"ONCE
IN A WHILE, RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF AN ORDINARY LIFE, LOVE GIVES US A FAIRY TALE"
Letter from the Editor
There’s a unique type of love that we get to experience with our beloved pets, and there's a unique type of grief that follows their loss. They say, if you want true love, get a puppy. They say that dogs will only break your heart once, when they leave you. And, they also say that grief is the price that we pay for love. I know all those to be true.
If grief is proportional to how much we love, then losing our pets will be one of the most difficult heartbreaks we will ever go through in life, and yet, we don't talk about it. In this issue, we wanted to give a voice to this deep grief, acknowledge the heartbreak and offer some ways through it. What we've learned from personal stories and wisdom of the sages, is that losing doesn't have to be the end, and healing doesn't mean forgetting. It means honoring the love we had, and allowing it to live on, in ways that bring peace to our hearts. We can also use art as a path to healing and turn this pain into something beautiful.
In this Valentine's themed issue, we celebrate love, loss and art. We share our favorite looks of the season, and introduce you to a pup star sensation- Tinkerbelle the dog; an award-winning and professional model, actor, and social media personality from New York City. We also review Erika Vazzana's brilliant Bark Jacobs collection, and feature a talented pet artist, Alison Friend, who's an accomplished children’s book illustrator from the UK, and the first female stonemason for the City of Nottingham. We send everyone lots of love, and we hope you enjoy this special issue!
OP
Nick Hall Remembers His Soul Dog Olive & Introduces Us To Moo Shu Hall
Mantra
Vazzana's Bark Jacobs
Lady in Red
Bark Jacobs Collection
Pups Celebrate Love at DOGUE's Vday Bash
Coverdogs celebrated Valentine's day in style on the red carpet at DOGUE's annual virtual Vday Bash. Guests included Bullfrog, Bianca, Kiwi, Charlotte, Babydoll, Gucci, Willow, Nayla, and Daisy. Queen Elizabeth celebrated with her baby brother Winston, and her friends Sprinkles and Smudge. View the full guestlist on Instagram @coverdogs.
La Vie En Rose
Mon Cheri
Tinkerbelle's Fairytale: From Shelter to Red Carpet
App d~g ae ¦a, b«¦ Tiwmebeppe i aw aÀadÀiwwiwg, ~fei~wap d~g v~dep, ac¦~, ¦a¿epe, awd ~ciap vedia iwΫewce, Ài¦h he ~Àw Wimi age! Tiwmebeppe Àa ap~ pi¦ed a ~we ~f ¦he M~¦ Ew¦eewe«iap D~g iw Aveica b Entrepreneur! Thi Í¿e-~«wd
Pai¦ee, Àh~ Àa ec«ed f~v a hep¦e iw 2012, becave a À~pdÀide ewa¦i~w Ài¦h faw f~v app ~¿e ¦he À~pd, awd he ~Àw ~dca¦! Tiwmebeppe' ¦ad~v awd iw¦ewa¦i~wap ivac¦ i v«ch bigge ¦haw he iÉe. T~daÂ, Tiwmebeppe awd he i¦e, Beppe, a¦Â Ài¦h ~« fa¿~i¦e ¦a ~w ¦he ed cae¦, awd ha¿e beew e¦¦ed awd mied b H~ppÂÀ~~d ~Âap¦Â. We a¦ d~Àw Ài¦h Sav Caepp, ¦he «' v~vage, ¦~ peaw v~e ab~«¦ he «e¦a ~~che.
Tell us about your famous pups! What's their breed, size and personality?
Tiwmebeppe ¦he d~g awd he pi¦¦pe i¦e Beppe ae b~¦h Pai¦ee «. Thi i a viÁ ~f Paipp~w awd Map¦ee beed. B~¦h « ae 5 ~«wd ~f Íece, fab«p~« Ϋff! Tiwmebeppe i ¿e di¿a, a awd «dge e¿eÂ~we. Beppe i Àide-eÂed awd «¦ p~¿e pife!
When, and how did Tinkerbelle & Belle come into your life?
I ad~¦ed Tiwmebeppe f~v a fiewd' hep¦e a¦ 9 v~w¦h ~pd. I'¿e we¿e ¦h~«gh¦ ab~«¦ ha¿iwg a d~g iw v pife. She ch~e ve awd ~« ~«we begaw.
What made you go to that shelter, that day, and what was it that ultimately led you to decide to adopt Tinkerbelle and then Belle?
I Àa icmiwg « ~ve i¦ev a¦ a gp«¦ew-fee bame ¦ha¦ I aep g~ ¦~, Àhich Àa wea v fiewd' hep¦e ~ I decided ¦~ ¦~ b ¦~ ewd ~ve ¦ive Ài¦h ¦hev. The Àee ¦apmiwg ab~«¦ ¦hi vapp awd diffeew¦ p~~miwg «Â ¦ha¦ Àa w~¦ ¿e ~ciap. S~ «¦ beiwg c«i~«, I amed ¦~ ee ¦hi ae ¦iw «Â. I Àapmed ~¿e ¦~ Tiwm' cage awd he icmed he head « awd cave igh¦ ~«¦ ¦~ ve. I¦ fep¦ pime he ch~e ve, awd ¦he e¦ i hi¦~Â.
