Hard-Knock Life Turns Golden for Canine Star of Village Players' 'Annie'

From rescue dog to show dog, Rylee, for sure, has lived an interesting life.

At age 2, she was saved from an uncertain life, and now she stands ready to play her role as Sandy, the stalwart supporter of one of the world’s most-recognizable, best-loved fictional orphans ever — Annie.

While Rylee, a golden retriever, is busy stealing hearts on stage and off, her owner, Bev Harbord, is spending her time supporting both her daughter, Julia, and the family’s pet.

For Harbord, that means an even deeper role as backstage mom with this month's production of “Annie,” the 1930s-set musical based on the Little Orphan Annie comic strip.

“My daughter, Julia, is one of the orphans, and she and one of the other orphans came up with the idea one evening when they dropped her off at home after rehearsal," Harbord said. "They said, 'Hey, why don't you see if Domin wants to use Rylee in the show?' "

Domin Pazo, the director, gave Rylee an impromptu audition (she passed; she behaved on stage and off) and that led to a stint of training with Terri Latronica at the Boyette Animal Hospital.

One thing Rylee had to learn — rather, un-learn — is that it was okay NOT to “come” when the call beckoned.

“We always taught her to come, but as Sandy she’s not supposed to come until after they ask her a third time,” Harbord said. “When she does come, she does so because Annie slaps her knees.”

Was the trick hard to master?

“It didn’t really take that long to train her,” Harbord said. “She just loves to play. They call it her ‘Sandy trick.’ ”

They say, too, that art imitates life and in this instance that isn’t far-fetched.  

The Harbords came to know Sandy as an orphan dog, having rescued her from the Begin Again Ranch in Clermont, FL.

“My husband didn’t want to spend full price on a golden retriever and there’s so many dogs out there who need a good home, why not give them one?” Harbord said.

“My husband and I both had dogs when we were kids,” she added. “Nothing surpasses your childhood dog, but she’s definitely up there with our childhood dogs.”

Community theater is, in many respects, a family affair, and Julia Harbord said she is happy to share the limelight with her family pet.

“It’s been the best acting experience I’ve ever had,” Julia Harbord said. “I’ve learned so many new things about what I should do, the techniques, and I made tons of new friends.”

Does Rylee share her enthusiasm? Has she found a new career?

“Could be,” said Bev Harbord. “That would be great. She loves it. She loves all the attention.”

As for Harbord herself, she takes to heart her dual roles backstage: supporting her child and supporting her dog.

“I’m more nervous of the dog than my daughter, of course,” Harbord said. “I’m holding my breath when the dog’s on stage but I know Julia will do a great job.”

"Annie" Show Dates and Times:

"Annie" show dates are Dec. 2-3, 9-10 and 16-17, at 8:15 p.m. Also, Dec. 11 at 3 p.m.

Tickets cost $12 for general admission and $10 for students and seniors.

is at 506 5th St., in the Greater Brandon community of Valrico, north of State Road 60. For information, call: 813-677-8045.