We first loved Mario Lopez as A.C. Slater on the morning comedy Saved by the Bell, and then as a young and dimpled male point of view on talk show, The Other Half. The young actor can now be seen on Pet Star – Animal Planet’s newest hit, showcasing animals and their unbelievable athletic abilities and talents. Although he doesn’t have pets of his own right now, he looks forward to being more settled so that he can adopt one (“In about nine months, I think.”). Animal Fair has paired with Much Love Animal Rescue (www.muchlove.org) in Los Angeles to help him find his perfect mate (of the four legged variety, that is). He already has found true love in Ali Landry, former Miss USA, and with her came her canine companion. Ali has a five year old shih tzu named Cosmo, who, Mario says, “just chills out.” Although he adores the little shih tzu, Mario wants a more masculine dog for himself – something tough looking – maybe a pit bull/bull mastiff mix or a pit bull/boxer. He definitely wants to rescue a dog rather than purchase one, as he says, “I know how many great dogs are out there in shelters.” A boxer mix might be a good pick for Mario, as he is a boxer mix himself: that is an actor/boxer mix (he is an amateur boxer on the side).
The athletic star says he wants a dog who can both be friendly and protect the house and his family at the same time. “I’d like to teach the dog commands in Spanish, as well – to have a bilingual dog and to make it so not anyone can tell him what to do,” Mario says. He also wants the dog to be his match physically. “I want to be able to run with the dog and wrestle.” Poor Cosmo just can’t keep up.
Mario knows what having a dog will add to his life as he is still missing his Golden retriever Prince (as in the artist formerly known as) who passed away five years ago. Mario wants to give the joy and love a pet brings to his mother as well. “I want to find her some sort of cross breed of small dogs – maybe a mixture of a shih tzu and a poodle or a pekepoo: I think something that ends in ‘poo’!” he laughs. Lopez explains, “Since my sister and I moved out, my mom has had a bit of an empty nest.” Mario is intent on filling that void with a little (“non-yippedy”) companion. Will any of these potential new members of Mario’s family be athletically inclined to the extent that he sees on Pet Star? Will the dogs jump rope or skateboard or surf, for instance. It’s not a prerequisite, Lopez answers: “only if they have it in them.”
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