We all like to hear stories of people overcoming adversity to succeed in life, but it is even more heartwarming when this applies to animals — especially rescued dogs that went on to become entertainment icons. It's hard to imagine that at one point nobody wanted these pups, but they were given a second chance and became canine stars! Here we take a look at seven of those famous shelter dogs, as listed in a report by Reader's Digest:
- Buddy from "Full House" and "Air Bud." If you tuned in to watch the 1990s sitcom "Full House," you will remember Comet, the sweet-natured golden retriever. Things were not always great for this pup. Bud, as he is known off camera, was once a stray scampering around the Sierra Nevada area before a kind-hearted man took pity on him. Bud soon became a Hollywood star, appearing in "Full House" as well as "Air Bud."
- Uggie from "The Artist." Years ago, a Los Angeles dog trainer rescued Uggi with the intention of finding him a new home but then just couldn't part with the beloved pooch. Uggie went on to appear in the academy award-winning film "The Artist" as well as other films and commercials, which won him a number of his own awards.
- Aleister from "Seeking a Friend for the End of the World." In 2008, Aleister was given a new lease on life after being adopted from a California dog shelter. The terrier mix got his big break in 2012 when he was cast alongside Steve Carell and Keira Knightley as the dog named Sorry in "Seeking a Friend for the End of the World."
- Sandy from "Annie." It was a hard knock life for Sandy, who grew up abused and neglected. The beige terrier mix was saved by a dog trainer in 1976 hours before being put to sleep at the Connecticut Humane Society. The following year, Sandy found himself on the stage of Broadway, performing in "Annie" for six consecutive years.
- Rudy from "Marley & Me." While the attention may have been mostly on Owen Wilson and his beloved Marley, there were dozens of other dogs that appeared in the film, six of which were from shelters. Rudy was one of them. The dog was rescued from the Hillsborough County Animal Services in Florida and he went on to steal the show in "Marley & Me."
- Higgins from "Benji." Higgins was destined to achieve big things, and dog trainer Frank Inn knew that when he adopted the border terrier mix in 1960 from the Burbank Animal Shelter. The pup shot to fame after being cast as "Benji" in the movie with the same title.
- Maui from "Mad About You." It is safe to say that "Mad About You" would seem incomplete without the appearance of Maui, the collie-shepherd mix that played Murray in the iconic 1990s sitcom. Things could have been very different for the pooch if it were not for animal trainer Boone Narr, who adopted him from a California shelter.
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