wikiFido: So, Simon, congratulations on taking first place in our first annual Halloween Costume Contest! Awesome job! You are extremely photogenic and look very handsome in your Superman costume.... So, can you tell our wikiFido community, just how it is that you decided to go with the Superman look? I mean, it's a little gutsy, don't you think....now adays it's all Matrix and Japanese Manga...

Simon: My mommy made me wear it. Like I said, I wanted to be Spiderman. I had been practicing making it look like webs were shooting out of my...well...wrists for weeks before Halloween, but I am just so misunderstood.

wikiFido: Can you tell us exactly what was going through your mind when that photo was taken?

Simon: I will give you the 'PG' version: "Spiderman!?!...Ring any bells?"

wikiFido: Did you do anything special to celebrate your win?

Simon: Well, I will tell you this. I am going to be keeping it fresh with a new outfit for next year's competition. I celebrated by chewing up the belt on my Superman costume into little bits.

wikiFido: It also looks like you've got a whole portfolio of pictures going...I guess you've started a career as a professional model... are there any famous ads that you've done? Or can you give our readers an idea of where your photos have been displayed?

Simon: In an effort to keep the Popparozzi away, I have tried to remain as anonymous as possible. People download my picture and use it how they choose. I don't ask questions and they don't release my personal information. It works out good for me because I am a simple dog. I will tell you that there have been rumors of my picture showing up on billboards in Tokyo, though.

wikiFido: It looks like celebrity-dom runs in the family. Chance, from Homeward Bound, is your uncle? Wow, that's impressive! Have you ever met your famed uncle? If so, what can you tell us about him and how he got his start in show biz?

Simon: I have never met the dog. I came from a rather large litter and I was told he did, too. You know how it is with world travel nowadays. It is so easy to lose touch with family. Which reminds me, I need to call my auntie Tanya.

wikiFido: Now, we don't mean to get too personal here, but we're wondering...exactly how old are you? What would you say are your favorite treats? Do you prefer rawhide or pig ears? Our readers want to hear it all!

Simon: I was born April 15, 2005. I will tell you that my parents, Jay and Kristin, spent most of their tax return to pay for me... and my training, too. Doggy boot camp was a little rough on me. I don't look good with my head shaved. (I hope those pictures never go public!) I don't really have a preference when it comes to chew toys. I have been known to chew up a Barbie doll or two. I think if you held me down and threatened to clip my nails if I didn't make a choice it would be rawhide.

I would like to thank all the little doggies (and people) who have made this win possible for me. I have never won anything before. There was so much good competition out there. I mean, I am a good looking dog, but I wouldn't say that I expected to win. Surely not with some of those cuties in the running <wink>!

To all my fans: Keep dreaming and you, too, can be a success. I have to get back to my nap now. Thanks for talking to me. One big LICK for all of you.



wikiFido: Well, Simon...we know that you have a tight schedule and we don't want to take up too much of your time, so we'd just like to say once again, congratulations on a job well done! Thanks for letting us get personal with you today.