RUFF LIFE is the closing credits song for the new documentary, Operation Houston #StrayDogCity from Tom McPhee, Man Smiling Moving Pictures, and the World Animal Awareness Society & WA2S Films.
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Watch the video of Rita’s rescue and adoption here.
Rita would be grateful if you made a contribution to the Operation Houston Fund that will go to help her homeless friends still on the street: http://www.WA2S.org/donate
This is the music video created for the song and below is the story of how it came to be.
The morning WA2S Films set out with Houston musical artist Arthur Yoria (who is working on the sound track for Operation Houston) to film a video to go along with the original song RUFF LIFE which will be the closing song for our Houston Documentary. We had a neighborhood in mind however sometimes life affords you opportunities that can’t be denied.
As is typical when we spot a stray on any route we are driving, we pulled over at the sight of 3 dogs. Oddly, Tom, John and I each saw a different dog at first glance! The smallest of the 3 dogs was interested in us and came to see what was up. We didn’t see the two others until they made their getaway down the street and around the corner.
When we realized that we had pulled into an old “club” or “banquet facility” depending on which sign you believed, and looked around, it was clear that this would be the set for the music video for RUFF LIFE. As the gear was set-up Arthur kept our stray nearby with the smell of what was left of a breakfast sandwich.
This little gal was just beautiful – a mixed breed, but on the smaller side. She had beautiful eyes and a lovely colored coat, though she was covered in fleas. We knew she needed help and I took to the phones trying to reach one of the Rescues we film with as this puppy could not be left behind. She was young, only about 8 weeks old we found out later, with her whole life ahead of her…. on the streets…. or maybe not!
She was the perfect actress for the role of stray dog in the video and over the course of the filming, as often times happens on the set; the musician falls for the actress and vice versa. Arthur could not fathom completing the shoot and leaving his adorable co-star behind to life on the streets with an uncertain future. Arthur decided to rescue this stray off the streets of Sunnyside in Houston. The obvious name for our starlet was Rita Hayworth!
I (Deanna Vollano) reached Yvette, with Forgotten Dogs of the Fifth Ward, who was happy to help us care for Rita Hayworth and ready her for a new family. We met Yvette, who took the puppy with her and bathed her, gave her shots, de-wormer and is now flea free as well. We can’t thank her enough for taking time on such short notice today to meet us and care for Rita Hayworth! WA2S is filming with Forgotten Dogs of the Fifth Ward in the morning and Yvette will bring Rita Hayworth so that Arthur can take her to her new home!
Besides an awesome stray dog rescue, which is truly the highlight of the day, we filmed for what will be an amazing music video to the song that is now called “Ruff Life (Rita Hayworth).” It was a magical day!
Get into Arthur Yoria’s music here: http://www.arthuryoria.com/
Photo courtesy of The World Animal Awareness Society