Thursday, August 28, 2014

Paw-sitively Fabulous: National Dog Day At Loews Regency Hotel

After a busy weekend of pup-friendly events (more on that later), we were super excited to hear about one right around the corner from our apartment. Insta-famous pooch Chloe the Mini Frenchie posted about a dog friendly "Yappy Hour" at the swanky Loews Hotel on Park Avenue. As soon as we saw that proceeds from the #fabuluxe event were benefiting the Humane Society of New York (where I adopted Holly), we knew we absolutely had to make an appearance.



We arrived at the patio of the 61st street entrance of the hotel to see the sidewalk packed with pups and pup lovers, as well as local news media. (Thank goodness we thought to don matching polka dots and pearls for the occasion.) We said our hellos to the Humane Society representatives and then made a beeline for the table offering free treats and "Puppychinos," pup-friendly foamed milk drinks with bones garnishing the side.
The treat area was a pup-ular stop throughout the evening.
Not to leave the human attendees out, waiters were on hand serving "Snooptinis," a specialty cocktail with an adorable gummy pooch garnish. Proceeds from the beverage benefited the Humane Society of New York, so you didn't feel the least bit guilty for indulging! I elected to skip the cocktail in favor of the pawsome gelato cart since it was so warm out. Holly thought my pear selection looked so good she tried to sneak a lick when I wasn't looking!
Specialty cocktails benefited HSNY. 
The pear gelato was too good for me to pass up!
In addition to Chloe the Mini Frenchie, the event was attended by several other Insta-famous pups, including Wally the Welsh Corgi and Taco the City Dog. A question that I got a few times throughout the evening was, “How do these pooches manage to gain their impressive followings?” I can tell you one thing, it’s through a lot of hard work! Wally's dad came prepared with a professional level camera and a squeaky toy to get the famous Corgi's ears just so. We were impressed by their commitment!
Wally the Welsh Corgi shows adoptable pooch Bruce how to work the camera.
Loews is very well known for being pup ruvers, and it shows!
Speaking of impressed, we were blown away by the dog-friendly setup provided by Loews. A special relaxation area in the shade housed toys, water bowls, and fluffy Loews branded beds where the pups could take a breather away from the action. Holly appreciated the gesture, but was more interested in keeping an eye on the treat table than lounging in the shade!

The beds are part of the pawsome amenities that Loews Resorts offer their four-legged guests. They aren't kidding when they say they love your pets--a pet package includes gourmet room service menus specifically for pets (dogs or cats!), dog-walking and pet sitting services, information on local pet-friendly restaurants and great walks in the area, and a complimentary name tag, bowl, and special treats upon arrival. It's enough to make Holly and me want to take a staycation in our own backyard!

"Enough with the pictures, mom. Where are the TREATS?"
As the afternoon wound down, we decided to pay a visit to the "Dog Psychologist," Blake Rodriguez of Dream Come True K9, who was offering consultations for a $5 fee. (Proceeds went to the Humane Society of New York.) We discussed Holly's nerves around children, and he gave us some great pointers to try out in the future!
An homage to the Peanuts, though probably with better Psychiatric help!
Thank you to Loews Regency for the paw-sitively fabulous time at this year's National Dog Day! We can't wait to head to Loews for more pup-friendly fun soon!


Until Next Time, Darlings!

Monday, August 25, 2014

Store Spotlight: I'd Rather Be With My Dog + A Discount!

Today's Store Spotlight focuses on another small business with a big heart, I'd Rather Be With My Dog.

I've been a fan of I'd Rather Be With My Dog on Instagram for some time, so I was super excited to have the chance to speak to Doug Ratner, the company's founder, about everything from animal advocacy to the decidedly Swift-ian origin of the brand.

In case you aren't familiar, I'd Rather Be With My Dog makes tanks, t-shirts, mugs, and stickers with that exact sentiment. Buyers can choose to rep a specific breed or just share their love of dogs with a straightforward "I'd Rather Be With My Dog" message (I love the I'd Rather Be With My Rescue Dog top, of course!).

Doug was inspired to create the line after a song he wrote about his troubled love life, 'Dogs,' started to get a lot of attention for it's chorus ("I'd rather be with my dog, than be with you"). T-Swift, take note: Doug's little ditty has now turned into a way to raise money and awareness for pups in need across the nation! Check out the original song below, then read on for more on this pawsome brand and the rocker behind it!




