The Results of Sunday Source's Pet Songs Contest
BY DAN ZAK, WASHINGTON POST STAFF WRITER | Sunday, October 19, 2008
Last month the Sunday Source asked readers to craft an original song about their beloved animals, record it on video and send it in for our Pet Songs Contest. We narrowed the submissions to six finalists, and two winners were selected, one by the Sunday Source staff, the other by Post critics J. Freedom du Lac (pop music), Ann Hornaday (film) and Anne Midgette (classical music). Each winner gets $100. The critics' pick, "Bones," was hailed as "clever" and "energetic." The staff pick is "Mr. Scrappers, You're a Good Boy," featuring an obstinate miniature pinscher. True bragging rights, however, go to the video that gets the most votes online. Watch all six finalists below and choose your favorite (keep in mind that the results are just for fun). A special thanks to everyone who took the time to write songs, record videos, and lay bare their emotions for our enjoyment.
Staff Pick: 'Mr. Scrappers, You're a Good Boy'
Music, lyrics, singing, filming and editing by Randy Scope of Silver Spring. Co-starring Baron von Scrappers.
Randy Scope's wife pestered him to enter this contest. So he did. And now the world can know Mr. Scrappers, whose official name is Baron von Scrappers, but let's not give him any more reason to feel entitled.
'Georgia'
Music, lyrics, singing and guitar by Meg Ruddick of Greenbelt. Filming and editing by Aaron Kutnick of College Park.
When Meg Ruddick leaves her parents' house in Jessup, her 12-year-old cat, Georgia, cries all day long. It's a fitful meow that her parents must endure. And it happens every time Ruddick goes back to school at the University of Maryland.
'Rescue Dog Rock'
Music and lyrics by Cynthia Miller and Dean Rindy of Austin. Performed by Danu Uribe (lead vocals), Uncle Bruno (instruments), Cynthia Miller and Dean Rindy (backup vocals). Filming by Mike Torres. Editing by Eve Tarlo. With special thanks to Jenna McQuilkin. Co-starring Lolly and Lulu.
Cynthia Miller and Dean Rindy believe passionately that it was their rescue dog who rescued them, not the other way around. Sure, Lolly was close to death when she was adopted, but her road to recovery and eventual blossoming are what endeared her to her human parents and inspired them.
Critics' Pick: 'Bones'
Music, lyrics, singing, filming and editing by Gary Jaffe of Springfield. Featuring Rodney Parsons of Washington on harmonica. Co-starring Bo Bo.
Bo Bo is 10 years old but responds with enthusiasm to the harmonica of his owner, Rodney Parsons. So Parsons's friend Gary Jaffe thought it'd be amusing to write a song that exaggerated Bo Bo's feral qualities and showed his ability to sing along with the harmonica.
'Rat Song' (Or 'We've Got Three Rats')
Music, lyrics and dulcimer by Corey Ahearn of Piney Point. Singing by Justine Hoewing of Piney Point. Co-starring Miss Virginia.
Beaky showed up outside a dormitory at St. Mary's College in December. Corey Ahearn and Justine Hoewing chased the white rat for two hours until they caught her. Then they realized that they'd have to keep her, figuring she was an escaped lab rat or someone's liberated pet. Eventually they adopted Sneaky and Miss Virginia from a pet store to keep Beaky company. And that makes three female rats and a couple of humans in a bungalow in Piney Point.
'Sami Cat'
Music, lyrics and singing by Andrea Hancock of Rockville. Filming and editing by Joe Bruncsak of Blue Land Media.
Back when she was performing song parodies across New York, Andrea Hancock wrote a ditty called "Why Can't My Boyfriend Be More Like a Pet?" Sami the orange tabby seems a good role model for any guy: affectionate, reliable, a "girl's best friend," as Hancock's new song goes.
» View the latest poll results | Contest Rules
