"my name is papi. i am descended from an ancient line of proud warriors. my ancestors went into battle alongside aztec soldiers. today, we move within the inner circles of the wealthiest and most powerful people on the planet. who am i? what am i? i'm a chihuahua!"
just who is papi the famous chihuahua and how did this fabulous canine warrior come to steal the spotlight?
the star of disney’s beverly hills chihuahua didn’t always live the glamorous life. this part chihuahua, part mutt, whose off-screen name is rusco, was actually rescued from ‘doggy death row’ in a los angeles animal shelter only months before landing the role of papi in the disney film.
after countless unsuccessful auditions with canine breeders and veteran movie pet stars, hollywood animal trainer mike alexander discovered rusco’s picture on the internet while searching animal directories online.
rusco was scheduled to be put down after he was found wandering the streets of moreno valley and no one came to claim him, but alexander saw him and decided he was perfect for the role of papi in the film.
"we're mexi-can, not mexi-can't!" photo credit: daniel daza disney enterprises
alexander then raced to save little rusco from a lethal injection. he rushed down to the shelter, but it was so far away and he had traffic to deal with. when he got there, they were just closing the doors.
alexander returned the next day and was thrilled to discover rusco was still alive. after spending a little time with him, he knew that rusco was the perfect papi. it was rusco’s big ears, great expression and bouncy personality that made him stand out.
with no previous experience, rusco was given six months of training for his role as papi, the street-wise chihuahua of a gardener who falls head over heels for a pampered, diamond-clad beverly hills chihuahua named chloe.
the film has a cast of more than 200 dogs, including dobermans, poodles, german shepherds, pugs, a labrador and a dachshund, but papi is the real star.
papi the chihuahua. 50% warrior. 50% lover. 100% chihuahua.
“he’s a little bigger than most chihuahuas. when he runs, he hops. i don’t think i’ve seen a chihuahua hop like a bunny before. he’s a romantic dog, but he’s got a little bit of street in him,” says actor george lopez, who is the voice of Papi and who also has three chihuahuas of his own.
we are happy to report that rusco now has a permanent home with alexander at his ranch outside los angeles. the message is simple, if you love chihuahuas, adopt one.
sources: imdb.com
reuters.com – chihuahua’s rags-to-riches road to hollywood
18 responses so far ↓
1 annie // Dec 1, 2011 at 8:25 am
love you papi
2 annie // Jul 2, 2011 at 8:44 am
I just got a little rescued chihuahua that I named Papi because of this wonderful little dog.
3 nicole // Apr 13, 2011 at 5:53 am
pappi i love you!
4 paityn // Mar 13, 2011 at 5:47 pm
i own a male chihuahua, his name is rico. i would like to know if rusco starred in both beverly hills chihuahua movies? does anyone know?
5 giensie // Feb 28, 2011 at 12:55 pm
Papi, I have a beautiful chihuahua girl called Muchacha. She is in love with you, and so am I.
Chihuahuas rule!
6 preety // Feb 7, 2011 at 3:08 pm
hello papi . im preety from malaysia. i have seen your movie beverlyhills chihuahua on disney channel.tell chole i sade hello bye……………………….. love you$
7 Alyssa // Jan 30, 2011 at 12:31 am
8 chihuahua 101 // Jan 8, 2011 at 6:47 pm
papi is the name of my chihuahua
9 cindy // Jan 6, 2011 at 2:43 am
I LUVE PAPI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
HE IS SOOOOOO ADORABLE I LUVE WEN HE SAIS “MI CORAZON EL MUNDO ES MUY GRANDE Y YO MUY CHIQUITO PERO LO LOGRARE!!!” HE IS SO CUTE I LUVE U PAPI!!!!
10 Juana Luy // Dec 15, 2010 at 11:02 am
I too own a male chihuahua dog, his name is, “Chacho Hollywood”. He is a rescued dog who is now a Service Animal (Dog), Animal Actor / Model and Canine Roaming Reporter. He has come along way from his prior abusive life. He is now LOVED, PROTECTED and PAMPERED. People often confuse him for Papi. Together, we enjoy watching the Beverly Hills Chihuahua Movie . Chacho Hollywood’s profile and pictures can be viewed at the following URL:
facebook.com/chachohollywood
Chacho Hollywood welcomes new friends
11 jessie-Eileen // May 16, 2010 at 7:47 am
I think Papi is the cutest chihuahua in the world i would love to have him as my dog.
12 mona // Mar 8, 2010 at 4:39 pm
i luuuv papi he better be glad he got to papi b4 i did lol:) i have 1 chihuahua and shes the best!
13 Laura // Nov 9, 2009 at 5:54 am
You must owen a chihuahua to love this breed they are the best.. i have 6 of them
14 maggie // Oct 17, 2009 at 4:59 pm
i love papi
15 El Gato // Mar 19, 2009 at 7:39 am
I love u Papi..my sweatheart always call me papi since we watched the movie together…..
16 Evelyn // Mar 14, 2009 at 8:23 pm
I love BHC! Rusco is too cute!
17 chihuahualuver4eva // Feb 2, 2009 at 10:44 am
i luvvv papi!!!!!!
Beverly hills chihuahua ruled! i saw it @ odeon && it was the best film evva Xx
18 Matthew // Oct 27, 2008 at 7:09 pm
is this the same dog as the one that was in Transformers and how to lose friends and alienate people????
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