Stallone says his dog helped launch his acting career

Veteran actor Sylvester Stallone says his dog Butkus helped him launch his acting career because he inspired him to write "Rocky", which he also starred in.

The 70-year-old credited his dog on social media on Thursday night for being the major help behind writing the 1976 movie "Rocky", reports femalefirst.co.uk.

The actor posted an image of his younger self with his dog in his lap.

"1971... Since we're on the subject of 'man's best friend' this is myself and Butkus as a puppy, we were both thin, hungry and living in a flophouse above a subway stop. I used to say this apartment had 'hot and cold running roaches'... Anyway there was not much to do except spend time with each other and that's where I started to learn the craft of screenwriting," Stallone captioned the image.

"Since I never went out, I relied on his companionship and actually it was his idea to write 'Rocky', but don't tell anyone," he added.

Stallone also said he was forced to sell the Bull Mastiff for $40 to help him survive, although he later bought back his beloved friend for $15,000 following the success of his action film.

"Years later when things got even worse I had to sell him for $40 in front of a 7-Eleven store, because I couldn't afford food, then like a modern day miracle, the screenplay for 'Rocky' sold, and I could buy and buy him back, but the new owner knew I was desperate, and charged me $15,000... He was worth every penny," he posted.

The "Creed" star thanked his "best friend".

Stallone shared another black and white image of himself with the dog and captioned it: "I absolutely love pictures like this. When I was 26, totally broke, going nowhere very fast, owned two pair of pants that barely fit, shoes that had holes in them and dreams of being successful were as far away as the sun... But I had my dog, Butkus, my best friend, my confidant, who always laughed at my jokes, and put up with my moods, and was the one living thing that loved me for who I was."

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