Rusco was abandoned in Moreno Valley in 2006 and rescued from the Moreno Valley Animal Shelter by animal trainer Mike Alexander, who ran across the dog's photo on a website while casting "
Beverly Hills Chihuahua (2008).".
Papi, the part Chihuahua, part mutt male lead of the movie, was rescued from a Los Angeles animal shelter after trainers held months of fruitless auditions with breeders and veteran movie furry friends.