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'Adorable' puppy 1, Lester Holt 0

Posted: Friday, January 23, 2009 11:10 AM by Ian Sager
Filed Under:

by Lester Holt, NBC News anchor

During my 28-year career in television news I’ve been knocked down while on camera, held at gunpoint, trapped between walls of fire, broken a bone while on assignment, and inhaled tear gas. The one thing I’ve never done is bleed on air, that is, until today. If you caught the third hour of this morning’s broadcast, then you saw my little mishap with a cute 3-month-old puppy that joined us on the set. 

 

Just moments before – at the beginning of a segment on pet adoptions – the pooch tried to leap from Amy Robach's arms, and in the process scratched a very large hole in her pantyhose. As a dog lover, and owner, I assured Amy I could control the pup (big mistake). 

 

The segment began, and the dog tried to squirm from my grasp. As I tried to restrain it, one of its razor-like claws nicked my chin, drawing a fair amount of blood. Rest assured I am fine – I’ve done worse damage to my face with a razor. A few minutes of applied pressure, and I was able to go back about my day.

 

Despite our little dust up, I still find that little pup adorable. What I would hope is that no one would let the episode discourage them from providing a good home for a needy pet. Saturday is “Change a Pet's Life Day” – a national adoption drive for shelter animals.  My family adopted from a shelter in Chicago 10 years ago, and I can tell you from experience it is not just their life that changes for the better, but yours too. A little scratch is a tiny price to pay for getting that message out.

 

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Comments

OH LESTER YOUR LOVE OF ANIMALS SO SHOWS WHAT A KIND AND GENTLE SOUL YOU ARE. I WISH THERE WERE MORE PEOPLE WHO APPRECIATED DOG AND ANIMALS LIKE YOU DO  AS THEY ARE GODS INNOCENT CREATURES EVEN THAT LITTLE PUPPY.  

BOSTON MASS (Sent Friday, January 23, 2009 11:53 AM)

If you want to calm a dog down, gently scratch their chest just below their neck.  If you want to calm a cat down, gently scratch their back along their spine.  This will usually work as long as the dog or cat lets you get close enought to do this.  Best wishes in the future!

Jose Arteaga, Phoenix, AZ (Sent Friday, January 23, 2009 12:04 PM)

What breed of puppy was it that nipped Lester Holt on the Today Show this morning? We have a 4 year old dog that looks just like that, which we adopted last year. We are not certain of the breed, but thought that maybe knowing the breed of that puppy may give us a hint.

Chris, Minneapolis, Minn. (Sent Friday, January 23, 2009 12:23 PM)

enjoyed your segment on adopting a shelter dog.I hope President Obama will do this good deed.There are many dog rescue missions for specific breeds.A standard poodle would be a great substitute for a portugeese water dog. They are smart,great family dogs and non allergenic.If he does this good deed he would be speaking for the many animals that need loving homes and families but have no voice for themselves. The pre

Sheila Gabaeff (Sent Friday, January 23, 2009 12:47 PM)

Kudos to the Today show team for really driving home the adopt a pet message.  Lester what a great sport!  Keeping a positive message in the face of battle.  

Allison, New York City (Sent Friday, January 23, 2009 1:13 PM)

Hi Lester, I saw the show, and I know that puppy didn't mean to draw blood!  I was also thinking, I hope this doesn't put folks off from adopting...just a little "accident"  I'm from Chicago too, and I was glad to see the MSNBC twitter link to your blog, you should get on twitter too!   Have a fun weekend and Kiss all the puppies for me

Amusing Bunni, Chicago (Sent Friday, January 23, 2009 1:29 PM)

Thanks to Lester and the TODAY show for profiling pet adoption. What a great job! There are so many wonderful animals looking for homes- and that includes the little rascals who occasionally get in some mischief - the love they give back so makes up for any nicks on the chin- thanks for letting everyone know that, Lester-

Cindy Wilberding, Camden, SC (Sent Friday, January 23, 2009 1:35 PM)

Also, maybe you should change the title of the video from Pup nips  (makes it look like he bit) to
Pup NICKS  (it was just a scratch)....I'm just sayin'...we wouldn't want people to think the pup was a biter, he wasnt!  Thanks, Bunni

Amusing Bunni, Chicago (Sent Friday, January 23, 2009 1:36 PM)

Lester, on behalf of Petfinder and all the homeless pets out there, I want to thank you for your part in today's segment promoting adoption!  And for your giving the squirmy puppy's behavior a pass.  You may not have scored in the puppy match-up - but you are a "10" in our book!  

Kim Saunders, NJ (Sent Friday, January 23, 2009 3:40 PM)

Thanks so much for highlighting shelter adoptions - I have always been a Today fan but the recent segments on pets and dog training have cemented my devotion. Lester, you did a great job with the puppy and the boo-boo - it was Amy's hysterical laughter and all the comotion that made him freak out. Maybe you and Al could do a travel-the-country thing visiting rescue groups like ours in Flagstaff, AZ, to highlight a great grass-roots movement.  

