ARE YOU READY FOR THIS?

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Day One.

DQ asking Too Hot to Handle the hard-hitting questions.

We have met with Too Hot To Handle at his new home in HP Land, where he resides with his beautiful mate Amphitrite, in a simple kennel, but with all the luxuries that his new status affords him. Today we ask the hard-hitting questions on everybody’s mind as this exceptional newcomer finds himself nominated for HP’s top prize, 2021 Mascot. With his gentle manner, and warm charisma, after today’s insightful interview I find myself rooting for the golden underdog.

So, Too Hot to Handle you have found yourself nominated for one of HP’s most prestigious prizes, can you tell me how it feels to be nominated for HP’s Mascot Contest?

His tail immediately starts wagging the moment that I ask him this question. You can’t help but notice the pride that radiates off his mate Amphitrite as she sits next to him, touching his shoulder, providing moral support.

It is a great honour just to be nominated, and certainly one that I never expected. I am a simple farm boy, who has been alone for so long, with no place to really call home, until I met Amph. She was the one who saved me, and showed me a way of controlling my powers, and using them for good, to provide warmth to those in need, and to help others like me. I feel like I finally have a purpose, and an understanding of why I have been gifted this gift. I hope that by being nominated that I can help more people, and that maybe one day I can help another puppy that maybe facing a similar situation that I once went through.

I know from reading some of your biography, that you had some tough times growing up, are you able to tell me about some of the challenges you faced and overcame to get where you are today?

The look in his eyes changes as he thinks about an answer, there is an unmistakable aura of sadness in the air.

I was born just a regular puppy, well as a regular a puppy that I could be. My powers didn’t start manifesting until I was around three months old, after I had been taken from my mom and given to my master and his father.  They treated me well, fed me, and my master would sneak me treats under the table, even though his father used to growl at him. I didn’t like that very much. We didn’t have much, but what my master had he would share with me. I slept at the end of his bed, warming his toes, and after a while I didn’t miss my mom and siblings so much, I had a new family. We would spend our days roaming over the farm and helping with chores. I used to love it when my master and I would go down to the river and he would throw sticks for me to chase and bring back to him.  His tag wags ever so slightly at the memory. One can’t help but feel for this gentle soul and all that he has been through in his relatively short life. But then my powers manifested and one day they became out of control, sparks flying everywhere, burning down the house and barn, spreading to the nearby fields, killing all the sheep and goats that I had once called my friends. The father didn’t want me to stay then, and my master was crying, I tried to tell him it was okay, but it was the saddest day of my life. You only have to listen to Too Hot to Handle speak to know how genuine he really is. Only a heartless creature couldn’t help but shed a tear as he recounts his tale.

I know you spoke about it briefly Too Hot To Handle, but could you tell me more about how your powers came to be?

He pauses, as if thinking deeply, as if searching his past for that distant memory.

I don’t really know to be honest, one day I was a simple puppy, worrying about puppy things, and they just began to manifest and take over my life. It started with little incidents, things that couldn’t easily be explained, like one day I was lying at my master’s feet as we slept, and he woke crying out in the middle of the night because his feet were red with heat, and then the next night the blankets began to smoke. I think I knew then that something wasn’t quite right, but I had never heard of a dog having magical powers before. But then the bigger I grew, so did my powers, and I never seemed to have much control of them. Until one day they grew too powerful, taking over my body and burning my very home to the ground. I was able to save my master and his father, but I couldn’t save anything else. He whimpers softly to himself, barely audible, but there is no mistaking it.  I watched all my friends, the goats and the sheep, burn that day. He whimpers again, this time louder. The memories of his past clearly haunt him. But now I have learnt greater control, thanks to Amph, and I am grateful for that. He reaches over and licks her softly behind the ear, she nuzzles even closer, their bodies becoming one.

Was there one time in your life when you didn’t think you would make it? That all hope was lost?

He tenses, and Amph nudges him gently, the movements are subtle, but the calming nature Amph exudes immediately relaxes everyone.

