Return to Transcripts main page
CNN Live Today
White House Rejects North Korea's Demands for Talks; Newborn Baby Tossed From Window of Moving Car
Aired February 11, 2005 - 11:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BETTY NGUYEN, CNN ANCHOR: We're in the last half hour of LIVE TODAY. Good morning. I'm Betty Nguyen, sitting in for Daryn Kagan.
RICK SANCHEZ, CNN ANCHOR: And I'm Rick Sanchez. And here's what's happening right "Now in the News."
There is word this morning that playwright Arthur Miller has died. Considered an American literary giant, Miller's 1949 play "Death of a Salesman" is a classic of 20th century drama, required reading for most of us in high school as well. Miller reportedly died last night of congenital heart failure at his home in Roxbury, Connecticut. He was 89 years old.
In Virginia, the droopy pants measure is coming up short. That's right, the legislation would have slapped a $50 fine on people whose underpants are visible in a quote, "lewd or indecent manner." That's within quotes, yes. The proposal breezed through the state house earlier this week, but was killed by the Virginia Senate committee.
If you drive a late model Hummer H-2, Silverado, Suburban, or Yukon XL, any one of those, except a recall notice. The government says the vehicles have a potential flaw in the brake system. General Motors is quick to point out that no injuries have been reported because of it. Numerous other G.M. vehicles, including some Cadillacs, are also being recalled for varieties of other defects.
Tempers flaring along the U.S./Mexico border, this over some legislation passed yesterday by the House of Representatives. Now, this bill would require states to make sure that illegal immigrants are not getting U.S. driver's licenses. It also says a fence along the border must be completed. Officials on both sides of the border complain the measure is unfair, some. Now, the Senate has not yet taken this bill up.
NGUYEN: One of our top stories. North Korea is demanding face- to-face, one-on-one talks with the United States about the reclusive state's nuclear pursuits. The White House, though, promptly rejected that request. Let's hear now from Tina -- Sohn Jie-Ae on the phone from Seoul. Hi there.
SOHN JIE-AE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (on phone): Hi, Betty. As you know, on Thursday, North Korea officially declared that it had nuclear weapons. It said it was going to increase its nuclear arsenal and said it was going to pull out of the six-party talks that were actually aimed to negotiate North Korea out of its nuclear weapons program. Now, on today, a South Korean media reported -- interviewed a North Korean representative in the United Nations in New York. And this is because the United States and North Korea does not have any formal diplomatic ties. And this representative told the South Korean media that North Korea was willing to bend its stance, to come back to the negotiating table if the United States would meet it face-to-face.
And of course, this was a demand that Washington promptly said no to. Now, to understand this, you have to go back 12 years. 12 years ago, Washington did negotiate directly with North Korea, and it got a deal. It got an agreed framework in which North Korea agreed to suspend its nuclear weapons program, in return for economic aid. Now, two years ago, it was found out, and North Korea admitted that it had a secret nuclear weapons program. This, of course, upset Washington greatly, and it considered that original negotiation agreement with North Korea null and void.
Now, at that time, it said clearly that it was not willing to go back into negotiations directly with North Korea, that it was not going to reward North Korea for breaking a promise it made 12 years ago. And for North Korea to say right now that it would be willing to come to a negotiating table and deal directly with Washington would really be asking Washington to change a very basic stance, which Washington obviously is not prepared to do so at the moment -- Betty.
NGUYEN; Sohn Ji-Ae, with the U.S. saying basically no deal, what's next for North Korea? Is it reconsidering going back to those six-nation negotiations?
JIE-AE: That is probably what many people are thinking about. There are other -- in the six-party talks, there are five other parties besides North Korea that are in a diplomatic flurry at this point. South Korea's foreign minister is in Washington.
There are talks going on, obviously, between Japanese, Chinese, Russian, U.S. officials in trying to get -- to work out a deal in which they can actually get North Korea back to the negotiating table without giving it the type of concessions that none of the parties are willing to give at the point right now. So we're -- we don't have the -- privy to all the back doors of all the diplomatic offices around this area, but they're all abuzz -- Betty.
NGUYEN: No doubt. Sohn Jie-Ae, we thank you. Live from Seoul for us.
