Uggie, one of the world’s most famous rescue dogs — who stole virtually all of his scenes in the Oscar-winning “The Artist” — was euthanized Friday, following a bout with prostate cancer.
The Jack Russell terrier, who his owner and trainer Omar Von Muller said was 13 years old, was also the first dog to have his paw prints enshrined in cement at the famous Chinese Theatre in Hollywood — alongside the prints of human actors and actresses.
In “The Artist,” the silent film that won the best picture Oscar for 2011 (along with best actor and director), Uggie was the canine companion to Academy Award winner Jean Dujardin’s fading film star character.
Uggie shared scenes in the film with his brother Dash and another Jack Russell named Dude. Uggie’s other credits included the movies “Water for Elephants” and “Mr. Fix It.”
Von Muller always stressed the fact that Uggie was a rescue dog. “The main message that Uggie would like to send to everybody out there is to please adopt,” Von Muller said at the paw-print ceremony in 2012, when Uggie’s retirement from films was also announced.
“He’s adopted. He made it. If you guys can adopt a dog, even if they don’t make it on the big screen, they’ll be big stars at your house,” said Von Muller at the time.
The animal trainer announced Uggie’s death in a Facebook post, saying, “Our beloved boy has passed away.
“He was a real friend. He was very special,” said Von Muller, who plans to bury the dog in his backyard.
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