Since starting the blog, we’ve interviewed many members of the hospitality industry, and one constant among the interviewees has been a profound love for their pets. We thought it would be great to share this love with our readers.
That’s why we launched an ongoing feature called “Wag Wednesday” to showcase industry peeps and their pets. Know someone who wants to be featured? Email us at bark@miamifoodpug.com.
This week, we’re featuring Melanie Richard, Co-Owner of Sweet Life Cake and Candy Supply and Co-Organizer of SoFlo Cake and Candy Expo, and her mutt, Vader.
Your Name: Melanie Richard
Your Pet’s Name: Vader
Sex: Male
Age: 2
Breed: Mutt (Terrier, Mini Pinscher, Chihuahua)
How did you come to own your dog? What drew you to her?
A friend of mine had puppies and couldn’t keep all four. We visited them when they were first born and picked out Vader from the litter. He was the only black one, and he was the biggest one out of his siblings. We waited until he was big enough to leave his mommy and brought him home to our two kids.
What’s the story behind your dog’s name?
My kids, Logan (9) and Kaylee (7) are big Star Wars fans. They immediately wanted to name him R2-D2 or C-3PO. We negotiated and decided Vader (Darth Vader) was a great fit since he’s almost all black. The name stuck, and he lives up to his name!
How would you describe your dog’s personality?
He loves his family, but he isn’t so sure about strangers or visitors. Vader loves to snuggle, play with his toys, fetch and watch the kids water ski on the lake. But when anyone comes over, he wants to be a guard dog and starts barking right away. I always have to explain that he is all bark and no bite. It takes him a while to warm up and then he’ll jump on your lap to snuggle.
How has owning a pet made your life richer?
He brings joy and fun into our lives. The kids really love their dog and they take care of him; he keeps them company and loves to play with them all the time. Dogs really are a true companion.
It’s said that dogs reflect their owners and vice versa. How does this apply to you and yours?
I’m definitely not as grumpy as Vader can be. However, like me, Vader can be unsure of new people until he warms up to them. Also, we do both love to be couch potatoes. Vader loves to keep me company when I’m hanging out on the couch and catching up on TV.
Tell us a funny story about you and your dog.
We had to go out of town one weekend, and I left Vader with my business partner, Natasha. Vader decided he didn’t want to warm up to her kids and continued to chase them and taunt them all weekend. They were stuck upstairs all weekend because the minute he heard them come down he would chase them back upstairs or outside. He warmed up to Natasha and decided he was protecting her from her kids all weekend!
She laughed about it, and I apologized. Vader spent lots of time in his crate so her kids could actually make it to the kitchen. We still laugh about it to this day.
Are you involved in any pet organizations or philanthropies?
At the moment, I’m not. But I should be … There are great organizations that provide much needed help and support to animals who cannot help themselves.
We follow a lot of dog social media accounts like Doug the Pug, Rocco’s Contemporary Life, and Menswear Dog. Do you? Which are your favorites?
I personally do not have social media, so I do not. But now that we have been introduced to this dog social media world, the Sweet Life Cake Supply and SoFlo business social media accounts will start following some!
See past editions of Wag Wednesdays here.