Little Holly's Big World: Ok, first off, let's talk about the song: How did you go from a fun rock and roll tune inspired by girl troubles to a full fledged clothing (and mug!) company? Taylor Swift ain't got nothing on you!

Doug Ratner: It all was a very organic process. As the song began to spread, I was getting heart warming emails from people saying how much they related to the song. How it described their life to a T (And to this day some of those original people I connected with are some of my biggest customers and fans).  So it only seemed like the next step was to make a t-shirt with that phrase on it! I just shortened it up, and started getting them printed up! It was that simple.

The paw print tank is one of the store's most pup-ular items. Buy it here.

LHBW: Several of your own pooches are featured in the "I'd Rather Be With My Dog" music video. Besides helping with break ups and inspiring clothing lines, what would you say is the best thing about having a dog in your life?

DR: Oh man, where do I begin? I've always had a very strong connection with dogs, even as a baby my mom told me I loved our German Shepherd, Nina, so much. I certainly wouldn't call myself a dog whisperer, but I'm the guy who gets on the ground with the German Shepherd police dogs at my own risk to snuggle with them...I'm ridiculous.

Did I just ramble? Sorry! Dogs can teach us more about how to be an amazing human being more than people can. Think about it: Dogs love unconditionally, they never judge you, they just exist to be your companion. That kind of compassion and dedication takes a person a lifetime to understand. And I can really be myself around my dogs. I have a special language with them that nobody but them, or my mom, has ever heard. :)

LHBW: I'd Rather Be With My Dog is a big supporter of animal advocacy and rescue. How, specifically, does the company give back to these organizations?

DR: We make both public and private donations to different shelters and rescues throughout the country. I like to say that every time you buy something, you're improving the life of an animal somewhere around the world. My goal is that one day the company will get so big that I can create an I'd Rather Be With My Dog Foundation that will only be geared towards helping shelters.

LHBW: Do you find that a specific breed or style is a best seller on the site? Do you have a personal favorite item? 


DR: The tank tops have by far been the most popular item yet. I sold out of them so fast! I think it's because they're not breed specific so any dog owner can rock one with pride. And of course I'm biased towards the Shepherd shirt! 

The Pit Bull t-shirt is also one of the most popular, and that's because pittie owners have an enormous amount of pride towards their breed. They have to stand together in this world because the media unjustly bashes that poor breed, so when someone buys that shirt, they wear it with some serious pride. 


Pit bull (brindle) tee. In men's and women's styles. Buy it here.

LHBW: The line gets a lot of great feedback and social sharing across Instagram and Twitter. Do you have a favorite story or image a customer has shared?

DR: The image (below) is of a little girl with her pittie, Ava. This little girl wears her I'd Rather Be With My Dog Pit shirt to school because she educates her classmates on the beauty of Pit Bulls. And she's 8 years old! Never in my life did I imagine I'd start a company that could somehow change the world's incorrect view on a dog. It's really heart warming.


There are a lot, but I'd just get teary-eyed writing about them all!

This tiny animal crusader is doing her part to change the negative public opinion on pit bulls! 
LHBW: Through your work within the animal world, is there anything you have learned about animal welfare that you wish more people knew?

DR: I suppose one of the most terrible things I learned about is Beagle testing....the FDA allows pharmaceutical companies to test their products on Beagles, regardless of the outcome. I just can't stand knowing that this happens...we work with the Atlanta Beagle rescue, I like to think that the donations help.

And I just wish that people weren't so ignorant about Pit Bulls. I know I keep mentioning them, but they need so much help.

Holly with two of her "scary" pit bull friends, Dexter (above) and Jake (below).

LHBW: Anything else we should know?

DR: I guess I love for people to know that I'm a human being and a dog lover just like you, so any questions they have they can directly contact me whenever they'd like!


They might as well have made this mug with my name on it! Available in multiple breeds, Chihuahua here.

I've said it before and I'll say it again: one of the most amazing things about having this blog is all the incredible people I have met and brands I have discovered that care so deeply about animal rescue and advocacy. People like Doug are making sure that every pup has a happy, safe, and healthy life, and that is paw-sitively fabulous. 

