Meet Manhattan's Top Dog Model: Eli the Chihuahua

Eli, in the arms of a model, rockin' the "Rip the Runway"
event, which aired on BET earlier this year.
(Photo by BET/Getty Images) 

Eli the Chihuahua just might be the hardest working dog in Manhattan. He has graced the covers of countless magazines, trotted the runways with gorgeous models, acted in film and television, and appeared in national ad campaigns. 

But this little guy is not just another pretty face. Eli and his guardian, Karen Biehl, are on a mission to inspire pets and people all over the world and spread their message of joy and positivity. Eli also spends his time raising funds for animal shelters and programs.

A Star Is Born

Eli shot to stardom in 2007 when he and Karen won a nationwide "Make You and Your Dog Famous" contest. He was picked from thousands of contestants to appear on boxes of Milk-Bone Small Dog Biscuits, awarded a $250 cash prize and one year's supply of Milk-Bone biscuits.

Eli and Karen Biehl posing with the cover of
his Milk-Bone box. (Photo by Sit Pretty
Photos; www.sitpretty.com)

• modeling at the "Rip the Runway" show, which aired on the BET Network and included performances by Snoop Dog and Missy Elliott; 

• posing for a national ad campaign for Bank of America;

• strutting the runway at Pet Fashion Week to raise money for the Mayor's Alliance for New York City's Animals;

• being named the "Most Smoochable Pooch in New York State" in the 2007 Kibbles 'n Bits Cover Dog Search;

• winning "Best in Show" at Animal Fair Magazine's 8th Annual Canine Comedy;

• portraying Paris Hilton's dog, Tinkerbell, in "15 Films About Madonna," which aired on A&E;

• appearing in cameos for "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy" and independent film, "Dog Run"; and

• being nominated for the doggie version of the Academy Awards at the North Shore Animal League's DogCatemy Awards. 

Eli's Early Years

The celebrity Chihuahua may live a glamorous life now, but it wasn't always that way. By the time he was a year and half old, Eli had been shuffled from owner to owner. Karen found him up for adoption on Craigslist and gave Eli his third and forever home. "Eli was shy and insecure at first and ended up needing surgery on his left knee," says Karen. "After a few rocky months [of recovering from surgery and learning to use his leg again], we settled into a normal routine."

Eli's star potential was discovered accidentally when his daycare manager at the Canine Ranch took pictures of him. Karen realized her little pooch was photogenic. He was also comfortable in clothes and knew how to put his arms through shirt sleeves.

Karen entered Eli in a local beauty pageant and he won. "I got chills," she admits. "I knew we had a mission together about offering inspiration to people and pups." She entered him in several more contests, one of which landed him on the cover of New York Tails Magazine.

Eli is not a doctor, but sometimes, he
dresses up like one. Calling Dr. Eli!
(Jo Lance Photography; www.jolancephoto.com)

She advises those wanting to get into the business to know their limits. "Eli and I were pursued by a TV show," she recalls. "But I knew in my gut that Eli would not have shined in the environment, nor would have I, and it would not have been fun." 

So what are they up to next?

"Next on the agenda for us together is a dating reality show, which will air early next year," she says, "but I am not allowed to give out any details on that yet."

Guess we'll have to stay tuned! 

Portrait of a lady and her dog. (Photo by
Brandon Jernigan; www.brandonjernigan.com)