He has over 20-million views on YouTube.
And now he has a New York Times best-selling book.
Not bad for a 6-year-old.
Oh, and did I mention that he’s a dog?
From the cozy confines of his owners’ house in west Ottawa, Crusoe the Celebrity Dachshund is wagging his tail at a burgeoning entertainment empire.
“He’s a small dog with a big character,” says Ryan Beauchesne who, along with his girlfriend, Lauren Dionne, owns and manages the wily wiener dog.
It all started when the couple got Crusoe as a puppy.
“We had posted some pictures of Crusoe just to our personal Facebook pages,” says Beauchesne.” You know, just having fun on adventures and walks and things like that. People really liked it. So I said I'll just throw together a blog and see what happens. No grand aspirations at first. And then it just kind of grew all by itself."
Soon, Beauchesne’s creativity started to shine through. He dressed Crusoe in costumes, created videos, and wrote short stories in Crusoe’s voice. Crusoe is often seen with his trusty side-kick, and sibling, Oakley. “It's funny to see life from a dog's perspective but it's even funnier to see it from a dog who thinks he's a chef, or a pilot, or a captain," he says.
The project grew to the point where a publisher came calling, and Crusoe got a book deal. His first book is currently ninth among animal books on the New York Times Best Sellers list. "When I found out we were a New York Times best seller I literally almost cried," says Beauchesne. "Because I really didn't think that would ever happen."
Crusoe and his entourage have just recently returned from a book signing – or paw-printing – tour of the U.S. and Canada. They even appeared on Good Morning America. Beauschesne says in the U.S. they even get recognized in the streets.
“I just can’t believe that,” he marvels. “Our dog is actually famous.”
Beauschesne says it’s still early, but there has even been talk of a TV show.
In the meantime, he has left his job at a digital media agency to focus on Crusoe’s career.
For his part, Crusoe seems unfazed by the attention. And he certainly doesn’t mind playing dress-up with his owners. “He’s always been super calm, really composed,” says Beauschesne. “And he just wears costumes really well.”
Hallmarks of a great performer. They always make it look easy.
For a low-down wiener dog from suburban Ottawa, Crusoe is one Dachshund we can all look up to.
