Gotta love this. At Grauman’s Chinese Theater today in Los Angeles, Will Smith (who is looking mighty fine) and his doggie co-star, Abbey lent their hands, feet and uh, er, paws for the foot and hand print ceremony.

Abbey is a three-year-old German Shepherd who was plucked from a California kennel by Steve Berens, a trainer, who noticed the dog was exactly the kind of light-colored shepherd that Legend director Francis Lawrence had been looking for.

Three weeks of intensive coaching followed before Abbey was ready to meet her costar. Sparks flew instantly. Recalls Berens:

Will came walking up, and Abbey barked at him.”

Smith patiently earned Abbey’s respect, and the two headed to New York City for a grueling six-month shoot for the film, which is based on a 1954 vampire novel of the same name.

A consummate professional on set (she declined fur and makeup and ate a strict diet of kibble and chicken), Abbey balked only when asked to perform a particularly degrading act for one scene. ”For whatever reason, she just had no interest in playing fetch,” says Lawrence. ”We had to use a backup dog.” But even the occasional diva moment couldn’t diminish the cast and crew’s love for their leading lady. ”When we finished her last shot, it was like the whole crew had been dying for six months to pet her. Everybody swarmed. She loved it.”

[Source]