It is not often you come across someone who has worked with famous celebrities such as Patrick Swayze, Paul Sorvino and Carmen Electra and it is even more rare for that resident to be four-legged and furry.
MD of Foothills resident Edwin Amell’s dog Nitro was featured in a commercial that aired Sunday during the Super Bowl.
The ad for Suzuki features an Inuit man who leaves his igloo and departs with his dog sled. In the next scene, he drives a vehicle with his dogs sitting in the seats, blasting upbeat music. Nitro sits in the front passenger seat and taps his paw along to the music. The man returns home to his wife, who asks what happened to the dog sled and he tells her with a smile, he traded it in.
Amell explained how the dog trainer on set used treats to encourage Nitro to put his paw up on the dashboard, which would then be edited to make it seem he was tapping his paw to the beat of the music.
“I’m really proud of him,” said the foothills resident. “I always get a kick out of watching him on TV.”
This is certainly not Nitro’s first big break in show biz as he has been featured in movies and TV shows such as Santa Baby 2, Christmas in Wonderland, Flicka 2 and Pet Heroes. He will also be featured in upcoming episodes of Heartland.
The nine-year-old husky-cross appeared twice on Pet Heroes, a program which reenacts true heroic acts committed by animals. One time he played a dog that led his owners back home after getting caught up in a snowstorm, explained Amell. In his other role, Nitro played a dog that alerted his owners to a gas leak in their backyard.
Amell bought Nitro when he was about six years old from a stunt coordinator in B.C. and he had already been trained to work in the industry.
Amell, who is involved in the film industry, said Nitro is a quick learner and regularly works with animal trainer Flo Krisko. He knows how to go search for something and go to a specific marked area, which is important on camera, Amell explained. For productions, Nitro is trained to head to a particular spot, perhaps marked with a beanbag and then later replaced with a stick on camera, he said.
Amell demonstrated by tossing a coin purse on the ground and telling Nitro to go to the mark. Sure enough, Nitro trotted over and placed his paw on the coin purse.
While on set, Nitro is a diligent cast member, explained Amell.
“He’s totally focused on the animal trainer... and he’s ready to work,” he said.
When he’s not busy being a movie star or being spotted by children who recognize him from his roles in Pet Heroes, Nitro is just a regular dog who likes to roam around his country home and chase gophers, said Amell.
He is well behaved with children and seniors and his favourite treat is chicken. Nitro will even indicate which snack he prefers when Amell is buying them at the pet store.
Amell has brought Nitro into the room when he appears on the TV, but Nitro seems to either be unaware or just plain modest.
“He couldn’t be bothered,” said Amell. “But the cats are more interested.”
