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Longtime Austin Animal Center pup stars in summer musical

After his stint on the stage, Tajin’s looking for a forever home.

August 6, 2024 • 
Morgan O’Neal
A black and white dog wearing a harness and a leash smiles with his tongue out on stage with a crowd of people on a lawn in the background.

And the crowd goes, “awwww.”

Photo via Austin Animal Center

If you’ve seen the summer musical at Beverly S. Sheffield Zilker Hillside Theater, you’ve already fawned over this furry face — but here’s your official introduction to the four-legged performer.

Tajin plays Rufus in “Legally Blonde the Musical,” Zilker Theatre Productions’ play running through Saturday, Aug. 17. He’s an 8-year-old dog who has been waiting three years at Austin Animal Center for a home.

However, his role alongside Elle Woods isn’t the only title he’s held recently: a group of UT Austin students who fostered him gave him the nickname “Longhorn Party Panda” for his lovable personality.

Adoption fees are currently waived at Austin Animal Center, and there are plenty of charismatic pets looking for their next career move, aka a spot in a stable home.

Learn more about them here.

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