CNN Security Watch keeps you up-to-date on safety. You want to stay tuned day and night for the most reliable news about your security.
SANCHEZ: A ceremony that you saw right here on CNN at the Department of Health and Human Services just a short time ago. We got some video of it, as well. There it is. For incoming secretary Mike Leavitt. He's the man who's walking in behind President Bush. Although Leavitt is already officially sworn in and on the job, President Bush came by HHS this morning for the ceremonial photo op. The department is the largest agency in the entire federal government. NGUYEN: Here's a disturbing story today. Police are urgently trying to unravel a possible suicide pact launched over the Internet. They're searching for 32 people in the U.S. and Canada who allegedly agreed to kill themselves on Valentine's Day. Now, the man accused of setting up the Internet chat room that started the whole thing is in jail in Oregon. He's being held on charges of a solicitation to commit murder. Authorities say a mother planning to kill her two young children may be among those who agreed to the pact.
SANCHEZ: Here's another disturbing story. This one's coming to us from Fort Lauderdale, essentially the area around Broward County, Florida this morning. Authorities say that a newborn baby was tossed from a window of a moving car. They're searching for whoever may have done this. Now, the baby somehow survived the ordeal. Details now from Dave Kartunen of our affiliate WSVN.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DAVE KARTUNEN, REPORTER, WSVN (voice-over): A child's first baby photos, a healthy baby boy, on this, the day of his birth. 8 pounds, 2 ounces. But what is his name and who are his parents? Because these photos were not snapped by a proud father, they were taken by a police camera after this boy was thrown out of a moving car in a plastic bag like a heap of trash.
SHERIFF KEN JENNE, BROWARD COUNTY, FLORIDA: The baby was tossed out of the car, about three feet out of the car from the window.
KARTUNEN: A driver following behind sees the whole thing. She picks the heap up, not knowing what it is. She finds an hour's old boy, umbilical cord still attached, covered by placenta. She rushes him to a nearby PSO district. He's airlifted to Broward General Medical Center. Remarkably, he is unscathed.
VEDA COLEMAN-WRIGHT, BROWARD. CO. SHERIFF'S OFFICE: I have to tell you, I saw him. He looks beautiful. I tell you, he's a little fighter, full of life.
KARTUNEN: But as he recovers, all eyes turn to finding the parents. Detectives pore over the scene and over the witness's car for clues.
JENNE: It's a frightening statement on how our society may be, that someone's going to disregard and discharge their own child.
KARTUNEN: The Broward sheriff's office very interested in speaking to a couple in their late teens, early 20s, driving in an older model white sedan, and lament that so many things could have been done to safely and legally welcome this miracle baby boy into the world.
JENNE: If they had come into a hospital, if they'd come into a police station, if they'd come into a fire station, a sheriff station, this discussion would not be taking place at all.
(END VIDEOTAPE) SANCHEZ: That report from Dave Kartunen of CNN affiliate WSVN in South Florida. We do have this as a caveat, we think an important caveat, in fact. If you do have any information at all on this case, you can call the Broward sheriff's office there in Fort Lauderdale. They're asking you to call with any details. Let's put that number up. There it is. 954-493-TIPS. Again, that's 954-493-TIPS.
NGUYEN: Well, on this next story, she is being called a medical miracle.
SANCHEZ: Yes, just out of a coma. We're going to tell you what put her there and how she possibly could have come out of it now. We'll be back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: In our "Daily Dose" of health news, what one family is calling a medical miracle. Their daughter, Sarah Scantlin, was struck by a drunken driver more than 20 years ago. She suffered brain injuries that were so severe, she was left unresponsive and unable to speak, then recently she started to talk again. Listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JIM SCANTLIN, SARA SCANTLIN'S FATHER: You've resigned yourself, you condition yourself to be able to try to cope with something like this. And then all of a sudden the world instantly changes from despair to joy, because it's amazing how important communication is between human beings, and to have this happen has made Sara whole again. She's 100 percent Sara again. And the family is back together, and it's just simply a joyous situation. It's beyond description.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NGUYEN: One happy family there. Sara Scantlin is said to be continuing to improve, forming words and remembering people and places.
