Chad Rogers made a distinctive mark as one of the youngest experts and moguls in the real estate industry, rising to fame as a star of reality series Million-Dollar Listing. After leaving the show, he continues to focus on his successful business, but takes time to indulge in something black and white and very special in his life. No, not chocolate. If there’s one thing that could instantly melt the heart of this handsome hunk with one look, it’s his Chihuahua, Starla.

I caught up with Chad to talk about Starla, dogs and the celebrity life in L.A.

Dogster: How did Starla enter your life?

Chad Rogers: My girlfriend at the time and I decided to get a dog. I was living at her place and it was a condo, so it wasn’t a large enough space for a big dog, like a Labrador or Golden Retriever, which I had always wanted. I compromised and decided to get a long-haired Chihuahua, but the deal was that we would both have to agree on the right Chi.

We spent weeks online researching long-haired applehead Chihuahuas. We even drove out to meet the dogs, which required full-day road trips. We found Starla online and it was love at first sight. We called the person who had Starla and she just so happened to be driving through L.A. from Northern California the very next day.

Finding Starla was nothing less than destiny. The stars are always perfectly aligned when Starla is by my side. She was born on 7/7/07. That was my confirmation that I clearly hit the jackpot — 777.

I love her name.

Starla had her name when I met her. The name was so perfect for her because we were both constantly in front of the cameras at that time, and she is such a little star! I have nicknames for her like Starlie, Lovie, and S.

Starla looks so wise. Has she been a good companion?

Through Starla, I have learned that love is unselfish and unconditional. Starla has nurtured me through some of the most difficult experiences and hardships of my life. The most difficult was the heartbreak from a four-year relationship. I don’t think I would have made it through that time if Starla wasn’t by my side. She saved me emotionally, and I am forever indebted to her for that.

When I come home from work I leave work at the door because the quality time that we spend together means everything to me. It doesn’t matter how hard my day is, when I look at her eyes, smiling, and wagging her little tail, everything else fades away, and it’s all about her.

Awwww. Is she a social butterfly?

Starla is really sweet and even-keeled for the most part, but if a dog gets into her space and she wants to be left alone, she makes it very clear to the other dog. She takes after me, being that she is a leader not a follower.

Starla and I have our own way of communicating. She knows exactly what she wants and makes sure to tell me when she wants it!

Are there any traits common to small dogs like Starla?

Starla needed two luxating patella surgeries when she was a baby; it is a very common knee problem found in small breeds. The recovery period took a few months and I missed Starla so much, but I was very relieved that her patella surgery was a success.

Do you have a favorite place to go together?

Our happy place to go to is the park. Starla takes after me by getting in her R & R. On hot spring and summer days we sit on my terrace together and chillax.

Any pointers for people and their dogs on care or nutrition?

My best advice is to learn as much as you can about caring for your dog and set them up on a very organized health and maintenance schedule. Keeping your dogs teeth clean is extremely important, because the tartar and any infected areas of the mouth contain a multitude of bacteria that can “seed” to other parts of the body.

Starla’s dentist Kim comes to my home to clean her teeth once a month. I don’t want to put Starla’s life at risk by going under anesthesia and having a complication, being that she is so small. I would highly recommend looking into anesthesia-free dental cleaning for your dog. Also, making sure your dog’s nails are trimmed is very important, as they curl which can be very painful. Starla goes to her vet every four months to get her nails trimmed.

Have you taken your pet to any alternative healers?

Starla and I met with world-renowned pet psychic Sonia Fitzpatrick, which was an unforgettable experience. Sonia told me that my grandmother Netta, who passed on eight years ago, communicates to me through Starla. I had never told anyone that I shared that belief.

Sonia completely took my breath away when she brought that up. I feel strongly that my grandmother sent Starla to me from up above to be an angel in my life. Meeting with Sonia confirmed that.

What is your passion?

My passion is living a very healthy, simple, and balanced lifestyle. I have been training at the gym with a private trainer four days a week over the last two and a half years. I eat extremely clean and healthy.

