Did Your Dog Join Mighty Dogs Yet ?

Mighty Dogs Unite in Spirit of Bipawtisonship to Launch First-of-its Kind Nation for Dogs

TV Personality and Dog Lover Maria Menounos Serves as the Official Human Ambassador to the Mighty Dog(R) Nation

BOSTON, April 3 /PRNewswire/ -- It is time for the proud to rise up. It is time for the mighty to be heard. It is time to unite for the good of dog-kind!
Dogs have often been celebrated for their acts of heroism, breed excellence and celebrity. Now, the "everydog" - those mighty pooches whose attitudes are bigger than their size - have a Nation to call their own. Dogs across the country are invited to become citizens of the Mighty Dog(R) Nation and enter a national video contest for the chance to star in a 3-5 minute dogumentary about the founding of this nation for dogs.

The newly formed nation is being officially ratified at an event in Boston on Saturday, April 4. Maria Menounos, TV personality, dog lover and Human Ambassador to the Mighty Dog Nation, will officiate the ceremony as mighty dogs gather to march in solidarity and pawtograph the Mighty Dog Nation Bill of Rights.

"As a passionate dog owner and lover, and someone who understands the power of a mighty spirit, I am honored to be named the Human Ambassador to the Mighty Dog(R) Nation," said Menounos. "Today we declare to the world what proud owners of everyday dogs have always known - that the strength of a dog's character tells more than his bark."

From maintaining first right to mail inspection and visitor endorsement to chasing squirrels or chewing on balls, citizens of the Mighty Dog Nation inspire and delight their proud owners everyday with their spirited personalities and "can do" attitudes.

Dogs wishing to join the Mighty Dog Nation can ask their owners to visit www.mightydog.com to learn how to become a citizen.

The Story of the Mighty Dog Nation

Like many great movements, the Mighty Dog Nation started small - a sniff here, a bark there. And as mighty dogs come together from all walks of life, their voices will grow and their stories will be heard.

The founding of this first-of-its-kind nation for dogs will be documented in a short dogumentary called "Mighty Dog Nation: The Movie." Dog owners are invited to enter a national video contest for the chance for their dogs to win a starring role in the dogumentary, which will be 3-5 minutes in length and will debut on www.mightydog.com in January 2010.

In addition to being chosen for feature roles in Mighty Dog(R) Nation: The Movie, three grand prize winners will appear in a 30-second film trailer that will air in a commercial break during the National Dog Show on NBC on Thanksgiving Day.

"As the brand that helps dogs be their mightiest, Mighty Dog(R) dog food is excited to see the many ways in which the citizens of our nation show their mightiness everyday," said Nicole Balderas, brand manager for Purina Mighty Dog. "Are they fearless front porch defenders or the masters of their domain who oversee all household activities? Regardless of the ways in which these spirited dogs show their mightiness, it's time for them to be recognized."

Owners of mighty dogs can go to www.mightydog.com to learn how to become a citizen of the Nation and get a copy of the Official Contest Rules on how to enter the Mighty Dog Nation: The Movie Video Contest.


About Nestle Purina PetCare
Nestle Purina PetCare promotes responsible pet care, community involvement and the positive bond between people and their pets. A premiere global manufacturer of pet products, Nestle Purina PetCare is part of Swiss-based Nestle S.A., the world's largest food company.