The day of the big accident, when the men with their silver cage showed up and took me far from my master and home. I was so scared, and I knew I had been a very bad boy, but I didn’t want to leave my master, I loved him very much. I didn’t know what these men wanted from me, but I could sense that it wasn’t anything good. They smelt rotten, like people who didn’t care about anyone other than themselves, although one smelt like he loved whisky more than anything. His eyes glaze over and for a minute or two he is transported back in time. Then when they grabbed me and took me down into the dungeons, where it was dark and dingy, reeking of desperation, I didn’t know if I would ever come out again. I was completely terrified. But now I don’t like to dwell on it too much, that was a long time ago…. His voice trails off and I don’t like to press him further on what sounds an extremely distressing situation.

So, we have talked about some of your darkest days, but there must have been some equally happy ones. Can you tell me about the happiest day of your life?

His tail wags, his mouth parting ever so slightly, and his tongue lolls for a moment.

I still remember it like yesterday, the day that I met Amph. Until I met her, I was all alone, even the birds and insects had left the area, afraid that I may one day burn their home to the ground. I thought it would be better that way, there was nobody left to hurt, but I was sad and alone. But then one day when I was down by the river, the one happy place I had left, I saw Amph and my entire world was changed. I was wild and independent, but she never gave up. Slowly, but surely Amph taught me how to control my powers. And I can tell you it wasn’t always easy, and it was something I really had to work hard for, but now that I have, I finally feel ready to give back, to heal some of the wounds from so long ago. Now every day is the happiest of my life, especially after Amph and I were adopted by the Hot Bunch and given such an amazing and loving home.

It sounds like you have met a wide range of people on your journey to get to where you are today, but who would you say has been your biggest role model?

His tail beats furiously against the floor, I can immediately tell that he has something important to say.

The people that risk their lives fighting fires, both in urban and rural areas. I couldn’t imagine anything scarier than running into a burning building, when everyone else is running away, without a moment’s thought to your own safety, only that of those trapped inside. They are the true heroes, and I am so grateful for everything that they do.  His tail wags enthusiastically, and I make a mental note to send a donation to the National Fallen Firefighters Association.

You talk a lot about the good that others do in the world, but you have quite achieved a lot yourself. What accomplishment are you most proud of?

He pauses for a moment, thinking carefully about his answer. After all there are so many to choose from.

Learning to control my powers. It might seem simple to some, but it means that I can now live without fear and be a contributing member of society. I can also help raise awareness for others that are born with special powers, like me and Amph, and that we are not monsters to be feared, but we are special, with abilities that can help others.

You talk a lot about hope, and about finding courage and strength through adversity. What message would you like to define you, and one that would encourage others?

Amph nudges him quietly. I can’t help but notice how much he heaps praise on others but finds it difficult to accept himself.

I want my legacy to be one of kindness, and that everyone is worth a second chance. They might need more time and understanding, but once they have, they will give you their undying love. The Hot Bunch came along and offered us a wonderful home, one where we can learn to trust and love again. Now are one big happy family, and I never have to worry about being unwanted, or given away.  

And that brings us to the conclusion of the interview, and the question we all want to know the answer too. Have you thought about what happens next? About Life after the Mascot Contest?

His eyes light up, and his tails wags. I can see the passion that he has for this subject in his eyes.

Win or lose, I want to use my new platform to help those in need and that is why I have teamed up with the California Community Foundation, The Center of Disaster Philanthropy and The Red Cross Wildfire Relief charity, to support the work they do with disaster recovery, and helping displaced people and the thousands of animals killed and injured each year. It is incredibly rewarding and humbling experience, and I am looking forward to seeing each of these charities grow so we can help more and more people and animals through these tragic events. I have also partnered with local fire departments to work on a more local level to go into schools to teach children (and adults) how to use fires safely, and how to put them out should they get out of hand and it is safe to do so.

I LOVE this! it's really unique. Can't wait to see what else you guys do. I'll keep stalking :P

That is too cute

You guys wrote that so well!!! I can't wait to see more!

Thank you guys :) Please keep following this blog for some more amazing content :)

Rosa is awesome, Rosa is fine, Rosa didn't write this...

