Dodger
When Dodger showed up unannounced in a backyard in May 2025, no one claimed him. Valerie’s sister found the tiny puppy at work, and the moment Valerie met him, she knew he was meant to stay. At the time, she was navigating one of the darkest seasons of her life after the sudden and traumatic loss of her dad. As a self-proclaimed Daddy’s girl, the grief was heavy. Then Dodger arrived — a little heaven-sent companion she believes was guided by her father.
Today, Dodger is her constant, her “little broke bestie,” and the reason everyday moments feel a little brighter. Join us as we sit down with Valerie to hear how this Velcro puppy changed everything, and why choosing products with heart matters so much to their daily life.
Can you introduce yourself and your pup Dodger, and share the story of how you two became a team?
Hi 👋🏻 my name is Valerie, and my little broke bestie is Dodger. Dodger was rescued by my sister in May of 2025. He showed up in her backyard at work with no one claiming that he belonged to them. I instantly fell in love with him and asked to keep him. I was at a very, very dark stage of my life when Dodger came into my life. I had lost my Dad unexpectedly and traumatically, and as a Daddy’s girl, I was experiencing major depression. I will always stick to the story that Dodger is heaven-sent by my Dad. Dodger was only about 2–3 months old when he came into my life, and I officially made his birthday May 30, 2025.
What’s one of your favorite everyday routines or activities you love doing together with Dodgers?
Dodger is a major Velcro dog and cannot be without his mommy or he will get separation anxiety. He loves going anywhere with me, but his ultimate favorite part of his day is when I take him for his daily neighborhood walk. He loves to play and socialize with all the neighborhood dogs.
How has using Peony Celeste poop bags fit into your life with Dodgers — anything that stood out about strength, convenience, or reliability?
Peony Celeste poop bags are amazing and we have never experienced any other bags with such great quality. The thickness of the bag helps eliminate the odor which most other poop bags do not do.
What about Peony Celeste’s mission or values first made you feel like this was a brand worth representing?
We first met Misa at a small gathering and we instantly knew how genuine she was about her brand. We loved how down to earth she is and we instantly knew we would love her. To know her is to love her, which makes supporting Peony Celeste that much easier.
Why does supporting woman-owned and small local businesses matter to you personally?
Supporting women-owned businesses matters because as a community we need to learn how to support everyone with genuine cause. As a business owner myself, we all have to support each other to help each other grow. There is always room for everyone and women sticking together to support each other goes a long way. However, when you genuinely love a product you will naturally find yourself recommending without any strings attached.
More Than a Portrait
I’m honored to create studio portraits for the dogs who have become the heart of our community. Each portrait celebrates their unique personality, love, and joy. These photographs are more than keepsakes—they’re a tribute to the bond that inspired Peony Celeste from the very beginning, and memories families can treasure for years to come.
Every ambassador has a story worth following. If you’d like to see more of Dodger’s journey, visit @itsdodgertime25 on Instagram and say hello from the Peony Celeste family.
The Ambassador Portrait Project
This little project is my way of saying thank you to our incredible brand ambassadors and the humans who love them.
Every dog has a story. Some have helped their families through life’s hardest moments. Others have inspired new adventures, brought laughter back into a home, or simply made every day brighter. Those stories are the heart of Peony Celeste.
When I photograph your dog, I do my best to capture more than just how they look. I hope to preserve their personality, their spirit, and the little expressions that make them uniquely yours.
I truly believe these portraits are one of the most meaningful gifts I can give to our ambassadors. It’s my way of celebrating the bond you share and thanking you for being part of this community.
I feel incredibly grateful for every dog and every family I’ve had the privilege to photograph, and I can’t wait to create many more memories together.
— Misa, Founder of Peony Celeste & Creator of Pet Portraits
All photographs are presented by Peony Celeste LLC. © All rights reserved. Images may not be used for commercial purposes by any uninvolved brands or organizations.
