It took Oksana Samuelson forever to find the perfect name for her puppy, Miss Elliana Pickachoo. Elliana means “My God has answered “ and Oksana believes the Boston terrier has been a blessing in her life. Elli was a Christmas gift from friends Oksana was dog-sitting for. “The day I brought that dog back, they surprised me with a little black and white squashy face puppy. And yes, I cried like a little baby.” They love the Tommy Bahamas on Third Street, since they are dog friendly, and then will go for a walk with a quick stop in the gelato store next door. Oksana supports PawsCrossed.dog, a South Florida organization that rescues, rehabs, and rehomes any dogs in need.
Meet Alissa Ford and her 8-year-old rescue Chihuahua mix, Ollie. Alissa is the Director of Leadership Gifts for Network for Animals (NFA). The nonprofit organization is a leading force against animal cruelty, fighting to improve the lives of animals around the world. NFA is on the frontline of animal welfare, often working in far-flung, neglected areas where other organizations don't go, and always being there to help animals - in particular dogs, cats, horses, and donkeys - when they need it most. NetworkForAnimals.org
All her life, Ana Radunovic dreamed of having a dog and her husband Nikola made that dream come true 5 years ago. Nikica is German Spitz. Their meeting was love at first sight in Ana’s hometown of Belgrade, Serbia. Ana met three puppies. When she locked eyes with Nikica, she knew they belonged together. “My dog was born unique. His brain is like a human’s. His tail is green, he listens to punk music and he likes to eat pizza,” says Ana. They are inseparable and together, the family hangs out at Naples Dog Park, Pack & Post on 5th Avenue, Urban Meditation and Casa Neri, their favorite place for dinner.
Lola is a Shih Tzu, 14 years young, and follows Dr. Bradley Engle and Nancy Nycum like a shadow. Her workout includes laying on her side and running laps in the air. Lola doesn't enjoy the heat so she likes to walk indoors and her favorite place is the Coastland Mall. She also enjoys visiting her parents’ offices.
Ainsley and Dutton are trained service animals who love belly rubs and bacon. They like hanging out at Baker dog park and Campiello with Chris and Jessica Zazo. Ainsley is 10, a pointer, chocolate lab and pit bull mix. Dutton is an Australian labradoodle, not quite 2. Chris and Jessica support the Humane Society Naples events with their company, Hailstone Wines. HSNaples.org
Christina Ourganian met Blondie, a 4-year-old cavapoo online, and fell in love. When her husband Chris picked up Blondie at the airport, he too was smitten. Blondie thinks she’s a human, loves getting new dresses and bows and is very outgoing. Blondie loves going to work and sitting on all of the clients' laps. She also loves greeting guests and making them feel at home. If she could offer them coffee and tea she would. She also loves strolling down 5th Avenue, eating at Cafe Milano, and of course, Starbucks for her puppichinos!
Legend is a Friewalker which is a crossbreed of a Friesian and a Tennessee Walker. He has had a transformative impact on Jennifer Couture’s life and she will never forget the first time she saw this majestic creature and they locked eyes. “I think for many of us, our pets are our refuge, our place of comfort and joy, they feel good, and help us feel safe,” she says.
Maggie,17 is a master meditator and a napping ninja and is frequently seen on duty as neighborhood watch in her second-floor window. Alice is a daredevil and arrived at the home of Jen Hayes and Mark Athanacio by mail. Maggie is a white cat, adopted when her original family (a neighbor) moved out of state and left her outside. Alice is a white-crested black Polish hen and joined the family flock, neighboring chickens who survived flooding from Hurricane Ian and they, and their humans, lost their homes. Jen says they have happily become the house for misfit furry friends on the street.
When Violet Brandenburg was 2-days old, she met Bunny, a Pembroke Welsh Corgi. Bunny has a big personality and can manipulate anyone into giving her a treat with just a head tilt and eye contact. Violet’s mom and dad, Matt Brandenburg, and Lindsey Todd love to go boating with Bunny and take walks at Waterside Shops and eat breakfast at EJ’s. They support Naples Zoo and Conservancy of Southwest Florida. NaplesZoo.org
Lauren Rossi met Frank, a 2.5-pound Maltipoo after a few mimosas at brunch. Lauren could not say no to that face. He has so much spunk and personality and has an uncanny ability to sense Lauren’s emotions and loves to play and cuddle with his big brother Madden, a Pomeranian. Frankie LOVES the Saturday morning farmer’s market at Vanderbilt Shoppes. Between seeing his dog friends and getting lots of treats, he always has a blast. Lauren donates to the Humane Society for my birthday yearly. Her parents also own a farm in Connecticut where they rescue goats and horses. They love to support rescue organizations however they can, and sometimes that includes bringing an animal in need home for the love and care they deserve.
Ranger is a quiet labradoodle, but very expressive with his whole face lighting up when he’s excited. His favorite pastime, when Madeline Tracy is not home, is to climb on top of all of the pillows on her bed and make himself a pillow fort. Clever! “My favorite place to take Ranger is Ankrolab! They are such a fun and laid-back environment safe for all dogs. Their patio is the perfect size. You never feel too close together and he loves to sit outside and make friends with people coming in and out,” says Madeline. She supports the foster group in the Sarasota/Tampa area, LoveforPawsFL.org, and volunteers for the humane society.
