"Pit Boss" To Premiere On Animal Planet
January 2, 2010 by Grace Sydney
Filed under Celebrity Dogs, Television
The proud Poppa of several Pit Bulls, Luigi Francis “Shorty” Rossi is on a mission to alter the image of a breed branded with a bad rap. Founding Shorty’s Rescue in 2001, the former actor and current talent management company owner and champion to canines is offering dog devotees a behind the scenes look at rescue efforts, rehabilitation and foster or rescue site placement of Pitties in the new Animal Planet series Pit Boss, which premieres January 16, 2010 at 10/9pm CT.
Shorty may have starred alongside such stars as Jim Carrey and Eddie Murphy during his years in front of the camera, but the one-time actor has a special bond with his real life “leading lady”- his Pittie pal, Geisha.
Only nine months old in 2000 when he spotted her looking through cage bars at the Los Angeles Animal Shelter, Shorty– recently released from prison at the time– rescued Geisha from a death sentence (she was scheduled to be euthanized that same day), offering the dog a lifetime at his side. An intelligent tail-wagger, Geisha learned service dog skills to help her human parent after a back injury, and she shows her canine charisma through volunteer work at schools, nursing homes and hospitals. Following in her human father’s footsteps, Geisha has also stepped in front of the camera in music videos and print ads.
Shorty’s passion for Pit Bulls prompted the 2004 adoption of Hercules, another skilled service dog who also tests his acting chops from time to time.
Get a sneak peek at Shorty’s Rescue in action in the following clip:
Pit Boss on Animal Planet Trailer
Shorty’s Rescue on Pit Boss!! | MySpace Video
Photos courtesy Animal Planet
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