South Bay Best in Show: Gigi, from carpet puddles to agility pro and the silver screen

Photo: Silver Gecko Photography

Here's Gigi, a shelter dog who's become an agility champion under the guidance and training of owner Deb Davidson-Harpur in Harbor City.

The details:

Breed: Rat Terrier

Name: Harpur's Giddy Upp "Gigi." I named her Gigi because she was originally with me short term as a foster dog. She was a good girl. when I decided to keep her, I thought G.G. Good girl. Her fancy registered name has our family name in the front where a kennel name would usually be and because I had Harpur's PJpupp, I wanted an "UPP" Name so she became Harpur's Giddy Upp -- got the family name, the Gi and the Upp all in one name!

Where did you find your best friend? I got this lovely purebred Rat Terrier from the Los Angeles Harbor Shelter in 2004 during their adopt-a-thon. She was on sale for 35 bucks.

Personality: She is the sweetest dog ever, but a true athlete. She came to us knowing nothing ... except how to pee on my new carpeting. She quickly became an agility dog and has earned multiple agility championships. She is also a doggie actress and model. She even has a job. She works as a canine ambassador for the Active Care line of dog food by Breeder's Choice and does the same for local compani ilovedogs.com.

Favorite trick? She LOVES to ride her skateboard. You can seeing her doing just that in the newest commercial for www.TJ.LA.

Best/worst habits? I would say her best habit is her nice manners. She is very polite. her worst habit? Gobbling food as if she will never see another kibble for the rest of her life. My favorite habit of hers is that she likes to sleep under the covers, like most Rat Terriers do. All you have to say is "push-push" and under the blankets she goes (and if you are lucky, she will give you a good foot bath, too. I think that's so cute).

Favorite things to do with your dog? I do EVERYTHING with my dogs. Gigi enjoys going to dog shows, having playdates with her friends in Portuguese Bend and just sitting back watching TV.