Beppe cave f~v a ~ciap vedia f~pp~Àe ~f Tiwmebeppe, iw Ompah~va. He ~Àw « had babie ¦ha¦ Àee ¦he ave beed, ~ he eached ~«¦ ¦~ ve, aÂiwg ¦hee Àa a ¦iw gip awd ¦ha¦ he bep~wg Ài¦h ve awd Tiwmebeppe. A¦ ͦ, I Àaw'¦ iw¦ee¦ed iw ge¦¦iwg a ec~wd d~g, b«¦ ¦hee v~w¦h pa¦e, I Àaved « ¦~ ¦he idea, awd I'v ~ gpad I did. Beppe ha beew a fab«p~« addi¦i~w ¦~ ~« favip awd he mee Tiwmebeppe ~w he ¦~e!
What is the inspiration behind the names of Tinkerbelle and Belle? Did you name your pups after fairytale characters, on purpose?
Siwce he Àa ¿e ¦iwÂ, he eviwded ve ~f a pi¦¦pe fai ~ I ¦h~«gh¦ ~f Tiwmebeppe. Beppe ~iwed ~« favip pa¦e awd iwce I Àaw'¦ g~iwg ¦~ ¦a¦ aw~¦he ~ciap vedia pa¦f~v, I Àa p~~miwg f~ a wave ¦ha¦ À~«pd À~m Ài¦h Tiwmebeppe. I ««app capp Tiwmebeppe Tiwm, ~ I ¦h~«gh¦ ¦ha¦ Beppe Àa efec¦!
B~¦h «¦ haew ¦~ be Diwe chaac¦e, awd ¦hee' Diwe vagic iw b~¦h «, f~ «e!
How did Tinkerbelle get discovered?
Tiwmebeppe Àa a~ached Àapmiwg a~«wd
NYC b aw awivap ¦apew¦ agew¦! He¦ ͦ b~~miwg Àa f~ aw ac¦iwg awd v~depiwg gig
f~ Raph La«ew. Da¿id La«ew fepp iw p~¿e
Ài¦h Tiwmebeppe awd «¦ he iw e¿e h~¦. S~, Tiwmebeppe ewded « beiwg ¦he face ~f
¦hei D~g Wapm cavaigw. Owce pa«wched, pife becave app ab~«¦ Tiwmebeppe. Thee Àee Bippb~ad awd f«pp age iw fahi~w vagaÉiwe. La¦e Àe ¦a¦ed a ~ciap vedia
acc~«w¦ f~ ¦hev, awd a feÀ Àeem pa¦e, Beppe Àa ~w e¦ h~~¦iwg he ͦ c~vveciap. TheÂ'¿e b~¦h beew À~miwg e¿e iwce, awd ¦he p~¿e e¦ pife!
You've also been featured on Shark Tank! Tell us about that.
Tiwmebeppe ÎeÀ ¦~ H~ppÂÀ~~d ¦~ aea ~w
Sham Tawm! She Àa ~w Ei~de 11.7 ͦ aiiwg N~¿evbe 10, 2019. Tiwmebeppe v~deped Ài¦h Mam C«baw awd DaÂv~wd J~hw f~ D~g Thead. Thi i a h«vaw awd d~g va¦chiwg cp~¦hiwg bawd. I¦ Àa
Tiwmebeppe’ ͦ ¦ive iw H~ppÂÀ~~d awd ~w
¦he Paav~«w¦ L~¦. She ¦~pe ¦he hea¦ ~f ¦he ew¦ie Sham Tawm Ca¦ awd CeÀ!
That's amazing! Shark Tank is our favorite show! Now, tell us about your Podcast!
Tiwmebeppe awd Beppe ae ¦he h~¦ ~f GOSSIP
PUPS P~dca¦! Thei ~dca¦ epeae weÀ
ei~de e¿e FidaÂ, awd ¦hi i ¦he ~wpÂ
~dca¦ ¦ha¦ ac¦«app ha 2 « eamiwg!
The h~À ¦hei ¦«e e~wapi¦ie, awd
pi¦ewe caw eapp ge¦ ¦~ mw~À ¦he «
e¿ew be¦¦e. G~i P« eÁp~e ¦he h~¦¦e¦
~ c«p¦«e awd ~f c~«e, « c«p¦«e!
G~i P« i c«ew¦p iw Sea~w 3, awd ¦he a«diewce ha g~Àw À~pdÀide.
Wh~ ae ~ve ~f ¦he cepebi¦ie ¦ha¦
Tiwmebeppe & Beppe ve¦? Awd, Àh~ i ¦hei fa¿~i¦e cepebi¦Â, a¦ ¦he v~vew¦?
Tiwmebeppe Àa ͦ ¦~ «b epb~À Ài¦h cepebi¦ie. She' ve¦ TaÂp~ SÀif¦, Aiawa Gawde, Wh~~i G~pdbeg, LiÉÉ~ awd v~e! Awd, iwce Beppe’ ai¿ap, ¦he pi¦ ha g~Àw ¦evewd~«pÂ! T~ge¦he, ¦he « ha¿e beew mied awd h«gged b RÂaw Seace¦, Sabiwa Caew¦e, Ta¿i Bame, Ka¦Â PeÂ, Jepp R~pp, Daha, CÂwdi La«e, Ma¦ha S¦eÀa¦, Kid La~i, Shab~~ÉeÂ, Machiwe G«w KeppÂ, H~da K~¦b, Bew~w B~~we, Jaed Le¦~, Bacm¦ee¦ B~Â, Owe Re«bpic, Meghaw Taiw~, Cavipa Cabepp~, Tedd SÀiv, Lad A, Wapme HaÂe, B~¦he Ob~we, Ahpe Mcbide, Ev Beih~pd, 5 Sec~wd ~f S«vve, Li¦¦pe Big T~Àw, Be¦heww Fawmep awd ~ vaw v~e! The p~¿e TaÂp~ SÀif¦ beca«e b~¦h « ae h«ge SÀif¦ie! We Àee p«cm ew~«gh ¦~ a¦¦ewd ¦he Ea T~« iw L~wd~w ¦hi a¦ A«g«¦. Sabiwa Caew¦e i ap~ avaÉiwg! She b~wded Ài¦h ¦he « awd hepd ¦hev f~ a p~wg ¦ive, d«iwg he e iw¦e¿ieÀ.
