DOGFLUENCERS: Meet Sinta & Fiesta, the Los Angeles Duo from the Philippines
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 Claire (Sinta & Fiesta'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?
Verzo: We're not sure we qualify as dog influencers just yet, honestly! But we decided to start posting on social media after we moved to Los Angeles from the Philippines. We started bringing them along on our trips and every time, people would gush over them, ask to take photos, and such. We were actually surprised at how big a hit they are. Pleasantly overwhelmed by all the love, we decided to set up a Tiktok account for those who may want to look them up. Plus, we post regularly so our family back home could stay updated on our new adventures.
What do you think sets your dog apart from other dogs on social media? What makes them unique or particularly interesting to your followers?
Verzo: We think one thing that sets our kids apart is the amount of love and thought that goes into their outfits. My wife and I being avid thrifters ourselves, we try to incorporate our support for sustainable fashion into our fur babies' outfits. We would make them clothes from some of their Mommyla's (grandmom's) old jackets. We would dress them up in collars crocheted by our friends, tiny backpacks made by hand, and other accessories sourced from small local businesses. Our babies are a testament that anyone could look cute on a budget—and without succumbing to fast fashion!
How do you come up with ideas for your dog's posts and content? Do you have a specific creative process?
Verzo: We don't have a process, honestly! We just post whatever the family's been up to lately.
Have you ever faced any challenges or negativity on social media, and how have you dealt with it?
Verzo: Not on social media, but in person. We recently joined a Pride celebration, and one guy aggressively asked, "Are the dogs gay, too?" while pointing a camera at us. We dealt with it by not giving the bully the attention and reaction he wanted. We realize that people will always have an opinion, and it would not always be in our favor. So, especially now that we've started to put our lives out there, we agreed to not let anyone's opinion of us affect us. Remember what they say about how an entire sea of water can't sink a ship unless it gets in? In the same way, other people's negative thoughts and feelings can't hurt us, as long as we don't let them. Granted we're not hurting anybody, we'll keep doing what we're doing.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to start their own dog influencer account or share their dog on social media?
Verzo: We're new to all this, so I guess our advice would be: don't forget to have fun! It's exciting to see your number of views, likes, and followers go up, but don't do it all for the sake of clout. Live in the moment and savor the memories. Remember when and why you were taking all those photos and videos. This is a hard pill to swallow, but dogs have shorter lifespans than humans. So while your fur babies are still with you, cherish their love and loyalty. Enjoy the boops and sloppy kisses. Capture the moments that matter and share them to the world.
How has your dog influenced your life outside of social media?
Verzo: Our pets have always been an integral part of our lives, even before we started our social media journey. This is why we did our best to bring them all the way here from the Philippines. We would fight anyone who would tell us "They're just pets!" No. They're our kids. You can't tell us otherwise. Haha! Safe to say, our dogs influence everything, from our financial decisions to our lifestyle choices. They're our daily reminders to be strong, resilient, patient, and kind.
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?
Verzo: Sinta is one of those dogs who like getting clean and pretty. But for some reason, she also ALWAYS ends up falling into ditches, literally. Once, we were preparing to go to a family outing. We were asking her to get into the car, but she just wouldn't. We were unaware that our car was parked close to a ditch, so when Sinta started struggling, she fell straight into the stinky, murky water. You could just see the look of disgust on her face. Meanwhile, Fiesta just has this adorable, derpy face. She's funny without even trying! Also, instead of running, she would hop like a rabbit, which always cracks us up.
What is your favorite thing about being a dog influencer?
Verzo: I have recently received a message, telling me to post more photos because Fiesta reminds her of the dog she lost. One time, a nice young lady asked to take their picture. A little bit later, we heard her squealing with joy as she showed her friends our dogs' photos. Moments like these are just gold. They remind us that our babies bring joy and comfort not just to us, but also to others.
Lastly, what's next for you and your dog on social media? Any exciting plans or projects in the works?
Verzo: None in particular, really. But we're slated to visit plenty of local sights and attractions with our babies. We'll make sure to keep everyone updated!