SHOW’S OVER: Veteran performer Rafael Abuhadba leads his five poodles through the parking lot after a performance at a home-furnishings mega-store in Anaheim.

Coats Of Many Colors

Author: Justino Águila
The Orange County Register

Most people expect couches, beds, and big-screen TVs when they go to Daniel's Home Center in Anaheim. But sometimes they also stumble upon a poodle show.

For a few moments, they forget about furnishings and divert their attention to Rafles the clown, who shows up with five canines. The pastel pooches - resplendent in coats of powder blue, lavender, pink, and yellow - jump over hurdles in cute frocks. They roll and dive for the crowds of shoppers. They gently kiss Rafles on the lips to receive an edible treat.

The well-behaved poodles - coated safely in a temporary dye - spill out of a minivan as they arrive for another performance of "El Maravilloso Show de Rafles y sus Poodles de Colores" or "The Marvelous Show of Rafles and his Poodles of Color."

For the past two years, Rafael Abuhadba and his dogs have performed at the large retail store, which attracts hundreds of customers daily. On weekends, children thinking they're on another shopping trip with their parents become spellbound when they realize they're about to be entertained.

When the circus-style show begins, Abuhadba appears in mime garb, microphone in hand. Spectators, most of them Spanish speakers, are treated to comedy, magic tricks, juggling, and the colorful poodle show.

"The poodles mean everything to me," said Abuhadba, 43. "They're like human beings. They are my family. I treat them like my own children."

Abuhadba, who also performs at children's birthday parties, was destined to work with animals. He was born into a circus family in Chile and early on learned the traditions of circus life.

He'd do everything from acrobatics to trapeze performances. As a child, he already was working with animals such as camels, elephants, and tigers. In his teens he began perfecting the poodle act, which had been passed down generation to generation from his great-grandfather. By his 20s, after learning as much as he could, he got married and bade farewell to the family act to begin a solo career.

His travels took him to Latin America and Europe. Sometimes he'd get hired by other circuses, but mostly he enjoyed working independently.

In the 1980s Abuhadba was able to parlay his act into children's television shows taped in Mexico and shown throughout Latin America. In recent years he's been featured on Univision's "Control" and "Despierta America."

"I'm proud of continuing the family tradition," Abuhadba said. "I enjoy it as much as the people who see our shows."

The poodles, 20 in all, have delighted audiences around the world in big tents, vaudeville shows, and shopping centers.

Perlita is the show's main star, but her dog mates Ruso, Payaso, Tuca, Dolly, Ita, Bebita, Mexicana, Magic, You, Rico, Encanto, Bambi, and Tony are crowd-pleasers as well. Only five perform at a time.

The rest stay home with the retired poodles, who are pampered in their own tailor-made trailer.

"They get the star treatment," Abuhadba said. "I give them a lot of love and respect. Some of them have been with me for 20 years."

Abuhadba never planned to spend much time in Orange County when he traveled here as part of another circus two years ago. It was then that the owner of Daniel's Home Center saw the act and became fascinated.

"He mesmerized everyone," recalls Daniel Rosenberg, who was also born in Chile. "He made them laugh and left quite an impression. Something in my head clicked. I made him an offer to perform at the store."

The move to hire Abuhadba has paid off for Rosenberg, whose huge furniture store on South Euclid Street attracts many shoppers. Customers are usually surprised to find a show in store for them as they browse. Some return with their children to catch the show again, creating additional foot traffic for the store.

For Abuhadba and his family, it's a chance to stay grounded in one location. The performer, who'd been traveling most of his life, wanted to settle down. He promised his wife, Isabel, and son, Hamin, the stability of one place to live, work, and go to school.

"Traveling can be harsh, but that's part of the (circus) lifestyle," Abuhadba said. "It requires a lot of moving. I wanted to give my son and wife an opportunity to feel like they have a home."

Hamin, 13, goes to school and performs with his father. Isabel prepares the poodles by making sure they're healthy and fed. She also uses a specially made shampoo dye and applies it to their coats to achieve the pastel colors. The color washes off easily.

Many of the poodles are from Chile, but others were found during the family's travels and trained by the patriarch.

"Some never learn how to perform," Abuhadba said, "but I love them just as much. Some poodles learn quicker than others."

One of those is Perlita, the cotton-white star of the show who wears sparkling pooch couture.

"She's my favorite," concedes Abuhadba. "With a slight gesture she understands what I need during a show. She also belonged to my father, who died in 2001. That makes her extra special."

Despite having more stability since moving to Orange County, Abuhadba keeps his options open because he knows that someday he may have to move again.

"It's part of the job," he said. "We're open to opportunities, but right now the place to be is California."

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Contact the writer: (714) 796-7990 or jaguila@ocregister.com