Well, to get your daily dose of health news online, all you have to do is log on to our Web site. You'll find the latest medical news, a health library, and information on diet and fitness. The address on the screen, CNN.com/health.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
SANCHEZ: Sunday is the big night, if you don't know who the Grammy nominees are, well, we invite you. We do. Let's take a virtual visit to CNN.com/showbiz. Get plugged in.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CHRISTINA PARK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Grammy gold is at stake this Sunday at the 47th Annual Grammy Awards, and we've got the scoop on who just might have the Midas touch this year. Let's get it started at CNN.com where you can hit a gold mine of behind the music news. For example, did you know that usher's song "Yeah" starred out as a no? It's up for three Grammys, including record of the year, but the word may never have known the hit featuring Ludracris and Lil Jon, because some didn't believe the collaboration would work. Thanks to the songwriter, who never gave up the record, blew up the charts and is up for music highest honors. You'll find more music hits on CNN.com by clicking through our gallery to see which of your favorite artists made the cut. Music buffs can also click through a list of past winners and browse the list of nominees up for best record, album, song, new artist, pop vocal, rap and country awards. From groups like Maroon Five to the late Ray Charles, CNN.com is your date to the 47th annual Grammys.
Reporting from the dot-com desk, I'm Christina Park.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
NGUYEN: You'll be watching those Grammys, won't you, Rick?
SANCHEZ: You betcha, by golly.
NGUYEN: And all the moves to prove it
SANCHEZ: Right there, doing this.
NGUYEN: Oh, please, stop. Yes, just read on, Rick, please, quickly?
SANCHEZ: From the best in music to the best in dogs. I expected an applause or something on that.
NGUYEN: Not on that move.
SANCHEZ: I thought that was pretty cool. My kids dig me anyway.
NGUYEN: Well, we may applaud this. The Westminster Dog Show is almost upon us, but this year's show has something brand-new. You'll have to wait to find out, right after this break.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(STOCK MARKET REPORT)
SANCHEZ: You know Americans are forking out a fortune for pets these days. One pet industry analyst says we spent $34 billion on cats and dogs and other animals last year. The most expensive item, as you may have guessed, is veterinary care. That's followed by the food for the pooches and the kitties. We've got 65 million dogs and 77 million cats in the United States. Consider another 16 million smaller animals, you know like gerbils and such. And then 185 million fish. It all adds up, like we say, to a $34 billion tab. Big industry. Did we mention designer attire, gourmet treats, for example, and even now spas for your pets.
NGUYEN: Speaking of dogs, the Westminster Dog Show opens Monday at Madison Square garden in New York. Organizers are welcoming a newly recognized breed to the competition. It is the Neapolitan mastiff. Now, this dog, is big. Check it out, up to 200 pounds, saggy skin, droopy jowls, and lots of slobber, as you can imagine. The modern breed dates to post-war Italy, but Alexander the Great is thought to have brought those Neo's forefathers all the way from Asia.
And we want to say hello to Bellagio this morning. He and his owner, Harry Booker, are so nice to join us from the Time Warner Center.
Thanks for being here with us.
HARRY BOOKER, BELLAGIO'S OWNER: Good morning.
NGUYEN: Well, let's talk about Bellagio. Boy, that is a big dog. How big is he?
BOOKER: Bellagio is 165 pounds. He's 28 inches at shoulders. Let me see if I can stand him up for you.
Bellagio, come on.
NGUYEN: Come on, Bellagio.
Oh, my goodness.
Lots of wrinkles, lots of drool, I imagine?
BOOKER: Yes. Yes. Eats 12 cups of food a day.
NGUYEN: Now, despite all those wrinkles, this looks like a pretty muscular dog, Bellagio.
BOOKER: Yes, he is very muscular. As you can see, there's no fat. He's got a beautiful strong rear end. We're from Philadelphia and we use the art museum steps which conditioned Rocky for his movie to condition ourselves.
NGUYEN: Getting ready for the Westminster dog show, no doubt.
Now, this is the first time dogs like Bellagio are allowed to compete. Why has it taken so long to get them in that show?
BOOKER: Well, the Neapolitan mastiff was just recognized by the American Kennel Club on July 1st. They've been recognized in Europe for many years.
But it's a process. The AKC has a criteria which breed clubs and dogs have to meet. There are several administrative and also organizational criteria that you have to meet before the AKC will recognize your breed. It took us 10 years, but it was well worth the time and effort by our club.
