Josh Hutcherson's Sweet Reason for Renaming His Rescue Dog! ❤️
Actor Josh Hutcherson, best known for his roles in 'The Hunger Games' and 'Five Nights at Freddy's,' has revealed the heartwarming reason behind renaming his rescue dog, formerly known as Smudge. The change was inspired by his girlfriend, Spanish actress Claudia Traisac.
Hutcherson, 32, shared that Traisac, who hails from Madrid, found it challenging to pronounce the name 'Smudge' in Spanish. "My girlfriend is from Madrid, and she couldn't really say Smudge — it's a hard word to pronounce in Spanish," Hutcherson explained. This led them to search for a Spanish equivalent.
The couple discovered that 'Mancha' is the Spanish word for 'smudge.' From there, a new, affectionate name was born: Manchi. "We looked up that Mancha is the Spanish for a smudge, and so Manchi became the cute Spanish version," Hutcherson told PEOPLE.
Manchi, a rescue pit bull, has happily embraced his new moniker, solidifying Traisac's place within the family pack. Hutcherson and Traisac have been together for nearly a decade, having met in 2013 while co-starring in the film 'Escobar: Paradise Lost.'
Hutcherson's love for rescue animals predates his relationship with Traisac. He adopted his first pit bull during the filming of the first 'Hunger Games' movie and added Manchi to his family four years later.
Currently, Hutcherson is partnering with Hill's Pet Nutrition to support the 2025 Clear the Shelters Campaign, which promotes pet adoption and raises funds for animal welfare organizations. Hutcherson emphasizes his fondness for the unique personalities and quirks of shelter animals and encourages others to consider adopting a rescue pet.
Clear the Shelters Campaign
The Clear the Shelters Campaign is an annual event that aims to connect homeless pets with loving families. It also provides crucial funding for animal welfare efforts, helping shelters and rescues continue their important work.
Hutcherson's involvement highlights the importance of pet adoption and provides a platform to encourage others to open their homes to animals in need. He and his canine companions, Manchi and Driver, are proud ambassadors for the cause.