Casper, 10, of Canyon Lake, was the subject of a feature segment on the CBS Early Show called "Who gets you out of bed?" Casper serves as the alarm clock for Robert and Susie Case. Photo submitted.
When the CBS "Early Show" announced earlier this month that it was looking for "Who gets you out of bed?" stories, Robert Case thought his daily wake-up call might be worth a shot.
"For more than 10 years my white Boxer, Casper, has bounded into the bedroom every day with the happiest 'Wake up, Daddy' look and attitude," Case wrote to the show. He included several pictures, including the mug shot (right).
A week later, Jacqueline B. Natz of the Early Show responded to Case's email with wishes to produce the story. Natz requested a bit of elaboration on the waking process, which was an easy task for Case, a public relations specialist.
"Casper has an internal doggie clock set between 6 and 6:30 a.m.," wrote Case. "He bounds into the bedroom with heavy breathing sounds, bumps the bed and makes his way to my side. He generally puts his cold, wet nose under the covers which is quite a shock on bare skin. But when I look at that face, it is impossible to be mad. I get up and take him and our second dog, Little Bit, for a mile ride over to Canyon Lake for a walk. To Casper, every morning is the beginning of a wonderful adventure and his wake up makes me share that same feeling."
The segment was produced and broadcast on Thursday, Jan. 26, spawning a flood of telephone calls to the Case home from family and friends. But Case and his wife, Susie, missed the 8 a.m. airing and are eagerly awaiting the VHS tape of Casper's national television debut.
Case could not resist his public relations instincts and almost immediately informed the local press of Casper's appearance.
Will a taste of success spoil this 80-pound white Boxer? Despite the media attention nationally and locally, Casper has not changed his routine a bit. He doesn't seem as eager to exploit his potential for fame as does Case.
"He doesn't seem any different," said Case. "But we are checking out doggie dark sunglasses and exploring possibly getting Casper an agent."
As of press time, Casper had no other interviews or media appearances scheduled.
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