Bernie the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Bernie is a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel — adorable big brown eyes, curly ears you want to touch and a fluffy, wagging tail. He's also the first dog audiences meet at Grand Country Music Hall's Pets & Giggles family show.

Bernie isn't exactly a working dog. His filmed welcome to one of the Music Hall's favorite productions is a special cameo appearance. He happens to belong to Andy Parks, all-around comedian at Grand Country and producer of Pets & Giggles show. Oh, and Bernie "talks," which makes it convenient for him to greet patrons — with some technical help, of course.

Bernie actually is a pet belonging to Parks' family, along with a mini-beagle. But most of the trained dogs fans of this show see on stage are adopted from shelters, as are most stunt dog teams around the country, Parks says.

"These dogs are deeply loved by their trainers," he enthuses. "A lot of then sleep with them in their beds! They're not just entertaining dogs but family dogs. You could pet all of them! When I'm walking back stage, they're barking because they're excited to be there. The dogs are loved — and the trainers are a very family-friendly, sweet group of people."

Parks says the starring canines come in all shapes and sizes, from a bull terrier who looks like the famous retail mascot to a French bulldog, a Chihuahua, and blue heelers who perform to music from kid-favorite cartoon "Bluey." Most of them are actually mixed breeds, despite their appearance, says Parks, because they're adopted for talent, not looks.

"One of the favorite tricks is a jump rope," he says, "because kids all want to be up there with a dog! And it's easy for kids to hold the rope while the dog jumps it. Nine times out of 10 that dog will do 10 jumps — and the audience counts along! They want the dog to do 10. The dog wins, and she gets her treat. The kid from the audience gets a prize. And it's very audience involved — because that's what this show is all about!"

Parks came to Grand Country from Silver Dollar City, as did Grand Country Music Hall's master of ceremonies, Mike Patrick, and Entertainment and Events Manager Andy Holloway. Parks was challenged by Holloway to write a new pets show, and "it just so happens we really work well together," Parks says. Pets & Giggles, he explains, still has animals, "but we created it with a really amazing family element — kind of like 'Double Dare' meets pets.

"We're really committed to kids and families having fun at the show and being part of the show and making a memory."

That requires a stellar cast of humans, too, Parks says, which just happens to include his teenage daughter, Tess, a baby when the family moved to Branson.

"The cast are all young themselves — fresh and new and wanting to have fun with your family — and they're always out in the lobby before the show, in the middle of the show, and after the show, to meet our guests — and to find out who would make a great participant," Parks says. "The games in the show bring so many people up on stage, so it's really family-centric and really an experience that makes family memories.

"From the beginning to the end, it's a roller coaster ride of a show, and there's a good chance you or someone you know is going to be a star!"

Parks adds that "as producer, I am very, very passionate about what the audience is experiencing. I know what it's like to be a dad on vacation! And I know what it's like to be a kid. I want to tickle the hearts of the kids and the parents!"

At Grand Country Music Hall, Parks is the Creative Shows Director and also produces and appears in Comedy Jamboree. Off work, he is a full-service dad, who helps homeschool Tess and her 12-year-old sister.

"I love to hear laughter," he says. "I want to hear people having fun. I love to perform, but I also love to see a vision come to pass, to work through the creative process and see what you've created come to the stage and see how the audience loves it. It’s a beautiful balance."

Summer showtimes for Pets & Giggles are 10 a.m., 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. on select days. Find out more and make your reservations at grandcountrylivemusic.com.