Diane Jarvis, Flagstaff, AZ (Sent Friday, January 23, 2009 5:27 PM)

I adopted Tucker, a beautiful black lab, from the Spokane Humane Society about six years ago.  He was three years old at the time and our bond was immediate and strong.  He was my rock through a very tough time and I can only hope that he recieved as much joy from me as I did from him.  His life here with me was full of adventure, from numerous encounters with cougars, bears and other wild animals to a harrowing fall through the ice on the river and swallowing a large stick while playing!  I miss him terribly, I had to have him euthenized last winter after his arthritis pain became too severe to manage.  This summer I will once again visit the Humane Society, with the hope of finding another dog that will bring as much joy to my life as Tucker did. Shelter dogs have the potential to offer such 'thankfulness' and love to their new owners, I encourage anyone who is considering a new dog/puppy to visit a shelter first.  

Tina Matney Kettle Falls, WA (Sent Friday, January 23, 2009 7:18 PM)

I've always been a fan of Lester Holt, but after reading this blog I love him even more. :)  We have always adopted from shelters. Have two shelter dogs right now. He's absolutely right, it doesn't just change an animals life when you adopt it, it changes yours, too...for the better! Happy healing, Lester!  

Wendy (Sent Friday, January 23, 2009 7:34 PM)

Hi Lester,
I am an avid viewer of the today show. I am a dog lover also, but where I live I can't have pets. I really enjoyed the segment and how you handled yourself so professionally. Keep up the great work!!!

Brenda Davis, Mansfield, MA (Sent Friday, January 23, 2009 9:14 PM)

i find that puppy adorable too. and the blood was scary.

Rose (Sent Friday, January 23, 2009 11:58 PM)

Oh my goodness - despite your injury Lester and Natalie's nawed up arm, the segment makes me smile lovingly and grateful for what I did 15yrs ago and will some day do again.  I'm putting my 15 yr old, loveable, mutt to sleep on Monday.  I saved her at 7 months old from being returned to the pound by her original adoptees that found they didn't have enough time to spend with her.  She's brought so much love and joy to this family.  I can't imagine her not being here.  But, I do know, quality of life is more important than quantity and my selfishness for wanting her here with me.  Thanks for the kindness and laughs about pups before I say good bye to my own.

Mandy, Farmington, MN (Sent Saturday, January 24, 2009 1:02 AM)

The puppy looks exactly like my 3 month old English Shepherd pup - who is also partial to the odd bit of savagery ;-)

Bill (Sent Saturday, January 24, 2009 3:58 AM)

Does Amy need me to send her a new pair of Pantyhose

Dan From Philly (Sent Saturday, January 24, 2009 8:03 AM)

I loved the pup. Anyone know where it's available for adoption? The dog I've been looking for. Please post if you know this info.

Sue, Long Island, NY (Sent Saturday, January 24, 2009 8:20 AM)

Glad you are okay - but I think I'm on the way to the pet store for one of those PediCure kits!

Not sure which was funnier - the look on your face, or Amy's laughter.

Nice article about adoption Lester - good job!

Jean, South Riding VA (Sent Saturday, January 24, 2009 8:41 AM)

Glad you publicized a much needed message - there are so many dogs and cats that need a forever home

Karen Strauss, New York City (Sent Saturday, January 24, 2009 9:06 AM)

What a great individual Lester Holt is with his love of animals.  The wonderful little puppy did not mean to harm Holt, it was just an accident with very sharp puppy claws.  I have experienced many a cut from puppy claws and they are never intentional. Thank you for the word you spread about adopting dogs from shelters. I have lived my entire 65 years with dogs and they provide so much to my family and I. What pure love they give to us and how innocent they are. Wish everyone knew the depth of a dog in need and they would come to their rescue and give them a forever home.

sue black, aberdeen, ohio (Sent Saturday, January 24, 2009 10:22 AM)

Lester, I have always enjoyed watching you but love you even more knowing you love dogs so much! We have adopted shelter animals in the past and have had nothing but possitive results. We recently lost our 17 year old collie/husky mix and if our situation were more stable right now, we would surely be right back at the shelter to collect more unconditional love. Heres to you for taking one on the chin for the good guys! Thanks

Janet King, Weston, NE (Sent Saturday, January 24, 2009 11:03 AM)

Lester, you are the greatest!! Your devotion to man's best friend is so heartfelt and shared by all of us.  The segments you do on dogs keeps me a devoted Today fan and I can't wait to see what is next on the canine agenda. You keep us informed and you handled that rowdy pup so well.  Thanks Again!!

