César Millán: The Rise, Fall and his Undying Passion for the Show ‘The Dog Whisperer’
César Millán otherwise known as The Dog Whisperer demonstrates himself to the world as a person whose love for dogs doesn’t only remain passion but a profession as well. Throughout his life, he has undergone so many tragedies that it would be understandable if he didn’t succeed, only his fierce love for dogs and the desire to connect with them allowed him to rise to prominence.
Life in Mexico and Early Beginnings
César Felipe Millán Favela came to this world on 1969 in Culiacán, Mexico. He was a small child residing mostly on a farm where his love for animals started flourishing. With strong inspiration from shows such as Lassie and The Adventures of Rin-Tin-Tin, Millán hoped to someday be surrounded by dogs in his workplace.
In 1991, Evading all his parents, concerns at the age of 21 years he managed to cross the US-Mexico border with 100 bucks cash and no command over the English language. This was the beginning of his self-made story. He started working and training dogs, trying to make sense of this foreign world.
Getting Jada Pinkett Smith’s Attention as His Client
Millán’s pet dog is Bella. One of the first pictures of him with a dog was with his client and actress Jada Pinkett Smith who wanted her pet dog trained.
After sharing his fantasy of producing a TV show dedicated to dogs with her, she wanted him to enhance his English language skills and even sponsored his courses. This vital encouragement gave Millan the chance to launch his first dog training center and create a media buzz which later attracted National Geographic.
Inception of Dog Whisperer With Cesar Millan
In 2004 Season One of The Dog Whisperer was introduced to the audiences and Millán realized his dream. The show featured dogs with issues, their owners, and Millan, focusing on education through fun and entertaining action.
Many of his aspirations were met as the series achieved high popularity and ran through until 2016 with 189 episodes. Stars Virginia Madsen, Patti LaBelle, and Pinkett Smith, among others, added their voice to the show, hence raising Millán’s profile higher as an international celebrity.
This Time Millán Takes On International Audience
With his popularity on the rise, Millán could not help but become part of the programs of Oprah Winfrey, and Jay Leno, and even make an appearance on the Spanish `El Hormiguero. He was featured in his show, a Spanish program Crowed with El líder de la manada, which was broadcasted in Cuatro in the years 2011-2012.
Millán also appeared in popular TV shows such as Bones and Ghostbusters where he appeared briefly and also voiced his animated coke in the movie, Trasto: De la mansión a la calle.
Confronting Personal Adversities
While they were successful in their professional pursuits, things were very different for Millán on a personal scale. He went through a lot of pelvic pain after the death of his cherished pit bull Daddy and separation from his spouse in the year 2010. This created a state of deep depression:
“I was having thoughts that I wanted to end it all. I just felt like a complete failure. And failure and being a loser,” Millán, anticipated.
With the help of a strong support system, he was able to get through this challenging time and do what he loved with a clearer mind.
Carrying on the Vision
As he does today, César Millán is very passionate about dogs and their welfare. He has published no less than three Books such as A Short Guide to a Happy Dog and Learn from Your Dog providing tips to a dog owner.
Since 2021 he has been running Better Human Better Dog, a documentary focused on his activities at a rehabilitation center in Santa Clarita, California. The show epitomizes his primary crux:
“So in that way I am teaching people how to bond and create the kind of relationship that we all have been trying to establish, one that’s based on trust, respect, and love.”
In Memoriam: The Woman Who Never Gave Up
The motor home team captain has a beautiful image in his mind of when he participated in the 2000s series ‘Rock Star,’ achieving global recognition as the show’s face. Alongside even showcasing pet skill enthusiasts in his shows. To this day being a role model for all animal lovers over the globe and showing he is proof that if there is a will, there is a way: everything is possible.