If you want to show your support of your fave dog breed (or just show your non-dog friendly office your peaceful protest in shirt or mug form), be sure to check out I'd Rather Be With My Dog's website. Fans of LHBW get 20% off with promo code BIGWORLD. They even ship internationally, so get shopping!


Until Next Time, Darlings!


Thursday, August 21, 2014

Guest Posting on Dearie Lovie!

Good morning, Darlings!

I am excited to announce that this week I will be a featured guest poster over on Dearie Lovie, talking about fun and fashionable ways that you can support animal rescue. Be sure to pop on over for some yet to be blogged exclusive discounts, as well as some great tips about how to support your favorite cause and look great doing it!

Speaking of, don't forget to check out the previous post to win a gift card to Hendrick & Co, a super socially conscious company with super cute clothes to boot! I'm personally looking forward to the return of their "I Kissed A Mutt and I Liked It" style this winter :)

Until Next Time, Darlings! Hope to see you over on Dearie Lovie!!

Tuesday, August 19, 2014

Store Spotlight: Hendrick & Co. + A Giveaway!

I was introduced to Hendrick & Co. (formerly Hendrick Boards) by my friend Michelle, who texted me a picture of one of their "I Kissed a Mutt and I Liked it" tees (now sold out). I went to their website to see what other products they had to offer, and was blown away when I discovered the company's commitment to animal rescue. When I saw the company's founder, David Hendrickson, was inspired to create this line after rescuing his own Chihuahua Mix, William, I knew I had to learn more. David was kind enough to take time out of saving the world to chat with me about the company, his love of animals, and the amazing steps he takes towards saving every critical case he can.

Hendrick & Co.'s mission was inspired by a very special pup, David's own chihuahua mix, William. David met William when he was volunteering at an animal shelter and overheard some talk about a case of three puppies being poisoned when their mother ingested household cleaning products. They didn't think the pups would survive past the end of the week. The minute David laid eyes on William's "big goofy ears and big beautiful eyes," he knew he had to make whatever time he had left amazing. He signed adoption papers that afternoon and William came home with him. Three years later, William is still bunking with David, and after his difficult start to life, is perfectly healthy. Today David also counts Oliver, a paralyzed corgi-chihuahua mix, and Taylor, a German Shepherd lab mix (and resident den mom) in his pack.

William's image decorates this super cute tote, part of the Square It collection, a special collection that doubles the donation amount to animal rescue. Buy it here
William's story inspired David to make a company that could help animal shelters and save more critical cases like William, Oliver, and Abigail, a terminally ill pit bull who passed away the day before David met Taylor. That company was Hendrick Boards, and in the three years since it's creation, they have gone from supporting two local non profit shelters to over 350 shelters in the United States, Asia, and Canada.

Even your pup can proudly support the cause! Buy this hoodie here.
The company's set up is simple: buy a shirt, save a life. The site features 1-3 new critical needs cases per day (warning: these posts are not only heartbreaking, but often graphic examples of abuse & neglect), and 90% of those cases are fully funded in their recovery by proceeds from Hendrick & Co. Customers have an option to buy specific shirts with dedicated funds for those animals, or to enter their zip code into the site's shelter finder and have proceeds from their sale benefit a local shelter in need. To date, they have raised close to $500,000 for animals in need. David was quick to point out that they raise 3x more from direct donations through the site than they do from sales of shirts.

So cute for morning walks! Buy it here.
What makes the product special is that these are "boutique, fashion forward products" that still go to a great cause. David wanted to reach the younger generation, and was dedicated to creating a product that allowed them to display their commitment to animal welfare in a way that was "cute and cool," a step up from the standard boxy tee that typically gets relegated to the pajama drawer. After all, you are much more likely to raise awareness for your cause wearing a tee proudly down the street than bumming around at home (unless the Seamless delivery guy is your target audience).

Say it with pride! Buy it here
David hopes that his company teaches young people that whatever they support, they should go out and support it with all their heart. The company runs a contest each year where children from all over the nation can submit t-shirt designs that are voted for by Facebook fans to be released as a special edition tee. He speaks passionately about the large numbers of Pit Bulls and Chihuahuas (who have the highest kill rate in California shelters), and the importance of educating the public on how a simple act like spaying or neutering your pooch can ultimately save 100s of lives.

