CRESTVIEW — When Drew Forehand looks at the Vine.co account for his mother's four pugs he can't believe his eyes.

More than 21,000 followers, it says.

“I would have never thought that they would be that popular,” the 23-year-old said. “They definitely have more followers than me.”

Rise to fame

It all started last December when Drew's mother, Amy, shot a brief video of Taz, Bitsy, Gup and Caesar wearing party hats for her birthday. She posted the clip on an account she named "Four Florida Pugs." 

“It got over 8,000 likes and over 6,000 revines,” she said. A revine is when visitors repost the video on their pages. 

The birthday video really set if off for the pugs, which range from 10 to 7 years old.

 “With the first few vines, they didn’t get many (followers), but with the birthday one, I was surprised,” Amy said. “By January they had like 3,000 followers and now nearly 22,000.”

Business deal

Amy, who set up Four Florida Pugs accounts on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, shoots the six-second videos — 172 to date — with her cell phone.

“I try to do (a new post) every two days,” she said. “I just dress them up and have them do silly things.”

The clips caught the attention of Getpetbox.com, a pet supply company.

“In March, we signed a contract for a year,” Amy said. “We have to video them with a (Getpetbox.com) box and post them to (the company’s) social sites.”

Calling Ellen…

As for the future, Amy wants to see the pugs appear on her favorite television programs including the syndicated talk show “Ellen” and “Cesar’s Way” on the National Geographic Channel.

She also hopes to receive more endorsements — and followers.

“We would like to get in the 500,000 (range) eventually,” Amy said.  

So, why pugs?

The Forehand family has always wanted to have pugs since watching the film “Men in Black." The family got the first pug in 2005.

Now, Amy is just happy that her pets are bringing attention to North Okaloosa County.   

“For someone in Crestview to have 21,000 followers (on Vine.co) is pretty cool,” she said.

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VIDEO: Watch Taz, Bitsy, Gup and Caesar's adventures on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Vine.co.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: POPULAR PUGS: Social media page surprises woman with 21K followers, business opportunity

If you are among the 750,000-plus Florida bass anglers, now is the time to provide your opinion about Florida’s proposed change to largemouth bass conservation by filling out a new online survey.

The change being considered is a five-bass daily bag limit, only one of which may be 16 inches in total length or longer. This means that each person would be allowed to keep up to five largemouth bass less than 16 inches, or four largemouth bass less than 16 inches and one largemouth bass 16 inches or longer each day.

This change would replace current length limits, but would not alter the current statewide bag limit of five bass.

To take the survey and to learn more about largemouth bass, and current and possible future management changes, go to MyFWC.com/Fishing, and select the “Speak out on bass rules!” link under the bass image near the middle of the page. Based on public input and future edits to the proposal, the earliest this rule change is expected to be implemented is July 2016.

“The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) takes public opinions very seriously,” said Tom Champeau, director of the Division of Freshwater Fisheries Management. “Combined with the best science and case studies that we have to go on, public input helps us strive for optimal sustained use of these popular and valuable fish.”

In 2011 the Black Bass Management Plan was approved, based on comments from more than 7,500 anglers and a series of Technical Advisory Group meetings involving Florida guides, tournament anglers, marina owners, trophy bass fishermen, outdoor writers and tourism representatives.

The plan encouraged FWC biologists to develop the least restrictive regulations feasible to enhance trophy bass fisheries, maintain healthy bass populations statewide, and provide diverse angling opportunities. Public input encouraged controlling the number of big bass taken from the wild and enhancing angler satisfaction. Based on a review of biological and sociological data that included almost 6,000 public responses to a preliminary survey and open-house events around the state, the FWC is seeking additional feedback on the proposed change to create a basic statewide regulation for largemouth bass.

Currently, south and east of the Suwannee River there is a 14-inch minimum, and in the Suwannee River and north and west there is a 12-inch minimum size limit for bass. Data show that protecting these smaller fish is not necessary, biologically and that the size limit complicates regulations. What is advantageous is protecting bigger fish, which are rarer and take longer to produce – hence the proposed catch limit of only one bass that is 16 inches or longer. This regulation would also be more lenient in the fishing zone in the south (east of Highway 441 and south of State Road 80), which currently allows only one bass over 14 inches.

Limited exceptions for specific fisheries that have special needs or opportunities would still be possible, such as high-profile, catch-and-release fisheries that need such a management approach, or even a few more liberal regulations where bass may be overabundant. Those would be limited exceptions and generally associated with fish management areas.

In addition, it is important to note that there is no intent to alter the simple Bass Tournament Exemption Permit process (see MyFWC.com/Permits then click on “Freshwater” and “Black Bass Tournament”).

