Meet Lieutenant Dan, the two-legged dog in a wheelchair that is likely to become the next Cadbury Bunny. For over 35 years, people know the Easter season is coming when they see the Cadbury Clucking Bunny commercial on TV. As we all know it, the iconic mascot that comes around every Easter season is none other than a bunny. But for the first time since 1982, the chocolate brand debuted a new Easter mascot last year. Much to the surprise of everyone, it wasn’t a bunny this time. But rather, it was an English Bulldog wearing a bunny ears headband.
The bulldog named Henri resumed the role of the iconic Cadbury Bunny as the mascot for the 2019 Cadbury Crème Egg commercial. Henri was proclaimed the winner of Cadbury’s first-ever ‘Bunny Tryouts’ where pet owners can put their animals forward for the selection. All kinds of pets are welcome to join the tryouts contest. Dogs, cats, rabbits, horses, pigs, chickens, all animals are eligible to join as long as their owners are legal residents of the United States. To join the contest, owners are required to register and submit a photo of their pet in bunny ears. Submitted photos will be judged by a panel of judges based on weighted criteria.
Lieutenant Dan is among the 10 finalists for the 2020 Cadbury Bunny Tryouts
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The judges will have to determine the top 20 entries that will enter for the semi-final stage. The 20 semi-finalists are then required to submit one original video of their pets with the bunny ears headband. After which, judges will decide the top 10 video entries that will qualify for the final stage. In the final stage, the 10 finalists shall be posted on the brand’s website where the public can cast their votes. The score from the judges and the public votes will decide the winner. Apparently, Henri the Bulldog won the approval of the judges and the public last year. As his prize, his owner received $5,000 and Henri was featured as the Cadbury Bunny in the commercial.
Early February this year, the chocolate brand officially opened the tryouts in its quest for the next Cadbury Bunny. And recently, the 10 finalists have been revealed on Cadbury website. Among the finalists is a two-legged dog from Ohio. Although all of the contestants are equally adorable, this dog is clearly standing out. The coonhound in a wheelchair is named after a character from Forrest Gump who lost both his legs in the Vietnam War.
This coonhound lost his hind legs due to a birth defect
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According to his owners, the dog was born with a birth defect that required both his hind legs to be amputated. And he has been in a wheelchair since then. Despite his disability, the energetic dog still seems to enjoy life to its fullest. You only need to check out his Instagram page to follow his happy-go-lucky adventures.
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“Lieutenant Dan was born different, but hasn’t let that slow him down! He has a joy for life that is infectious and inspiring!”, his owners share.
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Will this dog take the torch from Henri the Bulldog and continue the canine legacy? Or will it be a different animal this year? Voting is currently ongoing and the winner will be announced on March 24th. Although many people deem the two-legged pooch as a favorite to win the contest, other contestants would certainly give him some pretty tight competition. There’s the chubby cat, a pig with sunglasses, a miniature horse, a lovely llama, a charming duck and a resolute-looking Labrador dog among others.
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Source: Cadbury Bunny Tryouts | Instagram