expo!
In the Military Section we set up our booth 2955 and waited for the crowds, but we were In the far back of the hall so we had to send out Marley and me in shifts to draw the attention to us! I’d been tweeting at the NBC Health Expo Twitter all week, prepping them for the cuteness that would descend upon them! They were good sports about responding and enjoying the publicity only a bulldog can bring.
The NBC Health Expo Tweet Tornado
Day 1
See you Sat! MT @OvietheBulldog: @eunyangnbc @nbchealthexpo I'll be there! Helping friends @DogsonDeploymnt in Military section booth 2955!
— Eun Yang (@eunyangnbc) January 9, 2014
Great win Caps! Ok, Bedtime to get my rest for tomorrow @nbchealthexpo stop by @DogsonDeploymnt booth 2955 to see me pic.twitter.com/LwdoMC6Nps
— Ovie the Bulldog (@OvietheBulldog) January 11, 2014
With my good friend @eunyangnbc @nbchealthexpo! Bring the family out for a great time & see me @DogsonDeploymnt 2955 pic.twitter.com/7nmQ6IFRJq
— Ovie the Bulldog (@OvietheBulldog) January 11, 2014
In the Winter Olympic Zone @nbchealthexpo I went up to show @alroker who the real star of the expo was ;) pic.twitter.com/YWadJS0lyS
— Ovie the Bulldog (@OvietheBulldog) January 12, 2014
I'm lonely, come visit me at Military Booth 2955 @DogsonDeploymnt @nbchealthexpo #Aaarrooooo pic.twitter.com/Md36yNAzzk
— Ovie the Bulldog (@OvietheBulldog) January 11, 2014
Double the bulldog cuteness at Military Booth 2955 @DogsonDeploymnt @nbchealthexpo my gf Marley has arrived! pic.twitter.com/lAShARvcH3
— Ovie the Bulldog (@OvietheBulldog) January 11, 2014
@JLNV what's my 2014 Health Challenge? @nbchealthexpo pic.twitter.com/GFZFNFU2wA
— Ovie the Bulldog (@OvietheBulldog) January 11, 2014
They misspelled Naps on the sign ;)
https://twitter.com/BullDogGunner/status/422025540053127168
Bulldog down!I need scratches & treats! Come see me in Military booth 2955 @DogsonDeploymnt @nbchealthexpo pic.twitter.com/o0Q4jiRUik
— Ovie the Bulldog (@OvietheBulldog) January 11, 2014
Still helping @DogsonDeploymnt in Booth 2955, survey says I'm too tired to walk @nbchealthexpo floor, come see me pic.twitter.com/3Dhuj9jrJr
— Ovie the Bulldog (@OvietheBulldog) January 11, 2014
Adorable!"@OvietheBulldog: @AuntBEA53 @BullDogGunner @DogsonDeploymnt @nbchealthexpo such a worthy cause that helps the military with pets"
— Jackie Bensen (@jackiebensen) January 11, 2014
Hey @washcaps I am sad because at @nbchealthexpo I saw @Redskins @Nationals @WashWizards booths but no Caps! Woe woe woe is me!
— Ovie the Bulldog (@OvietheBulldog) January 12, 2014
Day 2 – LIGHTENING ROUND!
On my way for day 2 helping @DogsonDeploymnt @nbchealthexpo visit Military Booth 2955! Now, where's my macchiato? pic.twitter.com/uypmICKAOE
— Ovie the Bulldog (@OvietheBulldog) January 12, 2014
Be still my heart, @OvietheBulldog is here helping out at the #nbc4expo. pic.twitter.com/fsnlrTOFiH
— NBC4/Telemundo 44 Health & Fitness Expo (@nbchealthexpo) January 12, 2014
Its @OvietheBulldog at the #NBC4Expo. Let's Go Caps! @washcaps pic.twitter.com/vJewzeHLCN
— AgFed (@Ag_Fed) January 12, 2014
Hanging out w/ @patcollins4 @nbchealthexpo bring the family out for a great time! I'm helping @DogsonDeploymnt 2955 pic.twitter.com/ohlZx3yQnJ
— Ovie the Bulldog (@OvietheBulldog) January 12, 2014
https://twitter.com/SentaraNV/status/422410391084605440
In conf w/ @nbcwashington mascot @nbchealthexpo on my idea for a sitcom starring me & Ovi as roomies! Must see TV ;) pic.twitter.com/QQZChBWPvl
— Ovie the Bulldog (@OvietheBulldog) January 12, 2014
C A P S CAPS CAPS CAPS!
At 1:00 I took a long bathroom break and walked down to Verizon Center to greet fans as they entered the Capitals vs. Sabres game. This will be my 20th game outside the Verizon Center, which is amazing to me! A lot of anxiety because they’d lost the last 3 games I had been to!