Currently, bass organizations holding tournaments may apply online for a temporary exemption to bass size limits. This is done to ensure the health of Florida freshwater resources while encouraging fishing participation from small clubs to major tournaments. Tournament organizers and sponsors must emphasize proper handling and care of bass to their participants and adhere to live-release guidelines stipulated in the permit. Moreover, in return for the temporary exemption to allow weigh-in prior to live-release of the bass, all tournament participants must forego any harvest. Hence, they are not allowed to keep what would otherwise be their five-fish bag limit. Any fish that accidentally die in a permitted tournament must be donated to charity or for research. Tournaments are not required to have a permit if they choose to abide by existing regulations (e.g., currently one bass longer than 22 inches or the proposed one bass over 16 inches).

Besides filling out the survey, those interested in ensuring quality bass fishing can do two other things: Sign up for our TrophyCatch citizen-science program that rewards anglers for catching, documenting and releasing bass heavier than 8 pounds, and purchase a “Go Fishing” largemouth bass tag for your vehicle or trailer.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: FWC seeks input on proposed largemouth bass-management change

Fishing is an important part of the Florida lifestyle as well as its economy.

In spite of the obvious benefits, this leisure-time activity, on occasion, can lead to problems for birds and other wildlife such as sea turtles and manatees. According to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) biologists, monofilament fishing line and fishing hooks can entangle these animals, leading to injury and even death.

The brown pelican is one species that is especially impacted by monofilament line. These birds frequently spend time looking for an easy meal at piers and other fishing hotspots, where they are often hooked accidently when trying to grab bait off an angler’s line. Additionally, discarded monofilament line hanging from trees, piers and other structures can ensnare these birds. Once entangled, pelicans can have a difficult time flying and feeding.

“It is not uncommon to find dead pelicans entangled with fishing line and hooks,” said FWC biologist Ricardo Zambrano. “If they are not rescued, these birds may suffer for days before succumbing to injury or starvation.”

Here are some simple things people can do to help protect brown pelicans and other wildlife:

• Properly dispose of monofilament line. Store unwanted line safely and securely until it can be placed in a recycling bin.

• Don’t leave fishing line unattended, as pelicans may be tempted to steal the bait on the end of the line.

• Avoid casting near trees, utility lines and other areas where line may get caught.

• Check tackle frequently for frayed line that may easily break.

• Do not feed pelicans or other wildlife, since it encourages them to approach fishing boats, piers and anglers. If available, use fish-scrap repositories. If they are not available, discard fish scraps in a garbage can or at home.

If you do accidentally hook a pelican, you should avoid cutting the line. Gently remove the hook if you feel confident you can do so without causing harm to yourself or the bird. If you cannot safely remove the hook and line from the pelican, contact a local wildlife rehabilitator. For a list of wildlife rehabilitators in your area, contact any of the FWC’s five regional offices or visit MyFWC.com/Conservation and select “How You Can Conserve” then “Wildlife Assistance.”

For more information on the statewide Monofilament Recovery & Recycling Program, visit mrrp.MyFWC.com/.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Monofilament fishing line perilous for pelicans

CRESTVIEW — Man's fatal attraction to war contrasted with his aspirations for beauty is the discussion topic of a multimedia presentation Tuesday evening at the Crestview Public Library.

French art historian Marie-Claude Tildach-Bohler presents "Art, Literature and Music in Times of War."

After four years in the 1970s as a diplomat at the French Embassy in Washington, D.C., Tildach-Bohler returned 10 years later as an American Air Force officer's wife.

A passion for music, art and history, and being a self-described "museum rat," led her to a position as docent and guide at the Fort Worth Museum of American Art.

"Music has occupied a major and constant place in my life, as have my interests in philosophy, religions, history — with a special focus on Greco-Latin antiquity — and my passion for human voice," Tildach-Bohler said.

She teaches French language and conversation classes in Niceville, where she and her husband, Don, live when not at their Montpelier, France home.

The Tildach-Bohlers are members of the Crestview Sister City Program, and together presented a history of the famed Bayeux Tapestry to participants in last summer's exchange visit to France.

The tapestry, considered the world's oldest graphic novel, is one of the artworks to be discussed during the presentation at the library, which is behind the U.S. Post Office.

WANT TO GO?

WHAT: "Art, Literature and Music in Times of War"

WHEN: 6 p.m. June 3

WHERE: Crestview Public Library, 1445 Commerce Drive

COST: Free

NOTES: Historian Marie-Claude Tildach-Bohler conducts a multimedia exploration of humans' fatal attraction to war contrasting with aspirations for beauty

Email News Bulletin Staff Arts and Entertainment Editor Brian Hughes at brianh@crestviewbulletin.com, follow him on Twitter @cnbBrian or call 850-682-6524.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Presentation examines art's place during war