In addition to everything he gives to the animals, David is giving something to Little Holly's Big World readers as well. If you are as touched by his story as I was, be sure to enter our giveaway for a $35 Hendrick & Co. gift card, so you (or your pup) can represent your support of animal welfare both proudly and stylishly!!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Congrats to our winner, Justine! Stay tuned for more giveaways, including one with my very dear friend and Etsy shop owner Molly in the near future!

Until Next Time, Darlings!

Monday, August 11, 2014

Store Spotlight: J&B Custom Leather on Etsy + A Discount!

I am so excited to be sharing this extra special Store Spotlight today. The B in J&B Custom Leather happens to be a very dear friend of mine who I worked with at summer camp as a riding instructor more years ago than I am willing to admit. We have both come a long way since the days when we dressed in matching outfits and threw water balloons at each other on horseback, but I still have mildly embarrassing photographic evidence that it happened. :)


But now we are (semi) grown up gals, with a WEDDING on the way for Miss Bridget this fall, as well as a booming new business in J&B Custom Leather. Between a part-time job, wedding planning, and collar making, I was thrilled I was able to pin her down to discuss her business and truly amazing handmade products!

In the winter of 2013, Bridget and her soon-to-be hubby packed up and moved to Kentucky, where his parents are located. Like so many people, they were faced down with a tricky job market, and after a month of searching to no avail, Bridget's future mother–in-law, a well-known face in the Quarter Horse industry, offered to teach Bridget leatherworking and bring her on as part of the family business, Horsewares Custom Chaps.

Horsewares mainly deals in chaps, though they also dabble in other leather items such as belts, ottomans, and throw pillows. Since winter months are slow for riding gear, Bridget's mother-in-law had tried her hand at making Western-inspired dog collars, but they had not sold as well in stores as she had hoped. She offered Bridget the opportunity to market them on her own with the promise that she could keep the profits of anything she sold. It was then that Bridget's knack for entrepreneurship emerged--she threw her energy into growing Horseware's Facebook Fan Base and set up an Etsy shop featuring the collars. Soon after, the collars began to sell, and she received a message asking if she accepted custom orders.

Bridget realized she had a unique product that was not really available elsewhere on the market--high quality, wholly custom handmade leather collars at a price point that was palatable. (Many of the designs are under $50). She began doing custom work and contacting friends (myself included) to market her product even further--I am proud to say I was one of J&B Custom Leather's first official custom customers!!

Holly's first J&B Custom Leather Collar
Since those early days, the Etsy site and corresponding Facebook and Instagram have taken off, with collars being sent to Italy, France, the UK, and Australia, and outfitting pampered pooches from Chihuahuas to Great Danes (they have even made one for a cat!). Still, the personalizing process remains much the same: after going through the photos on Facebook, Etsy, or Instagram, a customer contacts Bridget via direct message and lets her know what they are interested in having on their collar. For my initial collar, I knew I wanted pink but was pretty lost beyond that kicking off point, and she was very patient with me, texting me options for conchos (the name for the silver hearts pictured above) and rhinestones until we settled on a design.
Modelling her collar on Valentine's Day!
Since those early days they have branched off and offer turquoise look stones, tooled leathers, and even hand stamped name plates (courtesy of Trevor, Bridget's uber-talented fiance and the other half of J&B). Bridget says her absolute favorite thing to do is to create a brand new custom design with the customer, so the sky is truly the limit in terms of creativity.
Some of the new collar designs with turquoise stones and hand stamped name plates.
MLB collars make great gifts for the baseball lover (and great accessories for Bark In the Park events!)
In terms of emerging trends, Bridget has noticed very high demand for the copper conchos, and has even had several customers request having bullet casings put on their collars (truly something for any taste!). A typical custom collar order takes about 2-3 weeks to ship out, and ranges in price from $30-$75, depending on materials selected (real silver buckles and conchos can be purchased) and detail (borders, nameplates, etc). A custom matching leash can also be added to your order for an additional fee.

