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Related Sites: · IMDb: Beverly Hills Chihuahua

Ali_Hillis knows how to pamper her pooches. The actress refers to her two Boxers as “no less than children” and says she even has climate control in the back of her vehicle so her pets can experience the same luxury she enjoys. She seems to have an affinity for dogs when it comes to her on-screen life as well. Hillis appeared opposite Diane Lane in the 2005 comedy “Must Love Dogs,” and can next be seen in “Beverly Hills Chihuahua” this fall.

While the canine-centric film is sure to produce some laughs, Hillis finds that her own dogs bring the most amusement to her life. “I’ve had dogs since I was four,” she says. “I’m a big dog fan. I think they add so much happiness and so much laughter to your life.”

Hillis explains that she also spends a great deal of time rescuing animals. In fact, one of her Boxers, Cooper, is a rescued dog. “You see the hurt and you see the pain,” she says. “If you have some sense of compassion, there is no way you can walk away.”

While Hillis may be happy to gush about her work with animals, she seems quite modest about her impressive acting credentials. This seasoned actress has graced the screen with the likes of Ben Stiller, Robert Downey, Jr. and Jamie Lee Curtis, just to name a few. “I’ve been very lucky to have worked with so many of these actors,” she says. “I never thought I’d end up working with actors of this caliber. I’ve found everyone I’ve worked with to be so real and sincere and welcoming.”

Hillis describes Diane Lane as “warm and sincere” and remembers Robert Downey, Jr. for his “killer dry wit.” She is also quick to discuss the generosity of Jamie Lee Curtis. “She tends to treat everyone to free coffee at Starbucks,” Hillis says. “She’s so generous. She’s always taking care of the crew and the actors.”

Before establishing herself in the film industry, Hillis performed on stage in New York. She credits her background in the theatre for giving her a solid acting foundation. “I really believe in going to New York [to work on the stage] first,” she says. “I say you go to New York for the art part, and you come to LA to be a star.”

According to Hillis, New York stage experience can sometimes pay the most dividends during an audition. “When you have a basis in theatre in New York, you [go into an audition in LA] trying to give them the truth of the role in your mind,” she explains. “A lot of times, the people who are casting the role only see it a certain way. If you can really bring yourself to that character, sometimes it can win them over. You’ll show them something no one else has done.”

Aside from her flourishing acting career, Hillis is also busy planning her Aug. 2 wedding. Hillis and her hedge fund manager fiancé first met when she worked as a waitress in New York. “He was actually dating one of the other waitresses at the time, so he was not my table,” she recalls with a laugh. Hillis says it wasn’t until later when her now fiancé became single and she accompanied him on a trip to Cabo that their relationship began to develop.

So, given Hillis’ abundant success and happiness, what’s the secret to her charmed life? “I really feel like if you just pay attention, keep your eyes open and listen, your whole life is pretty much laid out before you,” she says. “It’s just a matter of staying true to yourself.”