Last Thursday, former child actress Amanda Bynes was arrested at her Manhattan apartment after allegedly throwing a bong out of her window. The police had been called after the Nickelodeon star had allegedly been smoking marijuana in the lobby of her building. On Friday, Bynes was released without bail and is now scheduled to appear in court again in July.
At Animal Fair, we remember Amanda Bynes as a sweet, talented and lovely person, and we truly hope that she will be better soon!
We hope that, wherever her dog is, he’s being cared for.
Here is an interview of Amanda Bynes, by Wendy Diamond, back in the day when she was still the sweet girl we remember.
Amanda Bynes Knows What She Likes About Her Royal Pup, King Charles Charlie!
Since her career began over ten years ago, twenty-one-year old Amanda Bynes’ comedic stylings have been compared to that of Mary Tyler Moore and Lucille Ball. Like both women, Bynes has had the honor of having a show that dons her name. Unlike the two women, Bynes was only thirteen when she starred in The Amanda Show, a take off the wildly popular Nickelodeon show All That in which she was also featured as the lead. Bynes went on to star in hit films such as Big Fat Liar, She’s the Man, What a Girl Wants, and the TV series What I Like About You opposite Jennie Garth. Most recently, Bynes was seen in the award-winning blockbuster movie-musical Hairspray with an all-star cast that included John Travolta, Queen Latifa, Michelle Pfeiffer, Allison Janney and Christopher Walken. In addition to her popular movies, Bynes has partnered with Steve & Barry’s, launching her own clothing called ‘dear by amanda bynes.’ With so much on her plate, Bynes finds salvation in her “pup” Charlie, her Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
Wendy Diamond: Why did you prefer a Cavalier King Charles?
Amanda Bynes: I have another one, a four-year-old named Midge. They are just the best dogs, they are so loving and sweet and always by you. I love Charlie, no matter where I go he always finds me. When I go to the bathroom, he sits outside and waits for me. He is the ultimate best friend and companion.
WD: Why did you give him the name Charlie?
AB: He originally had the name King, and I definitely wanted to give him a personal name because I love people names on dogs. I thought of different names and Charlie seemed like a cool old man name, just because he’s so tiny, so I called him Charlie.
WD: Did you have a specific old man in mind?
AB: No. I named my other dog Midge because it seemed like an old lady name. I like classic names like Midge and Charlie. Who knows, maybe someday I’ll have a line of clothes named “Midge and Charlie.” They’re crisp names!
WD: Who gets more attention, Charlie or Midge?
AB: Right now, Charlie.
WD: When Charlie travels with you where’s Midge?
AB: Midge actually lives with my parents now. I moved back home two years ago and I brought Midge with me. We have three other dogs and they all became one happy family. When I moved out and got my own apartment, I didn’t want to take Midge away from her family. So I needed a new dog, I grew up with dogs my entire life and I needed a companion.
WD: Have you worked with animals on set?
AB: Yes, we’ve had animals on set before. I’m actually thinking about getting Charlie an agent! I feel like he could be the face of a dog clothing line. This is his first cover. It’s a huge deal for us. My boyfriend said Charlie “is going to be in Australia with swimsuit models doing Sports Illustrated.” Bikini shoots, living the model’s life.
WD: Does Charlie like to wear trendy doggie clothes?
AB: No, look he’s gnawing at them. He doesn’t hate them, but he doesn’t love them. Right now he’ll wear them but afterwards he’ll want to attack them for hours. I have a little zip up hoodie he wears that my Mom got him, but after he wears it he’ll want to chew on it a bit.
WD: Do you feel it’s appropriate for dogs to wear clothes?
AB: Not really. It was more for the enjoyment of seeing Charlie in a hoodie. How cute is a hoodie on a dog?
WD: Charlie seems to be the apple of your eye, is he?
AB: Yeah, he is my everything. I love him so much. He even sleeps with me. I trained him for the first and a half months and now he’s well behaved. He’s beautiful and will be my baby forever. He’s like family. I will definitely take him anywhere with me, maybe even a premiere at some point. But I don’t think I’ll put him in a tux – he would probably try and chew it off. But he’s pretty cute in a tux.
WD: Does Charlie love to travel?
AB: This is the second trip that Charlie has taken. The first trip was to Texas because my brother lives in Austin. He went in the doggie bag under the plane seat and he was great with it. He looked through the mesh and I’d stick my finger in there. He’s an excellent companion and a really good traveler. Didn’t bark or whine once! It was a long trip going to NY from LA. It’s a five hour flight and we took the red-eye. Besides that, so far he hasn’t really traveled anywhere else. I’ve only had him for two months. Although I foresee him traveling with me everywhere. Wherever my next job takes me, you better believe I’m taking him with me.
WD: How’s Charlie handling the colder weather in New York City?
AB: Charlie doesn’t enjoy the cold weather. He is sort of spoiled. I think he actually wants some booties. I took him for a walk and he was on the ice, sort of hopping on it, I’m sure it was a strange feeling for him. Charlie’s used to the LA weather, but I kept him in the bag for the shopping experience. It’s warm in his doggie bag, he likes how cozy it feels.
WD: If you would describe yourself as a dog, what breed of dog would you be?
AB: Most likely a Chihuahua.
WD: What about your boyfriend? (Bynes remained muzzled when it came to revealing her boyfriend’s identity).
AB: I would describe my boyfriend as a Lab, very loyal, sweet and nice to have around. I used to have a Lab and they are the best dogs. Or maybe he would be a Cavalier King Charles, but he doesn’t have a sleeping issue like Charlie. Charlie sleeps all day long, and my boyfriend is busy and awake during the day.
WD: Does your boyfriend have a special pet name for you?
AB: Mine is actually Monkey. Who knows why? It’s not the most flattering nickname. I asked him if it was because I looked like a monkey! He simply said monkeys are cute. My name for him has sort of turned into Monkey as well because I started hearing it so much. But, as for Charlie I call him any type of loving name that’s out there. You know, Sweetie, Sugar Snap, Pea, Sweetums, Lover Lips … I just love him.
WD: You worked with John Travolta. If you were going to describe him as a breed, what kind of dog would he be?
AB: I would describe John Travolta as a Chihuahua as well. I’m very energetic and hopping all over the place and John Travolta is like that too! He would be very energetic at four in the morning, buzzing around and talking to people.
WD: What would John Travolta’s response be if you said to him “I think you act like a Chihuahua?”
AB: He might be offended and insulted. He would probably want to be known as a Pit Bull or something more masculine. But, then again I saw him dressed as a lady in the movie production of Hairspray.
WD: How cool is it to be on set with Christopher Walken?
AB: Christopher Walken is cool. He walked around like he owned the place. He is confident and is just oozing talent. Simply brilliant. He reminded me of a Greyhound because he’s sleek, and they’re talented dogs.
It’s clear that Amanda Bynes has staying power in Hollywood and her young darling dog Charlie will be by her side through it all. She loves Charlie so much that he has even inspired her to get involved with animal-related causes. Bynes hopes to help the Humane Society in the near future to ensure that all dogs might have the fabulous life that her pup Charlie enjoys.
For the Best that Pet Lifestyle has to offer follow Wendy Diamond on Facebook, Twitter, and right here at AnimalFair.com!
Originally published on Animal Fair, May 2013.
