'Willie,' A 1-Eyed Pup From RivCo, Chosen For Dog-Food Commercial

CORONA, CA — After a rough start in life, a rescue Chihuahua from Corona, named "Willie," is about to get his moment in the spotlight starring in a dog food commercial, walking the red carpet and enjoying a lifetime supply of free dog food.

Willie beat out about 600 dogs to be chosen as one of four model winners for an upcoming commercial for Berkeley-based Wild Earth, a dog-food startup, that received a funding boost from "Shark Tank, and is intent on providing healthy pet food and treats made with plant and fungi-based proteins.

Willie will star as one of the new faces of Wild Earth in an upcoming commercial, then strut on a red-carpet launch event in Los Angeles. Also among his winnings: a lifetime supply of free dog food!

Rescued from the streets in Arizona, weighing in at a mere six pounds and with only six teeth, lil' Willie has endured his share of struggles, including having one eye removed and being put on meds to control his epileptic seizures, according to his owner.

Despite his ailments, Willie was love at first sight for his adoptive mom, and she said she admires that he is "fiercely loyal" and loves the desert, beach and his backyard.

An advocate for a sustainable, animal-cruelty-free future, Willie's owner said he may not be the "average dog model," but he is, indeed, the "ideal model" for Wild Earth.

Wild Earth said it prides itself on selling products without "the junk currently found in pet foods -- lots of which comes from processed and leftover meat products.

"Wild Earth seeks to battle America's meat crisis and also the detrimental environmental impact that follows. Many are not aware that 30 percent of the environmental impact from meat consumption actually comes from our pets."

To read more on Wild Earth, follow this link. To see Willie's audition video, scroll down.

• ALSO SEE: Celebrate 'Fry Day' With These French Fry Steals & Deals