Shelter Dog Is Stage Star: La Mesans Trained 5-Year-Old Terrier for ‘Annie’

Thirty-three members of the cast of Annie will take a final bow Saturday night when the Moonlight Stage Productions musical wraps up its 18-day run in Vista.

Or maybe 32. Can a dog take a bow?

Mocha, a 5-year-old terrier blend, plays Annie’s companion, Sandy, at the Brengle Terrace Park amphitheater.

But the canine’s trainers—Alexandra “Alex” Kuty and Rob Kuty of La Mesa—deserve their own curtain call.

“Rob and I drive her to Vista for every show,” said Alex, a former Miss La Mesa who now directs several local pageants. “We are both backstage—one on each side. We actually don’t give any orders besides sending her to stage.”

Once on stage, Natasha Partnoy, the 11-year-old who plays Annie, does all the work, Alex said Friday.  

“We have taught [Natasha] to be a great little trainer! In fact, Mocha goes off lots of visual cues rather than verbal because Natasha can’t break character and often works her while saying other lines or singing.”

The Kutys are old hands at training dogs; Rob works for La Mesa-based San Diego Pet Training and has been a professional animal trainer for 13 years. He also worked at the Columbus and Cleveland zoos, SeaWorld Florida and for several years was the manager of the Pets Rule show at SeaWorld San Diego.

Alex Kuty has worked at SeaWorld, performing for several years in the Pets Rule and Shamu’s House of Douse shows.

As well, the husband and wife team have led Saturday morning obedience classes at the La Mesa Community Center for several years. 

Alex also notes: “Rob has helped Jagger and Kristi of Magic 92.5 train their dog Bodie, who is going to be competing in the upcoming surf dog surf-a-thon.”

Having overcome kennel issues, Mocha apparently had no problem with stage fright.

“The young terrier is now a well-trained star, far from the dog with anxiety who waited and waited for someone to consider adopting her,” Alex Kuty said. 

How did Mocha become top dog in a Broadway-style outdoor production?

The Kutys say they found Mocha by chance after their business was contacted by Moonlight officials to train a dog for the role of Sandy.

“We wanted a shelter dog,” said Rob Kuty. “We were looking for a scruffy, cute and, most importantly, a ‘sandy’ colored dog. We want to show the public that shelter animals are very trainable if you give them a chance.” 

They visited the Bonita shelter to look at a different dog—one they saw on its website that had the right look, the Kutys said.

“While we were there, we found Mocha and knew she was the one,” Rob Kuty said. “Mocha has come a long way.” 

The Kutys said Mocha’s previous owners had given her up for reasons of expense—“like many who are affected by the tough economic times.” 

Now that their assignment is complete, what happens to Mocha?

The Kutys say they will spend a few more days fostering Mocha in their home—and then give her up for adoption.

“We are so pleased to give someone this amazing dog,” Ron Kuty said.  “More importantly, we hope her story will inspire others to check their local animal shelters first when looking for a new pet.”

Anyone interested in adopting Mocha can visit the county’s Department of Animal Services website at SDDAC.com and fill out the special-needs adoption application.  

Applications must be received via fax or mail by Aug. 11.

Address of the county shelter is 2481 Palomar Airport Rd., Carlsbad. Phone is 619-767-2675. Fax is 760-431-8401.

The most qualified applicant of those received will be selected, the Kutys said.

After Mocha is gone, the Kutys won’t be lonely, however. They have another dog at home.

“We have a shepherd mix, 6 years old, that’s also in the show,” Alex Kuty said. “It’s a small cameo.”

Story updated at 9 a.m. Aug. 8, 2011.