| She may not be able to put up with Simon Cowell | | | | and veterinarian bills that come with such a large |
| and his sharp-tongued criticisms on American Idol, but | | | | breed of dog. Those who saw Legally Blond and |
| Paula Abdul can't get enough of her three | | | | decided they wanted a Chihuahua were pleasantly |
| Chihuahuas- Thumbelina, Tulip and Tinkerbell. There's | | | | surprised. Chi's are generally sweet animals that do |
| no doubt that if there were an American Canine Idol | | | | not have a tendency toward destructive behavior |
| contest for dog breeds, Chihuahuas would receive a | | | | and love to be with people. They may well be the |
| solid 'YES' from Paula when it comes to cuteness, | | | | easiest of all dog breeds to care for. One of the big |
| intelligence and hug-ability! When it comes to | | | | advantages to owning a Chihuahua is that they love |
| celebrities, Paula is certainly not alone in her adoration | | | | to go everywhere and are easy to transport |
| of Chihuahuas. Marilyn Monroe grew up in Los | | | | because of their size. That suits the lifestyle of most |
| Angeles. As a child, she had a black and white dog | | | | celebrities who always seem to be on the go. It's no |
| that followed her to school. She named the dog | | | | wonder that so many have chosen a Chihuahua as |
| Tippy and played with it during recess. A neighbor | | | | their canine companion. Anne Heche loves her |
| shot the dog dead in 1932 claiming that Tippy had | | | | Chihuahua and has been known to spend big bucks |
| repeatedly damaged his garden. After that incident, | | | | on all kinds of goodies for her pet. It's been reported |
| Marilyn seemed to have cooled to the idea of pet | | | | that Anne likes to shop at high fashion doggie stores |
| ownership. She shared a spaniel while staying with the | | | | like the pricey Fifi and Romeo which is based in Los |
| Goddard Family in 1940, but didn't actually adopt her | | | | Angeles (where else?). The Osbournes, the world's |
| own pet until after she signed with Columbia Pictures | | | | most famous four-letter word family, also have a |
| about eight years later. While making movies at | | | | thing for Chihuahuas. Ozzie probably appreciates |
| Columbia, Marilyn adopted a Chihuahua she named | | | | having a small dog breed that hasn't turned his home |
| 'Choo Choo' in 1948. One story says that Marilyn saw | | | | into one large litter box as some of their bigger dogs |
| a few grips and camera operators playing with a | | | | have. Despite all the advantages of Chihuahua |
| Chihuahua while on a break and instantly fell in love | | | | ownership, these canines have not always enjoyed |
| with the Breed. Another version claims that the | | | | the amount of popularity they do now. Nasty rumors |
| studio encouraged Marilyn to adopt a tiny puppy for | | | | about the use of Chihuahuas in traditional Aztec |
| the sake of publicity. It is more likely that she choose | | | | ceremonies many centuries ago once left a bad taste |
| the pup for her own reasons. Marilyn became a bit of | | | | in the mouths of small dog breed enthusiasts. Many |
| a trendsetter by adopting a Chihuahua during a time | | | | archeologists and historians believed that Chihuahuas |
| when glamour dogs like toy and full-sized Poodles | | | | were eaten as part of religious ceremonies! Some still |
| were considered more chic. Looking back, it was a | | | | believe it. This incorrect interpretation of history was |
| terrific move that immediately separated her from | | | | based on notes taken by conquistadors and |
| most other Starlets of the day. The more Marilyn | | | | missionary priests. They failed to understand the |
| and her Chihuahua were seen and photographed | | | | symbolic nature of rituals depicted on stone carvings |
| together in public, the more interest people began to | | | | and were likely the victims of native propaganda |
| have in the Breed. Another sexy, bleached blond film | | | | offered up to make the Aztecs appear even fiercer |
| goddess soon followed Marilyn's example. Jayne | | | | then they already were. Such stories were probably |
| Mansfield owned at least two Chihuahuas and was | | | | the result of the outgunned Aztecs attempting to |
| said to have been an animal lover. One of her dogs | | | | instill fear in an enemy that possessed superior |
| died in the car accident that took her life in 1967. The | | | | weaponry. We now know that the Aztecs believed |
| following year saw the release of The Wild, Wild | | | | Chihuahuas could be used as spirit guides to help the |
| World of Jayne Mansfield. Perhaps the campiest | | | | dead find their way through the underworld. As a |
| semi-documentary of all time, this film had four | | | | result, many were probably killed for the sole |
| directors and was obviously a vehicle designed to | | | | purpose of assisting nobles and royalty on their |
| make money off her death. Filled with nude scenes | | | | journey through death. They were not eaten! These |
| and real life weirdoes, the best actor in the movie | | | | ideas may have come from religious ceremonies |
| was said to have been Jayne's Chihuahua. Today, | | | | practiced over a thousand years ago by the Toltecs. |
| Paris Hilton seems to be the trendsetter when it | | | | After their conquest by the Aztecs, Toltec |
| comes to Chihuahua popularity. While it is doubtful | | | | ceremonies and rituals were adopted by their |
| that Paula Abdul was inspired to adopt her | | | | conquerors. However, there is sufficient evidence to |
| Chihuahuas by Paris, the two celebrities both have | | | | prove that many of these rites had already been |
| females named Tinkerbell. Although we haven't seen | | | | changed or abandoned by the time the conquistadors |
| Paula's pets on American Idol, Paris has made her tiny | | | | arrived. Montezuma II, the last emperor of the |
| toy dog a canine superstar by appearing with | | | | Aztecs, had hundreds of Chihuahuas. Each dog had its |
| Tinkerbell on magazine covers and featuring her in | | | | own keeper and these animals were given royal |
| episodes of The Simple Life series on Fox TV. Paris | | | | protection. The Emperor's love for the Breed is said |
| once told reporters that she was inspired to adopt a | | | | to have been handed down to him by several of his |
| Chihuahua after seeing Legally Blond, starring Reese | | | | predecessors who may have outlawed the killing of |
| Witherspoon and the unstoppable Bruiser. Film inspired | | | | Chihuahuas and changed their part in religious |
| dog adoptions are nothing new. Films like Benji, 101 | | | | ceremonies. By the time the Conquistadors arrived, |
| Dalmatians and Beethoven had moviegoers scrambling | | | | these dogs were more pets and living good luck |
| to find look-a-likes for themselves or their children. | | | | charms of the Emperor and Aztec nobility then |
| This wasn't always a good thing for the dogs or | | | | anything else. Chihuahuas have always had an almost |
| breed in question. Most people who wanted a 'Benji' | | | | supernatural appeal to humans. Their ability to warm |
| for themselves chose Yorkies, Silkies and Terrier | | | | the hearts of people is legendary. When you add to |
| mixes that just love to chew on anything they can | | | | this the fact that Chihuahuas are the world's smallest |
| find. Contrary to what was portrayed in the film, | | | | dogs and longest lived, is it any wonder why |
| those who adopted a Dalmatian probably made the | | | | celebrities like Rosie O'Donnell, George Lopez, Noah |
| unfortunate discovery that this breed can be very | | | | Wylie and others can't get enough of them? The |
| temperamental and downright mean with children. As | | | | votes are in. It's Chihuahuas that have caused |
| for Saint Bernard's, few people have the space for | | | | celebrities to go to the dogs! |
| them. Those who do may not want the huge feeding | | | | |