NGUYEN: So exactly what category is he competing in?
BOOKER: Bellagio is classified in the working group.
NGUYEN: I see. He's not working on too much right about now. What does he do during the day? Is this an active dog?
BOOKER: You know, he exercises himself. He lives in a suburban neighborhood with a regular family, and he is a guard dog. He chills out during the day. He goes out in the yard. He's not basically used for any type of specific guard work. But these dogs make excellent guard dogs.
NGUYEN: So are they good family pets then? I mean, are they nice to have around children, or should they beware?
BOOKER: Well, we don't recommend this dog, the Neapolitan mastiff for young families with young children. As you can see, he's 165 pounds. And it wouldn't take much for him to accidentally walk by a child and knock it over, or, you know, do something.
NGUYEN: He looks like a lap dog. All he wants to do is just hang around, lay around, eat and sleep. Is that pretty much what his day consists of?
BOOKER: Basically. But his owner does exercise him, takes him for nice brisk walks. He patrols the property. He lives on about an acre and a half, and he has free roam during the day.
NGUYEN: Just a few moments ago, we talked about how much Americans are spending on their pets. How much does a dog like this cost?
BOOKER: Well, you know, pure-bred dogs are classified as pet quality, show quality and breeder quality. Bellagio happens to be a show quality. So a dog with this type of quality can start around $2,000 and on up from there, based on the age of the dog is also a consideration.
NGUYEN: Well, he is just a beautiful dog in his own right.
Bellagio, we wish Bellagio the best of luck at the west minister show. Thanks for being with us, both of you.
BOOKER: Thank you. We both thank you.
NGUYEN: A pretty dog, huh?
SANCHEZ: I'm just amazed at the way how we shot that interview. It was almost looked like the dog was answering your questions. He's up here; the dog-down there. It's I wonder if he does any neat tricks.
BOOKER: I don't know about that. He likes to lay around, though. He got that down.
SANCHEZ: Yes, that pretty obvious.
We're going to have a quick look at weather when we come back. Just stay with us, on this wonderful Friday.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK) (WEATHER REPORT)
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired February 11, 2005 - 11:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BETTY NGUYEN, CNN ANCHOR: We're in the last half hour of LIVE TODAY. Good morning. I'm Betty Nguyen, sitting in for Daryn Kagan.
RICK SANCHEZ, CNN ANCHOR: And I'm Rick Sanchez. And here's what's happening right "Now in the News."
There is word this morning that playwright Arthur Miller has died. Considered an American literary giant, Miller's 1949 play "Death of a Salesman" is a classic of 20th century drama, required reading for most of us in high school as well. Miller reportedly died last night of congenital heart failure at his home in Roxbury, Connecticut. He was 89 years old.
In Virginia, the droopy pants measure is coming up short. That's right, the legislation would have slapped a $50 fine on people whose underpants are visible in a quote, "lewd or indecent manner." That's within quotes, yes. The proposal breezed through the state house earlier this week, but was killed by the Virginia Senate committee.
If you drive a late model Hummer H-2, Silverado, Suburban, or Yukon XL, any one of those, except a recall notice. The government says the vehicles have a potential flaw in the brake system. General Motors is quick to point out that no injuries have been reported because of it. Numerous other G.M. vehicles, including some Cadillacs, are also being recalled for varieties of other defects.
Tempers flaring along the U.S./Mexico border, this over some legislation passed yesterday by the House of Representatives. Now, this bill would require states to make sure that illegal immigrants are not getting U.S. driver's licenses. It also says a fence along the border must be completed. Officials on both sides of the border complain the measure is unfair, some. Now, the Senate has not yet taken this bill up.
NGUYEN: One of our top stories. North Korea is demanding face- to-face, one-on-one talks with the United States about the reclusive state's nuclear pursuits. The White House, though, promptly rejected that request. Let's hear now from Tina -- Sohn Jie-Ae on the phone from Seoul. Hi there.