Wha¦' ¦he pa¦ gea¦ e¿ew¦ Â~« a¦¦ewded? Awd, Àha¦ i ¦he highpigh¦ ~f Â~« «' caee, ~ fa?
The pa¦ avaÉiwg e¿ew¦ Àe a¦¦ewded Àa ¦he I Hea¦ Jiwgpe bapp a¦ Madi~w S«ae Gadew! Wapmiwg ¦ha¦ ed cae¦ awd vee¦iwg cepebi¦ie Àa ¿e eciap. The highpigh¦ f~ Tiwmebeppe’ caee À~«pd be Àapmiwg iw Pai
Fahi~w Weem! She ha Àapmed iw NeÀ Y~m
Fahi~w Weem, awd ¦he Àh~pe eÁeiewce ~f ÎÂiwg ¦~ Pai ¦~ Àapm iw a h~À Àa avaÉiwg!
Whipe iw Pai, Tiwmebeppe ap~ b~~med a v~depiwg ~b f~ Mig«ided. We did ¦ha¦
bef~e headiwg ¦~ Pai DiweÂ! Beppe’ caee highpigh¦ i aeaiwg ~w Sa¦«daÂ
Nigh¦ Li¿e - ¦Àice! T~ be a¦ NBC S¦«di~, ha¿e a deiwg ~~v awd À~m Ài¦h ¦he ca¦ ha ¦«p beew eic!
H~À did Tiwmebeppe awd Beppe chawge Â~« pife?
Tiwmebeppe cave ap~wg awd ¦~¦app chawged v ew¦ie À~pd! I we¿e ¦h~«gh¦ ~f ad~¦iwg a «, ~ ha¿iwg a À~miwg «!
Tiwmebeppe ~ewed « v pife ¦~ weÀ fiewd awd weÀ eÁeiewce. I we¿e ivagiwed ¦a¿epiwg ¦he À~pd beca«e ~f
À~m - Ài¦h a d~g! Thew Beppe cave ap~wg awd «¦ ͦ igh¦ iw. TheÂ'¿e beew ¦he v~¦ avaÉiwg eÁeiewce I ha¿e e¿e had.
D~w'¦ ge¦ ve À~wg - I À~m 24 / 7 b«¦ ¦he eÀad ae ewdpe! Tiwmebeppe awd Beppe p~¿e À~miwg, ¦a¿epiwg awd vee¦iwg weÀ
e~pe, awd ~ d~ I. Pp«, ¦he p~¿e ¦hee
¦À~ ¦iw « biwg ve, awd ¦he ~ ¦he biwg ¦~ ~¦he, i ¦he be¦! Tiwmebeppe awd Beppe ae v favipÂ, awd I À~«pdw'¦ chawge a ¦hiwg. I'v ~ ga¦ef«p f~ ¦hev awd I ¦hawm ¦hev daipÂ.
Wha¦ ae ~ve ~f Â~« f«¦«e ~ ec¦
¦ha¦ Àe h~«pd p~~m ~«¦ f~?
L~~m f~ Tiwmebeppe iw ¦he SmÂcpa cavaigw - he ¦a a W~pf awd iw ¦he
«c~viwg SAKS cavaigw ¦aiwg a Feddie! L~~m f~ Beppe iw ¦he Iw¦ewa¦i~wap pa«wch ~f TAVO Pe¦. Tiwmebeppe awd Beppe ha¿e big g~ap awd deav! Fiwd ¦hev ~w
Iw¦agav @¦iwmebeppe¦hed~g ¦~ peaw v~e!
Queen Elizabeth
XOXO,
In the park and in the desert, always stylish.
ALISON FRIEND ART
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Meet the Buggerz Squad
This issue is dedicated to Mimi Bear, a Pomeranian unicorn who inspired the DOGUE magazine. Your beauty will never be forgotten. Your magic turned this life into a fairytale.
Love always, Mama Bear
MiMi BEAR'S COVER SHOOT
Mimi Bear is wearing a pom pom dress in bubblegum pink from Tattle Tails @tattle_tailsx3
MIMI BEAR
T e O«lgla CÐe« Gl«
Couture
Couture
BEAR'S FRESH PATCH SHOOT
MiMi
MiMiS BEAR'S
CREAM SHOOT
T e lfe & egac× f
MIMI BEAR
Mimi came into my life some eight years ago, and it was a dream come true... But, let's start from the beginning. I've always been a dog lover and I grew up with dogs, mostly big dogs. Our first family dog was a professionally-trained Dalmatian, by the name of Johny. Our second dog was a DOGUE, a french Masti f, a.k.a Dogue de Bordeaux, by the name of Boss, who, at his heaviest, weighted 185 lbs! Then, we had 2 Shar Peis, by the names of Coco and Zorro.
I discovered Pomeranians shortly a ter moving to LA. It was inside of the Kitson store, on Robertson, where I got introduced to Boo - the world famous Pomeranian, who also held the title of "The World's Cutest Dog!". I picked up a copy of his book and a dream was born.
