Taco Bell chihuahua dies at 15
The goggle-eyed chihuahua who was the Taco Bell mascot for several years has died at age 15, the Associated Press tells us.
Gidget, best known for the "Yo quiero Taco Bell" commercials from 1997 to 2000, suffered a massive stroke last night at her trainer's home in Southern California and had to be euthanized, according to Studio Animal Services.
Though the commercials became a pop-culture staple, Latino activists said they stereotyped Mexicans.
Her bug eyes and sweet face captured the hearts of millions of fast food enthusisats.
Photo: Yo Quiero No More: Taco Bell Spokes-Chihuahua Dies at 15: Famous for Her Taco Bell Commercials, Gidget Also Acted Alongside Reese Witherspoon
"It was very hard to lose her," owner Karin McElhatton told ABCNews.com today. "She was a great little dog."
Gidget, a 12-pound Hollywood dynamo in her prime, was propelled to stardom when Taco Bell's advertisments hit in the late 1990s, featuring the feisty little dog as an insistent consumer of Taco Bell.
The phrase "Yo quiero Taco Bell" -- "I want Taco Bell" in a man's voice -- spawned a series of commercial catchphrases for the chain including "Drop the chalupa" and made its mark on pop culture with T-shirts as well as a line of dolls and toys.
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