Verizon Ctr I am in front of you! #LETSGOCAPS #CapsSabres #RockTheRed pic.twitter.com/uvd1mS1MeB
— Ovie the Bulldog (@OvietheBulldog) January 12, 2014
https://twitter.com/Big_Thurman/status/422437588486852609
https://twitter.com/Big_Thurman/status/422437814434025472
.@oviethebulldog has his game face on! #CapsSabres pic.twitter.com/GBidTfPwKt
— Puck Buddys (@PuckBuddys) January 12, 2014
Jealous of the #caps fans vetting into the watch our team play pic.twitter.com/y9unRGEhaN
— Ovie the Bulldog (@OvietheBulldog) January 12, 2014
LIVE FROM THE VERIZON CTR! IT'S HOCKEY O'CLOCK! #LETSGOCAPS #RockTheRed #CapsSabres pic.twitter.com/kWbtj6Qb0C
— Ovie the Bulldog (@OvietheBulldog) January 12, 2014
#caps fans inside, check! Puck dropped, check! Time to head back to @nbchealthexpo pic.twitter.com/S6ElBsE1fL
— Ovie the Bulldog (@OvietheBulldog) January 12, 2014
Back to the Expo!
Back at the @nbchealthexpo stop by & seer in the Military section @DogsonDeploymnt booth 2955 pic.twitter.com/MOPDOsk9k4
— Ovie the Bulldog (@OvietheBulldog) January 12, 2014
Hanging @COZITV area @nbchealthexpo they must know I love a comfy sofa! I may move @DogsonDeploymnt booth here pic.twitter.com/FOvGuWe99D
— Ovie the Bulldog (@OvietheBulldog) January 13, 2014
The @COZITV area @nbchealthexpo just got way better with this awesome ear scratching massage! I may never leave :) pic.twitter.com/7zBzLfMrXn
— Ovie the Bulldog (@OvietheBulldog) January 13, 2014
Don't let humans fool you, true downward dog is like laying on a bed for a nap, I'm tutoring @SentaraNV in pic ;) pic.twitter.com/leuwEuptRC
— Ovie the Bulldog (@OvietheBulldog) January 13, 2014
https://twitter.com/SentaraNV/status/422533678846459904
https://twitter.com/SentaraNV/status/422533678846459904
Pit stop @Wegmans booth @nbchealthexpo. Despite the bags, none had food for me! pic.twitter.com/ngvViz8gS8
— Ovie the Bulldog (@OvietheBulldog) January 13, 2014
My GF Marley & me. we're attempting to use the force to make Dad to drop the cookie @jlmichaels @DogsonDeploymnt pic.twitter.com/SwD3suvbOd
— Ovie the Bulldog (@OvietheBulldog) January 13, 2014
My final duty @nbchealthexpo? Expo over at 5:00 At 5:30 I become the hound in #ReleaseTheHound I stand at the ready pic.twitter.com/enwFXV7YRc
— Ovie the Bulldog (@OvietheBulldog) January 12, 2014
Exhaustion Times 2
In the end, we raised awareness and some money for a FANTASTIC cause! I’m very humbled that Dogs on Deployment thought so much of me that they invited me to help out at this huge event!
Marley and I will likely sleep for a couple of weeks after being forced to forgo our normal 22 hour sleeping routines for two straight days! But it was very much worth it to meet all the great people at NBC and the Expo attendees who thought it funny a bulldog wears a hockey jersey.
Oh and the Caps game against the WORST team in the NHL?
So much sadness! #Caps lost to BUFFALO! Marks 4th straight loss when I visit Verizon Ctr! 20th game & a 14-6 record pic.twitter.com/diIIHIIs0T
— Ovie the Bulldog (@OvietheBulldog) January 12, 2014
My Verizon Center record has taken a beating! What was once 14-2 is now 14-6.
BREAKING NEWS ANNOUNCEMENT!
Dogs on Deployment, specifically Jen Kelly, has been TIRELESSLY working for months with Monumental Sports to get me inside the Verizon Center to support their table at an upcoming game.
It was confirmed that I will be allowed INSIDE the Verizon Center on February 4th! I’ll be helping out at their table on the concourse on Military Night. So stop by to find out about Dogs on Deployment! I’ll be asking for donations to help fund the care of the animals in their organization so, please help this bulldog make this their best fundraiser ever!
Get your Caps tickets for the Caps-NY Islanders game on Tuesday, February 4th to witness me hanging out INSIDE!
Licks & Slobber,
Ovie
P.S. The Expo WAS my biggest event….until February 4th! See you there!
