'True Blood' werewolf walks his canine co-star

[August 03, 2010]  NEW YORK (AP) -- "True Blood" star Joe Manganiello has bonded with the wolf that plays the canine side of his character -- so much so that he recently began taking his co-star on walks.

The actor plays werewolf Alcide on the series. A North American Timber Wolf named Thunder is his canine counterpart.

Manganiello says Thunder is on a giant chain while they walk to ensure that the animal doesn't get spooked and run away.

Unlike his character, Manganiello admits to getting hit with "an amount of fear" when working with the undomesticated animals. Handlers have advised him not to have meat around Thunder or make any sudden movements.

He says the wolves are "suprisingly gigantic" with "wild-looking, piercing yellow eyes."

"True Blood" airs Sundays on HBO.

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[Associated Press; By LAURI NEFF]

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