DOGFLUENCERS: Meet Paddington & Petunia, The Dynamic Duo Dominating Social Media
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 Brinda (Paddington & Petunia'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?
Ganesan: I originally started off having a pet Instagram account for my cats -- just sharing their pictures to my small group of friends and family. It truly took off and became a pet influencer account when I got Paddington, my newfoundland dog. Paddington was extremely cute as a puppy (and still is as an adult) and I was constantly sharing images and videos of this fur ball doing all sorts of things -- tagging brands and products that feature in my posts. Over time other social media accounts started reposting my photos, creating more followers. The brands and products invited us for partnerships and I suppose that's when I officially became a pet influencer. The Newfoundland breed is not a common one, and I love showing off and educating people on this breed.
What do you think sets your dog apart from other dogs on social media? What makes them unique or particularly interesting to your followers?
Ganesan: I have a Newfoundland (Paddington) and an English Bulldog (Petunia). The combination is what makes them unique -- one is a 150lb nanny dog, and the other is a 45lb bowling ball. For one, those are not two breeds that typically exist in a household. While Paddington is a no-nonsense saint, Petunia is quite the opposite -- her puppy energy and silliness know no bounds. Paddy is quite stoic and reserves his playfulness for certain times of the day. Petunia is always up to something and has her signature tongue-hanging-out look that makes taking her seriously impossible. They are quite the pair of crazies!
How do you come up with ideas for your dog's posts and content? Do you have a specific creative process?
Ganesan: If it is not sponsored/partnership content, I try to mix up locations, looks, activities, etc., to provide a variety to my followers -- I want to show my followers my dog's authentic lifestyle without making it boring. Besides that, I am constantly analyzing the posts I see on my feed to gather ideas for partnership content. I try to keep up with trends to include in my content while staying true to my style of posting. I wish there was a more thought-out creative process, but most times it really is what and how I am feeling and how much my dogs want to cooperate!
Have you ever faced any challenges or negativity on social media, and how have you dealt with it?
Ganesan: I try to steer away from controversial content or thoughts. People visit pet Instagram pages for pet content. So I make sure my personal views never interfere. I have not encountered too many negative comments, but the ones I have, I typically ignore (if it's not value added) or will sometimes DM them to clear the air.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to start their own dog influencer account or share their dog on social media?
Ganesan: Don't stress and overthink it! Most people just want to see your dog, cat, bunny, bird, etc., for who they are. Don't get too hung up on the minute details. As influencers, we are more critical of our posts than the followers are. The whole point of it is to have fun and show off the greatest living things on earth!
How has your dog influenced your life outside of social media?
Ganesan: I have made so many friends in real life thanks to social media. These are friendships that mean a lot to me and I would have never thought something like this would happen. My dogs also force me to go outside daily and breathe in some fresh air - take a walk or simply play in the park with them. Most importantly, they have taught to enjoy life as it comes and to relax when it is time to relax and play when it is time to play.
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?
Ganesan: I think all the photo shoots we have with treats have way more bloopers than actual images. Both our dogs are very food-motivated and it is extremely hard for them to patiently wait for me to take photos and videos. We were doing this photoshoot for a popular dog treat brand at our local park, and Paddington wouldn't stand still for a second before deciding to attack the treat bag. This went on for quite a while much to the amusement of the public. Eventually, I gave up and just decided to do candid shots.
What is your favorite thing about being a dog influencer?
Ganesan: I get to share my wonderful dogs with the world and the things we do together. A lot of times I feel this gives our followers a realistic idea of what to expect from the breeds I own (if they are looking to get a Newfoundland or English Bulldog), ideas for places they can take their dogs, new and healthy treats they can feed their dogs, a cool new accessory to elevate their dog's lifestyle, etc. In return, I am thankful for the real-life friends I've made and the community I have built that are constantly teaching me more about my dogs (and dogs in general) and answer any questions I may have.
Lastly, what's next for you and your dog on social media? Any exciting plans or projects in the works?
Ganesan: None at the moment. We are still looking out for the next exciting brand to work with that aligns with our lifestyle. In the meantime, we are enjoying the outdoors as spring arrives and making memories as we go.