Molly and Carter ready to party.*
BRANSON, Mo., November 7, 2012 — In a town filled with celebrities of every variety what makes the birthday of two dogs so special? Is it because they are the mascots of the Titanic World’s Largest Museum Attraction? Is it because they represent the dogs that were aboard the Titanic when she sank; that they are so cute and cuddly; just love meeting and interacting with the guests who visit the Titanic each day or something else? If those two dogs just happen to be “Molly” and “Carter,” this writer feels safe in saying that it is a wonderful combination of the above and simply because they are two of the warmest, most personable and cuddly animal celebrities in Branson or anywhere else.
During a recent interview with Kelli Sanders their head trainer, she said that Molly and Carter, who are “King Charles Spaniels,” both female, are “sisters” and were born on different days about a month apart, will be celebrating a special joint 4th Birthday on November 24th at the Titanic Museum Attraction. Guests to the attraction will have an opportunity to participate in the special celebration, which will be held in conjunction with the “Noon Presentation” near the bow of the ship and will include birthday cake, balloons, decorations, a large birthday card for them to sign as well as an opportunity to meet with their trainers and to pose with the dogs for birthday pictures.
Sanders said that since assuming their duties as the Titanic’s mascots on March 19, 2010, Molly and Carter’s primary purpose has been to “help us remember that there were dogs on board” the Titanic when she sank and to pay them tribute. “Part of what I do outside of their viewing area is to teach about the ten dogs that were on board and point out little known facts about them such as who they belonged to, where they boarded, how many survived and lots of other interesting facts about the dogs that not too many know about,” she continued.
Another important thing they do is enhance the overall experience and memories that guests to the Titanic have. “They just fall in love with these two and it makes their whole day,” she said. When asked, “How do people tell them apart she said that Carter has “freckles,” a little round spot on the side of her face and Molly does not. She also pointed out that “the girls,” as they are affectionately called aboard the ship, were named after passengers on board the Titanic on that fateful voyage.
Prior to assuming their duties aboard the Titanic, the dogs received intensive training from noted dog trainer Matt Matney, during which, in addition to their basic training, they were trained on socializing with children and crowds so that they would be comfortable with the atmosphere at the ship. In addition, with the help of their trainers, Molly and Carter have incorporated a few cute entertaining tricks into their repertoire. One such trick is Molly’s response when Kelli asks her, “What she thinks of icebergs?”
The dogs look forward to interacting with passengers when they are outside their quarters on the ship. Typically that occurs during their trips throughout the ship in their 1920 baby “pram” and their ceremonious “Noon Presentation” when the ships horn blows and they walk down from the bow of the ship with their handler and past the iceberg to meet and greet the ships guests and pose for pictures.
Carter, left, and Molly with handlers, Kelli Sanders, left, Kelli Riely and Kim Brent.*
The dogs “work” five days a week from 8 AM to 5 PM. When they are not working and are at home, Monday through Friday with Kelli Sanders and her family and the other two days with trainers Kelli Riley and Kim Breit, they love to play outside, go for walks and just enjoy cuddle time with “their” family.
Although the loving care that Molly and Carter receive at the Titanic is obvious, their care is monitored by three levels of government authority, national, state and county. Of these, the primary agency is the U.S. Department of Agriculture which conducts multiple unannounced inspections each year. These inspections include their accommodations both at the at the ship and in the homes of the trainers; how the dogs are handled, treated and transported; working conditions; required paper work such as daily logs and permits and many other areas impacting on the welfare and environment of Molly and Carter.
In addition to their duties at the Titanic, Molly and Carter use their lovely cuddly celebrity status to help the Branson community in a variety of ways. Among other things they have raised thousands of dollars for local humane societies and for a future dog park in Branson; have visited libraries “to champion and advocate literacy” and “nursing homes to warm the hearts of the residents” in addition to attending “Branson Chamber Breakfasts and ribbon cuttings for new businesses in the community.”
“Molly and Carter make an already exciting and fun filled adventure at the Titanic Museum Attraction even more memorable and unique,” said Tammy Johnson, the Director of Operations for the Branson Tourism Center. “We would take this opportunity to wish Molly and Carter an early Happy 4th Birthday and to thank the “crew” of the Titanic World’s Largest Museum Attraction for adding these wonderful animal celebrities not only to their attraction, but to the total experience Branson visitors can enjoy.”
NEWS FLASH: Just prior to publishing this article we received information that Molly and Carter are entered in the Royal Spaniels Magazine Photo Contest and out of thousands of contestants, have made it to the Top 10 and NEED YOUR VOTE! To vote for Molly and Carter click here.
* Photo courtesy Titanic World’s Largest Museum Attraction