AVA
Star of ring and stage
– David Margan Let me introduce you to, Chakdarra Holly Go Lightly, otherwise known simply as, ‘Ava’. She’s a six-year-old Afghan Hound and star of the ring as an Australian Champion and an Australian Neuter Champion.
Ava is actually named after Audrey Hepburn, as Holly Golightly was her character name in Breakfast at Tiffany’s.
Now she’s also a star of the stage, a bit like her name sake, Ava Gardner, of whom Louis B. Mayer, head of MGM, said; “She can’t sing, she can’t act, she can’t talk, she’s terrific!”
Regardless Ava sure can walk, her movement is almost beyond imagining, a bit like the smoothness of Michael Johnson running or Darren Lockyer taking the ball downfield.
But this Ava is actually named after Audrey Hepburn, as Holly Golightly was her name in Breakfast at Tiffany’s.
And there was no need for costumes as Ava has her own magnificent coat. A star of stage you say, what! Another canine action hero like Lassie or Rin Tin Tin? No, our Ava’s star quality was simply pure elegance. It all began last year when owner Jan Anderson received an email in her role as secretary of the National Afghan Hound Council (Australia). It was from the Little Red Company seeking some canine assistance in a show they were preparing about dogs and their relationship with humans called, “Let’s Be Friends Furever.” The idea came from Daniel Evans and Any Ingram from the creative agency, ‘The Good Room’, and was built on the principle of community sourced ideas, in this case inspired in part by the shared experience of a beloved pet’s passing. Ava did just one audition and the job was hers, as the producers had immediately fallen in love. The Chinese Crested Powder Puff had no chance. Okay it may have just been a walk on role, but Ava really did win the show and she knew it.
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DOG WORLD March 2022