Just a handful of gorgeous custom collars. Image via J&B Custom Leather on Instagram.
Hand stamped name plates. Image via J&B Custom Leather on Instagram.
Zeus, Bridget's pup and official brand mascot! Image via J&B Custom Leather on Instagram.
So I could get a real feel of the J&B Custom Leather collar process, Bridget and Trevor were kind enough to offer Holly a custom collar in exchange for this post (I swear, that pooch has all the luck!). I was very excited by some of the new leather colors that they had posted on their Facebook page, particularly in the purple family, since not only does Holly look excellent in purple, but the plum leather matched perfectly with my favorite purse (and you know how we feel about matching)!

The leather offerings. Different leathers may be paired together to create collars with borders
(like the ones pictured above)
Since I love pairing bright turquoise jewelry with my plum leather bag, I was drawn to that color combination for Holly's new collar. I wanted to keep the width to 3/4", so I couldn't add a border or large conchos, but we more than made up for it with turquoise and bling! I also decided to add a hand stamped name plate, with simply "Holly" since "Holly Golightly" has a large amount of characters for her teeny little neck!! At the end of our conversation, Bridget let me know the timeline for when she would begin work on the collar, during which time I was welcome to make any changes or additions. During this time she was kind enough to send me photos and links to a number of buckles for the collar so I could make it 100% custom and to my exact vision!
The beautiful collar came packaged with love and exactly how I imagined it.
Holly modeling the finished design. 
Even without our personal friendship, I would have been drawn to J&B Custom Leather collars for their handmade quality and reasonable price point. I am a sucker for custom items for Holly but even I can't quite justify a purchase over $100 on something custom for my pup! Bridget and Trevor are a dream to work with and do everything to make sure you are comfortable with your final design and are getting exactly what you want (I even requested a hole be made so the collar could be a very specific length, and they were happy to oblige!). They will also help the design-confused like myself to make the best and most beautiful product, suggesting elements that have worked in the past and letting you know if something clashes or can't be made in the size you are looking for.

So the next time you are in the market for a collar, I highly recommend checking out J&B Custom Leather. Not only are you sure to get a high quality, handmade, completely custom piece for a fraction of what you would pay elsewhere, but you will be supporting a small business backed by two very big hearts. And as an added bonus, J&B Custom Leather is offering readers of Little Holly's Big World a 10% discount on their Etsy shop with code LITTLEHOLLYBIGWORLD. So get shopping and support small business! Your pup will thank you :)

Until Next Time, Darlings!

Saturday, August 9, 2014

Pawtnership with Come Clean Pop Culture Soap + A Giveaway!

I found out about Come Clean Pop Culture Soap when a friend tagged me in one of their posts on Instagram. I did a little research on the brand, and I found myself loving the brand and the products. Come Clean Pop Culture Soap creates natural, paraben-free, sulfate free soap for your pup scented with essential oils to leave them squeaky clean and smelling fresh. Each soap contains a cute vinyl collectible pup inside, and you can select your breed and scent to really customize the soap to your pooch's needs. Come Clean was kind enough to send me two soaps: one to test out on Holly, and one to give away to a lucky reader!

**disclaimer: I was provided this soap by Come Clean Pop Culture Soap in exchange for a review. All opinions are honest & my own.

My Come Clean soaps arrived at my door super fast, and I was immediately in love with the super cute packaging. I was sent two soaps to choose from for my review: a Lemon Eucalyptus with a white Chihuahua figurine that promises natural insect repellent, and a Lavender Coconut with a Pomeranian that is moisturizing and relaxing. Since we are in the height of mosquito season and I have stopped using chemical repellents on Holly, the Lemon Eucalyptus was the way to go!

Our two soap options. We test drove the white Chi in Lemon Eucalyptus, the Lavender Coconut Pom is for one of you!
Another disclaimer before I continue: Holly HATES baths! I have to sit on the edge of the tub and trap her with my legs so she doesn't jump out of the tub covered in suds. So when I read that Come Clean was quick-rinsing, I was super excited. Quick rinsing means less time with Holly's nails digging into my thigh while she stares at me like I am subjecting her to the worst kind of torture. But I digress.

