Welcome to the ultimate destination for dog enthusiasts and social media mavens alike. At Dogfluencers, we're passionate about showcasing the best and brightest in the world of four-legged fame.
Whether you're looking for adorable photos, heartwarming stories, or expert tips on how to turn your own pup into a social media star, we've got you covered.
Today we got the honor of interviewing Lilibel (Cefy & Gioia's Human). You can find a direct link to their Instagram here.
Here is their story:
Can you tell us about your journey to becoming a dog influencer? What inspired you to start sharing your dog's adventures on social media?
De Matos: One morning when I was going to work, I stopped at a gas station to fill up my car with gas, while I was waiting, I noticed a small box that was "moving", when we approached there was a little puppy inside the box, not older than 15 days old, I took her to a veterinarian and they told me that she was too small and could have hydrocephalus, I decided to take her home and take care of her to give her up for adoption when she recovered.... When she recovered I decided to keep her and it has been the best decision I have made in my life, Cefy has been with me for 14 years, for 8 years she and I participated with the Firefighters in Search and Rescue, I learned canine training and took Cefy to compete in the Expocan in Mexico in 2011, being in 2nd place in obedience. In 2022 life made us meet Gioia and with her I ventured into the world of canine fashion, today I am preparing the launch of XODOG® magazine, with which we want to promote those life stories in which dogs have helped their humans to overcome and also to publicize those who work with love in the universe of canine care and health.
What do you think sets your dog apart from other dogs on social media? What makes them unique or particularly interesting to your followers?
De Matos: I believe that all dogs have special qualities in different ways and forms, in the case of my dogs, both transmit a lot of peace, many people in a state of stress, calm and happy to be with them.
How do you come up with ideas for your dog's posts and content? Do you have a specific creative process?
De Matos: I start taking ideas from everyday life, both from people and their dogs and from my own life with my dogs, then I conceptualize and discard to come up with creative ideas that interest and please people.
Have you ever faced any challenges or negativity on social media, and how have you dealt with it?
De Matos: Of course, the biggest problem today is Bots, so I try to instruct people in the use and detection of them.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to start their own dog influencer account or share their dog on social media?
De Matos: The first thing is that they know their dogs very well, that they establish a very deep bond, that they know how to read all their movements perfectly, just as the dog does those of their humans, the second thing is that they always emit positive things and that, as we do humans with children, let us know how to respect their limits.
How has your dog influenced your life outside of social media?
De Matos: Both Cefy and Gioia have taught me to be patient, to accept that we are not all the same or react the same and that that is okay, they have taught me that I should help, but not do things for others, to let everyone learn to their way and at their own pace and that the best way to learn is to make mistakes.
Can you tell us about a particularly memorable or funny moment you've had with your dog during one of your photo shoots or adventures?
De Matos: I have 2 anecdotes, very different... Cefy got lost when she was 1 year old, she escaped from a partner I had and who in the end hurt us a lot, the night she got lost was terrible, I felt the desperation and anguish that a mother has When your child is kidnapped or when your child is lost, no mother should suffer that anguish. The next day a great human being whom I respected and appreciated found Cefy and his expression when he saw me was such that it will never be erased from my mind. Gioia's anecdote was in her first photo session, it was incredible to see how comfortable she felt with the clothes and accessories and how she loved to be the center of attraction, when I put the sunglasses on her it was as if she said: "Oh yeah, this is my world" hahaha, we laughed for a long time
What is your favorite thing about being a dog influencer?
De Matos: Definitely share the experience and love that dogs have taught me.
Lastly, what's next for you and your dog on social media? Any exciting plans or projects in the works?
De Matos: There are new plans underway and we hope they will encourage other people to discover the love that dogs transmit.