I just discovered recently that I am very passionate about writing poetry. I find that poetry is a great way to express who I am in a very relatable, creative way. I post my poetry on my social networking sites and have received some very nice tweets and Facebook messages from followers who are enjoying my poems. I am extremely passionate about using my social networking sites to be connected to the world. I like motivating my followers with positive daily sayings, in the hope that they will help them in some way.

What do you want readers to know about you that you think they don’t?

I feel that most people who watched me on TV don’t realize that there is a whole other Chad that is separate from “TV personality and real-estate Chad.” I lead a very simple life. I am very regimented and make time for everything and everyone who is important to me. Even though I’ve had a lot of success selling luxury real estate, having a lot of money and material possessions is not what I’m about. My true happiness comes from enriching my soul by living a clean, healthy and balanced lifestyle.

If you had all the time and money to devote to animals, how many would you have and where would you want to live?

I would buy a working ranch on many acres along the Southern California coast. I would have all different types of animals.

Every animal has a soul, which makes them very unique and special. I feel that animals are the greatest teachers about life and love. It’s amazing that even though they don’t talk, you can understand them perfectly when you look into their eyes. I wish people were more transparent like animals.

Has Starla schmoozed with any celebs?

Paris Hilton is a client of mine and she loves Starla. Whenever I show her houses I always bring Starla along. I support my friend Lilly Tartikoff’s EIF Revlon Run/Walk every year to fight against women’s cancers. Miley Cyrus was on the press line next to Starla and me. When Miley laid eyes on her it was love at first sight!

Starla made her TV debut on E!’s The Soup with Joel McHale.

If you could have dinner with anyone in the world, past or present, who would it be?

Ellen DeGeneres. She is such an amazing person because she is one of the busiest people in the entertainment industry, but she also makes the time to give of herself by spreading mass awareness across the globe for the ethical treatment of animals. She is a great role model in our society and meeting her was a huge moment for me!

To keep up with Chad, visit his website and blog and follow him on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook. Starla also has her own Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram accounts.

Read more from Marina and more about celebs and their dogs:

• We Talk to Veronica Grey the Surf Lady and Her Dog, Flash
• Joanna Krupa of “Real Housewives of Miami” Talks About Her Dogs and Rescue Work
• We Talk to Bitsie Tulloch from “Grimm” About Her Dog, Henry
• Shannon Miller Won 7 Olympic Medals and Wins Gold Again With Her Dog, Dakota
• Hollywood Photographer Alan Weissman Captures Celebrities and Their Dogs
• At Ed Begley Jr.’s Home, Even the Dog Takes Green Living Seriously
• Meet Crystal Hefner’s Charlie, the Cavalier King Charles Who Rules the Playboy Mansion
• Dogster Presents: The Dogs of “The Walking Dead”
• Greg Louganis Swaps the Olympics for a Role at the Westminster Dog Show
• Amy Ray of the Indigo Girls Talks About How Dogs Have Influenced Her Life and Music

Read more about the bond between humans and dogs on Dogster:

• Leo the Puppy Mill Rescue Boxer Always Has His Mouth Full
• 3 Things My Senior Dog Has Taught Me About Aging Gracefully
• I Have a Baby AND a Pit Bull, and People Are Supportive

About Marina Anderson: Marina is an established actress, professional freelance writer, best-selling author (David Carradine, The Eye Of My Tornado), jewelry designer (The Flying Goddess) and publicist (The Media Hound PR) for clients such as Robby Benson, Ed Begley Jr., and music icon Alan Parsons and Gary U.S. Bonds, to name a few. She is also a personal manager and career and spiritual consultant.

Her film/TV credits include Dexter (opposite Jennifer Carpenter); co-lead in the Emmy-nominated web series Sophie Chase, Law & Order LA, and Desperate Housewives; supporting and guest star roles in Dangerous Curves, Sex & Mrs X (opposite Linda Hamilton), Forever Knight, and Kung Fu: The Legend Continues (opposite David Carradine); the Genie Award-winning film 32 Short Films About Glenn Gould; and many other productions, national commercials, and voiceovers. Marina’s passion is helping animal rescue organizations. Look for her next book, The Adventures Of Lulu The Collie,which stars her beloved dog, Lulu, daughter to Lassie VIII, and keep up with her work by following her on Facebook.