Holly: "what did I do to deserve this?"
The soap lathered up beautifully and smelled AWESOME, like an Anthropologie candle. The Eucalyptus was strong enough that I *might* borrow this bar from Holly to suds up when I have a head cold, since I know it has natural, um, clearing qualities. I was so excited about the suds and smell I got a little overzealous and probably soaped Holly up too much, but her digging nails quickly refocused me to the rinse cycle.

soaping up. Also, my toe. Cool. 
Lucky for me, the promise of a quick rinse held true, and after dumping a few bowlfuls of cold water over Holly's back, her fur started to feel squeaky clean! I always over rinse because I don't want there to be any residue, so I appreciated the squeaky clean feel because I felt more confident I wasn't leaving anything behind to make Holly itch!

Once we were done rinsing, I towel dried Holly and left her to her typical after bath routine of tearing around like a lunatic and burrowing under the blankets on the bed. Once she had worn herself out, she settled down next to me to air dry. Her fur is super soft, and I am happy knowing that I used a natural, handmade product so just in case I missed rinsing enough in one spot, she's not going to ingest anything harmful.

"that was the last bath ever, right?"
She doesn't have a lot of lingering scent from the soap, so I will still use her other natural insect repellent for added protection. My bathroom, however, still smells like Anthropologie, which I am 100% ok with!

I'm excited to have found this natural product that still provides a good, clean bath for Holly. In the future, I might try out the calming scent to see if that helps with her bath anxiety. But for now, that one is going to one of you!!! The giveaway ends August 15th, so be sure to enter and share with your friends!! Sadly, this giveaway is only open to US Residents, but stay tuned because our NEXT giveaway will be open internationally as well!

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Congrats to our winner, Laura M!! For those who didn't win, don't be too disappointed, we have another giveaway starting Monday!!!

Until Next Time, Darlings!

Monday, August 4, 2014

Little Holly's Big Book Club: Interview With Sue Chipperton, Gidget the Dog's Pup-sonal Trainer!

As part of our first “Little Holly’s Big Book Club” series, I was incredibly lucky to have the opportunity to speak with Sue Chipperton, co-author of A Famous Dog's Life and trainer behind the "Yo Quiero Taco Bell" ad campaign's famous Chihuahua star, Gidget, around whom the book is centered. Sue was kind enough to take time out of her crazy training schedule to chat with me about Gidget, the book, life with dogs and her career.

The book was born out of a collaboration between Sue and her friend Rennie Dyball of People magazine. Shortly before Gidget’s death, Rennie put together a story about famous animals featuring stars such as Moondoggie (Bruiser from Legally Blonde, and another Sue trainee), Salem the Cat from Sabrina the Teenage Witch, and of course Gidget. After Gidget passed away, Sue reached out to Rennie to see if People would be interested in running an obituary for the little Chihuahua with the big personality, which they did (you can read it here).

Despite the fact that Gidget hadn’t been on TV in years, the article was met with overwhelming response. Sue recalls googling her shortly after the article ran and going through 45 pages of responses…with still more after. Realizing that there was still significant public interest in Gidget and that she had a number of personal photos, Sue spoke to Rennie again, this time about the possibility of a picture book. Rennie suggested they take it a step further, to a full memoir style book, of which she became the co-author. 

It is clear from the overwhelming response to the article that the “Yo Quiero Taco Bell” campaign is more than just an ad campaign: it was a defining moment in 90s popular culture, and cemented Gidget as an icon for generations to come. Though there is no telling whether the campaign would have had as wide of an impact without Gidget and Sue at the helm, there is no denying that Gidget became “a little personality,” and that she had something special that viewers responded to. I asked Sue if there was a specific “star quality” that they looked for in studio animals. In her 20 years at Studio Animal Services, Sue worked with everything from ducks to cats and squirrels, but when it came to dogs she was considering for studio work she always sought out those with "outgoing and borderline obnoxious behavior" in the shelter, knowing they could later channel that over the top energy into something that worked on camera. Although shy dogs in shelters can make wonderful pets, they aren't always the best to be on set, where there can be a lot of overwhelming components.


Of course, every once in a while a critter shows such megastar talent they simply can’t be denied. When Sue adopted her pup Beans from the shelter, she had no idea whether she would work as a studio animal, but she ultimately became one of the most requested stars at Studio Animal Services!