Altaf and Maggie Jetha first met Archie at a breeder's farm where they got a discount because his legs were too long to show. Piper came along a few years later as Archie needed a playmate. Piper is sassy and thinks she’s a big dog. She hops like a bunny. Archie is the biggest lover! They like to go along for dinner at Sea Salt and the family supports DetroitDogRescue.com
Bella is a 10-year-old poodle terrier mix. Mike and Nateja Merkt. Bella is a mixture of sweet and diva. She can roll over, shake hands, high five and play dead. She takes her job of greeting and napping at the office (The Specific Chiropractic Centers) very seriously. Bella loves a long walk or runs at sunset.
Ciara Lister was working in Ohio for a few months. “Tuna, previously 'Luna,’ was always tied up in a yard when I drove by her house every day. The previous owners were looking to re-home her as she was too much work and too big for their house. So $150 later I bought my best friend off of a tree! Tuna is the most loving, cuddly, dog despite living outdoors for almost a year,” says Ciara. She is on the board of directors for Salty Dog Paddle, a nonprofit Surf & SUP brand that benefits injured rescue dogs.
Edna May Seymour and Matt Meeker’s dog Gary is another “foster failure,” a hurricane rescue and a pit bull-coonhound mix. Gary immediately loves everyone, both two-legged and four-legged. He has the kindest heart and the cutest tail that wags whenever he meets a new friend. Gary and his family like Ridgeway Bar & Grill and he also goes to Donnie’s World for daycare. Ms. Seymour is a veterinarian at the Humane Society of Naples and they also support Collier County DAS. CollierCountyFL.gov
The Barth Family’s goldendoodle, Bailey Love, has mastered all the typical doggie tricks: sit, stand, turn, spin, paw, up! But, the sweetest command she follows is “Bailey, Pray.” She joins the family in prayer before meals and before she eats. She also “prays” along with the girls’ teams at St. John Neumann High School. Bailey Love joined Jeff & Jaime, Jaina, Jacie and Jolie Barth six years ago as a puppy, after a previous pup from the breeder took ill with Canine parvovirus and passed. Bailey loves to prance down 5th Avenue and show off her good manners or sniff around Bakers Park, Her favorite restaurant by far is Capriccio. The family supports the Humane Societies of Naples and Monmouth County, NJ SPCA, and No Dog Left Behind NYC.
Gracie was a pandemic puppy. Heather Schwartz and Tim Chew went to the Finger Lakes of New York to get her from a farm when she was only 8 weeks old. Gracie is now 3-years old and loves to snuggle. She thinks she is a lap dog like most Great Danes and is nicknamed “Cow” in Heather’s family. Gracie enjoys a car ride anywhere and loves to go to Seed to Table and long road trips.
Amanda Miller and Harper met nearly four years ago when Harper, a Morkie (Maltese and Yorkshire Terrier) was a puppy. Harper loves snuggles, getting dressed up and going on car rides. Together, they zip around to restaurants and the dog park and just enjoy being together.
André Agassi lives on Gulf Shore Dr. After the hurricane, he made friends with neighbors and their pets, all out cleaning up and trying to stay sane. André Agassi is a mini golden doodle who lives with Susan, Lee and Calvin Baierl. The family would walk the pup (an apricot golden) and meet neighbors spontaneously, developing friendships, gathering every weekend for dinner and every morning for walks.
Gracie is a 10-month-old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppy and Lizzie is an 18-month-old domestic short hair kitten. They have a very unique relationship, and they are in love with each other. They alternate between playing and chasing each other and spooning and giving each other baths. Gracie is also a show dog, she is currently the number three CKCSC puppy in the country. Leslie Sherman rescued Lizzie from Domestic Animal Services here in Naples after she lost her litter of kittens during Hurricane Ian.
Nicholas and Laura Altitonante adopted Kobe, a Staffordshire Mix, when they purchased their first house in 2020 in New Jersey. Kobe is a love bug and loves meeting new people. He gets along well with the family cat, Bonzo. They are inseparable. He's also a big protector of Laura. They love to go to Baker Park to get their daily 3-mile walk in.
Cooper (8) and Ryder (5) are Havanese and can be admired while they shop and dine ad Mercado with the Schwartz family: Matthew, Sydney, Alison, and Eric. Cooper carries a stuffed monkey in his mouth wherever he goes and Ryder is hopelessly devoted to his human mom. The family supports GuidingEyes.org and the Humane Society Naples.
Pedro, a Chihuahua mix lives with Cedric Colyer after they met at the Humane Society of Naples five years ago. Cedric says Pedro is Naples’ first dog realtor and together they sell gorgeous homes to gorgeous people (and their pets). Look for them cruising around 5th in the Moke!
Stephen and Beth Catizone say Clyde, a 2-year-old Yorkshire Terrier, is a lover, not a fighter. Clyde could lick you to death from head to toe. He is obsessed with his ball, and would rather play fetch with his ball than eat. Clyde loves to speak and make other cute sighs, and whines, and because the family has a no-barking rule - he uses these often. Clyde loves to go to the studio (Infinite Recording Studios), where he’s in charge at the desk and chases his ball all around while music is made. Dinner and a stroll on Fifth are his favorites. The family supports Destiny Church.
Ollie is still a puppy, a super mutt but mostly pit bull, chow chow, and toy poodle who met Jess Young when she fostered and then adopted him. “I foster failed,” says Jess who owns Jestheva Aesthetics. Together, they support the Domestic Animal Services of Collier County, the only open admissions shelter the county. She planned a puppy prom fundraiser in May that raised $15,000.