The first time I met a real life Pomeranian was on the Third Street Promenade, in Santa Monica. His name was Ji f, and he was a show dog! He walked on his two paws, and danced on command. Ji f was one talented and accomplished pup who, in addition to being the cutest, held two Guinness World Records: one, for the fastest 10 meters on hind legs and one for the fastest 5 meters on front paws. I didn't know how famous Ji f was at the time, but I did know that one day, I was going to get a Pomeranian teddy bear, just like that one!
For years, I wanted to get a dog of my own, but I kept putting it o f. It felt like such a big responsibility to care for a dog, on my own. I was single, living in LA, in a "no pets allowed" apartment complex. My friends and family had convinced me that getting a dog was a bad idea, and didn't make much sense, logically.
And then one day, as I was walking on the street, right by my house, I saw a little girl enamored with, what looked like, her new puppy. I watched the family play with the pup, and for a moment, I escaped into their world...
This is what life is about, I thought. Dogs bring so much love and joy to our lives. I deserve true love. I deserve to be happy. I'm not waiting any longer. I'm getting a dog!
My inspired decision that day turned out to be the best decision I had ever made in my life. As soon as I got home, I went online and I found Mimi. The next day, I drove two hours to pick her up. She came from a family that, for whatever reason, could no longer keep her. I always thought it was meant to be.
As soon as I saw her, I knew that she was the one, and, we were inseparable from that day forward. I would take Mimi everywhere with me. There was no Oli without Mimi.
Although my friends and family were not happy with my decision, especially since I decided to adopt an adult dog, who was between three and five, according to our vet, I couldn't be happier! Mimi was the best thing that had ever happened to me. And, she was so easy to take care of. She was already potty trained, she never barked, and she'd wait for me to wake her up, every morning.
They say if you want true love, get a puppy, and that's exactly what I did. Mimi's love was pure, and true, and kind, and unconditional.
Her presence felt like joy. It felt like peace. It felt like home. And that's what Mimi was for me, she was my home. She was my heart.
Together we would enjoy our walks and time in nature. We would dance together, in the middle of the day, while listening to Bob Marley and Michael Bublé. We would indulge in yummy treats that we would share. Having her by my side, felt magical. She grounded me, and helped me live in the moment. Seeing life through Mimi's eyes made life seem a lot simpler, than I was o ten making it out to be. That was very therapeutic, for me, as someone who grew up with anxiety.
Mimi has been with me through a change of jobs, boyfriends, friends, homes, cities and countries. We traveled a lot together, and no matter where we went, it always felt like home, because Mimi was with me.
Mimi gave me an opportunity to be a mom. She also brought me to Instagram and connected me with other dog people. Mimi opened my eyes to a whole new world, and made me realize my deep passion for dogs. Mimi's love made me a better person, and it also led me to my passion projectthis magazine!
I know that Mimi is still my angel, and I know that we will meet again, in this life, or the next lifetime, because soul mates are forever interconnected. I know that Mimi was my soul mate because with her, I have experienced magical moments that felt eternal. I will remember our Malibu beach days, and Costa Rican sunsets forever.
Mimi and I had a bond so strong that it seemed to transcend time and space. They say that every dog happens for a reason, and I know that Mimi was my purpose. I believe that she came into my life to love me, to heal me, to teach me, and to change me. And, she changed my life in so many ways.
Losing Mimi has been the hardest thing I've ever experienced. To help me cope with this deep grief, I got a dedicated journal and I started writing to Mimi as soon as she passed. It's a way for me to keep communicating with her, and keep her in my life. Writing to Mimi allowed me to say everything I wanted to say, and it o fered me a sense of closure that I really needed. And, every time I get sad, and miss Mimi, I turn to this journal and it helps me cope.
I also found support online, on YouTube, by watching pet loss videos. What I found most valuable was reading the comments from those who've also lost their soul dogs. What I've discovered from those comments is that the pain that I felt was natural, and something that most of them felt, too. My pain felt validated and I realized that I was hurting so much not because I'm too emotional, or too sensitive as a person, but because losing a soul pet is the most excruciating heartbreak that we will ever go through.
I must have read hundreds of comments, and almost everyone said that the pain of losing their soul pet was worse than losing their humans. As someone who's already lost my mom and grand ma (two of my favorite humans in this world), it did feel even more painful to lose Mimi. Mimi was my baby, and as her mom, I felt responsible for her loss. So, in addition to the heavy grief that I was feeling, I also had to deal with emotions such as guilt, and regret. There were moments when this grief was so deep that I felt like I was drowning in it, and that l'd never be able to breath again.
Our soul dogs become our heart and souls, and losing them is also losing a part of us. But, while losing a dog may just be the most di ficult hearbreak we'll ever go through, I still believe that the only thing worse than losing a dog, is choosing to spend the rest of your life without one.
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Not all dogs are soul dogs, but all dogs are angels who guide us and help us, in this life. And, while my grief and sense of loss that I feel may never heal completely, I choose not to be defined by it, but rather be defined by the love and the joy that Mimi brought to my life. And, when I find myself crying, I make sure to remind myself that Mimi's life was not a tragedy. In many ways, it was a fairytale. Mimi was my dream come true! She was everything I've always wanted, and so much more. Mimi made me believe in true love, in destiny and in soulmates.
There's no doubt, that Mimi is the best thing that has ever happened to me. I know that I gave her a beautiful life; full of love, beauty, and adventure. And, simply acknowledging this, brings joy and peace to my heart.
