Meet Monte! He is quite a special young guy, but we’ll get to that story in a moment. Monte the terrier mutt will star as “Tramp” alongside a little “Lady” named Rose, an oh-so-cute Cocker Spaniel, in the upcoming live-action “Lady and the Tramp.” The furry full-length feature is scheduled to be released November 12, 2019 only on Disney+ streaming services.
The film boast big name stars for the voices of the pooches including Tessa Thompson, Justin Theroux, and Sam Elliot. Highlights and interviews with both Thompson and Theroux can be found in the Fall issue of Disney twenty-three Magazine, which is offered exclusively to D23 Gold and Gold Family Members as a benefit of their membership.
(Photo: Frazer Harrison, Getty Images)
But let’s chase our tail right back over to Monte’s story. He’s 2, adorable, well-mannered, trained, and is a natural in front of the camera. It’s hard to believe that this adorable young terrier mix had a pretty ruff start to life. Monte was turned over as a pup to a shelter in New Mexico, and ended up being transferred to HALO Animal Rescue in Phoenix, Arizona. It was during his time at HALO that he was sought out by some top-secret Hollywood talent scouts.
(Photo credit: KPNX 12 Phoenix)
During a recent interview, Halo’s president and CEO Heather Allen told KPNX 12 News in Phoenix that they knew there was something special about Monte way before Disney ever did. “When he arrived at the shelter he was super friendly, he greets people right away, he gives kisses, he loves attention, he knows ‘sit’ and he knows how to walk well on a leash,” Allen said.
According to dosomething.org an average of 7.6 million animals end up in shelters in the US each year. Although Monte the mutt is now living his best life in California as one pampered pooch, his casting will leave a big paw print impression on fans around the world to explore shelter pet adoptions. Allen spoke on Monte’s breed, “He’s a shelter mutt. That’s not a dig, by the way. That’s a compliment. That’s what makes this extra cool,” Allen said. “It’s not that shelters don’t have purebred dogs, but he really represents how great shelter dogs are. They are super friendly and can be outgoing.”
Just like an extra belly rub for our feelings, it has also been reported many other pups on set were also shelter dogs who found their furever homes after production.
We can’t wait to roll over and watch this fall with Monte, Rose, and the rest of the canine cast this fall on Disney+ streaming services. Catch the full list of Disney+ titles here.
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