From IMDB:
The canine star of new movie Beverly Hills Chihuahua was saved from certain death when Hollywood animal trainer Mike Alexander discovered him on a California animal shelter’s ‘doggy death row’.
Rusco was set to be put down after he was found wandering the streets of Moreno Valley, and no one came to claim him. But Alexander spotted him on an online directory and decided he would be perfect for the role of Papi in the new film.
He then had a race against time to save Rusco from a lethal injection.
Alexander tells the National Enquirer, “I rushed down to the shelter, but it was so far away and I had traffic to deal with. When I got there they were just closing the doors.”
He returned the next day and was thrilled to discover Rusco was still alive: “After spending a little time with him, I knew that this was going to be Papi.”
Rusco plays a tough street pooch in the movie. His voice is added by comedian George Lopez. Drew Barrymore lends her voice to Papi’s love interest Chloe.
When I watched this movie, I kept thinking about how much little Papi looked like me Leo. How anyone could put a precious little doggie like that down is beyond me. When I marry my ultra-billionaire, I am just going to go around to shelters and adopt all their doggies and let them run around in a huge house I will buy just for them so that no little Leos will ever be killed again.
Im sure you are a busy women but I want you to take this challenge. Go into a dog shelter and work for one day, it really makes a difference in a dogs life and its well worth it when you get all the licks.
I’m sure you’ll think about the big leo’s as well right?
@Anonymous:
Yes yes of COURSE. It’ll be an all-doggie house. Not just chihuahuas. Although the chihuahuas will have a special kingdom with golden water dishes and a full-time butler.
I just adopted my Bella from certain death two weeks ago. A german shepherd mix puppy. It makes no sense to me why good dogs are being put down all the time.
some people tried this in arizona. authorities rescued, like, 200 chihuahuas from a trailer. there was poop everywhere.
People please desex and micro-chip your animals – if more people were responsible pet owners and had there animals desexed and tagged – there would be less need to put healthy animals to sleep. A pet is a life long commitment.
I love your message, but the shelter workers that end up euthanizing animals aren’t doing it by choice. what is more incomprehensible to me is how someone could have abandoned the dog, or any dog, in the first place.
Have you seen the no kill refuge for cats and some dogs in Cali? I think it’s 4 hrs north of LA, and it’s home to over 600 cats. Some lady donated her property and helps keep it up.
@ keightlynn
You said you were pregnant right? One of the most fond memories growing up was my German Sheppard, they are wonderful with kids