DOGFLUENCERS: Meet Harper Shea, the Sweetest Pup

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 Harper (Harper Shea'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?

Shea: My road to the title “influencer” is a little different than most. I first started Harper’s Instagram when she was just a puppy. I have always loved photography and taking pictures of wildlife so naturally, when I adopted an adorable puppy, I had to take advantage of the opportunity at hand. I spent a few months posting about Harper on my personal accounts and then had the realization that not everyone I am friends with wants to see daily images of my dog, so I decided to create an account all about Harper. I am a bit of an introvert, so I didn’t share this page with anyone; however, one of my superiors at work quickly found the account and used it as a way to connect me with our various clients. From there, more of my friends discovered Harper’s page, and I ran with it. It was a great way to connect me with my community and other like-minded people.

What do you think sets your dog apart from other dogs on social media? What makes them unique or particularly interesting to your followers?

Shea: In our book, every dog is the perfect dog for their human. With that, every dog has something about them that sets them apart from the rest. Harper is full of life and lives for adventure. She loves to run 5k’s with me, hop on a plane and travel the country, and anything that involves zoomies and a good donut toy. She even wrote her own book! Harper also loves to learn. When she was just a puppy, I taught her loads of tricks and started running out of things to teach her. Her Pop is a retired firefighter, and one day he suggested I teach her how to “stop, drop, and roll”. After a few days of learning, she mastered it!

Harper’s love for life does come at a cost. In 2022, Harper was diagnosed with Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) and our whole world stopped for six months. Our daily outings turned into strict sleep on our spare bedroom floor, and our love of learning tricks turned into countless pills to keep Harper still and out of pain. As she started to recover, we began short walks accompanied by strollers and walking aids to keep her stable. Our “off the beaten path” hikes shifted to smooth trails and more breaks. Today, Harper still enjoys traveling and frequent walks; she just has a few extra eyes and breaks between adventures. Just like every Fi family out there, Harper is the biggest piece of my life, and I am grateful to have her by my side every day.

How do you come up with ideas for your dog's posts and content? Do you have a specific creative process?

Shea: I get a mix of ideas for Harper’s content. Most of what we share is Harper’s daily life. Walking on our favorite trails, hiding in the closet when storms roll through town, and our dog-friendly travels. Regardless of what is happening in Harper’s life, we like to share her story and bring a sense of comfort to those who follow her. We love it when people get to wake up in the morning and see a cute dog on their feed. It brings a positive start to their day. Creativity, we keep up with National Days and events in our hometown. We like to have photoshoots for various holidays and fun themes we conjure up. It gets my photography itch taken care of and lets Harper get a few extra treats for being a good model!

Have you ever faced any challenges or negativity on social media, and how have you dealt with it?

Shea: Sharing any part of your life online opens Pandora's box. Over the years, we have seen negativity on Harper’s account. While all dog accounts have a touch of their human companion’s voice, we keep Harper’s platform focused on her. While I have had a few negative comments online, knowing that I get to fulfill my passion and seeing Harper enjoy the ride with me, keeps those who enjoy our journey coming back.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to start their own dog influencer account or share their dog on social media?

Shea: One of the biggest things I did when starting out was not sharing myself online. It took nearly a year before I felt the slightest bit of comfort showing myself. Once I felt confident to share a bit of the human aspect is when I started making genuine connections. I went out more and met other people who shared my passion for either photography or dogs. And I quickly learned that there are SO many people who feel like they need to be with their dog 24/7 like me. It was a great realization to stumble upon!

The other advice I would give is to make sure you are genuine in your posts. Your dog needs to enjoy the process just as much as you. I have turned down numerous things because I know my dog and I know what she just wouldn’t like.

How has your dog influenced your life outside of social media?

Shea: Harper is my world, and she made my world so much bigger. I have been given so many opportunities because of her. Just like most people today, I do have anxiety and have been more reserved to experience new things in life. Harper senses every emotion I have and knows just how to react. If I am sad or overwhelmed, she will immediately lay me down and give me the biggest hugs. On the flip side, if I am full of confidence, she will walk bodily by my side. We are able to communicate with each other more so than anyone else in our lives, and I will forever be grateful for that.

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?

Shea: Harper’s first time on a plane was when we flew from Arkansas to New York and then road-tripped to Maine. It was always a dream of mine to visit Maine, and I knew I had to do it with my pup by my side.

To say I was a little nervous to fly my dog across the country not knowing how she would do is a huge understatement. All in all, she did amazing, and the trip was a huge success! The funny story lies within the trip itself. All along the way, we met people who shared that they had a dog that looked like Harper at home or they would ask me about her, and I would get to share a bit of our story with them. It was a new perspective that I didn’t expect to see. We made people, in real life, smile. They saw my dog and thought about their own at home. I am grateful to share my adventures with my own dog and give her memories that so many other dogs may not get to experience.

What is your favorite thing about being a dog influencer?

Shea: Doing life with my dog. Before I make plans, I immediately ask “can my dog come”. If the answer is yes, there’s no stopping them. If it is no, then there’s a 90% chance it will be a stay-at-home night. Working with Harper has even welcomed new opportunities to our life by means of jobs. During COVID, I was lucky enough to work with Rope Hounds, a Fi Maker. It was an amazing opportunity to blend my passion for Harper into my work. I will never forget my time with Rope Hounds and still love supporting them today. The influencer side of our story is just a perk but even if social media wasn’t in the picture, everything we do is for our dogs and making sure they enjoy the life they have.

Lastly, what's next for you and your dog on social media? Any exciting plans or projects in the works?

Shea: In January of this year, we brought home a Blue Heeler puppy and Harper quickly went from only dog to big sister. We love seeing how Harper Shea and Harley Ray learn about the world together and how much Harper is already teaching Harley about how to be an influencer. I must say, he’s already a pro at modeling! Our plans for the rest of 2024 are to spend as much time working with our two fur kids and making sure they experience life to the fullest. We may even share a second children’s book written by our very own, Harper Shea.