Taco is a lot of dog in a tiny package. When I first saw the 3-pound Yorkshire terrier, he was contentedly cuddled in the arms of his constant companion, Mallory Michaellann.
When Taco saw me and Post-Gazette photographer Robin Rombach, he all but exploded in a paroxysm of joy, wiggling his entire body as he wagged his tail and tried to leap into the arms of two strangers.
The bright-eyed Taco is incredibly cute, brims with charm and charisma, is extremely outgoing, and seems to enjoy being the center of attention. All of those attributes helped him land a role in the Pittsburgh CLO production of “Mary Poppins,” which runs through June 21.
Not bad for a 4½-month-old.
On stage Taco is Willoughby, the pampered pet of the aristocratic Miss Lark, who lives next door to the Banks family and their magical nanny, Mary Poppins.
Willoughby has no lines, of course. It’s a walk-on part, for the most part. Taco makes at least four appearances on stage with Miss Lark, who is played by Ms. Michaellann. In one scene, he runs across the stage without her, while she waits in the wings with his treats.
“Mary Poppins” opened earlier this week and “Taco was incredible, a true delightful little addition to the show that the audience fell in love with immediately,” said Aja Jones, CLO public relations and marketing manager.
Ms. Michaellann, 22, just completed her junior year at the University of Michigan. During spring break, she drove three hours from her home in Dallas to Abilene, Texas, to pick up Taco. They’ve been together pretty much 24/7 ever since.
When spring break ended, Taco accompanied his mistress to Ann Arbor, where he even goes to class with her. In Pittsburgh, they share an Oakland apartment and the Benedum stage, dressing rooms and rehearsal halls.
Ms. Michaellann started dancing lessons when she was 3, then added acting and singing to her resume. Last year, she appeared in Pittsburgh CLO productions of “Singin’ in the Rain,” “Footloose,” “Legally Blonde” and “The Wedding Singer.” Her CLO roles this summer include Dainty June in “Gypsy,” July 10-19.
The Mama Rose character in “Gypsy” has a dog, and Taco is a contender for that part. That show also features a lamb. At CLO they’re animal-friendly, ignoring the old show-biz advice to avoid performing with animals. Their four-legged actors have included a Chihuahua named Chico and a bulldog named Nellie in “Legally Blonde.” The animal actors “always steal the show,” Ms. Jones said.
Shelter dogs for vets
“Eat for a Good Cause — Pairing Shelter Dogs for Vets” is the Facebook page that explains how you can contribute to the new nonprofit, the K-9 Six Project.
Fifty percent of food orders at Chipotle in Cranberry (20024 Route 19) will help the cause from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday. Bring the flier from the Facebook page or tell your cashier you want your order to go toward the organization that is rescuing shelter dogs and providing them to veterans for companionship and emotional support.
Dog day in the park
Carnegie is having its first Dogapalooza from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday in the Carnegie Dog Park on Forsythe Road.
Your dog does not have to be a Carnegie resident — the party is open to all. There will be homemade dog treats, food and clothing vendors, and collections of pet food and toys for Ellie’s Pet Pantry at the Western Pennsylvania Humane Society. The North Side shelter will be offering low-cost nail trimming and microchipping. A Brownie troop will supervise the doggie water station.
The Dress-Your-Dog-Up Parade, 12:30-1:30 p.m., will have prizes in three categories: superhero, Pittsburgh sports and most patriotic.
From noon to 2:30 p.m., DJ Nik will provide music. The Street Treat Patrol will offer free ice cream, drinks and chips from 2:30 to 4 p.m. The Carnegie Police Department K-9 Patrol is set for 2:30-3 p.m.
The event is coordinated by Cristy Crawshaw, a Carnegie resident and a junior at Carlynton High School who is helping with Dogapalooza as part of her effort to earn a Girl Scouts Gold Award.
Animal fair
The Hearts and Paws Pet Ministry of Christ United Methodist Church in Bethel Park and the Pet Ministry at Westminster Presbyterian Church is Upper St. Clair are co-sponsoring the 12th annual Pet Adoption and Care Fair next Saturday.
The free event is 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. at the south parking lot of the Upper St. Clair church, 2040 Washington Road (Route 19), 15241.
More than 30 shelters and rescue groups will be there including Forever Home Beagle Rescue, Rabbit Wranglers, Save a Yorkie Rescue and In Care of Cats. Look for vendors, crafters and service providers.
Go to www.westminster-church.org/care/petadoptionandcarefair.html for a complete list of participants.
Low-cost shots
Dogs and cats are invited to the low-cost vaccination clinic 10 a.m.-2 p.m. next Saturday at the Animal Rescue League Shelter & Wildlife Center, 6620 Hamilton Ave., Larimer (15206).
No appointments necessary — just walk in.
Shot costs range from $8 to $15. For dogs, there are vaccinations for rabies, distemper, bordatella and Lyme disease, and a $20 test for heartworms. For cats, there are shots for rabies, distemper and feline leukemia, and a $20 test for FeLV/FIV.
Dog behavior problems
Reservations are being taken now for a free June 24 class, “Handling Your Dog: Shy, Fearful or Aggressive ... Understanding Your Dog’s Trigger.”
Reservations must be made in advance by calling 412-220-7800. The class will be 7-9 p.m. at the Bethel Park Library.
Classes are offered by Deb Chebatoris of Chartiers Custom Pet Cremation. The professional trainer is Penny Layne.
One of the topics will be “common triggers that cause dogs to be aggressive.”
Linda Wilson Fuoco: lfuoco@post-gazette.com or 412-263-3064 and on Facebook.
First Published: June 13, 2015, 4:00 a.m.