SOHN JIE-AE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (on phone): Hi, Betty. As you know, on Thursday, North Korea officially declared that it had nuclear weapons. It said it was going to increase its nuclear arsenal and said it was going to pull out of the six-party talks that were actually aimed to negotiate North Korea out of its nuclear weapons program. Now, on today, a South Korean media reported -- interviewed a North Korean representative in the United Nations in New York. And this is because the United States and North Korea does not have any formal diplomatic ties. And this representative told the South Korean media that North Korea was willing to bend its stance, to come back to the negotiating table if the United States would meet it face-to-face.
And of course, this was a demand that Washington promptly said no to. Now, to understand this, you have to go back 12 years. 12 years ago, Washington did negotiate directly with North Korea, and it got a deal. It got an agreed framework in which North Korea agreed to suspend its nuclear weapons program, in return for economic aid. Now, two years ago, it was found out, and North Korea admitted that it had a secret nuclear weapons program. This, of course, upset Washington greatly, and it considered that original negotiation agreement with North Korea null and void.
Now, at that time, it said clearly that it was not willing to go back into negotiations directly with North Korea, that it was not going to reward North Korea for breaking a promise it made 12 years ago. And for North Korea to say right now that it would be willing to come to a negotiating table and deal directly with Washington would really be asking Washington to change a very basic stance, which Washington obviously is not prepared to do so at the moment -- Betty.
NGUYEN; Sohn Ji-Ae, with the U.S. saying basically no deal, what's next for North Korea? Is it reconsidering going back to those six-nation negotiations?
JIE-AE: That is probably what many people are thinking about. There are other -- in the six-party talks, there are five other parties besides North Korea that are in a diplomatic flurry at this point. South Korea's foreign minister is in Washington.
There are talks going on, obviously, between Japanese, Chinese, Russian, U.S. officials in trying to get -- to work out a deal in which they can actually get North Korea back to the negotiating table without giving it the type of concessions that none of the parties are willing to give at the point right now. So we're -- we don't have the -- privy to all the back doors of all the diplomatic offices around this area, but they're all abuzz -- Betty.
NGUYEN: No doubt. Sohn Jie-Ae, we thank you. Live from Seoul for us.
CNN Security Watch keeps you up-to-date on safety. You want to stay tuned day and night for the most reliable news about your security.
SANCHEZ: A ceremony that you saw right here on CNN at the Department of Health and Human Services just a short time ago. We got some video of it, as well. There it is. For incoming secretary Mike Leavitt. He's the man who's walking in behind President Bush. Although Leavitt is already officially sworn in and on the job, President Bush came by HHS this morning for the ceremonial photo op. The department is the largest agency in the entire federal government. NGUYEN: Here's a disturbing story today. Police are urgently trying to unravel a possible suicide pact launched over the Internet. They're searching for 32 people in the U.S. and Canada who allegedly agreed to kill themselves on Valentine's Day. Now, the man accused of setting up the Internet chat room that started the whole thing is in jail in Oregon. He's being held on charges of a solicitation to commit murder. Authorities say a mother planning to kill her two young children may be among those who agreed to the pact.
SANCHEZ: Here's another disturbing story. This one's coming to us from Fort Lauderdale, essentially the area around Broward County, Florida this morning. Authorities say that a newborn baby was tossed from a window of a moving car. They're searching for whoever may have done this. Now, the baby somehow survived the ordeal. Details now from Dave Kartunen of our affiliate WSVN.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DAVE KARTUNEN, REPORTER, WSVN (voice-over): A child's first baby photos, a healthy baby boy, on this, the day of his birth. 8 pounds, 2 ounces. But what is his name and who are his parents? Because these photos were not snapped by a proud father, they were taken by a police camera after this boy was thrown out of a moving car in a plastic bag like a heap of trash.
SHERIFF KEN JENNE, BROWARD COUNTY, FLORIDA: The baby was tossed out of the car, about three feet out of the car from the window.
KARTUNEN: A driver following behind sees the whole thing. She picks the heap up, not knowing what it is. She finds an hour's old boy, umbilical cord still attached, covered by placenta. She rushes him to a nearby PSO district. He's airlifted to Broward General Medical Center. Remarkably, he is unscathed.
VEDA COLEMAN-WRIGHT, BROWARD. CO. SHERIFF'S OFFICE: I have to tell you, I saw him. He looks beautiful. I tell you, he's a little fighter, full of life.
