Sydney Australia’s world-class Taronga Zoo offers a first-hand view of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Mascots. Syd, the Platypus When the first platypus specimens were sent back to England from Australia after European Settlement in 1788, they were thought to be elaborate hoaxes. They appeared to be cleverly created from a number of animals, including a […]
Going for the Gold with Olympic Pets – Misty May-Treanor: Beach Volleyball
When Santa Monica native and 2004 Athens Olympic Beach Volleyball gold medalist, Misty May-Treanor, is not spending time on the beaches, she spends it with her two Boxers, Boogie and Gruden. Although May-Treanor sometimes goes jogging with the two Boxers, they mostly enjoy “lounging around with their mom, and playing like little kids.” For the […]
Going for the Gold with Olympic Pets – Brendan Hansen: Swimming
Three-time medal winner in Athens, swimmer Brendan Hansen never thought he would have a dog. “I got stuck in traffic one day so I pulled over to hang out at the pound to see some of the dogs that were there.” At the pound, Hansen met his Maltese/Poodle mix. “I loved his energy and his […]
Going for the Gold with Olympic Pets – Shawn Johnson: Gymnastics
Shawn Johnson is an experienced gymnast with a beautiful Golden named Tucker Johnson. The pair met when Johnson’s family picked up Tucker from a family in nearby Nevada, Iowa who had a baby and could no longer keep Tucker in the house. The two quickly bonded and now Tucker is the perfect workout companion. “I […]
Going for the Gold with Olympic Pets – Jonathan Horton: Gymnast
Texas native Jonathan Horton’s favorite Olympic event may be the high bar, but his favorite pal is Pomeranian, Harley. Harley was a loving gift from Horton’s girlfriend’s parents after they moved to a 20-acre lot. “There are a lot of coyotes out on that land and her parents cared about Harley too much to put […]
Going for the Gold with Olympic Pets – Nastia Liukin: Gymnastics
Russian-born Nastia Liukin was born to be an Olympian, her father was an Olympic gold medalist and her mother was a World Champion in rhythmic gymnastics. The family has two Labs: Lexi, a Yellow Lab, and Rex, a Chocolate Lab. Lexi was an impulse purchase during christmastime when the family went shopping to get a […]