Vicki
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Published: 11.14.2009
Wrong dog has his day, thinks George, the 2nd-Greatest Dane
By Phil Villarreal
ARIZONA DAILY STAR
You could almost hear George the Great Dane growl when his shorter rival, Titan, was crowned the world's tallest dog Thursday by Guinness World Records officials.
"George feels he needs vindication," his owner, local Realtor Dave Nasser, said jokingly.
Nasser and friends Paul O'Rourke and Dana Murray, who are campaigning to get George into the record book, are taking responsibility for not completing George's application in time to take down Titan.
In order to get the most accurate (and flattering) measurement possible, the team took longer to get a veterinarian to verify that George is 43 inches tall at the shoulder, rather than 42 inches flat or 42.625 inches, as previous measurements found. Titan, owned by Diana Taylor of San Diego, is 42.25 inches tall.
"It's just bad timing. I can't say anything bad about Guinness," said Nasser. "We sent the paperwork to them Tuesday and they got it Thursday. The winner had a plaque in hand Thursday. … we were just late to the game."
Nasser said he wasn't aware of a deadline, or that Nov. 12 was Guinness World Record Day.
Nasser said he spoke on the phone Friday with a London Guinness representative, who said the company was verifying George's application and there was no time frame as to when a decision will be made.
"Guinness World Records received a massive influx of claims after the death of Gibson (in Grass Valley, Calif.) this year. The organization is familiar with George's claim but is still assessing proper evidence before properly authenticating," a Guinness spokesman told the Star on Friday.
"Verifying record proposals is a meticulous process that is not done overnight. It could take months for the research team to make the decision. Titan was verified three months after evidence was submitted."
Meanwhile, a bit of a rivalry has developed between Titan and George. Nasser says he has offered to bring George and Titan together to see once and for all which dog is bigger.
"We had blogs that went back and forth and said we would meet her anytime, anyplace," Nasser said. "All we got essentially was kind of pooh-poohing it."
Taylor, contacted through her blog, TitanAndFriends.com, did not immediately respond for comment.
Murray, a publicist, said it's obvious why Titan refuses to step up to George's challenge.
"There is no question," Murray said. "We have two official measurements with vets witnessing, and George was taller both times we measured per Guinness' instructions. George is taller."
Wrong dog has his day, thinks George, the 2nd-Greatest Dane | www.azstarnet.com ®
Wrong dog has his day, thinks George, the 2nd-Greatest Dane
By Phil Villarreal
ARIZONA DAILY STAR
You could almost hear George the Great Dane growl when his shorter rival, Titan, was crowned the world's tallest dog Thursday by Guinness World Records officials.
"George feels he needs vindication," his owner, local Realtor Dave Nasser, said jokingly.
Nasser and friends Paul O'Rourke and Dana Murray, who are campaigning to get George into the record book, are taking responsibility for not completing George's application in time to take down Titan.
In order to get the most accurate (and flattering) measurement possible, the team took longer to get a veterinarian to verify that George is 43 inches tall at the shoulder, rather than 42 inches flat or 42.625 inches, as previous measurements found. Titan, owned by Diana Taylor of San Diego, is 42.25 inches tall.
"It's just bad timing. I can't say anything bad about Guinness," said Nasser. "We sent the paperwork to them Tuesday and they got it Thursday. The winner had a plaque in hand Thursday. … we were just late to the game."
Nasser said he wasn't aware of a deadline, or that Nov. 12 was Guinness World Record Day.
Nasser said he spoke on the phone Friday with a London Guinness representative, who said the company was verifying George's application and there was no time frame as to when a decision will be made.
"Guinness World Records received a massive influx of claims after the death of Gibson (in Grass Valley, Calif.) this year. The organization is familiar with George's claim but is still assessing proper evidence before properly authenticating," a Guinness spokesman told the Star on Friday.
"Verifying record proposals is a meticulous process that is not done overnight. It could take months for the research team to make the decision. Titan was verified three months after evidence was submitted."
Meanwhile, a bit of a rivalry has developed between Titan and George. Nasser says he has offered to bring George and Titan together to see once and for all which dog is bigger.
"We had blogs that went back and forth and said we would meet her anytime, anyplace," Nasser said. "All we got essentially was kind of pooh-poohing it."
Taylor, contacted through her blog, TitanAndFriends.com, did not immediately respond for comment.
Murray, a publicist, said it's obvious why Titan refuses to step up to George's challenge.
"There is no question," Murray said. "We have two official measurements with vets witnessing, and George was taller both times we measured per Guinness' instructions. George is taller."
Wrong dog has his day, thinks George, the 2nd-Greatest Dane | www.azstarnet.com ®