So a rescue dog has hit the big time in Hollywood! One of the multiple Marleys cast for the film "Marley & Me," from the book by former Sun Sentinel columnist John Grogan about his ill-behaved yellow Lab, was selected from a Labrador Retriever Rescue of Florida foster home. Apparently, the dog was from central Florida. This from the "Orlando Sentinel's" Animal Crazy blog.

Hi everyone - wanted to share this with you all. For those of you who don't already know, one of our Lab Rescue dogs (Rudy -- fostered with Sooz) has made it to Hollywood.

When the producers of the movie Marley & Me were searching for a senior Marley for the film -- Rudy was chosen. Rudy actually became owned by the trainer of the movie and lived in Hollywood for over 6 months during the filming.

Marley & Me is scheduled to be released on Christmas. Rudy is back with Sooz but as all big Hollywood stars, now has an agent. Part of the agreement between Lab Rescue and the producers was that Lab Rescue will not publicize/promote, etc. Rudy until after the film is released plus only when the publicity/fundraiser, etc. has been approved by the films' producers/attorney, Rudy's agent, etc.

So bottom line, while Lab Rescue does plan to have a couple of fundraisers with Rudy/Marley, it cannot happen until sometime in 2009 and only with approval.

I can't tell you exactly which dog is our Rudy, but he is one of the adult dogs appearing several times in this trailer.
Hope you enjoy this as much as I did and go see the movie when it comes out:

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An update on the movie star, Fetch, the Beanie Baby...

Gathering dust for 9 years at the Sun-Sentinel has obviously been worth it for "Fetch" who had one last run in with fame.

He's now been tattooed by Owen Wilson, so even if he doesn't make it to the big screen, at least he'll have the memories.

— Vanessa Cordo

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Day three of Marley & Me filming in the Sun-Sentinel newsroom and still no sign of a Labrador retriever. What gives?

Joking! The real star of show doesn’t appear in any newsroom scenes.

Despite the lack of canine sightings, we’re anxious to see how your yellow Lab compares to the original Marley. That’s author John Grogan and Marley in the photo.

You can upload your photos here.

You can also read Grogan’s columns from his time at the Sun-Sentinel.

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My coworker (and friend) Vanessa is so excited, check out what
she has to say!

My Beanie Babie "Fetch," who has been waiting on my desk for nine long years, gathering lots of dust, might get his big movie break.

I think he finally got his close up, if he doesn't get left on the cutting room floor.

Look for him with Owen and Eric in "Marley & Me."

— Vanessa Cordo

(Here he is laying on "Owen's desk" with Marley photos in the background)

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We wouldn't want our new Sit, Stay, Speak! readers to miss Sun-Sentinel photographer Joe Cavaretta's touching tribute to Blanco, his dog who came from the streets of Mexico City.

Joe said the "Marley and Me" filming mania going on in our newsroom inspired him to share.

Blanco's story proves once again that not only does rescuing homeless animals save their lives, it enriches your own.

Thanks, Joe.

photo: Joe Cavaretta

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What’s it like for your workplace to be taken over by the filming of a movie? Here’s what some Sun-Sentinel journalists had to say about the newsroom becoming a set for Marley & Me.

“I haven’t seen so many people sitting around doing nothing since the O.J. trial.”
—Joe Demma, investigations editor

“I feel like I’m so much in the way. I was afraid to put my lunch in the fridge.”
—Debra R. Gibbs, Help Team assistant editor

“Thank God I’ve lost 10 pounds because my desk is wedged in between two carts of stuff.”
—Gail Gedan, The Skinny blogger and copy editor

“Alan Arkin needs to sound angrier. He's shouting too nicely to be an editor.”
—Kathy Bushouse, education reporter

“First let me say, I never even knew that Josh Groban worked here. And to think, a few columns about his dog has turned into...huh? Oh, I’m sorry. Not Josh Groban. John Grogan. John Grogan? That was the funny little guy from the Palm Beach office, right? Well, until I see Halle Barry in here to play me, I'm not that invested. However, let it be known, the camera loves me!”
—Sherri Winston, lifestyle columnist

“We heard Alan Arkin, who plays the editor, yelling that McSteamy’s travel budget was approved. We were laughing because that wouldn't happen today. Newspapers are hurting. Travel budgets are being slashed throughout the industry. That’s how you know this movie was set a decade ago. That and the fact that Owen Wilson is carrying a messenger bag.”
—Megan O'Matz, staff writer

“I still think Eric Dane looks sexier on TV.”
—Charlyne Varkonyi Schaub, home and garden editor

“This is my fifth paper and I’ve never seen anyone in the newsroom as handsome as him (Dane).”
—McNelly Torres, staff writer

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Harriet Johnson Brackey’s workday normally revolves around things financial: Wall Street, mortgage rates, household budgets.

But this morning, the Sun-Sentinel reporter’s first priority was making sure that the photograph of her twin daughters, Adrienne and Winnie, remained on her desk. That was the deal she made with producers of Marley & Me, which began four days of filming in the Sun-Sentinel newsroom Monday morning.

Actor Owen Wilson could sit at her desk as long as Adrienne and Winnie remained.

Hard to believe that the making of a film about a lovable misbehaved dog could drive professionals to such bargaining.

“Then I go to the library to read my Wall Street Journal,” said Brackey, “and they follow me in there. It’s the green room. That’s where the actors are going to take their break.”

The newsroom began its transformation into a movie set two weeks ago when set dressers replaced white mini-blinds with cellular shades. Last week, colorful banners went up on every support column in the newsroom. Equipment started to take over the newsroom.

On Monday morning, a parking lot behind nearby Florida Atlantic University was filled with the equivalent of 20 semi-trailers. Inside, were props, make-up, wardrobe and dressing rooms for stars Wilson, Eric Dane and Alan Arkin.

“Several dozen scenes will be shot in the newsroom,” said Sam Tedesco, the film’s location manager.

- John Tanasychuk

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