Pretty little pooch, Rufus, has been signed up for a lead role this Christmas after fighting off paw-rer competition.

Rufus, a Yorkshire terrier and Lahsa Apso cross, will be stepping into the spotlight with the Clacton Amateur Operatic Society, which is staging the hit-show The Wizard of Oz.

Rufus will be playing Toto. It's his first starring role but he's well behaved and is looking forward to working with Dorothy, the Munchkins, the Tin Man and Scarecrow.

Rufus, an RSPCSA rescue dog, was chosen at a doggie-day audition and led the way among his four-legged terrier friends.

Publicity officer Val Endean said the stagestruck doggie won the day because he was so well-behaved and reacted well with Vanessa McGhin who will be playing Dorothy.

"All six dogs were lovely, it was difficult to choose."

Rufus's proud owner is teenager Katie Gogarty of Clacton who will now have the job of taking her much-loved pet to regular rehearsals for the Christmas show.

Published Friday October 25, 2002

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