Monday, May 09, 2011

REVIEW & GIVEAWAY: A Famous Dog's Life

A Famous Dog's Life
The Story of Gidget, America's Most Beloved Chihuahua
by Sue Chipperton and Rennie Dyball
Paperback: 288 pages
Publisher: NAL Trade (May 3, 2011)

FAMOUS_DOG'S_LIFE_cover

¡Yo quiero Taco Bell! A Famous Dog's Life: The Story of Gidget, America's Most Beloved Chihuahua is the heartwarming true story of the camera-ready Chihuahua who became America's pint-sized superstar.

Her name was Gidget, but to the world, she was known as "the Taco Bell dog."  A Famous Dog's Life chronicles the extraordinary story of this irresistible pup's life, as well as that of her devoted trainer, Sue Chipperton. However, it is not only the story of an adorable television star, but also that of Sue's successful training techniques.  Her delightful tales include working with both human and animal stars, including Mooni, Gidget's Chihuahua roommate and the eventual star of Legally Blonde. Sue provides a humorous and rare insight into one of the freshest and most fun Hollywood success stories ever told.

Legally Blonde's Reese Witherspoon adds an extra touch of Hollywood glam to A Famous Dog's Life with the heartwarming foreword to this uplifting story about the lifelong bond between human and animal.  Part celebrity biography, part Hollywood tell-all and part behind the scenes guide, A Famous Dog's Life is a perfect summer read.  Grab yourself a copy now, and while you're at it, pick up an extra for the favorite dog lover!

 
The following is an excerpt from A Famous Dog's Life... 


Even though Gidget had done well in her work for the Limited and Hardee’s, this was her biggest job to date; plus, there were multiple behaviors required. Even when all bodes well, you never really know how an animal is going to work under that kind of pressure. She’d be on set longer, the crowd would be bigger, and she would have to perform. Dogs may not know the meaning of the word pressure, but they can certainly feel it.

When Gidget was originally cast, the plan was for her to play the shaky little “girlfriend” dog of the main dog they’d be shooting. But a few days before the dogs were due on set, the director decided to switch things up, as directors sometimes do. So Dinky, the male dog, would actually play the girlfriend role, while Gidget would play the male dog, the lead role. We didn’t know it then, but that last-moment swap was huge. The girlfriend part in the ads spanned only a few commercials, and without the switch, Gidget would never have become the Taco Bell dog, never walked the red carpet, appeared in movies, met celebrities, or been the subject of a book.

The evening after the shoot, Jeanine called me with a glowing review.

“She was so good. She did everything I asked and was happy as could be!”

I was thrilled that Gidget’s first big job was a positive experience, and helped her settle in at home. After a quick round of greetings with the other dogs, she made a beeline for her bed. She’d put in a full day at work after all!”


Excerpted from A Famous Dog's Life by Sue Chipperton and Rennie Dyball, with pesmission from NAL, a division of Penguin Group, USA.

About the Authors:
Sue Chipperton started her career in Florida working with dolphins, and has been a studio animal trainer for nearly two decades.  Visit her website

Rennie Dyball is a People magazine writer and co-author of Christian Siriano's Fierce Style.

GIVEAWAY! How would you like to win your very own copy of A Famous Dog's Life? The publisher is allowing us to give away two copies! To enter:

1) Follow Lapdog Creations publicly (see "Followers" on the right hand side bar).
2) Share a memory of "the Taco Bell dog" in your comment.

You must complete both steps to enter and you must be a US resident to win
You can get extra entries by sending your friends here to enter (be sure to have them mention your name).... blog, Tweet, Facebook and text away! 
Winners will be selected by random number generator.
Deadline for entries is Monday, May 16 at midnight.

6 comments:

Kathy R said...

I loved the Taco Bell dog! I don't remember a specific commercial, but I know they used to sell those little (stuffed) dogs there. I ate Taco Bell more than once just so I could buy the dogs. And I'm not a fan of fast food.

SissySees said...

I don't recall a particular moment either, but I do recall taking the Page to TB "because of the cute dog."

Jenner said...

"Yo quiero Taco Bell!" Man, that dog was an icon!

Dawn said...

I'm always telling Fuji "yo quero taco bell"...she has the stuffed taco bell versions that all say something different...too funny! Although most of the noses are chewed off...
Her and I always watch Legally Blonde 1/2...also can't forget Beverly Hill's chihuahua movies, lol!
What a great book! Hope I win one of the copies! Tweeted and facebooked it!

Julianne said...

Strangely my favorite taco bell dog moment is in the Legally Blonde movie, when Elle's dog is wathcing the taco bell dog on TV.

Bubblesknits said...

How cool! I have to say, I love my little chi. He's a most awesome little dog. :)

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