Barrington Hills dog gets big break on Alpo can

Ike knows what he likes, and Angus Beef is tops on his list.

Plop some of meat in front of the Barrington Hills guy and he goes darned near crazy, spinning wildly before plunking his entire face into his meal.

You've got to love that about a dog. Alpo sure did.

They named Ike, 5, a Pug, their "Ultimate Meat Maniac," with all the glory such a title bestows.

In addition to a $10,000 cash prize, the dog and his human companions - Mary Beth and Frank Holsteen - get an all-expense paid trip to Hollywood where they'll make some high-profile appearances, and enjoy both human and canine spa visits.

Ike, who was unavailable for comment, will appear on more than 2 million cans of Alpo.

Mary Beth Holsteen saw a contest solicitation this summer calling all canine meat maniacs. Figuring her pup definitely qualified, she sent in a video of Ike, who really does spin wildly before eating, then leans so far forward into the bowl his hind legs leave the ground.

"I've never really entered a contest, but he's definitely a meat maniac," Holsteen said.

When they made the semi-finals the family encouraged friends to vote - some of whom complied while on overseas vacations. They still thought it was a lark.

In the end, though, little Ike beat out other food-centric dogs like Jordan, an 8-year-old Jack Russell terrier from Virginia, who does every trick known to dog to get her Alpo, and 4-year-old Charlie from Michigan, who yelps and jumps for his food.

Holsteen said her buddy's always been that jubilant, though he gets particularly wound-up around dinner time. His Alpo favorites: filet mignon and Angus Beef.

Ike and the four runners-up in the company's first contest can be seen on the Alpo Web site at alporealmeatmoments.com/winners.aspx.

Holsteen said Ike hasn't let fame go to his head, yet, but "he knows something's going on."

And she's sure he'll adore every minute of his Hollywood holiday.

"He loves going to hotels," she said, "and sleeping on the beds."

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