Kathy Countiss, Bristol, Tennessee (Sent Saturday, January 24, 2009 4:40 PM)

Lester Holt-he is certainly a class act.  I got a pound puppy who was abandonedat the age of 7 months in '88 and lost him in '95.  He was the best dog i ever had and i still miss him.  Pound puppies rule!

BOSOXGIRL, MIDDLETOWN, RI (Sent Saturday, January 24, 2009 4:43 PM)

Mr. Holt, I saw the incident. I was very concerned and worried for you.  I hope you get better.  You do an EXCELLENT job during the weekend segements of TODAY and Nightly news.  

Mary (Sent Saturday, January 24, 2009 5:28 PM)

I love the Today Show. I've watched it for years and I think the stories on the pet adoptions are well done.  BUT, what about cats. 90% of your pet stories are about dogs.  There are thousands of cats needing homes and they are almost never mentioned. I work with cats for a living and I think it is very unfair. If you look at the numbers you will see that there are a lot of cats as pets and a larger number that need homes.  

Jill Weissenbach Annapolis, MD (Sent Saturday, January 24, 2009 6:06 PM)


Lester that was a dawgone great segment way to take one on the chin for shelter dogs I give this segment 4 paws!

Joseph frazz (Sent Saturday, January 24, 2009 6:17 PM)

A stray puppy came to our home on Christmas day.  It looks just like the puppy that scratched Lester.  We named her "Jenna" after Jenna Wolfe of course, because we like your show so much.  Searched but could not find an owner, so we still have her.  
Also wonder what breed she is, maybe German Shepherd/Rottweiler???  She is so sweet and gentle.

We love to watch the Today Show on the weekends and love Lester and Jenna.  Thanks!

Kay Burnette, Tobaccoville, NC (Sent Saturday, January 24, 2009 8:11 PM)

Is Lester available for adoption, because he is adorable?

Kim-Spokane (Sent Saturday, January 24, 2009 9:08 PM)

Lester--I'm the girl from Alabama who got to attend a Sunday taping of the TODAY show right before Thanksgiving 2007 and told you I have a crush on you.  (Sorry, Carol.)  Your segment with the pup--and your love of dogs in general--make me have an even BIGGER crush on you!  

Your fan,
Denise

Denise Wright, Fayette, AL (Sent Sunday, January 25, 2009 2:01 AM)

wher can i adopt the dog

sharon akins,alex,va (Sent Sunday, January 25, 2009 7:16 PM)

I love the puppy with Lester, but I wanted to comment on how nice it is to see a good movie on a sunday night like in the old times, where there was a good movie for the whole family.  I think NBC should keep up the good work and lets us enjoy a good movie every sunday instead of reality tv. My daughters and I enjoy the movie and can't wait to sit and enjoy the end of The last Templar.  Thank you, Thank you, thank you.lll

Maria Angela, Chula Vista, Ca (Sent Monday, January 26, 2009 10:47 AM)

Thank you Mr. Holt for always being a spokesman and ambassador for the voiceless and homeless animals.

Pat Hurt, Alvaton, Ky (Sent Monday, January 26, 2009 10:56 AM)

I have a 12 week old puppy that is a Sheltie and he is still not house broken yet but almost! If he would just bark at us to let him out we would be more than happy to let him out. He hate it when I tell him NO Cappy he just howls at me and than I get on to him for doing that because I have no idea what he is saying I am just figuring he is clamplaing because I told his NO. That just tuff the answer is NO!! But he is so cut at times he does things like a baby does. He found his feet all four of them and know he is still trying to understand his tail it is so cute. Because he keeps going around in circle trying to get a hold of it!!

But that was good information from a girl to rub his stomach he does love that big time. Plus we got him these little small chew things to make him chew on that instead of bitting on me.

Good Luck with your puppy,

Deborah S Petty
Benton, AR.

Deborah S. Petty Benton,AR. (Sent Tuesday, January 27, 2009 5:07 PM)

Poor Lester. He is a consummate professional. I'm more concerned with Amy and her non-chalant attitude with blood.  I have no doubt that Lester is a healthy man, but blood borne illnesses are a real problem and Amy probably should take care with whose blood she wipes with a bare hand.  The mom-instinct is touching, but please be careful... and wash your hands thoroughly.

sharon batavia illinois (Sent Tuesday, January 27, 2009 6:57 PM)

I am sorry you were scratched but each time I see a dog segment I think I wish people cared as much about people who have nothing as they seem to about pets.  Somewhere along the line our priorities have skewed.

Jane Lefler, Altoona Wi (Sent Wednesday, January 28, 2009 2:00 PM)

I am a little late on this blog; however thank you Lester for your words. Dogs are the greatest gifts to man and those not experiencing them are missing out. Thank you for taking your time to clarify....

Sandy Brooks Roswell, GA (Sent Monday, February 02, 2009 12:24 PM)



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