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 Michell & Bella Sanchez, Chef/Partner and Creator/Partner/Social Media Innovator for Latin House Grill and MadLove restaurants, and their English Bulldogs, Madlove and Nacho Business.
Your Name: Michell and Bella Sanchez
Your Pets’ Names: Maddy (Madlove) and Nacho Business
Sex: Both Male
Age: 4 years and 4 months, respectively
Breed: English Bulldogs
How did you come to own your dogs? What drew you to them?
I have always wanted to own an English bulldog, but was never able to either afford one or find one at a shelter. One day, a client was coming to sit outside our restaurant and had this beautiful English bulldog. Its neck area had red markings like it had been tied to a rope. Loving bullys, I ran outside and immediately became a 9-year-old version of myself. I sat down on the floor and let him lick me and instantly fell in love.
They told me they had picked him up from a friend who had bought him for his kids as a puppy; the dog quickly outgrew the kids and they tied him up outside. She was blown away by this and offered to rescue him from a horrible future outside. I offered her a free tab for a year and a lifetime family discount at Latin House [for Maddy], and she accepted. That day, he became part of our lives.
This year, we have been very busy and not spending as much time at home, so we felt Maddy needed a little buddy. I contacted a breeder friend of ours, and being able to actually spend an insane amount on a dog, we bought Nacho Business (Nacho).
What’s the story behind your dogs’ names?
Madlove is kind of a big deal for us — it’s a way of life and something that means the world to me. It’s from an old Method Man song with Mary J. Blige called All I Need: ”I’m realizing that cha didn’t have to f*** with me, but cha did. Now I’m going all out, kid, and I got MADLOVE to give.” So it was just right to call him Maddy.
Nacho got his name by way of vote from the family. I love it.
How would you describe your dogs’ personalities?
Maddy is the kindest soul I have ever met. He’s always wanting to be by your side and understands when you’ve had a rough day. He is a bit stubborn but is always looking to brighten our day. Nacho, on the other hand, is a little punk who thinks he runs the house and everyone in it. He spends most of the day following Maddy and trying to nibble on his collar.
How has owning dogs made your life richer?
Nothing feels better then coming home and having them waiting for you by the door. They don’t care about anything else than wanting to hang out with you. Walking them in the morning has become a ritual for us, and it’s a great way to start the day.
It’s said that dogs reflect their owners and vice versa. How does this apply to you and yours?
LOL, I think I look like a bulldog — short and stocky — so they definitely reflect on me. They love standing next to me while I cook and licking their mouths as they wait for me to throw them a bite. I like to call them my kitchen helpers.
Tell us a funny story about you and your dogs.
Well, we made it a rule — or better said, we tried to make a rule — that the dogs could not sleep on the bed. We even went out and bought Tempur-Pedic beds for both of them. That rule lasted about three hours on the first day with both of them. Now even though we have a king bed, we end up sleeping like contortionists as the dogs get comfortable throughout the night.
Are you involved in any pet organizations or philanthropies?
We donate to the Humane Society and ASPCA. We also have kitties, so we’re part of the Cat Network.
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?
Pretty much, my Instagram is either food-related or dog-related. If it’s a page that has a cute bulldog, we are following it. Bella also made one for Nacho, called @englishnacho.
See past editions of Wag Wednesdays here.