Drop the Chalupa: Pop culture pup, Gidget the Taco Bell Dog died of a stroke Tuesday night  at age 15. 

Pets are big business and even bigger as marketing mascots symbolizing ideals and often leading to overwhelmingly positive response and product association.  With her appealing and endearing large dark eyes and sassy attitude, the little Chihuahua  known for lines like “Yo quiero taco bell” and “drop the chalupa”, dictated market momentum  as the company spokespooch for Taco Bell.

Starting in 1997 with what was to be a single ad spot, it was quickly discovered for whom the taco bell tolled…and  these commercials made the little pooch famous and  led to various  products such as refrigerator magnets, stuffed animals, t-shirts, etc.  The core customer targeted for Taco Bell being teen males with attitude, fit with the spunk of little Gidget’s character.   The dog’s famous lines were voiced by Argentine American actor Carlos Alazraqui who is now best known for the role of Deputy James Garcia on Comedy Central’s “Reno 911″.  Not everyone associated with the ad campaign were quite as lucky.   The 9th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals ruled that the original creators of the Chihuahua character had not been properly compensated for their work and Taco Bell was ordered to pay out $42 million, according to the latimes.com.

PeoplePets.com reports: “She made so many people happy”, says Gidget’s trainer, Sue Chipperton.   PEOPLE met both Gidget and Sue at a Hollywood animals photo shoot in February, where the pup was a consummate pro and delighted the crew with her playful nature.”  PeoplePets.com also reported that “the mostly retired canine actor was happy to just kick back going on hikes with her trainer and loved sleeping in the sun.”  Gidget occasionally made cameo appearances in GEICO insurance ads as well as playing the mother of Reese Witherspoon’s Chihuahua, Bruiser, in the sequel to “Legally Blonde”.

Now with the golden milkbone in the sky, Gidget will be remembered for her ability to get us craving fast food.

For more information go to
PeoplePets.com
latimes.com