Hugs has gone from being a shelter dog to mascot of his own Web site. How many canines can say that? Find out how he is handling his new fame and fortunate circumstances.

The First Day
Mary and Julie were euphoric when they got Hugs. They didn't let themselves get their hopes up before taping the finale, figuring someone else would get him. So it was really a thrill. Mary was so excited she got lost driving home. Then, Julie and Mary took Hugs to Petsmart for a shopping spree. They then dropped by to surprise a friend of theirs by showing up on their doorstep with Hugs. Julie, Mary and Hugs were all pooped that first night due to the emotional taping, so they went to bed pretty early.

Home Fit for a Pooch
Julie bought Hugs a cozy bed, a buffet of treats and stuffed toys. He likes the toys, especially his orange monster, his red pepper and his loofa dog … but he particularly loves ripping out the stuffing and the squeakers until the toys end up looking like old floppy socks. Julie also bought him a pig hoof, and he worked on it continually until the hoof began to reek of cow manure, so they had to distract him one day and throw it away. He quickly transferred his affection to pig ears.

It's a Family Affair
Hugs fits in very well. He has alpha tendencies, but Julie and Hugs will be starting obedience training soon. Hugs can probably sense that both Mary and Julie have been told they need assertiveness training. Julie likes taking him to the dog park because it's fun to watch him romp with other dogs. Mary likes to snuggle up on the couch with Hugs and watch movies. Edgar was given a new name because Julie and Mary didn't feel Hugs was macho enough for a boy dog and because Hugs lacks lap-dog tendencies. His new name is The Edgar Winter Dog, Edgar for short, after the albino '70s rocker, because Hugs is also pigmentally challenged.

Made for Each Other
Hugs can be stubborn and hyper like most terriers. He is intelligent and curious but fun loving. What Julie likes most about him is that he is outgoing and social and loves everyone he meets, including other dogs. Mary loves Hugs' exuberant happiness and how he can make her laugh hysterically by wrestling like a big goof. Julie and Mary both admire Hugs' star quality and look forward to making him the mascot of their online pop culture magazine, Ape Culture, at www.apeculture.com.

Getting to Know You
Julie and Mary have to make sure one of them can come directly home after work to walk Hugs and spend some time with him. It's a commitment and an adjustment to their schedules, but definitely worth it. For Edgar, he has to get used to being on his own while Julie and Mary are at work. Hopefully soon, Edgar will have another dog to keep him company. Edgar also had to get used to listening to his housemates' bizarre musical tastes, including Cher, Ozzy, Nelly and Tom Jones. It doesn't seem to phase him.

Favorite Pooch Pastime
Although Hugs likes walks and playing tug-of-war, his favorite pastime is going to the dog park with his two girlfriends, Gazelle and Mabel, two shelter pups recently adopted by a friend of Julie's and Mary's. They can romp for hours and on Thanksgiving played for almost seven hours nonstop.

Paws and Sit
Hugs came to them already knowing "sit," and Mary taught him "shake," "down" and "kiss." Julie and Mary are now working on "speak" and "roll over" without much success so far. Hugs also self-taught himself how to eject DVDs he doesn't like to watch, such as when he stepped on the DVD remote five minutes before the end of Van Helsing. Mary appreciated his passionate film criticism and didn't bother to finish the movie.

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Dog Park
Hugs likes to tease other dogs. He loves to play keep-away from dogs and humans; he especially likes to tease bigger dogs by nipping at them and then diving under benches to hide where they can't reach him.

No One's Perfect
Edgar also likes to lick human elbows.

Changes
He still lives with Julie and Mary, and he's not for sale! Unfortunately Edgar is neutered also, so unlike Jack Nicholson, he won't be the stud playboy of his West Side L.A. block.