Meet the chief executive & Top Dog
Mikell, here…
Ok, so my name is pronounced MY-Kelle and I’m a girl. I grew up in Los Angeles (yes, Native Angelenos do exist). And, I like dogs. A lot.
I haven’t recognized anyone above 3 feet in over 16 years, and can name every dog in my neighborhood and none of the people.
As a kid, when I wasn’t in school I spent every waking moment at the stables riding my horse, bareback and barefoot through the hills of Griffith Park and the streets of Burbank and Glendale with my Irish Setter and best friend trailing closely behind.
I found just about every baby squirrel and bird that fell out of its nest and every lost and hungry dog, and brought it home. I can still hear my mom saying don’t feed that dog, it’ll never leave. I’d agree of course, and feed the dog. Quietly.
Fast forward a bit, I’m still saving squirrels, but mostly from my dogs trying to eat them, and I’m still that girl who’ll do anything for a dog. Oh, and dog walkers die hard.
If you have a kid, and want them to be fearless and grow up to be their own hero, swap out that iPad for a pair of reins and get that kid on a horse!
MEET THE head of public relations
Walter Edward, here…
I’ve got a real knack for people, truth be told, I’ve never met a stranger. My strategy is simple, on our hikes, I slowly trot along behind the pack so people automatically notice me, then make eye contact with everyone on the trail, throw that tail in big, happy circles and say hello loudly. It’s all about making everyone feel welcome and being open and approachable. Ok, occasionally I might get it wrong and someone is actually bending over to tie their shoe, and not to pet me, but I just act like they were stopping to say hello. Works like a charm, every time.
Oh, I just know I’m my mom’s favorite. How can I tell? It’s the way she looks at me and her heart flutters. But let’s keep that last bit between us, she’s kinda fond of Oliver too and I don’t want to hurt his feelings.
MEET the intern
oliver Bumble, here…
I pretty much live in my own little world, but that’s ok, everyone knows me here. Sure, I like people. I mean they’re ok, definitely have my favorites but all I ever hear is he’s so adorable, can I pet him? Look at the cute little Corgi…You get it, right? If it were up to me I would just chase squirrels and eat sandwiches all day but my mom makes me do stuff, like running errands and go hiking, every day. I do have a lot of dog friends, cats and squirrels not so much but that’s fine by me. I guess my life is pretty sweet after all.
I’ll let you in on a little secret, I’m her favorite kid. It’s so obvious, a little guy just knows these kinda things. And I’ve had the same great job almost 12 years, so I must be doing something right.
Dog lifestyle services
Dog Lifestyle is more than just going for a walk or trip to the park or even owning a dog for that matter. It’s about living a life and creating an environment that encourages healthy behavior while modifying what isn’t wanted, in a pack setting, and remembering, we are a team that respects each others boundaries and differences but we are also individuals and need to let our own personalities shine. Brightly.
I wake up every morning and think how can I make this the best dog day, ever. There is no day job or any kind of side hustle, this is all I’ve happily done since 2008. This is not just a job or a business, for me, it’s a lifestyle.
Living the Dog Lifestyle is simple, be happy, be polite and remember, making best friends is what life is all about.
things I aM obsessed about
and you need to check out, too!
J.S. Ondara
Singer & Songwriter
Ok, so some time last year I’m driving down Mulholland after my hike, all the tired pups in the car, happily listening to public radio (88.5 FM is the best radio station on the planet) when this incredibly soulful voice comes on the radio, singing this song Saying Goodbye, it was a song and voice I didn’t recognize, I pulled over to buy the single but there were no songs to buy, he hadn’t even released his first album yet. The song was stuck in my head, as soon I got home I had to look up the artist. It was this kid from Kenya named J.S. Ondara, singing his own style of American folk songs. I preordered his debut album Tales of America, so happy when it was finally released February 15, 2019, I can’t stop listening to Saying Goodbye, Lebanon, Television Girl, Torch Song & Good Question. Seriously, the entire album is phenomenal. He sounds like no one. Rolling Stone wrote a great piece on him, check it out here.
Sam simon foundation
Free (Surgical) Mobile Veterinary Clinic
The Sam Simon Foundation has a (FREE) Mobile Veterinary Clinic that’s available to Los Angeles area residents who’s combined household income does not exceed $40.000 annually, however I have heard of them making an exception now and again. If you are a little over call and tell them about your situation, you never know. To name a few, they’ll surgically remove kidney stones, a mass, an eye, a leg, eyelid entropion repaired, spay, neuter, the list goes on and includes any medications needed and follow up care.
There are so many wonderful people who simply cannot afford veterinary care, but that doesn’t make them any less of a loving pet parent or decent person. The Sam Simon Foundation Veterinary Mobile Clinic exists solely so companion animals don’t suffer because their families don’t have the money for their vet care. Saving the lives of dogs to enrich the lives of people. Sam Simon is my kinda hero.
Julia Freedman
Professional Coach & Branding Wiz
Julia was the driving force in finding my authentic voice and getting my website done to my liking (it’s something I’ve been trying to do for the last 10 years and we got it done in a couple weeks) she had so many amazing and creative ideas and we had so much fun working on it! The first thing she taught me was, regardless of what you do or the size of your business you are a brand, not in a corporate kinda sense, but in a finding your place in the world kinda sense. There’s only one you, do what you love, find your little spot under sun and shine brightly, you’ll find your people and it’ll all come together.
I have the most wonderful clients (humans & canines) but I could never get my website together, it was half complete with outdated services and I don’t even think it had my name on it most of the time, it was a hot mess. She’s played a major role in helping me convey the type of business owner I am and how to structure my business around my values and needs, I honestly don’t think I would have ever completed it if not for her and I could not be happier.
Karen Donleavy
British Artist
Being a Corgi mom is most excellent, however, my kids are the lesser known, considerably less popular kinda Corgi aka less swag. While looking for a Cardigan Corgi coffee mug I happened upon British artist Karen Donleavy’s whimsical work, everything is hand thrown and hand painted, she has all breeds, if you don’t see it on her site, just ask her and you can also send her a photo of your pet (yes all pets) and she’ll a make a lovely custom mug, thankfully my two very handsome boys are covered by her basic black Cardi mug.
Literally, everything tastes better from my Cardi mug. Coffee of course, any sort of tea, orange juice, mimosas, kombucha, merlot, water is even more refreshing, you name it, it’s far yummier out of my Cardigan Corgi coffee mug.
KRISTA GOODSITT
Dog Trainer & Behaviorist
Krista is the one and only trainer/behaviorist I have referred to my clients, they all adore her. She's taken on goofy, slightly out of control puppies that needed to learn the basics and manners, up to some kinda serious behavioral issues and everything in between, all resolved with happy, manageable solutions and even happier dogs and owners.
Follow her on Insta @goodsittdogs and learn more about being the head trainer at Downtown Dog Rescue & K9 Youth Alliance, as well as her many fun adventures being the very best trainer, ever.