As a pet lover and someone who has experienced the profound connection between humans and their animals, I find the stories of Noodle and Choupette particularly touching. Both pets gained fame and success through their unique personalities and the love and dedication of their human companions. However, their journeys took different turns when their owners passed away.
Marnie the Dog, known for her tongue-lolling and goofy antics, emerged as a social media sensation among pet influencers around 2010. Her popularity soared, garnering her millions of Instagram followers, a book deal (“Marnie the Dog: I’m a Book”), and even an app called Marnie Pro that enabled users to add Marnie into any picture. However, this came to an end in 2020 when the rescued shih tzu, believed to be around 18 years old, passed away. Her former owner, Shirley Braha, a former MTV producer, was heartbroken. “She was so deeply in love with her,” Shirley shares now. “Marnie was extraordinary and exceptional – our bond was unforgettable.”
Luckily, Braha saved an extensive collection of photos and videos to preserve Marnie’s legacy. “I’ve kept some amazing shots of hers hidden away, and I occasionally think about sharing them,” she shares. “It’s a mix of joy and sadness as we had an incredible life together.” Braha continues to manage Marnie’s social media accounts, primarily on Instagram where she has 1.5 million followers. “I post when something feels important, like a message supporting Palestinian activism,” says Braha. “Occasionally, I receive offers for partnerships but it’s not my main concern right now.” Marnie’s book is still available on Amazon, and Braha has approximately 50 signed copies that she may offer in the future.
Braha isn’t by himself in this digital age. Social media has taken over the world and created unexpected celebrities – cats and dogs who have made a mark in the endorsement-filled arena. However, pets have finite lives, and their owners are likely to outlive them. So, what becomes of the intellectual property (IP) of these renowned furballs once they stop producing new content? How do owners manage their sorrow alongside a profitable side business?
Loni Edwards Lunau, founder of The Dog Agency, has personal experience with this situation. Before starting her business, she was a lawyer herself. However, her French bulldog, Chloe, unexpectedly became an influencer, appearing in Martha Stewart photo shoots and Budweiser advertisements. Realizing the demand for agents to represent pet influencers like hers, Edwards Lunau established the company in 2015.
In 2017, unfortunately, Chloe passed away suddenly following a routine surgery. At that time, she had scheduled Google Pixel promotional activities and public appearances. The former continued using previously taken photographs, but the latter events were naturally cancelled due to her untimely demise.
Edwards Lunau shares that although this topic isn’t typically discussed with clients, her team will assist them in handling the situation if a pet passes away. Many resources used for creating memorial items like plushies already exist, as per some contracts that may include a clause for such events. However, not every situation is straightforward; Edwards Lunau has encountered instances where one party wished to continue while the other felt uneasy about using a deceased animal’s image.
In the evolving world of pet influencers, as stars age and become less active, their owners often introduce new animals to expand their following. Brittni and Jeff Vega, clients of The Dog Agency, have kept their Instagram presence vibrant with a variety of dogs following the passing of their initial pair, Harlow and Sage. Boo the Pomeranian passed away in January 2019, yet his account continues to live on, populated by photos of new pets adopted by his owner, Irene Ahn, as well as occasional nostalgic posts commemorating Boo’s life. This year alone, a heartfelt tribute post marking the fifth anniversary of Boo’s passing garnered over 8,000 likes.
London designer May Ping Wong began sharing her experiences with her beloved cockapoo Miss Darcy on a blog named “Miss Darcy’s Adventures,” due to her own separation anxiety and inability to leave Miss Darcy behind. The blog documented their luxurious travels to cities such as Paris, New York, L.A., and more. For one trip to New York, Miss Darcy was placed in cargo, which she disliked immensely. Consequently, they opted for a return voyage on the Queen Mary instead.