Mimi will always be my original Cover Girl. Her legacy will continue with every issue of DOGUE, and with Maui, my new Pomeranian-in-chief.
It is also in Mimi's honor that we donate to the ASPCA - a wonderful organization of genuine pet lovers who once saved Mimi's life.
I will forever cherish the love and the lessons that Mimi brought me... It was Tao Te Ching who once said:
"When the student is ready the teacher will appear. When the student is truly ready, the teacher will disappear.”
Carter's Legacy Will Live On
BY CARL CUNARD
There was only one Carter on this planet. When I first started looking into dogs, everything I read online about Chow Chows was bad. It said that they're not good with kids, and that they're aggressive, stubborn and not loving. I went against the odds and decided to get one anyway, which could have been a disaster, too. But, Carter proved everything I read wrong!
He was the most incredible dog I've ever met. Soft, loving, patient and amazing with children. I know this might not be the case with every Chow Chow, but Carter really was a special dog. Every single person that met him fell in love with him, instantly. He absolutely adored children. Our neighbours across the street have three children; two of which were terribly afraid of dogs. Their mum decided to have Carter stay over for a weekend to try and help them overcome their fears, and wow did he do this! They became best friends and the children would cry every time he had to go home. Last year, their four year old daughter delivered us a Valentines day card, saying that Carter was her best friend and Valentine.
Before I got Carter I had been single for over twelve years. I had a very bad relationship in the past that made me doubt if I could ever love someone so much again. I got Carter to help me overcome this, and a year after getting him, I met my now-partner with whom I've been with for four years. It was Carter who taught me how to love again. He was my best friend, my soul dog, and just so much more than words can describe.
Since I lost my little boy, I have received so much love and support on his Instagram account. Several people have messaged to say they got Chow Chows because they watched our videos and were inspired by Carter. It makes me incredibly happy that so many more Chow Chows now have loving families because of what we shared on social media. Carter will live on through every single one of them!
Grief was super tough for me. I had never had anyone so close to me pass away before, so losing Carter was a whole lot of new emotions I have never felt before.
Grief is never going to be easy but I think talking about him, celebrating his life, having good days and those awful bad days where I would just cry, they all need to happen.
My advice would be to take every day as it comes. I know it's easy to say, but, you will love again, live again and life does get better.
And, if I could write one line that I feel would help someone with this type of
Ride every emotion you feel in your own time, don't feel bad for feeling bad; it's a journey and you have to go through every single emotion to get to the other side.
Carter's legacy will live on. @carterchowchow
Nick Hall’s soul dog, Olive passed away this January. “The biggest change has been routinely returning home and calling out for Olive, in Olive-specific voices that I made up for her, as a reflex” explains Nick. “I always made sure that Olive got the attention and wasn’t overshadowed by Moo Shu, her younger brother, and the baby of the household.”
Tell us about Olive
"Olive always followed me and anyone, for that matter, in every room. She always wanted to be where she could see you. I think that’s why she loved our New York apartment- it was so small, that she was never out of sight. She loved when everyone was cramped together, in one room, and I miss being cramped in one room, with her."
"Olive was the most loving dog I’ve ever had, and most likely, will ever have. It was impossible for her to be mean, or even distant. She was the only woman in the house, which I know she loved. The silver lining is seeing Moo Shoo daily, and the solace of knowing that I had Olive in my life for over 16 years.”
What advice do you have for someone who is grieving from pet loss?
"My advice for anyone experiencing a loss of a pet is to not dismiss it, because it’s “just a pet.” And, don’t trivialize it for others. The connection we have with our pets is so special and so unique. Olive knew and saw things about me that no other human will ever know, and she was with me during the most painful and vulnerable moment in my life. I would also tell them to remember all the years of love that their pet bought to them, and more so, the love that was brought out of them."
"The capacity of love and care that our pets, willingly, evoke from us, and how effortlessly it is for us to conjure. The realization of that is the greatest gift and memory that helps me look at the blessing of Olive, versus focusing on the loss of love."
Tell us about Moo Shu, and how did he come into your life?
"Moo Shu is a five year old Shih Tzu, and he weighs about fourteen lbs. I had two Shi Tzus at the time. One was 12 and the other was 10. I had been thinking about a third dog for a while, and once I had a name (Moo Shu) it inspired my search. I was in Ojai for a weekend and I saw that there was a litter of male puppies in a town on my route back home. So, I decided to stop by, which meant that I was already committed to getting one. Moo Shu was the one who kissed my nose first. I immediately fell in love with his beautiful big eyes, and I knew I wanted him in my life."
How did Moo Shu get into modeling?
"Moo Shu was always very comfortable in front of the camera as he would patiently wait in the same pose until I was able to take a good photo of him. That is why I have decided to contact DOGUE in hopes of getting him featured. DOGUE has been my favorite magazine for a while now, and I knew this would be an exciting step for his new found career."
Tell us about Moo Shu’s Valentines day shoot.
"The shoot took place in my house, and it was a really fun experience overall. Since Valentines is all about love, we wanted him to be very relaxed and dreamy looking. We also used some red accessories and furnishings. The stylings were from Gucci (blue sweater) and the bow tie was from Prada. The photographer was Dustin Tan, he is incredibly talented and he did the entire shoot on film."
Moo Shu is definitely an “industry baby”. His father is a television producer, doing lots of great work behind the scenes on The White Lotus, Enlightened, The Comeback, and more! Therefore, it was only a matter of time until Moo Shu would appear in front of the camera, himself. We're honored to debut Moo Shu Hall's first professional photoshoot, and newfound modeling career!
