In addition to acrobats, denizens of clown alley and daredevil aerial artists, the 2007 edition of Cole Bros. Circus of the Stars features more than a score of educated animal performers, including elephants, horses and poodles who have as much fun performing as audiences have watching them. What you see will astonish you, but what you don’t notice is equally amazing.

With eyes focused on the “Biggest Stars on the Planet” and lovely elephant rider, Jessica Kramer in petite contrast to her massive mount, circus patrons witness pachyderms Tina and Jewel command the spotlight. Seldom do they note trainer Will Jacobs, who stands quietly in the shadows while his oversized pupils dominate the ring. Will feels comfortable assuming the role of “most forgettable performer” at the Cole Bros. Circus. “People come to see the elephants, not me,” says Jacobs, “and Tina and Jewel not only know their routine but love to perform on their own, so I let them!”

Equestrian expert Lyuba Tchepiakova schools her equine students to refrain from exhibiting one natural behavior while in the ring. “Putting it delicately, we teach them to go to the bathroom before they enter the Big Top!” Even Lyuba was surprised when her youngest horse, still in training, taught himself to attend to personal hygiene matters by observing his older stable mates obtain rewards for doing their duty. “He watched the other horses get their carrots,” she says, “completed his business, and looked at me as if to say, okay, I did what I was supposed to do, where’s my carrot?”

While viewing the Abuhadbas’ assortment of energetic poodles ranging from miniatures to standards, audiences don’t consider the enormous amount of effort and time invested in making the poodles picture-perfect for their turn in the ring. Dog grooming is a full time job in itself for the Abuhadba family. More than a dozen poodles share living quarters with the Abuhadbas, enjoying a carpeted, outdoor exercise yard that moves from town to town. “Training the dogs is the easy part,” claims Isabel Abuhadba, “as they learn quickly, remember everything, and enjoy showing off and earning praise, not to mention treats!"