June is Pride Month!!, a time of celebration and support for the LGBTQIA+ community. At our small business, we are passionate about sharing love and making a positive impact. That's why we donate a portion of our sales to various causes. This month, we are focusing on human rights organizations dedicated to the LGBTQIA+ community like the Trevor Project and It Get's Better.
In honor of Pride Month, we are thrilled to feature an interview with our friend and PR star, Liv Dellanno from Mystic PR. Liv recently became a dog mom to a charming husky named Ollie. Not only is Liv a powerhouse in the PR world, but she is also a prominent advocate for the LGBTQIA+ community on TikTok. Be sure to check out her inspiring content and join us in celebrating Pride! @Liveroniandcheese
Can you tell us a little about yourself and your journey as a queer individual?
I was born and raised in Massachusetts, which, fun fact, was the first state in the US to legalize same-sex marriage. Although my home state was progressive, I attended Catholic School from Kindergarten through high school, which was a pretty insular community. Up until high school, I wasn’t even aware that anything other than heterosexuality was an option, and like a lot of queer people, creating a Tumblr account was a pivotal moment in self-discovery. It makes my heart so full that that experience has come full circle, being able to celebrate Pride with my fiancee and group of queer friends I’ve made since coming out and even becoming mutuals on TikTok with some of my favorite queer creators I used to watch when I was a teenager.
What does being a part of the LGBTQ+ community mean to you?
At the stage of life I’m in now, I think being part of the LGBTQ+ community is how we create our own families. I’ve been fortunate enough to meet some incredible people in the community who have become lifelong friends, and am so thankful to have them as a found family.
When did you first become a dog mom, and what inspired you to get a dog?
I became a dog mom this year in January, which was completely unplanned! My brother, who lives in LA, had adopted a Husky about a year or so ago that he couldn’t take care of anymore due to his demanding work schedule and asked if we would consider taking him. My fiancee and I had always talked about getting a dog for the past six years, and this seemed like a sign from the universe, so we decided to meet him. After meeting him, we canceled our return flight, booked a rental car, and drove 30 hours from Anaheim to Chicago in two days to bring our new puppy son, Ollie, home.
Can you introduce us to your dog? What are their names, breeds, and personalities?
Ollie is a four-year-old Siberian Husky and the cuddliest dog you’ll ever meet. He loves cuddling up with his moms during morning coffee and trying to catch all the squirrels in our neighborhood on his walks- he has yet to catch one, but he did manage to catch the largest non-venomous snake in California once. He has such a big personality and is probably the most stubborn dog you’ll ever meet (true to his Husky nature) and loves belly rubs anytime, anywhere from anyone.
How has having a dog impacted your life, especially in the context of your identity as a queer person
My partner and I always joke that Ollie came into our lives and improved everything, but he seriously has! Since adopting him, he’s gotten us into a better routine of getting up and outside; now our daily walks are our favorite part of our days! He’s also my favorite co-working buddy :)
Are there any LGBTQ+ friendly dog parks, pet stores, brands, or vet clinics that you frequent and would recommend?
I highly recommend BLVD Vet for anyone in Chicago- they are AMAZING! All of their staff are so kind, and you can tell they take great pride in the quality of care they provide to their animals.
How do you celebrate Pride Month with your dog? Are there any special activities or traditions you have?**
This June will be our first Pride Month with Ollie! We plan on getting him a Pride bandana to wear and inviting our queer friends with dogs over to have a little Pride puppy party- hopefully, a new Pride tradition we can share with Ollie for years to come! Before becoming dog moms, my partner and I always attend our city’s pride parade and celebrate with friends at our favorite queer bars. This Pride is extra special as we’re flying to NYC to celebrate and visit the famous Stonewall Inn!
Why do you think representation of queer pet owners is important in the media and society?*
Representation is important as it destigmatized what people don’t know and judge. I’ve seen cases in my own life where people’s minds have become more open after seeing queer representation that challenges bias/stereotypes they previously had.
What advice would you give to other queer individuals considering becoming pet owners? If you’re a first-time dog owner, other dog owners can be great resources for learning some tips/tricks on how to best care for your pup, and I highly recommend finding a good vet! I also recommend taking care of friend’s dogs before getting your own to test out pet parenthood to see if it’s for you. Before Ollie, we watched some of our friend’s pets, and I think it helped my partner and I really know what we were getting into when we finally got Ollie!
How do you balance your personal life, work, and being a dog mom?
Ollie helps bring so much balance to my work and personal life by going on our daily walks, playing together, and taking time to care for him.
Are there any particular stories or moments with your dog that stand out as particularly meaningful or joyful?
One memory that stands out to me is the first night we had Ollie. We had just driven for 15 hours and were in this hotel room in Amarillo, Texas, and Ollie was curled up in the bed with us. We had dreamed of getting a dog since we first started dating, and it was an overwhelmingly joyful feeling to have one of our long-term dreams come true.
What are your hopes for the future regarding LGBTQ+ acceptance and visibility in the pet community?
I’m excited to see more LGBTQ+ representation in the pet, specifically in marketing and more diversity within that representation.
Do you have any upcoming plans or projects related to your life as a queer dog mom that you’d like to share?
My fiancee and I are getting married (no date set, but most likely in 2027!) and are looking forward to incorporating Ollie into our wedding somehow. If he can’t be there, we’re excited to name a drink after him!
Does your dog have any favorite Pride gear or accessories?
As of now, Ollie doesn’t have any Pride gear, BUT we are getting him a rainbow bandana and one that says, “I love my two moms.”
What’s the funniest or most memorable thing your dog has ever done?
A few months after bringing Ollie home, I brought him to a dog-friendly bar with some friends to grab a drink. We were all hanging out when someone started screaming “rat” in the bar. Four rats had run into the bar through the front door, and the staff were frantically trying to usher them out when Ollie started sniffing around. Since Ollie has a high prey drive, I figured he could help scare them out of the bar, so I started walking around the bar with Ollie to sniff out the rats. The bartender even yelled, “Let that dog behind the bar!” Ollie managed to scare a rat out the front door. Ollie was the hero of the bar and the bartender gave him some treats and free shots to our table for scaring off the rat!
If your dog could talk for a day, what do you think they would say?
Overall, Ollie is a quiet boy and doesn’t bark much, but I think he would be very sassy if he could talk for a day. I think he would ask for more cuddles, pets, and ask his moms if he can chase a squirrel or bunny.
To share some extra love to Liv & Ollie follow them along!