Internet searches yielded negative stories about the breed, she said, and she wanted people to get a full picture of the breed.
“I made the film because I knew
firsthand how wonderful this breed can be if given structure, a loving
home and a positive training environment,” Ruiz said.
The film premiered June 12 to a
packed audience at the Arclight Cinema in Hollywood. Several local
family members attended, including Ruiz’s mother, Lupe Ruiz, formerly of
Porterville, her aunt Josie Garcia Sandoval, cousin Teneha Sandoval,
and her brother, George Ruiz of Clovis.
“We enjoyed the personal accounts
from all the Rottweiler owners in the film,” Garcia Sandoval said.
“They spoke about the Rottweilers being search-and-rescue dogs during
September 11. This fact is not well known, so it was surprising to
hear.”
Garcia Sandoval said she also
enjoyed the story of how a Rottweiler helped a young girl come out of a
coma after a tragic hit-and-run accident.
“This portion was truly
emotional,” Garcia Sandoval said. “I’m proud of Angie for contacting and
gaining the trust of these fellow Rottweiler lovers and for producing
this film to truly educate us about Rottweilers.”
Teneha Sandoval agreed.
“Large dog breeds, such as the
Rottweiler, are often misunderstood and assumed to be dangerous animals
on their own. When in reality, their temperament is result of its
owner’s training,” Teneha Sandoval said. “This film brings light to the
fact that the Rottweiler is a loving and intelligent breed who, with
proper training, can be remarkable pets, rescuers and rehabilitation
service dogs.”
Ruiz, who has a bachelor’s degree
in business administration from California Polytechnic State University
in San Luis Obispo, has worked in the entertainment industry for 14
years, first starting as an actress. She bought her first DSL camera
when she volunteered in East Africa, where she made short documentaries
of the Maasai, and enjoyed filming the Serengeti wildlife. The
experiences led her to create her own production company, Wandering
Films.
Ruiz is the daughter of Lupe Ruiz
of Salinas, formerly of Porterville, and a granddaughter of the late
Josefina and Gilberto Garcia, and the late Sally and Frank Loyola, all
of Porterville.
Ruiz lives with her husband Mark Terbeek, and daughters, Isla and Edie, in West Hollywood.
“It has been amazing to see the
audience response to the film,” Ruiz said. “Who knew that Rottweilers
were so loved by people around the world.”
