I'm one of the luckiest pet owners in the world to have a dog like my Noel.  Besides being one of the sweetest, kindest, most loyal souls I've ever had the pleasure of meeting, Noel is super smart too.  I've owned several indoor dogs over the course of my life, but have never been able to successfully potty train them, so they've all eventually ended up as outside dogs.

Not Noel though!  She could immediately tell what it was that I wanted her to do and within a few days, she was completely potty trained.  Noel is also very intuitive and extremely protective over me.  To this day, she'll bark her head off anytime anyone comes to the door, even if it's my husband!  We've only lived together under the same roof for seven years, so you'd think by now Noel would at least stop barking at him, but I guess she isn't taking any chances with my safety.  If I'm the one that's out of the home though and comes to the door, Noel just sits there and wags her tail happily with never a bark!

Purina Pro Plan is asking passionate pet owners across the country to put their dog's greatness on display in the "How is Your Dog Great?" video contest. From now until August 27, 2012, pet owners can upload a short film, less than two minutes in length, to the Pro Plan YouTube channel. Entries should demonstrate moments along their dog’s journey toward greatness that inspire others to discover greatness in their dog.

A total of 10 finalists will be chosen by an independent panel of judges who will evaluate each entry based on the originality, creativity and composition of the video.  Then the top 10 finalists' videos will be open for the public to vote for their favorite starting on or around Sept. 10 through Oct. 8 on the Purina Pro Plan YouTube channel.

The grand prize winner, chosen by a combination of the public's votes and an independent judging panel, will have their video featured in an upcoming TV commercial for Purina Pro Plan.  The winner will also receive a trip for two plus their winning dog to the 2013 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York, including round-trip airfare and hotel accommodations.  All 10 finalists will also receive a one-year supply of Purina Pro Plan dog food to help support their dog's continuing journey toward greatness with high-quality nutrition.

For additional information and full contest entry details and rules, please visit the Pro Plan YouTube channel.

Now of course, I couldn't write a post about great dogs without including a classic moment of my own dog's greatness.  Noel had me all to herself for 8 long years before I became pregnant, and then Riley came along.  During those nine months of major changes in my own body, I could always tell that Noel knew something was different about me.

Once, while laying on the couch together, Riley even kicked Noel through my tummy!  Noel had the strangest look on her face and just couldn't figure out what in the world kicked her while we snuggled together.  Once Riley came home, Noel was less than thrilled.  Here was a tiny, helpless creature that was getting all of the time, energy and love previously reserved just for her.  Even though I tried to include Noel as much as I possibly could, she did get left out just a bit while Riley was a newborn.

Noel, ever the trooper though, did her best to put on a happy face and be the new fourth member of our family.  Just look at her enthusiastic mug during our first Christmas pictures when Riley was only 6 weeks old.  Isn't Noel just thrilled?  This will always be one of my favorite family photographs, because it shows just how great my dog truly is!

Disclosure:  I was compensated for this sponsored post made possible by Mom Spark Media. Thoughts are my own.