Posts tagged "commercial"

Taco Bell Chihuahua Dies

by Sonia Zjawinski (Subscribe to Sonia Zjawinski's posts): Jul 22nd 2009 2:00PM Filed Under: Dogs, Pets News, Loss of a Pet

R.I.P. Photo: Chris Weeks/Getty Images

While Paris Hilton is credited with bringing chihuahuas to the red carpet, it was Gidget who brought lilliputian pups to the mainstream. Best known for her gender bending role as a suave male chihuahua in the Taco Bell ad campaign, Gidget passed away Tuesday night at the age of 15.

"She made so many people happy," Gidget's trainer, Sue Chipperton told People.com. "Gidget always knew where the camera was."

Taco Bell's dog-centric commercials first aired in 1997 debuting the catchphrase "¡Yo quiero Taco Bell!" Further slogans "Drop the chalupa!" and "Viva Gorditas!" soon followed. Gidget shared the spotlight for some time with another chihuahua, Dinky, who played her female love interest, but as with most Hollywood stories, Gidget snatched the spotlight for herself.

After Taco Bell retired the commercials in 2000, Gidget went on to play Bruiser's mom in "Legally Blonde 2: Red, White, and Blonde" (check her out at 9:05 in this clip) along with a cameo in a Geico commercial.

In proper sendoff tradition, we take a look at Gidget's finest screen moments.

Animals on TV: Vitamin Water 10 Ad Campaign

by Kristyn Pomranz (Subscribe to Kristyn Pomranz's posts): Apr 30th 2009 1:30PM Filed Under:

Thanks to the advent of Tivo, we rarely sit through commercials anymore. But the other day, we were watching syndicated reruns of The Office when the sight of a cubicle quick-triggered our thumbs to the play button.

Sneakily enough, it was not Dunder Mifflin but an ad for Vitamin Water, with the office in question belonging to their rival company Water Incorporated: CEO'd by Mother Nature and run by a menagerie of woodland creatures. It's like The Office meets Country Bear Jamboree!

The premise is that a new all-natural Vitamin Water product is cutting into Water Inc.'s market share. But all we really care about is an elk Xeroxing his bum and an agitated rabbit (aka Frank Tonhazy, Head of Finance) demanding his 34th paternity leave of the year.

As if the commercials weren't cute enough, we wandered over to the website, which boasts profiles and videos of the animal employees (such as bear turned office manager Ned Specter), company bulletins ("Pest Control will be in the building next Friday. All insects and arachnids are instructed to take the day off.") and staff chatter ("Squeekz43: Whoever left the trap out, nice try--I only eat Gruyere.").

Note: This is not a paid product endorsement. We just really like the ad campaign.

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Miniature Dogs

Miniature Poodle
Miniature Poodles, like all Poodles, are excellent swimmers who originated as a water retrievers. All Poodles, Standard, Miniature and Toy are actually one breed, just different sizes. Miniature Poodles, who can be white, black, apricot or gray, are usually 15 inches or under, according to the American Kennel Club.

David McKelvey/http://www.flickr.com/photos/dgmckelvey/3748491903/

Miniature Dogs

Miniature Dachshund
The Miniature Daschund, only 11 pounds or under, is not a separate classification of the Daschund -- it's just a smaller version of the Standard. The miniature dog, with its long bodies and strong sense of smell, are both hunters and lapdogs, according to the American Kennel Club.

Miniature Dogs

Miniature Schnauzer
The Miniature Schnauzer is of German descent and was originally bred to be a small farm dog. The most popular of the three Schnauzer breeds, the Miniature Schnauzer is a attentive, lively and a favorite among celebrities like Mary Tyler Moore and Bill Cosby. The strongly built miniature dog is between 12 to 14 inches, according to the American Kennel Club.

Miniature Dogs

Miniature Bull Terrier
Just like the playful Bull Terrier, the Miniature Bull Terrier, who originated in England, has a similar personality. Don't let its size fool you – the Miniature Bull Terrier is strong, energetic and audacious. Miniature Bull Terriers are between 10 to 15 inches and can be solid white or colored, according to the American Kennel Club.

Miniature Dogs

Miniature American Eskimo Dog
The American Eskimo Dog is one of three separate categories of the American Eskimo Dog. Between 12 to 15 inches, the bright white dog is loving, protecting and sociable. Now a great companion dog, the miniature dog was once a circus dog, according to the American Kennel Club.

Miniature Dogs

Miniature Pinscher
Also known as the "Min Pin," the Miniature Pinscher is a German Breed whose ancestry includes the Daschund, Italian Greyhound and the shorthaired German Pinscher. The quick, curious dog is the perfect apartment dog. Despite its small size, the compact pooch makes a wonderful watchdog. The spirited miniature dog, about 10 inches to 12 1/2 inches, can be red, black, or chocolate with tan, according to the American Kennel Club.

Miniature Dogs