KARTUNEN: But as he recovers, all eyes turn to finding the parents. Detectives pore over the scene and over the witness's car for clues.
JENNE: It's a frightening statement on how our society may be, that someone's going to disregard and discharge their own child.
KARTUNEN: The Broward sheriff's office very interested in speaking to a couple in their late teens, early 20s, driving in an older model white sedan, and lament that so many things could have been done to safely and legally welcome this miracle baby boy into the world.
JENNE: If they had come into a hospital, if they'd come into a police station, if they'd come into a fire station, a sheriff station, this discussion would not be taking place at all.
(END VIDEOTAPE) SANCHEZ: That report from Dave Kartunen of CNN affiliate WSVN in South Florida. We do have this as a caveat, we think an important caveat, in fact. If you do have any information at all on this case, you can call the Broward sheriff's office there in Fort Lauderdale. They're asking you to call with any details. Let's put that number up. There it is. 954-493-TIPS. Again, that's 954-493-TIPS.
NGUYEN: Well, on this next story, she is being called a medical miracle.
SANCHEZ: Yes, just out of a coma. We're going to tell you what put her there and how she possibly could have come out of it now. We'll be back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: In our "Daily Dose" of health news, what one family is calling a medical miracle. Their daughter, Sarah Scantlin, was struck by a drunken driver more than 20 years ago. She suffered brain injuries that were so severe, she was left unresponsive and unable to speak, then recently she started to talk again. Listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JIM SCANTLIN, SARA SCANTLIN'S FATHER: You've resigned yourself, you condition yourself to be able to try to cope with something like this. And then all of a sudden the world instantly changes from despair to joy, because it's amazing how important communication is between human beings, and to have this happen has made Sara whole again. She's 100 percent Sara again. And the family is back together, and it's just simply a joyous situation. It's beyond description.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NGUYEN: One happy family there. Sara Scantlin is said to be continuing to improve, forming words and remembering people and places.
Well, to get your daily dose of health news online, all you have to do is log on to our Web site. You'll find the latest medical news, a health library, and information on diet and fitness. The address on the screen, CNN.com/health.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
SANCHEZ: Sunday is the big night, if you don't know who the Grammy nominees are, well, we invite you. We do. Let's take a virtual visit to CNN.com/showbiz. Get plugged in.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CHRISTINA PARK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Grammy gold is at stake this Sunday at the 47th Annual Grammy Awards, and we've got the scoop on who just might have the Midas touch this year. Let's get it started at CNN.com where you can hit a gold mine of behind the music news. For example, did you know that usher's song "Yeah" starred out as a no? It's up for three Grammys, including record of the year, but the word may never have known the hit featuring Ludracris and Lil Jon, because some didn't believe the collaboration would work. Thanks to the songwriter, who never gave up the record, blew up the charts and is up for music highest honors. You'll find more music hits on CNN.com by clicking through our gallery to see which of your favorite artists made the cut. Music buffs can also click through a list of past winners and browse the list of nominees up for best record, album, song, new artist, pop vocal, rap and country awards. From groups like Maroon Five to the late Ray Charles, CNN.com is your date to the 47th annual Grammys.
Reporting from the dot-com desk, I'm Christina Park.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
NGUYEN: You'll be watching those Grammys, won't you, Rick?
SANCHEZ: You betcha, by golly.
NGUYEN: And all the moves to prove it
SANCHEZ: Right there, doing this.
NGUYEN: Oh, please, stop. Yes, just read on, Rick, please, quickly?
SANCHEZ: From the best in music to the best in dogs. I expected an applause or something on that.
NGUYEN: Not on that move.
SANCHEZ: I thought that was pretty cool. My kids dig me anyway.
NGUYEN: Well, we may applaud this. The Westminster Dog Show is almost upon us, but this year's show has something brand-new. You'll have to wait to find out, right after this break.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(STOCK MARKET REPORT)
SANCHEZ: You know Americans are forking out a fortune for pets these days. One pet industry analyst says we spent $34 billion on cats and dogs and other animals last year. The most expensive item, as you may have guessed, is veterinary care. That's followed by the food for the pooches and the kitties. We've got 65 million dogs and 77 million cats in the United States. Consider another 16 million smaller animals, you know like gerbils and such. And then 185 million fish. It all adds up, like we say, to a $34 billion tab. Big industry. Did we mention designer attire, gourmet treats, for example, and even now spas for your pets.
