The label winners have been posted for April, May, and June: Duncan, Zeke, Logie & Bella, Hank the 4th, Homey, and Tonka Truck. That’s right, Tonka Truck. Check them out on the Wall of Fame gallery.

We’re standing by for the results of this highly competitive race, held on Saturday.

Were we the only ones who hadn’t heard of the Dog Scouts before? We’re guessing not. Turns out your dog can become a scout and earn badges in things like water rescue, scent detection, and musical freestyle (this is what the beloved Gin the Dancing Dog does). Who knew?

They ride Harleys! Watch here.

We recently decided we wanted to fly across country with our dog. Seemed simple enough. But when we started doing our research, here’s what we learned: Airfares are on the rise - even for pets. Restrictions are ever-changing. And no two airline pet policies are exactly alike. If you’re thinking of flying with Fido, here’s what you need to know.

If your pooch weighs in at 20 pounds or less, most airlines allow you to bring him with you in the airplane’s cabin for a fee of $100 per flight (that’s $200 round trip). If you’ve got a bigger dog, you’ll have to check him in the cargo hold. Some airlines charge extra for this: American, $150; Delta, $200.

Southwest and Frontier Airlines have the simplest policy of all: No pets, period.

Jet Blue allows pets in the cabin but not the cargo hold. Ditto Virgin America.

United just jumped its rates up to $125 per pet per flight (for both carry-on and cargo) and also instituted an interesting new breed-restriction policy. From June through September, “short-nosed” dog breeds - like Boston Terriers, Pugs, Boxers, Bulldogs - are not welcome in the cargo hold (they can have breathing problems in the summer heat).

US Airways always allows pets in the cabin, but doesn’t let you check your pooch in the cargo hold unless you’re departing from Laguardia, Boston, or Washington, DC. (The majority of other flights originate in the Southwest - too hot.)

Continental permits pets as carry-ons and cargo, and also has a new Pet Safe program for those who want to ship their animals unattended on flights.

All of these rules and fees go out the window for certified service dogs and emotional support dogs. They’re the kings and queens of the airways - allowed on all flights, all the time.

The Obamas have announced their plans to become dog owners when the presidential race is over. In the meantime, the American Kennel Club is staging an election of its own to determine what kind of dog they should get.

On the ballot: Bichon Frise, Chinese Crested, Miniature Schnauzer, Poodle, Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier. Click here to cast your vote.

The New York Times magazine has this to say about the increasingly common practice of prescribing meds designed for humans to pets.

Madonna and Tre.

Giant ice cubes, doggie sunscreen, and baby socks are just three ways to protect your dog from the summer heat. Albuquerque’s top city blog, The Duke City Fix, just published this story on how to keep your pooch cool.

We recently met Grace Chon, a very talented LA-based dog photographer, at the grand opening for Healthy Spot. Grace’s work is fun, clean, and modern - an approach we appreciate at A Dog’s Life. Grace’s client roster includes a local rescue group called The Pawd Squad. On the weekends, she takes headshots of their dogs which she called Extreme Dog Makeovers.
Check out Grace’s stunning portfolio.

Leona Helmsley, the billionaire real estate magnate and hotelier, made headlines last year after her death when the details of her estate came to light: She bequeathed $12 million to her Maltese, Trouble and nothing to two of her grandchildren. (The dog, who subsequently became the target of death threats, now has a $100,000 per year security detail.)

But while Trouble at first seemed to be the sole lucky dog, it turns out Helmsley had a larger philanthropic plan. The New York Times is reporting that she left $5 to $8 BILLION to the care and welfare of dogs. How that money will be distributed has yet to be determined.

The World’s Ugliest Dog Competition (sponsored by A Dog’s Life) concluded on Friday, with the title going to Gus, a Chinese crested from Florida with three legs, one eye, and no hair! Fifteen cringe-worthy dogs competed in this year’s event, and the competition was stiff. As the emcee put it, “Big buckets of drool get extra points, and so do missing limbs.” Gus had those winning qualities and more. He will receive a year’s supply of A Dog’s Life treats with his own photo gracing the labels.

Luckie and Paris Hilton.

Voting is underway for the World’s Ugliest Dog Contest, sponsored by A Dog’s Life. The contenders are… how shall we put this?… absolutely hideous. You can help select the winner by voting online (polls close at midnight July 17th). The winner is crowned this Friday at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma, and goes home with a year’s supply of A Dog’s Life treats with his mug on it!