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From Stray To 'Marley' Star

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 3, 2009

A Tampa Bay star has hit the big screen, and fans can't get enough.

One of the Labrador retrievers in the movie "Marley & Me" is a local. Eight years ago, Rudy was a stray in the care of the Hillsborough County Animal Services shelter.

The agency contacted Labrador Retriever Rescue of Florida, and Rudy was adopted by Susan Wooley.

When dogs were needed for "Marley & Me," an e-mail went out to the Rescue Center and Rudy eventually was picked to be one of the dogs in the movie.

Rudy spent a week in Hollywood with a special trainer and movie star Jennifer Aniston. In Tinsel Town, even canines get the star treatment, and Rudy had his own swimming pool.

On New Year's Day, Rudy was back from Hollywood and greeting fans outside Muvico in Tampa Palms.
Wooley says, "It couldn't have happened to a nicer dog, but Rudy is happy to be home."

Lynn Carson, News Channel 8

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