NGUYEN: Speaking of dogs, the Westminster Dog Show opens Monday at Madison Square garden in New York. Organizers are welcoming a newly recognized breed to the competition. It is the Neapolitan mastiff. Now, this dog, is big. Check it out, up to 200 pounds, saggy skin, droopy jowls, and lots of slobber, as you can imagine. The modern breed dates to post-war Italy, but Alexander the Great is thought to have brought those Neo's forefathers all the way from Asia.
And we want to say hello to Bellagio this morning. He and his owner, Harry Booker, are so nice to join us from the Time Warner Center.
Thanks for being here with us.
HARRY BOOKER, BELLAGIO'S OWNER: Good morning.
NGUYEN: Well, let's talk about Bellagio. Boy, that is a big dog. How big is he?
BOOKER: Bellagio is 165 pounds. He's 28 inches at shoulders. Let me see if I can stand him up for you.
Bellagio, come on.
NGUYEN: Come on, Bellagio.
Oh, my goodness.
Lots of wrinkles, lots of drool, I imagine?
BOOKER: Yes. Yes. Eats 12 cups of food a day.
NGUYEN: Now, despite all those wrinkles, this looks like a pretty muscular dog, Bellagio.
BOOKER: Yes, he is very muscular. As you can see, there's no fat. He's got a beautiful strong rear end. We're from Philadelphia and we use the art museum steps which conditioned Rocky for his movie to condition ourselves.
NGUYEN: Getting ready for the Westminster dog show, no doubt.
Now, this is the first time dogs like Bellagio are allowed to compete. Why has it taken so long to get them in that show?
BOOKER: Well, the Neapolitan mastiff was just recognized by the American Kennel Club on July 1st. They've been recognized in Europe for many years.
But it's a process. The AKC has a criteria which breed clubs and dogs have to meet. There are several administrative and also organizational criteria that you have to meet before the AKC will recognize your breed. It took us 10 years, but it was well worth the time and effort by our club.
NGUYEN: So exactly what category is he competing in?
BOOKER: Bellagio is classified in the working group.
NGUYEN: I see. He's not working on too much right about now. What does he do during the day? Is this an active dog?
BOOKER: You know, he exercises himself. He lives in a suburban neighborhood with a regular family, and he is a guard dog. He chills out during the day. He goes out in the yard. He's not basically used for any type of specific guard work. But these dogs make excellent guard dogs.
NGUYEN: So are they good family pets then? I mean, are they nice to have around children, or should they beware?
BOOKER: Well, we don't recommend this dog, the Neapolitan mastiff for young families with young children. As you can see, he's 165 pounds. And it wouldn't take much for him to accidentally walk by a child and knock it over, or, you know, do something.
NGUYEN: He looks like a lap dog. All he wants to do is just hang around, lay around, eat and sleep. Is that pretty much what his day consists of?
BOOKER: Basically. But his owner does exercise him, takes him for nice brisk walks. He patrols the property. He lives on about an acre and a half, and he has free roam during the day.
NGUYEN: Just a few moments ago, we talked about how much Americans are spending on their pets. How much does a dog like this cost?
BOOKER: Well, you know, pure-bred dogs are classified as pet quality, show quality and breeder quality. Bellagio happens to be a show quality. So a dog with this type of quality can start around $2,000 and on up from there, based on the age of the dog is also a consideration.
NGUYEN: Well, he is just a beautiful dog in his own right.
Bellagio, we wish Bellagio the best of luck at the west minister show. Thanks for being with us, both of you.
BOOKER: Thank you. We both thank you.
NGUYEN: A pretty dog, huh?
SANCHEZ: I'm just amazed at the way how we shot that interview. It was almost looked like the dog was answering your questions. He's up here; the dog-down there. It's I wonder if he does any neat tricks.
BOOKER: I don't know about that. He likes to lay around, though. He got that down.
SANCHEZ: Yes, that pretty obvious.
We're going to have a quick look at weather when we come back. Just stay with us, on this wonderful Friday.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK) (WEATHER REPORT)
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
