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Beloved Qualicum Beach pooch gets taste of Hollywood

Mister gets minor role in Pup Star production
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Mister and his owner, Lindsay Ashby, sit in a chair at the Qualicum Beach Beauty Bar where Mister greets clients and has become the shop’s mascot. But he’s attained another level of fame recently in film. — Adam Kveton

Mister might not be ready to put his paws to wet concrete in Hollywood, but he’s getting a taste of acting in Victoria.

The Boston terrier-pug mix, who’s known for befriending clients of Qualicum Beach Beauty Bar, has been taking part in a Pup Star production as a background actor in Victoria, said his owner, Lindsay Ashby.

Ashby, owner of the Beauty Bar, said it’s just the latest step in the mild-mannered pup’s fame.

“All of our clients love him,” said Ashby. “Everywhere we go, people stop us, so it’s always been an ongoing joke that our dog is famous.

“So now… our dog has gone Hollywood. He’s always been a bit of a prima donna,” she said with a laugh.

Ashby’s had Mister for four years, but in the last year and a half since opening the salon, Ashby has been bringing Mister to work.

“All of the clients just fell in love with him,” she said.

“He greets all of our customers,” said Ashby, noting that he seems to respond to each client’s own temperament, playing ball with some, and sitting quietly on the laps of others.

Now, clients will come in and ask if Mister is there, while others bake him home-made doggie treats.

“We have a gentleman that comes by on a regular basis… He sits on the couch and waits for his wife, and Mister will just sit at his feet and cuddle with him.”

“He’s probably the most popular staff at the spa,” she said with a laugh.

One of Ashby’s friends, who works in the film industry, mentioned a production was looking for dogs, said Ashby. So she sent in a picture, and Mister was picked up as a background actor for a Pup Star movie.

“(Our clients) are pretty excited about it,” she said.

The Pup Star franchise features dogs that take part in a singing competition.

Though Mister hasn’t had to bust out his singing chops, he’s gotten to wear a few different costumes as a member of the audience.

Mister gets along with the many other dogs on set, and seems to be having a good time.

Ashby said she’s enjoying seeing how the filming process works.

As for whether Mister will turn this first opportunity into a career, Ashby said it’s not something she’s going to pursue.

“If somebody called and said that they were interested in him or saw him somewhere, that would be one thing, but it’s not something that I will be promoting for him.”

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adam.kveton@pqbnews.com