Outside of the famous coworkers (both two and four legged), Sue says the best thing about her job is the travel, and the fact that every day is different. However, it is this spontaneous aspect to the job that can make it difficult to maintain the elusive work-life balance. Many opportunities early in Sue’s career were based largely on the fact that she “had a passport and could leave the next morning at 10am,” and there are some days where she doesn’t get home until 3am. She admits that the unpredictability and long hours have taken a toll on her social life, since Friday night plans can often be derailed by a last minute commercial assignment coming in on a Wednesday. But I suspect when you are spending 12 hours on set with Brad Pitt, or strolling the red carpet of a Hollywood premiere, you don't mind missing that happy hour after all :)

Gidget and Sue on the red carpet at the Godzilla premiere. Photo by Ron Galella. Image courtesy of A Famous Dog's Life on Facebook.
For those who want to make a life out of the undeniable adventure that is studio animal work, Sue says the best place to be is in LA. There are markets in places like New York, Chicago, Detroit, or Miami, but they are often too small to offer much experience. Sue says the best thing she did for her career was making the move to LA, and being open to interning for no pay until she learned the craft. She was lucky that she had a background in training marine animals in Florida prior to moving to California, which helped her move through the ranks quickly, and says some prior knowledge of animal training can be a real asset. There are two year courses available that some trainers opt to take first, which can also lead to careers in zoos or as a veterinarian. Either way, experience is key, and, like many careers, a willingness to put in the grunt work at the beginning can pay off big down the road.

Even if you aren’t jetsetting to a movie set, it doesn’t mean your pooch can’t travel like a star! Since Gidget and Sue became adept at travelling throughout the Taco Bell campaign, I asked her about her own tips for travelling with a pet. She linked me to her own blog post on the subject here (jackpot!), which goes into detail on flying your pooch in the cabin, in cargo, and even internationally, but she also had a few basic tips worth mentioning.

For pups flying in the cabin with you, Sue cautions against opening the bag and taking your dog out en route to your destination, as it discourages them from sleeping (the ideal situation for a long flight). This is not only best for you and your pet, but also fellow passengers who might have an allergy or other concern about dogs that could make for an awkward flight. Sue often kept Gidget in her bag with a sweater covering it, and was so discreet many passengers didn't know there was a pooch on board at all!

Traveling in style. Photo by Sue Chipperton. Image courtesy of A Famous Dog's Life on Facebook.
Sue also recommends taking your pup out and about as much as possible prior to airline travel, to get them used to going places with you and being in their bag. Giving your pup exposure to more environments and situations contributes to a "more well-rounded, well balanced dog,” who will be less likely to be stressed and overwhelmed by the situation.

Of course the downside to being out and about in New York City is the unavoidable stressors that can spook a small pup. Sue says the key to dealing with these environmental stressors is to be aware of the situation around you. If you can cross the street to avoid the scary thing, then there is no reason to put your animal through the anxiety of encountering something that makes them nervous.

For situations like garbage trucks where you absolutely cannot avoid it, she recommends having a plan in place before you leave your house. Her top tip: have treats (or, for really scary things, really good treats, like cut up steak or chicken) to whip out when something scary happens to draw your pet's attention back to you. As a last resort with a small pooch, you can always pick them up and walk away, but be sure not to pet them and coo at them, as they can misinterpret that as a reward for acting scared. As soon as you are a comfortable distance away from the thing that spooked them, set them down and make them go through basic commands to redirect their focus (this is the time to use that steak!). And most importantly, set them up for success when you leave the house, "even if it means walking half a block and coming back."

Another downside to life in New York is that we aren’t blessed with the year round gorgeous weather that Los Angeles and Hawaii (two of the places Sue has been lucky enough to call home during her career) have. Luckily, Sue has a creative (indoor) way to wear out your pup on days the weather simply will not permit a walk. Since "mental stimulation is more exhausting than physical stimulation," she recommends hiding food or toys throughout the apartment for your pooch to find. Start out simple (under the coffee table, behind a couch cushion), and increase difficulty to make your pup use their brain (and their nose) to track down the reward. Sue played this game with a Jack Russell who could sniff out a toy at the top of a very tall dresser, and then would sit patiently while she retrieved it for him. Fun for two and four legged family members, and certainly more pleasant than a walk in 2 degree temps! 

