The act sprung up quite by chance. Once in Bolshoi Moscow Circus I couldn’t straighten up after the chorde-de-pareil. A spinal disk escaped. The diagnosis was sad – stop to the air acts.

I had to rack my brain to immediately think of a parterre alternative. It didn’t take our company long to think of it – animal training, and as my mom used to be a dog trainer…That is how the act was born. First it was performed solo in the “classical performing dogs” style. Yet now my dad and I work it as a slightly comical divertissement. And – lucky me! – I can still do the “air” :))).

What else can I add? I was tremendously blessed to have my animals. I am thankful to them for their devotion to me and the arena. They are all true actors. And the strain does not count. The stunts that Cauchemar, the dog found in severe winter cold by the circus, can do are quite unique: he flip-flaps and walks on the ball. By the way, none other dog in Russia does the “ball” act. Can’t speak about the world – never seen.

Almaty noy-noy Godzilla who participated in many shows almost on all TV channels is a genuine star and the public’s favorite. And this all is because of a single stunt – the triumphant run along the barrier at the end of his act. Our company calls him the “people’s artist” which I totally agree with. I prefer to call my animals in honor of my favorite actors, movie and cartoon characters. So please allow me to introduce the primary participants:

 

 

Bob-tails:

	Shefferd, AKA Chief. Called in honor of the dog from my childhood’s cartoon “Bart the Raccoon”
	Alf, AKA Alf :))). I reckon, explanations are redundant – in honor of the most charismatic ET :)

Poodles:

	Jimmy, white royal poodle. Prototype - Jim Carry; resembles Ace Ventura character-wise.
	Ricky, white royal poodle. Was taken adult with a name not to change.
	Atos, white toy poodle. Entirely justifies his noble name.
	Willy, peach toy poodle. Called in honor of one of may favorite childhood’s characters, Willy Wonka from “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”
	Grey, little silver poodle. Hum, looks like he’s the only one with no “thematic” name… Just “grey” :)
	Norton, little black poodle (officially. In fact, he is poodle-spaniel. Poodliel. Spanipoodle.:)) He owes his name to a great Irish actor, one of my dearest favorites, Edward Norton. The merriest dog globally!
	Jacky, white toy poodle. In honor of Jacky Chan who I appreciate no less ardently... Just as small, jumpy and talented.

And:

	Cauchemar, backyard terrier. Just look at him to know what his name derives from...
	Franz Ferdinand, Labrador-retriever. In honor of my favorite band. Most often we call him with all the four words.
	And of course, HIM. HIMSELF. Ladies and gentlemen, — Godzilla! The size matters, the name comes from it. He could easily fit on the palm of my hand as a puppy.