A guide for O.C. pet owners ... and Tyson’s ‘life lessons’

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The August issue of Orange Coast magazine includes a 2008 Pet Guide, with listings for ‘pet food and specialty treats for the family drooler,’ shopping possibilities, obedience classes and, naturally, spa services. (Our favorite name for an emporium that caters to pets is ‘The Spaw,’ which ‘juggles doggie day-care and nutrition services in addition to its full-service grooming salon.’)

But the star (and cover boy) of the August issue is Tyson, the ‘world famous’ skateboarding English bulldog. Tyson lists his hometown as Huntington Beach and, naturally, he has his own website and ‘hundreds of unofficial video clips and photos.’ We caught his act on ‘Oprah’ once and, yes, he really does ride a skateboard in style.

The Orange Coast article includes ‘Eight Life Lessons,’ among them, ‘Fame is Fleeting.’ (There are other skateboarding dogs now, but Tyson seems to be taking it all in stride.) Perhaps he can take comfort in kicking back, turning on the DVD player and watching himself in the movies ‘Lords of Dogtown’ and ‘Undiscovered.’ The roles were small ... but unforgettable ... at least if you’re Tyson.

Perhaps the most impressive thing about the August issue is that Tyson somehow triumphed as cover subject while Oscar winner Kevin Costner was relegated to page 86.

-- Alice Short