I love this style of writing! It's such a great way to let us know about him! I love that he's helping out charities, too.

Which Hot Bunch Member are you?

1) You’ve logged into HP for the day, what’s first on the list?

a) You mod it up

b) You come into chat but forget your there

c) Your busy obsessively training hundreds of pixels  

2) It’s your day off from work, what do you do?

a) Train your pixels

b) Nap

c)  Train yours and everyone else’s pixels

3) Someone in chat is asking for help, what do you do?

a) Offer sage wisdom

b) You’ve already forgotten you were in chat

c) Run off to find an adultier adult

4) How many attempts does it take you to answer a question?

a) Once, but a while later

b) ….. sorry question for me?

c) Once, answered within 30 seconds

5) Music on, training open, what song are you listening to on repeat?

a) Hard to Beat – Hard-fi

b) Tell me Baby – Red Hot Chilli Peppers

c) Blank Space by Taylor Swift

6) What breed of dog do you prefer, both in real life and on HP?

a)       Boxers

b)      Rottweilers

c)       Golden Retrievers

7) Your training is done, you have the rest of the day free, what do you do with your free time?

a)       Photography 

b)      Napping!             

c)       Travelling

8) It’s the weekend, the weather is great, where can we find you?

a) In a coffee shop eating cake

b) Theme Parks

c) Exploring a new city

9) Work is finished, your out with the girls and you order your signature cocktail. What do you order?

a) Blue Lagoon

b)S trawberry Daiquiri

c) Sea Breeze

10) You’ve been frozen in time, you can only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?

a) Sushi

b) Chinese

c) Ramen  

11) You’ve taken a weekend break and are heading to Europe. What city do you hit up first?

a) Madrid

b) You failed geography and had to Google which countries are European

c) Vienna

12) What colour can we always find you in?

a) Teal

b) Turquoise

c) Blue

13) How do I make my dollar bills?

a) I’m too fleek for $$

b) Epic graphics

c) Train! Train! You get a Train, and you get a Train, Everybody gets a train!

14) When it comes to HP life are you a hoarder of a breed specialist?

A) The more breeds the better

B) I specialise over a few

C) Ones enough for me

15) On your main account, what’s your approach to pixels?

a) I hoard

b) A hoardier hoard

c) I think I hoard and try to breed down when actually I have plenty of room for more.

16) An evil man asks you to join him on a quest in taking over the world, what do you do?

a) Pack a bag and ask when we leave

b) That sounds like far too much effort and hard work. A nap sounds more appealing  

c) Join him, only to double cross him later to help the good guys win

So how did you do? 

Mostly A’s:         Congratulations your Mame!

You are cool, calm, and collected. The epitome of style. You have life all figured out, and others come to you for advice as you are the fountain of knowledge for all things HP and life related. You are always ready to lend a helping hand to those in need. But your no push over, you have a strong backbone and aren’t afraid to stand up for what’s right.

Mostly B’s:         Congratulations your Subrosa!

Zzzzzz…. When your awake you are the cool kid on the block. Your talented and creative, but if only you could keep out of bed long enough to achieve the things you set out to do. You have some of the top pixels of your chosen breed and are in the throw of planning for world domination. If only you can stay awake…

Mostly C’s:         Congratulations! Your City of Angels

I want to be the very best, like no one ever was. To Catch them is my real test, to train them is my cause! Is your theme song… or something like that! You are incredibly focused while on HP but in real life you’re a little bit of a disaster! Your hobbies include travelling, writing/reading, and always being right…. Oh, and training of course!

Message the Hot Bunch with who you are most like and to grab the code for your button, we are intrigued to see who you got!

All buttons displayed on your page throughout the mascot contest will be entered into a prize draw to win either 75m or a 1 month upgrade.

I got MAME

I got Subrosa!

I got City!

If you haven't done so already, don't forget to message us with who you got in the quiz to be with a chance of winning the mini raffle.

I'm not participating for a prize, but just to have a little bit of fun, I got Mame for the quiz! xD

I got Subrosa on the quiz.

I totally read the start of the poem as "What is a horse without a dog?" and was so confused at first * facepalm * xD