Miss USA on the Cover of New York Dog Magazine

After almost losing her crown last month due to behavior unbecoming to a pageant winner, Miss USA Tara Conner is back on track! The 21-year-old Kentucky native graces the cover of New York Dog magazine, on newsstands February 12, holding a precious pup named Pudding.

The photo shoot took place just a week before her troubles began, and Tara was a natural with Pudding, a five-month-old German Shepherd who had been found abandoned in the streets of Manhattan. Tara grew up with dogs on her family's farm in Russell Springs, KY, so the two quickly bonded. There were lots of laughs and lots of barking during the session!

In December, Tara was expected to be stripped of the crown after claims came to light of underage drinking and partying, including a failure to make promotional appearances and fulfill other obligations that come with the Miss USA crown. But in a surprise move, pageant co-owner Donald Trump announced that the beauty queen would be given another chance.

Saying that Tara "got caught up in the whirlwind that is New York," The Donald announced that she deserved a chance to redeem herself. "I've always been a believer in second chances," he said. "Tara is a good person, Tara has tried hard, Tara is going to be given a second chance ... she's a good person. If she wasn't a good person, I wouldn't have done this, believe me." In a tearful speech, Tara apologized for her scandalous behavior and asked for the chance to redeem herself. "I want to apologize to my family," she said. "I swear I will not let you down." As part of her efforts to get back on track, Tara went into rehab for alcohol abuse.

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