The human-dog relationship is widely recognized as special. But a bond between a celebrity and a Chihuahua? Holy.
Demi Moore was barely seen with her 1.5-pound dog Pilaf at her elbow during her press tour in New York City this week for the FX series Feud: Capote vs. the Swans.From talk show tapings to autographs and even Saturday Night Live after-parties, scratches are practically part of the furniture – or at least part of the costume.
By day, when Moore is photographed in an oversized wool jacket and slacks or wide-legged jeans and a graphic T-shirt, her Chihuahua puppy is casually tucked into a sleek black halter. But when the occasion calls for a little more glamor – as it did Wednesday night, when Moore appeared on the Late Night with Stephen Colbert show in a Versace lace cutout blazer – Pilaf looks like a puppy being proudly held in the palm of her owner’s hand . Fluffy tan clutch. “My little buddy,” she told Colbert on the radio. “She’s a treasure, she’s like an extra little heart for me.”
On Monday, Moore was spotted with her dog Pilaf again, this time in Tribeca.
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Of course, Moore isn’t the first first-tier celebrity to be paired with a small dog.
In the 2000s, mini-dogs were considered a must-have fashion accessory. Paris Hilton was often seen dragging a pack of Chihuahuas around her at the height of her influence, and Tinkerbell, Diamond Baby, and Harajuku Bitch (who passed away just last year) often wore complementary outfits that were considered an extension of Hilton’s ultra-feminine fashion identity. Elle Woods of “Legally Blonde” is widely credited with Hilton’s inspired screen look, not only always in blocks of pink, but never without her Chihuahua, Bruiser. Lindsay Lohan named her miniature Maltese Gucci after the pup ate one of her first luxury fashion purchases, while in the 2010s a caramel-colored Maltipoo (a Maltese poodle crossbreed) was permanently wedged under Blake Lively’s armpit.
Paris Hilton poses with one of her Chihuahuas at the ‘Saturday Night Live’ after-party in 2005.
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But many animal rights organizations and shelters consider the idea of designer dogs to be degrading-especially since forcing an animal to wear clothes or exist in a Louis Vuitton handbag for an extended period of time is “harmful.”
Some smaller breeds also suffer from serious health problems that are often overlooked because of their cuteness, and in 2015, a report by the British animal welfare charity Blue Cross revealed that Chihuahuas and other formerly popular teacup-sized dogs were being abandoned in record numbers across the country.
Moore wore a Versace lace cropped blazer dress and held her scrunchie like it was a fluffy little clutch.
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Thankfully, Scratchy Rice is likely a rescue dog. Moore is known for adopting and fostering abandoned puppies (she currently has 10 puppies in her Idaho home) and is adamantly against dog farms. Now, not only does Pilaf get to accompany her famous owner on glamorous dates, but she also regularly socializes with Hollywood’s finest – from Pedro Pascal to Jeremy Allen White. The dog’s adventures (which included a front-row seat at the Spring/Summer 2024 Versace fashion show) are naturally documented on her personal Instagram account, which boasts 13,000 followers, and in which Moore barely makes an appearance.
“The truth is, she’s the star and I’m her supporting cast,” she told Colbert.