The only reason I watched this show. Oh, and the dog's cute too. (Photo: CBS)It's down to the final three - cocky JD and Galaxy, the very tightly-bonded Laurie and Andrew and Travis and Presley (the rookie.) The remaining teams head back to Canine Academy after elimination. Travis couldn't believe how angry JD got when Victoria said he was "threatening" Galaxy. Laurie said he could be firm without sounding mean. JD said that there were so many distractions at the last challenge that he needed to bring on the intensity - and claims he "caught himself" - after the judges' critique, of course. Laurie again stressed that he could have been kinder. JD said the word "threatening" just "triggered my ass." Whatever that means. Laurie thought the judges were "dead on" in their assesment of JD's training technique and says Galaxy is fearful of her owner. Her relationship with Andrew is based on trust and love, not fear. Laurie and Travis seem to be on the same page about JD.

I'm still trying to get over the elimination of one of my favorite contestants, Bill - but at least I've still got hunky Travis. The final four - Laurie and Andrew, Teresa and Leroy, Travis and Presley and JD and the slightly injured Galaxy head back to Canine Academy. JD was keeping a close eye on his pooch and said that even if the prize was $10 million, that he would never push his dog. Laurie admitted that JD and Galaxy were her biggest competition, but honestly seem concerned about Galaxy's well-being and said she would feel bad if Galaxy had to bow out due to an injury. JD says he's going to get medical attention for the dog, but says he may not work her out until the challenge.

Last week, my "Dream(y) Team" of Travis and Bill won the Dog Bone Challenge and awful Beth Joy was sent home. We're down to the final five and Laurie feels that things in the house will be better now that Beth Joy, "one of the craziest housemates from day one," is gone. The gang chuckled about Beth Joy's always at the ready collection of lame excuses when Bella failed at the challenges. Laurie notes that Andrew is the last little dog standing (big dogs rule!) and is worried they could be the next to go.

As the remaining six contestants head back to Canine Academy, Beth Joy gives Travis a big hug for defending her when Laura called her out during last week's Best in Show challenge. What red-blooded female wouldn't want to give Travis a big hug? The next morning, Travis went to greet Bella and nearly got bitten in return. Travis said that was "messed up." Beth Joy claims she has never seen Bella so aggressive and thinks the dog is "super stressed out." She boo hoos about it to poor Travis, who has become every woman in the house's shoulder to cry on. Beth Joy says Bella was a rescue dog and has "a lot of issues." She hopes the dog can get over herself. And soon.

Laura asks Travis if he's going to miss Brandy and he, in his own, Travis way, says no ("Who am I going to make cry everyday and then cheer up everyday?" Sounds like a big ol' no to me.) Travis is looking forward to forging friendships with the other people in the house, and made Brandy sound like a jealous girlfriend (well, she was jealous....) JD asks Travis if he and Laura are "swapping numbers" after the show. Well, he can if he wants to now, since the green-eyed monster has gone. As everyone goes to bed, we see Laura and Travis having a heart-to-heart, talking about their dogs. Laura says it's important to find a dog lover to form a relationship with. Travis thinks Laura is fun and cool (oh, and cute too) and loves that she's quite fond of Presley. The love connection begins.

After Tillman the skateboarding bulldog was sent home last week, the gang headed back to Canine Academy, where whiny Brandy put Beacon into some pajamas. Oh, please. Laurie announces it's party time and Travis plays bartender for the remaining owners. But Brandy's mysteriously a no-show. Booze and Travis? I can't believe she's missing this. She comes in and tells everyone that Beacon's "mad at her." Perhaps Beacon would prefer sleeping au naturel? Brandy thinks Beacon wants to go home. Travis tries to get her to snap out of it, but if I were him, I'd just say, "yeah, he probably does." Anything to get that annoying harpie off the show, right? Sage Laurie says the pooch is just tired. She thinks Brandy is trying too hard to "humanize" Beacon, placing too many expectations on them. She is right, you know. Beacon finally joins the party and, of course, Beth Joy loves the pjs. (No surprise, Bella is in a doggie negligee. Creepy.) Travis notes that Beacon's socks are taped to his legs. Poor dog - it's not bad enough he's stuck with Brandy, his socks are stuck on him as well. Laurie looks like she's completely through with Brandy. You and me both, lady.

So, since last week, my pooch Boo is now "friends" with the irrepresible Presley (if you're reading Travis, hi!) and last week's outed competitor Elvis via Dogster (it's sad that she has more friends than I do on Facebook.) But, I digress. Onto this week's canine adventures. Everyone returns to Canine Academy after the eliminations and Ron is happy that Tillman can now sleep with both eyes closed since Elvis is gone. Laura and Travis are cooking up a little dinner - and flirtation - in the kitchen. He finally asks her if she has a boyfriend and she says no. Brandy sits at the counter, simmering in a broth of jealousy. I think she's of the mind that since the two of them won last week's Dog Bone Challenge that they're now somehow an "item." What a wackjob.

The dogs and owners return to Canine Academy from the Best in Show arena after the elimination of Elan and Kenji. Beth Joy is still upset that she was called on the carpet for dressing up Bella Starlet in "people clothes." Laurie mad that Beth Joy called her out when the judges chastised her - for putting Andrew's fur in top knots, which is very different than a dress (it is. No argument there.) Laurie thinks the way Beth Joy deals with Bella is "completely irrational" and says she's "humanized her dog." Beth Joy and Laurie squabble, and, in their battle of wits, Beth Joy is clearly unarmed. David sides with Laurie on the debate and says that Laurie is "sharp" and "has got everyone's number."

Believe it or not, the premiere of "Greatest American Dog" last week was a ratings winner for CBS. If I wasn't recapping it, I probably wouldn't watch it anymore, as the show seems to put more emphasis on the owners, rather than the dogs. Anywhoo...this week, we're going to try and move on after the fabulous Michael and Ezzie went home. David and Elvis have already spent a week in the outdoor dog house and can't wait to go inside. David says Elvis isn't the "outdoorsy type." He's a dog, you're a wealthy retired doctor, I think it's you who aren't the outdoorsy type, David. Don't blame your cute pooch. David says Elvis is a "social butterfly" and can't wait to make friends in the house (he's already quite adept at the whole butt-sniffing thing. Elvis doesn't seem to like bulldog superstar Tillman, and the two have a little scrap. This sits the wrong way with Ron, especially because David did nothing (including tell him), claiming he didn't see anything. Yeah, right. Puppy Elizabeth Berkeley was just trying to push doggy Gina Gershon down the stairs there (sorry for the indulgent "Showgirls" reference there, I'm just tryng to make my own fun here.) Tillman ended up with an eye injury and J.D. led the attack on David. Wisely, David heads back to the dog house, while everyone else talks badly about David and Elvis. In describing his pooch, whose tussle with Elvis was his first scrap ever, Ron delivered the line that ended up being the title of the episode. Cute, Ron.

We have (literally) found ourselves smack dab in the middle of the dog days of summer. The latest reality competition promises its share of drama and bitches. The introduction of the show takes the intellectual high road, quoting Ralph Waldo Emerson, who said "to be great is to be misunderstood." Cue the canine competitors - to the tune of "Atomic Dog" (of course.) The show held compteitions across the country to find the most talented dogs (thankfully, we don't have to watch them) and 12 of them have been gathered to compete for the distinguished title of the "Greatest American Dog."