Yahoo News Sylvester Stallone shares memory of dog he sold 'to buy food' and bought back for £15k
Sylvester Stallone is a true believer in one of humanity’s closest connections to the animal world – the friendship between a man and his dog.
The star has melted our hearts and shared a sweet story on Instagram over his old pal, Butkus, and credited the pooch for his tremendous career in Hollywood.
On Thursday, the actor, 70, took to social media and revealed a sweet memory about his four-legged friend, admitting that the Bull Mastiff was the one who helped him to write the 1976 movie ‘Rocky’, which propelled him into Hollywood.
Sylvester then revealed he was forced to sell Butkus for $40 to help him survive.
Alongside a picture of him holding his furry friend on his lap when he was just a puppy, he wrote: “1971… Since we’re on the subject of ” man’s best friend” this is myself and Butkus as a puppy , we were both, thin, hungry and living in a flophouse above a subway stop, I used to say this apartment had ‘ … Hot and cold running roaches.
“Anyway there was not much to do except spend time with each other and that’s where I started to learn the craft of screenwriting. Since I never went out, I relied on his companionship , And actually it was his idea to write Rocky, but don’t tell anyone…”
“Years later when things got even worse I had to sell him for $40 in front of a 7-Eleven store,because I couldn’t afford food.”
Selling his dog must have been an incredibly difficult thing to do however, Sly later bought back his beloved friend for $15,000 following the success of his movie.
He continued: “Then like a modern day miracle, the screenplay for Rocky sold, and I could buy him back, but the new owner knew I was desperate, and charged me $15,000 … He was worth every penny! #New York City #HellsKitchen #BullMastiff #It’sADogsWorld. #MoreToCome#inspiration #ThunderingYourHeart #GoingThedistance ”
The American star also thanked his “best friend, my confidant” for enduring the hardship of being “totally broke” with him when he was in his 20s.
Credit given where credit is due.
A post shared by Sly Stallone (@officialslystallone) on Mar 30, 2017 at 9:21am PDT
His fans praised him on Instagram, calling him a “man of honour”.
johnnybforbacon wrote: “what a story. you’re a great man for buying him back. i couldn’t sell my dog though, i’d rather starve.”
bruno_alves_go said: “This is a demonstration that you are a man of honor…”
sachinsurie penned: “What a beautiful story!”
Whilst bolmajd added: “Sly your the true story of struggle at the young age, respects”
Sylvester has enjoyed one of the most successful careers Hollywood has ever hosted, and his son Seargeoh, 36, has followed in his footsteps, while his daughters Scarlet, 14, Sistine, 18, and Sophia, 20 are also budding actresses. The star tragically lost his eldest son Sage, who died aged 36 of atherosclerosis which brought on a heart attack in 2012.
Proof that a man’s best friend really can be his pet!
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