i guess i missed the dog days of summer

it's state fair time in minnesota, which means food on a stick and hot and muggy weather. these are not the "dog days of summer" however, as that refers to a period from late july to mid august when the sun is in alignment with the sirius constellation. i did not know that. anyway, i have a card with a dog on it to show off:

that is a 2010 natural balance promo with tillman, the world's fastest skateboarding dog! it's in my collection because tillman is sharing space with steve garvey, who signed this copy. here's the back:

after topps 86'd the bark in the park card(s) from 2018 big league, i've been missing canines on cards. this one works nicely. i didn't know anything about the card or the pet food advertised (that would be 

natural balance pet food founded by dick van patten aka mr. bradford!) until i saw the card offered for sale on ebay several months ago.  i then learned that mrmopar posted about it seven years ago.  there is lots of good background info on the promotional events held during the 2010 season here including a photo that shows stacks of the promo cards waiting to be signed by the garv. quite a unique item for the pc!