Hey, frendz! It’s your tail-wagging JournoDog back with more hard-hitting canine coverage.
In case you missed Part 1 of our Shark Week special, we introduced you to Joey (aka JoJo), a Metro Detroit rescue pup turned certified swimming machine. We broke down her origin story, decoded her partial shark DNA results, and investigated her ever-willing pool safety tactics.
If you thought her aquatic skills were impressive, wait until you see what happens on dry land. Today, JournoDog is diving into Part 2 of my sit-down with Joey to explore the glamorous side of her life.
This Q&A will offer a glimpse inside her glamorous fashion wardrobe, analyze her front-window security protocols, get an honest take on her pet parents, and uncover the secret mechanics of the classic potty tax.
Grab a coffee, take a quick break from the heavy news cycle, and let’s get right back into the Q&A.
Interview with Joey (Part 2)
Dog Fashion and Glamour
Q.) Word on the social media street is that you’re quite the fashionista! I’ve seen the proof that you have quite a wardrobe of fun glamour outfits. What are your absolute faves to strut around in? Drop your fave brands, shops, or pet wear designers so we can give them a major bark shoutout.
A.) Thank you for appreciating my exquisite taste in attire. This is an excellent question.
Generally, for your standard calendar holidays, my fashion selection falls into the hands of the late Frederik Meijer’s establishment of his own name.
I find a simple, yet dramatic approach is the way to go. The selection of headbands, hats, props, etc. tends to satisfy my artistic style.
However, I do find that Amazon helps to offer a more elevated look with holiday attire.
Halloween is my FAVORITE, though.
A successful Halloween picture makes my fanbase smile and laugh. I like to choose costumes that are immediately recognizable, nostalgic to previous decades, and never ever found in the pet sections of stores.
The secret to my brilliance is that I shop in the toddlers section and then my mom makes the necessary alterations for me.
I dressed up as the Cookie Monster on my first Halloween and won my online costume contest with my veterinarian’s office. I was a super cute elephant my second year. Last year I was the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man.
I can’t wait to show off my costume this year. I think it’ll be pretty amazing.
On the Pup-arazzi…
Being so high-profile, you likely have many fans. And they probably come by the house so you can see them through the front window. How do you handle the pup-arazzi?
Great question. I have very special whines, barks, and shrieks depending on who I see in my yard. I lose my mind when I see the neighbor’s cats roaming in MY yard. I love it when the “really big dogs” come to visit. (My parents call them deer.)
I really want to play with the chipmunks and squirrels, but they are just too fast for me to catch them.
I like to welcome all things by standing on my hind legs while I obsessively claw at the front window at them. I’ll do that on all of our windows while also creating nose art for later. I wish they would stop wiping my art off the windows.
On Home Security
Even high-profile canine celebs like you still have a sacred duty to guard the homefront and protect perimeters. What is your official stance on window alerts and barking at pup-arazzi, frendz, and delivery drivers like Evil Smile Box Intruders? Is it an art form, or just public service?
It is my honor, job, and duty to protect my people and my house. I guard through the big glass windows and don’t hesitate to jump huh to alert of any intruders or visitors.
I have my favorite friends that come to visit. My mom warns them that I am a hugger and not a kisser. My parents insist that I not jump on them, but how else am I supposed to get on their shoulders to hug them?
My dad and his male friends are always covering their lap. My parents compare me to someone named Elaine from some old show called Seinfeld – specifically when she tells people to “get out.”
I pack a punch, but it’s out of pure love and excitement.
Pet Parents
Let’s switch gears to your mom and dad… Can you tell me a little bit about them? And why you love them so much?
My dad is so much fun. I love to wrestle, jump as high as he is tall, and play super hard.
He picks me up like a baby every day when he comes home from work. I let him do that for a moment before I wriggle myself down.
I prefer him to let me out to go potty. He just opens the door to the backyard better than my mom.
Plus, I can scam my treats from him pretty easily. It’s called the “potty tax,” and I get that after I go potty. My favorite thing to do is to pretend to have to go, sniff the air, and come back in for my tasty treat.
My favorite thing to do on the weekends is wake my dad up after my potty break. I run as fast as I can and jump as high as I can on top of him and immediately start Wrestle-Mania.
My mom is my cuddle buddy, and she has the best pillows ever. Comfort is our passion. We have a routine:
- Every night, she lets me sleep for hours on the couch between her legs.
- Then, when she’s getting ready for bed, I steal her spot on the bed.
- I find her favorite sleepy head pillows and make a pillow nest complete with a little bit of the blanket.
- I practice my cutest puppy face so that she doesn’t move me when she comes to bed.
Works every night.
She takes good care of me to make sure that I am healthy, happy, and loved beyond comprehension.
She knows when I am not feeling well and makes sure that I get all the care I need to get better. I hate getting baths, but I love that she lets me have the zoomies all over the house right after.
She also sews up all the toys I destroy. Many of my toys have been to the ER on multiple occasions, but she always fixes them so that I can tear them apart again later.
CAR RIDES
I hear your Dad is quite the hooman, and is always bringing home new vehicles from his job… how cool is that!? Do you get to take special rides in all these luxurious vehicles, and what is that like always having a new ride when they chauffeur you around?
My parents’ least favorite thing to do is take me for rides, but they always make sure to take me anywhere I am allowed to go with them.
When I get into the car: SENSORY OVERLOAD. I get out-of-my-mind excited to see the cars zooming by, dogs going on walks, MOTORCYCLES AND BIKES, etc.
I like to use my very special high-pitched whine for such occasions. I have a very special seatbelt and dog bed to keep me safe and comfortable in any car I ride in with them.
I love it when my dad gets a new car and adapt pretty quickly to them. I get used to the new sounds his cars make so that I can hear him pulling up the driveway when he returns home.
Because I am “Crazy Pants,” I don’t get to sit in the front seat, but I am okay with that.
They take me to get my Pup Cups at Culver’s, and I love my ice cream lick time with them so much. They also love to take me shopping to the “mall” – PetSmart.
Toy Audit Revisited
Ok, since you mentioned the mall… Remind me again about toy box. We talked about it before, but do you have a preference for classic squeaky toys or soft plushies?
Squeaky toys are LIFE. My parents are extra careful to make sure that they don’t come out of the toys and become a choking hazard. Many of my toys don’t squeak anymore.
Kong has the BEST toys ever. I have countless Wubbas, bears, and frisbees. My red Kong frisbee is my absolute outdoor toy. My parents love it when I catch it in in the air. What, like it’s hard? LOL.
The Final Scoop
To wrap things up Joey, what is one piece of wisdom you think all hoomans need to understand about our canine lifestyle? What’s the biggest secret to keeping them perfectly trained?
Outside of having endless supplies of cheese and treats? Hmmm.
Learning what makes them happy, scared, excited, stressed, annoyed, etc, is such a gift. Be patient with us, love us unconditionally, and use that super awesome puppy voice with us whenever you can.
If we do anything wrong, don’t be mad at us for too long. Celebrate our wins in a big way and we will keep doing that just to make you happy.
Consistency and repetition is the key to successfully training puppies.
JournoDog out
Wow, Joey! You are such a celeb-doggo!’ Maybe someday you’ll open up your own fashion line or costume biz.
I’m looking forward to seeing what’s ahead for you, Joey! Thanks for taking the time to chat with me.
[Dad-Editor’s Note from Joey’s Parents: Joey is part of our DNA and we couldn’t be more fortunate to have her in our lives.]
Always remember: Love your pets. Support local journalism. And remember to find done smiles and happz for your heart everyday.
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