San Diego Pets Magazine
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Javier Velasco with Chester |
Rochester, Javier Velasco's miniature Schnauzer, loved a dancer's life. "He used to go on tour with the company," said Javier fondly. Two years ago while the company was performing The Nutcracker, Javier's father was at home dog-sitting. City construction crews had removed part of the fence around Javier's yard; his father forgot and let Rochester outside. Rochester was hit by a car and killed. To help ease his father's grief, Javier decided to get another dog, the exact same breed, and give it a similar name. Javier went to a breeder and found Chester, whom he has loved for the last two years. Chester hasn't warmed up to stage life yet, but Javier said that's okay. (Other dogs make him a bit nervous too, but he felt safe wrapped in Javier's cape for the photo shoot.) "I've always had dogs," Javier said. "I always will have dogs." While Chester was originally intended to ease the pain of Rochester's passing, he has come to find a special place all his own in Javier's heart. This will be Javier's sixteenth year with San Diego Ballet. Watch for him as Herr Drosslmeyer in this year's production of The Nutcracker. | |||
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When it came time to move, it wasn't easy for Heather Falten to find a pet-friendly place to live in San Diego. It took a lot of calling to find a house that would rent to a dog owner. "It was pretty stressful," she remembered. "The only reason our current landlady was okay with it is because she'd recently rescued a dog herself and understood how special dogs are. It was good timing for us." Heather's dog, Carmen (named for Bizet's opera, not Carmen Electra), is a lively dacshund/chihuahua mix. Heather takes her on a two-mile walk every day, and yet Carmen still finds the energy to chew, chew, chew. "She's chewed up many pairs of point shoes," Heather lamented. |
 Heather Falten with Carmen |
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| The first time Carmen did it, Heather's husband was afraid to tell her. "I basically threw $50 down the drain," she said. "Who knew she'd be able to get into a zipped bag?!" Ballet dancers need to replace their point slippers sometimes as often as once a week during performances, expensive enough without Carmen's help. Carmen's even been known to chew through things backstage! Good thing she's so darn cute - and short. Now Heather makes sure she keeps her slippers on the top shelf. Heather has been with San Diego Ballet for four years. Watch for her as Mrs. Stalbaum, a Snowflake, a Flower, and lead Arabian in this year's production of The Nutcracker. | ||||
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