PET LOSS & THE ART OF LOSiNG
We o ten talk about the art of living and the art of loving, but we never talk about the art of losing. While loss is a natural and the inevitable part of life, it is the hardest one to master. How do we lose a soul pet that was our heart and soul?
Grieving is a lonely journey that most of us will have to face alone, and, that's even more true when it comes to pet loss. Losing a pet is o ten considered a “silent grief” because it's one that’s di ficult for others to understand, unless they’ve experienced it themselves.
In this issue, we wanted to shed light on this dark side of life, and explore the di ferent ways to get to the other side of it. To get answers, we spoke to people who lost their soul dogs and we interviewed a pet loss specialist, Karen Anderson. We also share some insights on pet loss and the process of grieving from a wise spiritual teacher, David Ghiyam.
"My dad was my best friend and Jojo was his dog. When my dad passed, I kept my promise to care for Jojo, as I felt he was a part of him. So when I lost Jojo it was like losing my dad all over again. I loved Jojo so much. I was devastated and went into a deep depression. I didn’t want to get another dog, because they're not just something you can replace. Jojo was family, my baby, and I just couldn’t break through the darkness. One day, my husband came home to find me crying again, and he convinced me to go look at some dogs. The moment I entered the place, I broke down crying. I kept saying no, I don’t want to feel like I'm just replacing Jojo. But then, one little guy captured my heart, and I fell in love with him. He started mending my heart right then and there. Max definitely helped heal my heart. I still cry from time to time because my heart aches for Jojo, and I miss him so much, but Max is so full of love and a fection that he has helped in so many ways." - N. Boccia @max_and_minnie22_23
There's a paradox when it comes to grieving. On one hand, it's important to give yourself the time and space to grieve this huge loss, and that part of your life. In fact, research has found that in addition to being self-soothing, shedding emotional tears releases oxytocin and endorphins, which are chemicals that make us feel better. Crying can be very cleansing and can ease both physical and emotional pain. On the other hand, it's also dangerous to indulge in the grieving process too much, because it takes us to a very dark place and keeps us living in the past.
Grieving forces us to relive the horrible pain of loss, over and over and over again. Grieving is also the lowest emotional state, and staying in this state for too long can be dangerous, both for our mental and physical health. The only way to get out of this state is to change our focus from what we've lost to what we still have. We can focus our attention on pets we still have in our lives, or on the next pet we're getting. A new dog won't replace your old dog, but it will o fer great healing and comfort. It also helps to find support in friends, family, and support groups (including online support groups and chat rooms) and when necessary, talk to a specialist. Finding peace through connection helps us recognize that we're never alone in our grief. There is solace to be found in knowing that we are all part of a shared experience, and we all go through loss, at some point in our lives.
"ToMy was not just my dog—he was my son, my soulmate, and my greatest source of love for 18 wonderful years. When ToMy crossed the rainbow bridge, it was a day of deep sadness for me, but also one of gratitude for the 18 years of unconditional love we shared. ToMy was my soul dog. From the very first day, we had a special bond that went beyond words. He was by my side during the most di ficult moments of my life, comforting me with just his presence. He wasn’t just a dog— he was my confidant, my safe haven, and my greatest joy. His love was pure, unconditional, and eternal. ToMy changed my life in every possible way. He taught me the true meaning of unconditional love, loyalty, and the ability to find happiness in the simplest things. His legacy is the memory of a love so pure and sincere, one that continues to live in my heart and in the hearts of everyone who had the privilege of knowing him. His sweetness and unconditional love touched the lives of everyone who met him. I miss his loving eyes, his quiet companionship on di ficult days, and the joy he brought into my life. Even though his body is no longer with me, his love remains, and I will carry him in my heart forever." - N. Santiago @naylayorkie_
Karen Anderson is an award-winning animal communicator, evidential medium, and pet loss specialist. She has written two bestselling books about her journey, Hear All Creatures and The Amazing A terlife of Animals. Karen is also the CEO and Founder of Painted Rain Ranch Animal Sanctuary, a non-profit final refuge that rescues elderly, special needs, and abandoned companion animals. We reached out to Karen to get some insights on this topic.
Do you believe that our pets are our soulmates who come into our lives for a reason?
"Absolutely! Especially the ones that challenge us. They usually re lect back the things in ourselves we do not like and need to work on. That mirroring is purposeful on the grandest scale to help us on our journey. We are here to learn and grow, as spiritual beings having a physcial experience. Our pets are part of that experience and introduce us to more emotions and adventures to live the fullest life possible. The pets we call our soulmate or the one that steals our heart more than any other, they have been with us the most in our past lifetimes. That is why there is such a strong bond. Our souls recognize each other and we reunite lifetime a ter lifetime to share more experiences and the most important emotion of all, love."
What is the most common question that people ask you?
"The most common concern is the well-being and safety of their departed pets. Clients commonly asked if their beloved companion was okay or was safely reunited with loved ones. They also wanted to know if their companion forgave them or blamed them for how things ended. Many of us carry that burden of guilt or feel responsible if things don't end the way we hoped. We replay horrible thoughts of their final moments like a loop in our minds. The animals do not carry those feelings with them into their a terlife. The thoughts that keep us up at night are not even a blip on their radar. The a terlife is a love-filled dimension. Only on Earth is there desperation, pain, and agony. No matter how things ended for you or your companions, I assure you that the animals hold only the deepest love and gratitude for you in their memories and messages. Even in the event of trauma or an unattended death. The animals do not take those negative experiences or feelings with them. In fact, if they share anything about their final moments, it is always from a third-person perspective, like watching a movie. I may get a sense of what happened but there is no pain or struggle associated with it, despite what we may think. Most animals avoid such negative topics and prefer to focus on the love you share and their happiest memories. We have much to learn from our companions."
