Dog Names Meaning Fate

Perhaps no dog's life represents fate better than the story of Higgins. Higgins was a small scruffy dog born on December 12, 1957. The puppy wasn't anything special. Just a simple mutt. As with so many mongrel puppies, Higgins ended up in an animal shelter in California with his litter mates awaiting his fate. Animal trainer Frank Inn found the puppy at the animal shelter and was instantly taken with the fluffy pooch. Inn believed that the dog was a mix of a Cocker Spaniel, Miniature Poodle, and Schnauzer. He felt that the pooch showed promise so decided to adopt Higgins. 

After a little training, Higgins scored a leading role on the television series Petticoat Junction. Petticoat Junction ran from 1964 to 1970 and immediately propelled the tiny dog into stardom. He went on to guest appear on Green Acres and the Beverly Hillbillies. He won a Patsy Award in 1967 for his acting ability. The tiny dog even did a photo shoot for T.V. Guide and was featured on the cover. 

Unlike many dogs, Higgins was able to show many emotions with his little facial expressions. Each one of those looks won the hearts of the audience. Ian's told many reports that Higgins was the smartest dog that he had ever trained. The pooch was rumored to learn at least one new trick per week. He was able to continue performing the new tricks flawlessly for years. Also, unlike many other dogs, Higgins could navigate very complex scenes with minimal direction. 

After Petticoat Junction's run ended, Higgins starred in a film called Mooch Goes to Hollywood that also starred Zsa Zsa Gabor and Vincent Price. After the movie, the pooch entered retirement. However, in 1974, Higgins was offered the movie role of Benji. At the time, Higgins was 16 years old, but Ian decided to pull the pooch out of retirement, and the film became Higgins' starring success. 

During Higgins' life, he produced numerous progeny that also entered acting and carried on the Benji legacy in followup films. Higgins passed away four weeks before his 18th birthday. Inn had Higgins cremated. He kept the small dog's ashes on his mantle until his death and then he requested that the dog's ashes be buried with him upon his own death. Unfortunately, his request was never honored, and Higgins ashes remain with Inn's daughter. Higgins was a shelter dog who's fate took him to stardom and a beloved existence with his handler.