Plainfield mastiff becoming greeting card royalty

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Updated: August 4, 2011 4:20PM

No longer content with the glamorous name of Rufio Ricardo, Kathryn Dunlap of Plainfield said her 10-month-old Neapolitan mastiff now prefers to be addressed as “Mr. Hollywood.”

That’s because Rufio has just won his second Hallmark card contest in just two weeks. Beginning in June, Rufio, decked like royalty with a bow and baubles, will be featured on the front of a birthday card.

The outside of the card reads: “From one Princess to another.” Inside: “You look tutu fabulous to be another year older! Happy Birthday.” The card will be available at www.hallmark.com.

“I don’t think it’s common for the same dog to win, but they said to keep entering him,” Dunlap said. “He has won several other photo and costume contests, but nothing on the level of Hallmark.

Since winning the “Life is Funny” birthday card contest, Rufio has appeared twice on WCIU TV’s “You and Me This Morning,” where he had his first celebrity photo. Dunlap is also trying to get him on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” and has sent an application to the ABC television show “Shark Tank.” This month, Rufio will enter the Hallmark Valentine’s Day Contest.

For now, Rufio is concentrating on his own card line, Rufio’s Rumblings (www.RufioRumblings.com), getting some “face time” in the media and running away from the paparazzi.

“He has set his wrinkles on greeting cards, television, major motion pictures and print ads,” Dunlap said. “Rufio will do charity events and guest appearances in exchange for a nice rare steak. I caught him on the phone calling agents. Actually, he is very humbled by all the attention. He loves people and only wants to make them smile.”

Contact Rufio at akita7072@msn.com.