DOGFLUENCERS: Meet Bowie, Instagram's Dog Friendly Food Connoisseur

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 Riesa (Bowie'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?

Renata: My journey to becoming a dog influencer began as a simple act of love and care for my Labrador, Bowie. For years, I've been making Bowie's food using whole foods ingredients to ensure he receives the best nutrition possible. However, it wasn't until the covid-19 pandemic that I decided to share Bowie's culinary adventures on social media.

The overwhelming positive response from fellow dog parents worldwide inspired me to expand the Master Bowie community into an inspirational and educational platform focusing on canine nutrition and holistic health through whole foods.

Our food adventure has led to exciting opportunities, including television appearances, authoring two recipe books, and becoming a certified canine nutritionist and dog chef. I've hosted dog degustations, formulated ready-to-eat dog meals and "doggolattes," baked bespoke birthday cakes, and crafted custom bento boxes for dogs.

Throughout this whirlwind adventure, our mission has remained steadfast: to inspire and empower dog parents worldwide to nourish their furry best friends with nutritious whole foods diets, one bowl at a time.

Together, we continue to connect, educate, inspire, and celebrate the joy of canine companionship through our shared love for delicious and nutritious meals. Good health starts with good food – that's Master Bowie's guiding motto!

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

Renata: What sets my dog apart from others on social media is the exceptional quality of food I create for him. Each dish is not only visually stunning, worthy of any Michelin-starred restaurant, but also irresistibly delicious and, most importantly, nutritionally balanced with whole foods and no nasties!

For me, food is our love language, a tangible expression of care for Bowie's health and longevity. My passion for dogs, good food, and health serves as the common thread that binds us with other dog parents in the Master Bowie community.

What makes our community unique and particularly interesting to our followers is our unwavering dedication to putting the love for our dogs and their health first, prioritising kindness and non-judgment, just like the unconditional love and acceptance that our dogs embody. Life is stressful enough and here, we provide a safe, supportive, and joyful community through our shared passion for dogs and food.

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

Renata: The inspiration for Master Bowie's posts and content stems from various sources in our daily life. Bowie himself, as he experiences different aspects of life, serves as a constant source of inspiration and education. Interactions with fellow dogs and dog parents within our community also provide valuable insights and ideas.

Moreover, my own culinary adventures play a significant role, as I strive to share the food I love with Bowie by adapting the dishes to be dog-friendly. Our surroundings, including the wildlife and natural environment we live in, often spark creativity and influence the content creation.

I prioritise Bowie's health and well-being over fleeting trends or brand affiliations. Our focus remains on creating genuine, meaningful content that reflects our journey and values.

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

Renata: Thankfully, our small, intimate and personalised online presence has shielded us from much negativity. However, when faced with challenges or negativity on social media, I always strive to respond with kindness and an open mind. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, and I respect that.

Instead of adding fuel to the fire or engaging in heated arguments, I prioritise providing factual information and insights in a respectful and kind manner. But, if I'm wrong and being called out, then I accept it, as we are all continuously learning, unlearning, and relearning in our journey.

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

Renata: My advice is simple: have fun and let it flow naturally. Instead of fixating on follower numbers, prioritise building a community of quality, loyal, and like-minded individuals who share your passion.

Focus on creating meaningful connections within your community where you can support and learn from each other. Genuine friendships and mutual support are far more valuable than chasing after numbers.

Your dog, their health and happiness should always come first!

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

Renata: Our lives are so much more than just social media. Personally, I've never been a heavy user of social media, preferring to spend real, quality time with Bowie rather than scrolling through feeds on my phone.

However, social media has introduced me to many wonderful people and opportunities that I wouldn't have encountered otherwise, and Bowie has led me to pursue a career as a canine nutritionist and dog chef.

Bowie has enriched my life in countless ways. We're on our own unique food adventure, inspiring and educating dog parents about the benefits of a whole foods diet, whilst creating cherished memories together that I wouldn't trade for anything.

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?

Renata: Bowie has a unique way of expressing his excitement for his meals – he drools, and boy, does he drool a lot! The anticipation of a delicious meal sends him into a drooling frenzy, with droplets cascading down like raindrops, creating a pool of drool next to his bowl. It's definitely not the most refined table manners, but it's one that never fails to make me (and our friends) laugh.

In fact, Bowie's drooling antics became so iconic that I decided to name the recipe books I published after him: "Bowie Drools Over Dumplings" and "Bowie Drools Over the Alphabet – A to Z Fresh Foods You Can Share With Your Dog, Complete With Nutrient Guidelines and Over 30 Dog-Friendly Recipes to Try".

What is your favorite thing about being a dog influencer?

Renata: To be honest, I'm not particularly fond of the terms "influencer" or "followers." However, if the content I create can "influence" other dog parents to improve their dogs' health through whole foods diets, then I consider it mission accomplished!

My favourite thing is the opportunity to connect with many incredible, like-minded dog parents and forge friendships across the globe. Though we may be just a little drop in the ocean, I believe in the positive impact we've made. Being able to give back to dogs in need with our "influence" also brings me immense joy and fulfilment.

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

Renata: As we look ahead, we're excited to expand our online presence, including YouTube, by creating more educational content about dog nutrition. We'll be sharing fun and easy-to-follow recipes to make the process of preparing homemade meals stress-free for dog parents. We're also bringing our Master Chef food creations to even more dogs to enjoy.

Furthermore, I'm very passionate about the holistic health of dogs, recognising that the diet is just one aspect of their overall well-being. That's why I'm in the process of organising a canine wellness day event that will focus on a holistic approach to dog health and happiness, including their owners. Stay tuned for more updates on these exciting projects!