Gidget the Chihuahua, Taco Bell star, has died. She was 15 years old. The owner of Studio Animal Services in Castaic says Gidget suffered a stroke late Tuesday and had to be put down.
This little dog caused controversy when she appeared in Taco Bell ads with a male voice-over, saying “Yo quiero Taco Bell,” in Spanish: “I want Taco Bell.”
It made my whole family laugh to see that cute little dog. But, some activists were critical for they felt the ad furthered Mexican stereotypes. As a Mexican American, I understood the concern that one more time, along with the sleeping Mexican lawn statue with the sombrero over his face, and the la cucaracha music being the only music seemingly ever played to denote things Mexican… that people would continue to get a one-sided view of us all. An issue for certain.
And, I loved this little cheery dog who looked like some kind of woodland sprite, and often thought of how fun it must have been to make the commercial with her. If there was a complaint, maybe the doggie union should have complained that they characterized Gidget in the commercial as a he instead of she. Canine discrimination. Call in the the big boss bulldog lawyers. right. now.
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CODA
Vatito can be translated as ‘little street guy,’ little guy with street creds, ‘vato’ for long.