Wong created a second Instagram account for her rescue dog, George, due to his striking resemblance to George Clooney. However, managing two accounts proved to be overwhelming, so she merged them with Darcy’s platforms. Following the tragic death of Miss Darcy from blood cancer at only 10 years old, Wong was uncertain about continuing. Yet, a day after her passing, she encountered two dogs resembling Darcy and George in her local park, which she interpreted as a sign to carry on. Currently, Wong owns a third dog named Lulu and has business partnerships with renowned pet food company James & Ella, founded by James Middleton, the brother of the Princess of Wales. She selectively endorses products that align with her preferences and continues posting Miss Darcy’s photos on significant dates such as her birthday, adoption day, and death day.
I’ve had the pleasure of coming across some truly unique individuals during my time, but few have captured my attention quite like Jonathan Graziano. Based in NYC, this marketing exec is no ordinary social media sensation. He was the proud owner of Noodle the Pug, whose quirky Groundhog Day-like predictions of the day’s fortune hinged on whether Noodle chose to get out of bed or not.
During the COVID-19 lockdown, Noodle’s videos gained significant popularity as their content struck a chord with many. By the time she amassed 42,000 Instagram followers, Graziano was prepared to seal some deals. One of these agreements led to the creation and subsequent success of her best-selling children’s book, “Noodle and the No Bones Day.”
In 2022, when it was clear that the elderly pug, Noodle, was ill, Graziano completed his second book. Tragically, Noodle passed away at the end of that year. The publication of the book was delayed by nearly a year and became a success. Graziano is optimistic about starting work on the third installment in the series. However, due to Noodle’s deteriorating health, Graziano canceled other engagements. He explained, “I knew there wouldn’t be any posthumous content featuring Noodle like some other accounts do. I couldn’t handle grieving publicly in that way.” Instead, he welcomed a new dog named Milton into his life and occasionally shares updates about him on social media. Graziano joked, “Noodle might not have been responsible for taking care of me, but if that dog could earn enough money to pay for his $7,000 surgery, that was fantastic! And Milton is still living off Noodle’s inheritance.”
“When the pet influencers pass away, it’s a sad reality. But what about when the situation is reversed, and it’s the human who dies before their beloved pet?”
As a seasoned biographer with a deep interest in the lives of extraordinary individuals, I find the story of Choupette Lagerfeld truly captivating. The blue-cream Birman cat, adopted by the legendary fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld in 2011, continues to live a privileged life in Paris.
I’ve been inundated with proposals for creating affordable cat brushes, but I insisted on maintaining an air of sophistication and exclusivity for each project. I can point to the Met Gala shoot and Cacharel fragrance launch as examples of my discerning taste. Choupette is a beloved muse and frequent presence on our brand’s social media channels. Berullier remains tight-lipped about earnings, but assures us she’s compensated similarly to other content creators with substantial followings – some earn thousands for sponsored posts – although her rate is understandably lower than when M. Lagerfeld was alive.
He replied, “We don’t have a specific plan for keeping Choupette famous after her passing.” Instead, they intend to create the Choupette Foundation with their remaining funds. This organization will prioritize neutering and rehoming stray cats, as well as promoting cats’ significance in our society through literature and films. The Lil Bub’s Big Fund serves as a comparable model, having been established before its famous cat’s death in 2018. Our ultimate goal is to elevate cats to revered status when we discuss them – think Marilyn Monroe but feline!
I’ve always been a huge fan of Hollywood and the entertainment industry, so you can imagine my excitement when I came across this intriguing story in the latest issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. In fact, I’ve been reading The Hollywood Reporter for years now, and each time I flip through its pages, I feel like I’m getting a behind-the-scenes look at the glamour and drama of Tinsel Town. So when I saw that a version of this story appeared in their July 22 issue, I knew I had to read it. If you’re interested in Hollywood and want to stay up-to-date with the latest industry news and gossip, I highly recommend subscribing to The Hollywood Reporter. Trust me, it’s a must-read for any entertainment enthusiast!
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2024-07-26 19:55