Bella Madden: World Wide Celebrity Puppy

By Courtney Leiva

When your mom is a VH1 Reality TV Star and successful recording artist, what’s a puppy to do? Be your own celebrity of course! From her love of hot pink, glitter, and diamonds, this divalicious pooch and her mother Jackie share all with Helping Paws NJ as this week’s Pet Celebrity!

Jackie, When Did You First Get Bella? 

I got Bella about two years ago. She is actually from Puerto Rico. My friends’ mother has an organization that saves puppies from other countries that do not have animal shelters. She brings them to the U.S. to find a great home for them! Two summers ago I went over to his house where he had 20 puppies that had just arrived. I saw Bella and I DIED!! She was the cutest little puppy I have ever seen in my life and I had to bring her home for what was just supposed to be a “sleepover”. Needless to say after having Bella for one night, I decided that she wasn’t going back and that I needed to keep her. I guess it was love at first sight.

Bella, What’s It Like Having A Celebrity Mom? 

I love having a mommy that’s a celebrity because I get to experience everything with her. I travel to watch her perform, go to the recording studio with her, and I get to see her work everyday. I feel like most puppies do not get opportunities like this. I think it’s so nice that I don’t have to stay home or have someone else watch me when my mom is working. I have so much fun being with her everyday. I am so greatful to have such a cool mom that loves me so much.

What are Some of Bella’s Favorite Treats? 

Bella LOVES filet mignon, chicken cutlets, chicken and steak fajitas, tacos, and basically anything that mommy likes. I know it may seem a little ridiculous that Bella doesn’t really eat dog food, but I love her so much and I only want her to have the best. She is my baby and I make sure that she has very healthy food and a balanced diet. She loves cheese and pupperoni’s as treats!

 What Are Some of Bella’s Favorite Things To Do? 

Bella is a diva, but she is a total outdoors girl. She loves to run around the backyard, go for walks, go hiking, and ofcourse shopping. One of her favorite things to do is play with her squeekie toys. She always wants me to throw her little stuffed toys so she can chase after them and bring them back to me. It’s really cute to see a little dog that plays like this because usually high-maintenance dogs do not ”fetch” very well!

What Are Some Tips You Have For Fellow Dog Animals?

I think the best advice I can give to another dog owner is to spend as much time as possible with your pet and always pay attention to their needs. I have learned that animals are much smarter than we think they are and if you take the time to really know your pet, you’ll find that it’s amazing how much they are like people. There have been times when I have to remind myself that Bella is still a dog because she has such a big personality and she is extremely smart. Make sure you always show your dog how much you love them!

Jackie, Do You Consider Yourself An Animal Lover? 

I am a HUGE animal lover. I believe that animals can actually change a person for the better. They are all so sweet and they deserve to live wonderful lives. Since adopting Bella, she has inspired me to one day start my own organization to help save animals and place them in loving homes.

What’s Going On For Jackie and Bella in 2012? 

Bella and I have a very busy year ahead of us. I am working on two new records, performing throughout the country, and running a company called N3rv Media. Bella will be traveling with me and will be by my side through it all. Bella and I are also working on starting a doggy clothing line and ofcourse eventually launching this organization to help as many animals as we can.

How Do You Two Divas Spend Time Together? 

Bella and I spend alot of time together because she does come to work with me everyday. My family lives in Florida, so it’s always nice for the two of us to visit everyone for atleast a few days every month and just relax. We love to go shopping, take walks, go to the dog park to play with other puppies, go to the beach, and when it’s cold out we play in the snow!

Check Out Flojo From B.A.R.K.S.!

The volunteers at BARKS named this young, feisty American Pit Bull Terrier FloJo, after the famous US track athlete – as FloJo is a great runner! She was spotted running near the shelter over and over for a week. FloJo loves people of all ages, and for her there is nothing better than playing with a ball, unless it is giving some kisses!  FloJo knows how to sit, shake a paw, and get down when she has jumped up by mistake. She is learning to walk better on the leash, and tries very hard to please.

FloJo is up to date on all shots, and will be micro-chipped and spayed prior to adoption.

You can find out more about FloJo by visiting the BARKS web site at www.barksinc.com, or by filling out an adoption application: http://barksinc.com/webcatapp.html.

BARKS

Stanhope, NJ

www.barksinc.com

info@barksinc.com

Meet Ralph the Internet Pet Sensation!

 He hasn’t been on the internet for long, but Ralph the Poodle has over 1,000  followers on Twitter! After launching his own website, Facebook Page, and becoming the official spokesperson of Ralph’s Bakery,  Ralph is the first Helping Paws Pet Celebrity! Ralph as well as his owner Mackenzie, dish on everything; from Ralph’s rise to stardom as well as tips for pets and their owners everywhere!

How did Ralph become an Internet Sensation?

“Well I used to work at a dog boutique, and people used to talk about there dogs being on twitter, and so I thought it would be fun, to put Ralph on, and by the end of the week he had 100 Followers, which I thought was beyond crazy. But eventually his website was formed and now we are here! Ralph thinks he became an internet sensation, because of his good looks.”

Mackenzie, What was it like bringing Ralph home for the first time? 

“Bringing Ralph home for the first time was crazy, it was really the first time I had a pet, so I was over my head. Ralph had also never really been outside, so he would not use the bathroom, and anytime he would touch the grass, he would like jump up in the air. He also did not ever sleep, so he definitely gave me a hard time, but we eventually became best buddies, like we are today.”

Ralph is appearing everywhere from the Canadian show  “Degrassi” to having his own website, Mackenzie, how do you deal with Ralph’s growing fame?

“I never really think about it to be honest. I love Ralph, and the dog world, so I really enjoy any opportunity I get to talk about it, or get to do something awesome, like being on “Degrassi”.

I Hear Ralph also Interviews Celebrities?

“His Celebrity Interviews really started when we got the idea to start ralphthepoodle.com. I was like what if we did celeb interviews with famous pets on the site too? I then just got in touch with some Bravo Celebs, and did the interviews! I really enjoy doing them, because you really get to find out more about these Celebrities, and they are all so nice!”

What’s Ralph’s involvement in the upcoming Ralph’s Bakery
where is the bakery going to be located?

“Ralph is the whole reason behind Ralph’s Bakery, he has always had a sensitive tummy, and he loves human food (what dog doesn’t) and he can never really eat it because he then ends up super sick. I have tried so many of those treats, that are made with human grade ingredients, but they are either to hard, or Ralph just turns his head up at them, so for a while now I have been trying to create a treat that Ralph loves, and just recently I finally perfected one that satisfies Ralph, and or other taste testers approved too! The treats are going to be sold to dog boutiques all over the U.S. and online dog stores, for the beginning, and we hope to have our own bakery/store one day.”

Mackenzie, what’s your best advice to pet owners? 

“My advice to pet owners is definitely to do some research before you get a pet because they can be a handful at times, and give them all the love in the world, because all pets deserve that, and if you do they will be one of your best friends who love you no matter what! Ralph’s advice to pet owners is to let their pet get a Twitter account, because he loves making in new friends!”

What are some of Ralph’s plans in 2012?

 ”Ralph’s plans for 2012 are to make lots and lots of treats for Ralph’s Bakery, make new friends, and try and catch a squirrel, something he has been trying to do for a while. “

For more on Ralph the Poodle visit his website  or follow him Twitter @ralphthepoodle

Check out these pictures of Ralph! ( Images courtesy of Ralph and Mackenzie)