From Rags to Riches, Doggie Style

Frankie the chihuahua plays Bruiser, Elle Wood's pampered pet in Legally Blonde The Musical. According to stage manager, Chris Danner, he and his understudy, Roxy, are the real stars of the show. "When they walk out of the stage door like everybody else, they get the most attention," Danner tells CNN.

Maybe all that attention is getting to their heads! After all, all the dogs traveling with the production are Humane Society rescue dogs, and the pups get to live out a true rags-to-riches life experience.

The canines have a full time handler and their own dressing rooms. That's better than many of the cast members! The chihuahuas and bulldog actors, along with their human caretakers, don't even have to endure the tour bus. They get a private van and reserved parking at the venues.

It does take quite a lot of energy to perform at night. So most of the time the dogs are resting up for their big performance. "You think showbiz, wow it's exciting, but you're doing a lot of sleeping, a lot of traveling," says bulldog handler, Rob Cox, "which is cool, but a lot of it is just resting up to actually do the show."

In true star style, the dogs also give out autographs, or "pawtographs" if you will, of their paw prints on the programs.

Sure does seem like the good life. Lots of rest paired with lots of attention. Surely they can feel lots of love from the cast and audience, as well.

Catch canine stars on tour now.

Photo by Danielle Degaen via Wikipedia Commons.