Shaggy was discovered during Benji-creator Joe Camp's four-month nationwide search of animal shelters for a new Benji in late 2002. Camp wound up adopting Shaggy and two other finalists who then went through a rigorous "Benji Boot Camp" training regime. A pup from a shelter in Gulfport, MI won the role of the new Benji. An adoption from Los Angeles is Benji's understudy.

"Shaggy actually stole his way into the movie," said Camp, who wrote and directs the picture. "ABC's 'Prime Time' news magazine was covering the nationwide search and decision-making process. The script was still in progress and needed some comic relief. As 'Prime Time' was taping the three dogs in training, we realized that Shaggy's ditsy, fun-loving personality was exactly what we needed and we wrote him a major part in the movie. This is probably the first 'mutt-buddy' picture ever made."

In the new film, Benji is on a mission to make a positive difference in the lives of children and homeless animals. As with all Benji movies, the story is from the dog's point of view. Benji acts, expresses emotion, and is a three-dimensional character, without talking dogs, animation, or narration. Benji Returns: Rags to Riches raises the bar on the Benji concept as Benji's serious demeanor and focused determination are battered by the happy-go-lucky, unwanted side-kick who causes him nothing but trouble.

"Exploring the personalities of two 'actor' dogs, not just one, makes this film the most unique Benji movie yet," said Margaret Loesch, producer of the picture with Camp and one of the most successful developers of family programming in the entertainment industry. "It's great fun and a refreshing break from the flood of special-effects-packed movies that are in the market. Families will love watching this movie together."

Repeating the formula for the worldwide success of the three previous Benji movies, the new family feature film has been privately financed and will be independently produced and distributed. All three previous Benji movies were in the top ten-percent of box office grosses for their year of release. The first two, including the original Benji, were distributed worldwide by Mulberry Square Releasing, who will manage distribution of Benji Returns.

"There is a creative control that only comes with truly independent production," said Loesch. "It allows us to maintain the integrity and high quality of the Benji tradition and deliver the Benji that parents and children around the world have come to know and love. "

The original Benji was rescued from an animal shelter in Burbank, CA, and the phenomenal success of the film resulted in an estimated one million pet adoptions nationwide according to American Humane. Aware of that mind-boggling impact, Camp again turned to pet shelters for the newest Benji. The search generated more than 120,000,000 media exposures for the adoption efforts of shelters and rescue groups nationwide and spawned "Benji's Buddies," a partnership between Benji and American Humane.

In conjunction with Benji Returns, "Benji's Buddies" is a cause-marketing program that will raise the profile and promote the adoption efforts of more than 5,000 animal shelters across the country. With support from national corporate sponsors, American Humane will launch Benji's Buddies during the summer of 2003.

Benji Returns: Rags to Riches is set in Mississippi and will be produced by Benji Returns LLC in association with Mulberry Square Productions. Joe Camp has produced and/or directed six feature films and numerous television programs, two of which were nominated for Emmys Awards. Ms. Loesch, a multiple Emmy Award-winning producer, was the founding President and CEO of the general entertainment U.S. cable television network Hallmark Channel which now has 52 million subscribers. Prior to that she was the chief architect of the Fox Kids Networks, Worldwide, whose U.S. network was the most successful children's television network in the history of broadcasting.

For more information visit Benji's website at www.benji.info.