Feb
Dog Whisperer Cesar Millan Announces Death of Pit Bull Friend, Daddy
National Geographic Channel’s hit TV show, The Dog Whisperer, brought an entire new audience to the much maligned dog breed – but Cesar Millan’s faithful companion, ‘Daddy’, has almost singularly show a different side to the Pit Bull. So it is with great sadness that we learn of his passing on February 19th.
A message on Cesar’s website reads:
“Cesar Millan, all his family and friends, his staff and volunteers, and dog lovers all around the world today will mourn the passing of one of the most loyal, trusting, well-balanced, and influential pit bull ambassadors the world has ever known. Daddy, Cesar’s longtime friend and partner in canine rehabilitation, died peacefully surrounded by family on Friday the 19th of February. He was sixteen years old.
He lived each day of those sixteen years happy and fulfilled as Cesar’s right-hand-“man,” helping to shape the behavior of entire generations of dogs by showing them the way to balance. He stood as champion for calm-submissive pit bulls everywhere, and was instrumental in helping to repair their image as violent, savage, uncontrollable beasts. He successfully battled cancer and weathered chemotherapy, and even got the opportunity to present at the 56th Annual Creative Arts Emmy Awards!
His name is now added to that honorable roster of dogs gone by whose influence is still felt today, and which includes some of Cesar’s beloved childhood heroes: “Rin-Tin-Tin.” “Lassie.” … “Daddy.”
He has been immortalized by Dog Whisperer fans in all mediums, from painting, to photographs, to charcoal drawings and papier-mâché sculpture. And, of course, he lives on in his work, reflected in the balance and calm-submission of his protégé Junior, the countless animals to whom he was a positive role model, and in the hearts and minds of everyone who knew him as a calm, sweet, and mellow example of a widely misunderstood breed. ”
If you would like to honor Daddy’s memory and the contribution he made to improve the lives of other animals, you can make a donation to Daddy’s Emergency Animal Rescue Fund, which will provide assistance for dogs who are victims of abuse or violence, man-made disasters (hoarder and puppy mill rescues), and large-scale natural disasters (hurricanes, fires, and other natural catastrophes).
Was he really 16 years old? I thought his date of birth was not known …
The painting from artist Daniel Maltzman becomes even more precious.
RIP Daddy.
we have just been to see cesar milan at 02 . he was brilliant! we really felt sad for him when talking about daddy.he really loved him . we will miss seeing him in future episodes of the dog whisperer.
hello.
I have a pitbull that has gas like an he can not pass gas bloated thourowing up but still not leting hem do the deed