Actress Amanda Fuller may star on a television show titled “Last Man Standing,” but in her real life household, she’s the Last Woman Standing as she presides over two feisty male terrier mutts, Cody (the blond pooch) and Rocky (the black-and-white hound) – but she wouldn’t have it any other way!
The 31-year-old animal lover, who grew up in Sacramento, Calif., before relocating to Los Angeles, has been acting professionally since the mid-1990s. Her breakout role came in 2012 when she played the recurring character Dr. Morgan Peterson on “Grey’s Anatomy.” ABC loved Fuller so much they cast her in a leading role on the sitcom “Last Man Standing” later that year (replacing another actress who played the same character during the show’s first season).
As Kristin on the hit comedy – which airs Friday nights at 8 p.m. EDT – Fuller plays the eldest daughter of Denver’s Baxter family, which is led by manly man Mike (played by the always lovable Tim Allen). Kristin has had her share of setbacks as she was knocked up in high school and then deserted by her son’s father. However, she is finally getting her life in order as she and Boyd’s daddy (Ryan, played by Jordan Masterson) wed at the end of last season and she is now running the Outdoor Man Grill at the superstore her father helps run.
Fuller has also starred in several films, including the award-winning independent flick “Red White & Blue” and the title role in the Lifetime TV movie “The Brittany Murphy Story.” She’s also had her hands in directing (a Los Angeles production of the play “This is Our Youth,” starring “Everybody Hates Chris” star Tyler James Williams) and producing (a music video for The Haun Solo Project).
When not working, Fuller enjoys photography, writing, painting, traveling and, of course, spending time with her beloved dogs Cody and Rocky, whom she recently told Headlines & Global News all about!
How did Cody and Rocky come into your life?
About 11 years ago, I was moving out on my own and was looking to get a big guard dog. My mom called me one day and said she was at a pet store where there were the two cutest puppies you’ve ever seen. She said she knew I was looking for a bigger dog and to get a rescue, but that if I wasn’t doing anything I should at least stop by just to see them. I was in the neighborhood, so I did – and I fell in love! I couldn’t resist them! They were also the last two of their litter, and I just couldn’t stand the thought of separating them. Their personalities complemented each other so well, and I could already sense how inseparable they were. So I made them mine. I’ve felt a lot of guilt over the years about getting them at a pet store cause I am such a huge advocate of saving and rescuing dogs, but I look at it like this: Cody and Rocky needed a home too. I feel like I kind of saved them from that pet store. And now they’ve gotten to spend their lives with one of their brothers. I couldn’t imagine it any other way. It was meant to be.
Which one would you say has more of your personality?
I would say they both represent different sides of my personality. Cody is a little crazy, neurotic, and needy. He always needs to be given affection and shown he is loved. And Rocky is the Zen master – independent, self-sufficient, takes care of everybody else first, cool, calm and collected. But he still loves a good squirrel chase! They are my Yin and Yang, so to speak. The perfect balance!
Who demands more attention?
Oh, definitely Cody. He is the needy one. He is also the runt, so I think that’s where it comes from. He just always needs to be the center of attention. Luckily, he is so darn cute that it’s not hard to give him attention. So lovable!
What are some of their favorite things?
Cody’s favorite thing is his shoe toy, an old squeaky shoe that is falling apart. It originally belonged to my first dog, Buddy, and we held on to it. There is something about the scent of it that Cody is obsessed with. It is really the only toy he has any interest in. And Rocky’s favorite thing to do is make out with people. On the lips. He is very particular.
What have you learned from them?
They have taught me what unconditional love is.
What do they really mean to you?
Everything. They are my kids. I honestly don’t know what I would do without them. It’s really terrifying, actually, now that they are getting older. They accept all of me and bring out the best in me. They allow me to be who I really am, without an ounce of judgment. We could use a lot more of that in this world. Cody and Rocky are the loves of my life.
If they could tell us one secret about you, what would they tell us?
They would probably say that Mom’s favorite thing to do is cuddle with them. They are pretty proud of that. Oh, and that I leave way too much chocolate around the house.
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