What advice would you give to someone who just lost their soul pet?
"My advice is to first honor your grief. Grief is a normal part of life that we cannot avoid. Take time to mourn. Do little things that bring you peace or comfort. As you are able to focus, please read my books. Once you do, you will understand that your beloved companion is still by your side. There is nowhere else they would rather be than with you. Nurture your emotional journey and be patient. There are many bumps in the road to healing. Find support in whatever way works for you. Some may seek professional grief counseling, others explore the a terlife and learn about animal communication. Volunteer at a shelter or foster a needy animal. Donate to organizations that help animals such as mine. When you do little acts of kindness, the brain releases feel-good chemicals like dopamine and endorphins. Thus, the healing begins. Do whatever positive things make you feel better. Your departed companions benefit when you move into a more balanced emotional space. When you feel better, so do they. You share a soul connection and the same energy so while your grief won't harm your departed pets, you are much more fun to be around when you are happy and balanced. What you do a ter a loss is a personal choice. It can also be the di ference between being unnessesarily stuck in a place of guilt, pain, or remorse or moving forward with inspired action, hope, and healing. I promise, your companions are perfect in their a terlife and they want you to be happy, joyful, and live a full life until you someday meet again."
To learn more about Karen Anderson's work, visit her website at KarenAnderson.net
David Ghiyam is a spiritual teacher who has been studying the ancient teachings of Kabbalah for decades. This is how David explains pet loss and the concept of reincarnation, for those who believe in it. He also shares a powerful mantra to help us handle this deep grief.
"Many people ask what does the death of an animal mean? What is the purpose of the soul of a particular animal in our lives? Kabbalah explains there are four kingdoms where souls migrate through: the inanimate, the vegetative, the animal and the human kingdoms. Since the beginning of creation, souls are reincarnating through these four kingdoms, based on their various desires to receive. The only kingdom with the free will and desire to connect with the creator is the human kingdom. O ten souls that reincarnate through animals, and the most prominent, being through a domesticated one, such as a dog or a cat, represents a soul that, for its correction, is meant to serve the human kingdom. When animal serve their owner, either through love, companionship, or service, they're allowing their own souls to come back in human form and ultimately have the opportunity to do the work humans are meant to do. When a dog passes away, it means their soul has completed their mission for their owner, and the owner's acceptance of this transition allows the soul to come back in human form and in fact have a di ferent and even more elevated relationship with their former owner."
"Losing a loved one to death is an immense and profound sorrow. It feels as though the world has shi ted beneath your feet, leaving a void that seems impossible to fill. What wisdom is there to bring us to comfort? According to Kabbalah, nothing is ever truly lost. The physical presence may be gone but the soul of your loved one endures for eternity. A ter navigating the depths of grief and allowing yourself to mourn, you will find, the path to happiness, joy and acceptance. It is in this state of peace that the soul of the departed can miraculously return back to you, manifesting in ways that remind you of their eternal presence and unending love. They may come as a guardian angel, where their presence is deeply felt. They may come back eventually as your unborn child or grandchild. Their spirit may attach to a loved one, and communicate through them. They may even come back through the animal kingdom and provide you companionship and deep a fection. Allow yourself to remember and cherish the moments you shared. Through the process of mourning you may discover that their energy remains with you, subtly in luencing your life in beautiful and unexpected ways. A powerful mantra to help handle grief is: I trust in all the creator has provided me. I trust in the continuity of the souls of those I have lost. Their love transcends time. Their spirit is forever within me Repeating this mantra can o fer solace and remind you that while their physical form is no longer present, their essence lives on, experiencing their guidance and love in a new and profound way." - D. Ghiyam.
To learn more about David's teachings, find David on Instagram @davidghiyam
Art as a Path to Healing
While grief is a personal journey and there is no right way to grieve, we believe in art as a path to healing. Creative outlets can help heal a broken heart, and turn our pain into something beautiful. Art allows us to focus our energy on the positive (commemorating our pet) versus the negative (losing our pet). It also changes our state from grieving, which is the lowest emotional state, to creative, which is the highest emotional state. This is important since our state defines our life experience.
There are lots of ways to get creative, and many di ferent art forms that we can experiment with such as writing, painting, photography and sculpture, to commemorate our lost pets and express our love and gratitude that will never fade. These art works can become a living memory, allowing us to carry our dog's spirit with us, long a ter they've crossed to the rainbow bridge.
Some people journal to keep communicating with their lost pet, by writing to them every time they miss them. Others paint rocks with the names of their pets and use them to decorate their gardens. You can create a memory box with your dog's favorite toys, clothes, and photos. You can donate to a dog charity in your dog's honor. You can plant a tree in their honor. You can also commission a memorial item or keepsake, such as a diamond made of your pet's ashes, a piece of art, or a cover from @coverdogs that you can post and frame.
The simple act of creating something to honor our pets can bring comfort and meaning to the pain of loss. Through art, through remembering and through sharing the love we gave to our pets, we can find a way to move forward while still holding our cherished memories close.
Healing doesn’t mean forgetting—it means honoring the love we had and allowing it to live on in ways that bring peace to our hearts.