For those readers who are considering adding a pup to their life but have not yet taken the plunge, Sue had a few tips to ensure you end up with the paw-fect relationship. Regardless of where you are in life or how big or small your home and outdoor space is, she cautions that "people need to be really cautious and responsible when getting a dog," and do the leg work in researching the breed and understanding their needs and natural "job" prior to bringing them home. For example, not all small dogs are well suited for apartment life, as "many smaller breeds are more active" and will require a fair amount of exercise to exert their energy on something other than chewing your collection of Ikea furniture. In fact, she said an Irish Wolfhound is less active than a Jack Russell, and is very well suited for life in your tiny studio...if there's room for the both of you, that is!

Irish Wolfhounds make excellent apartment dogs, despite their impressive stature. Image via Dog Breed Info.
No matter which breed you choose, "each dog is an investment in your time," and you owe it to yourself and your pup to look into what they were bred to do to ensure you can meet their activity needs. You are responsible for your pup's happiness, and taking the steps to make sure you get the right breed for your life and circumstances will make everyone happy! And when you do make the decision on the perfect pup, Sue gives great tips on housebreaking here. Consider your rugs AND furniture legs saved!

I would be remiss if I neglected to ask about Gidget's fave Mrs. Hedgehog toy (buy it from Amazon here, and yes, I bought one for Holly), and whether there are other toys that Sue has found to be favorites among her famous pooches. Antlers won out on pup-ularity for chewing, and plush toys with squeakers got the boot since studio pups with high energy and drive tend to un-stuff them rather quickly. She said if a dog shows a particular interest in one toy, she will keep buying that one over and over (my drawer full of Nylabone sticks says AMEN to that tactic), and that she will save extra special toys as motivation for big jobs, taking them from the pup for a day or two before and then producing them on set when they need an extra oomph (after food and treats have lost their appeal). And toys don't have to be Christian Loubarkin to make your pup flip--Sue has a Jack Russell who would do anything for a tennis ball.
Even Gidget's favorite Mrs. Hedgehod didn't make her happy during this photo shoot with William Wegman. Photo by William Wegman. Image courtesy of A Famous Dog's Life on Facebook.
As our interview was winding down, I knew I had to ask Sue the age old question: can you teach an old dog new tricks? She said not only can you teach an old dog, but an old squirrel, duck, rat, or cat..."as long as you find the motivation you can train any animal." Of course, some pets may be more motivated than others…I don’t suspect my parent’s 17 year old cat will find motivation beyond napping any time soon!

I had a wonderful time chatting with Sue and hearing her reminisce more about Gidget and her lifetime of studio work. If you still can't get enough (I know I can't), check out the most recent book she is featured in, available for pre order on Amazon here.

Until Next Time, Darlings!


Friday, August 1, 2014

Little Holly's Big Book Club: Book Two

Good Morning fellow pup ruvers and readers alike!

It's the start of a new month, which means the introduction of our second book in Little Holly's Big Book Club, and a brief wrap up on last month's book, A Famous Dog's Life (look out for our interview with Sue Chipperton, the book's author, early next week!). Since I don't want to supply too many spoilers from the interview with Sue, suffice it to say that her story about Gidget touched me enough that I felt compelled to reach out to her for an interview, and that the book made me laugh out loud and cry enough to make fellow passengers on my plane concerned. I truly cannot recommend the book enough, and in case you didn't get a chance to read it, you still have time before my interview with Sue goes live!! I'll wait here while you order it on Amazon :).

All set? Great! Well this month's selection comes courtesy of my seemingly endless browsing of the Anthropologie sales (I know), where I saw this author's second book "Love at First Bark," and was curious about the book's predecessor and the author's story.

That book, "You Had me at Woof: How Dogs Taught Me the Secrets to Happiness" by Julie Klam, is this month's Little Holly's Big Book Club selection. I was drawn to Julie's story based on the circumstances she was in when she got her first pooch: single, living in New York, and feeling a bit directionless, she had a dream about a Boston Terrier that changed her life for the better. As a single gal living in the same city with my first pooch, I know I can relate, and I'm sure many of you out there can as well!


I hope you'll read along with us and make this month's book club as paw-sitively fabulous as the last!

Until Next Time, Darlings!