And, while the grief of losing our pet will always be a part of our story, it doesn't have to define us forever. A ter all, when the old chapter ends, a new chapter begins.
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collaboration with Marc Jacobs stores to create “painted dog bags” that became known as “Bark Jacobs”. This collection of art-inspired fashion makes great memorial items and keepsakes! We sat down with Erika to learn more about this collaboration, how she got into it, and how you can order one, for yourself!
We love your Bark Jacobs collection! We've seen your custom painted bags all over Instagram! How did you get started with Marc Jacobs?
In February of last year, I walked into my local Marc Jacobs store, in Oakbrook, looking for a fanny pack to replace the one I had been wearing, which had some paint on it. I was greeted by the very friendly manager and staff that showed me what they had, and she asked me, “Why is there paint all over your bag?” I replied that I am an artist, so everything I own gets paint all over it. She inquired about the type of art I do, and I mentioned that I do all kinds of art, including murals, canvas, and live painting. I also mentioned that I had done several store activations at Kendra Scott, just a few stores down. A month later, I received an email from the Chicago location asking me if I could paint a dog, on one of their bags, and that was the beginning of our Bark Jacobs collaboration!
How can people commission your art on their purse, and how long does it usually take to make?
If you order a bag through Marc Jacobs route, the custom pet portrait is complementary with a purchase of any leather handbag!
You can reach out to the Chicago store, the Oakbrook store, or DM @barkjacobs_ on Instagram, to place your art order. It usually takes about 4 weeks to make. We ship nationwide, within the USA.
Tell us about some of your other art projects.
I’ve painted custom shoes, glassware, clothes, concrete sculptures, street art campaigns, canvases, and much more! I've also done public art campaigns with The Chicago Police Memorial Foundation where I painted over twenty life-size fiberglass horse sculptures, to honor fallen police officers that were killed in the line of duty.
Where can we see your art work?
You can see my artwork all over the city of Chicago, at Rosebud's, Dublin's and I have several pieces of art on display in The Gwen Hotel Chicago. I also have my work for sale at a gallery in Wilmington called Art on 66. If you like PRADA and raccoons, I have just the piece for you, called “Party Animal”!
To commission art directly with Erika, you can contact her on Instagram @erikavazzana or visit her website at erikavazzana.com
Pria celebrates Lunar New Year
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Lucky’s life may be celebrated every day, but his birthday parties become more epic with every passing year. “Since Lucky turned eight this year, and eight is an auspicious number in the Asian culture, we decided to go with the Asian theme” explained Cristina, Lucky's mom. “We did our best to honor our choice in small details from decorations to the menu and party favors, which included personalized chopsticks, engraved cookie fortunes, lucky bamboo trees carefully potted with love by Lucky’s dad, luxury Lucky charms, personalized name bandanas, and other cute little gifts for his furry friends.”
The celebration which took place at Coby’s Cafe in Seattle included a guest list of twelve pups and twenty two humans. "Among the guests was Lucky’s bff, Milo @Milo_Teddy_Bears, his sweet bestie Daisy @Huey_Daisy_Paddington, whom he met on Instagram, and his dear friends Roku, Koda, Teddy, Henry, Oreo, Bruley, Benji and Mac."
The Puppy Buffet included dehydrated beef liver, New York steak, chicken breast, whole shrimp, salmon strips, baby tako, smelt, chicken liver, turkey tendons, quail eggs and Asian themed treats, such as red envelope cookies with peanut butter and sweet potatoes and quail eggs yolk mooncakes. The feast was completed with beef pâté jelly cakes, mochi donuts, and yummy treats from the Barcuterie Boards. The beautiful cakes were handcrafted by Little Paws Collection, Beau's Lil Bakery, Bark N Chomps, and Love Liparu.
Lucky’s Bar-K Menu included signature Barkgroni cocktails, that were made of chicken stock and strawberry purée, and garnished with sausages, served by bartenders in fancy crystal cups.
“Lucky’s special birthday outfit was an Asian inspired harness, gifted by our dear friend BB and shipped to us all the way from Singapore. The guests were matching in custom bandanas, handmade by our friends Pawsitive Dreams. Seeing so many happy pups having fun together was really heartwarming and just unforgettable!”
Tashi McCrusty celebrates Lunar New Year
Coverdogs celebrated Lunar New Year the best way they can - with style, on DOGUE's virtual red carpet. Guests included Jolie, Stan, Diesel, Angus and Layla, Minnie, Prim and Peggy the cat, Queen Elizabeth and Teddy Bearocas celebrated with friends at their tables.
Coverdogs Ring in LNY in Style
and Saint celebrate Lunar New Year
Gucci
Turn Your Compassion into Action
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals® (ASPCA®) was the first humane society to be established in North America and is, today, one of the largest in the world.
Our organization was founded on the belief that animals are entitled to kind and respectful treatment at the hands of humans and must be protected under the law. Headquartered in New York City, the ASPCA maintains a strong local presence, and with programs that extend our anti-cruelty mission across the country, we are recognized as a national animal welfare organization. We are a privately funded 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation, and are proud to boast more than 2 million supporters across the country. The ASPCA’s mission is “to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States.”
We Are Their Voice
"Helping vulnerable animals and keeping pets in safe and loving homes requires a commitment from all of us—advocates, pet owners, shelters, leaders, and entire communities. When we work together under a common cause, we’re both saving lives and elevating our society and its laws to ensure cruelty victims and other at-risk animals receive the protection and care they deserve."
