Mojo

Mojo charged in by attacking a shoelace and never looked back. What started as a pandemic conversation about “maybe we should get a dog” quickly became the beginning of an adventure filled with laughter, daily sniffaris, and a whole new community. We sat down with Mojo’s mom to hear how one playful Irish Terrier transformed everyday life and why choosing products with heart matters just as much as choosing them for ourselves.

How did Mojo come into your life, and what made you know they were meant to be yours?
I’d never had a dog before Mojo, my husband grew up with them, but I was new to it all. I’m allergic to cats, so I was a little worried dogs might do the same to me. Still, ever since we moved in together, we’d talked about getting one.

Then COVID happened, we were home 24/7, and the “should we get a dog” conversation just kept coming up. We discovered Irish Terriers online, their wiry coat meant it’d work with my allergies even if I turned out to be sensitive (turns out I’m not, yay!). Around the same time, we found a farm in Moreno Valley with puppies that had just arrived. The timing felt too perfect to pass up.

We went to meet the puppies, about four were left, and Mojo came running over and immediately started biting my husband’s shoelace like it personally wronged him. Yeah. That was it. We were done for.

What’s something Mojo does that makes you laugh every single time?
He has this little sigh he does whenever I tell him he’s had enough treats or he gets a “no”, pure attitude. At home when I correct his behavior, he doesn’t just accept it, he’ll “talk back” with these low little yips, or a bark. He gets away with so much purely because he’s that charming. His big stretches also get me every time. Apparently his life is stressful.

How has life changed since Mojo became part of your family?
Life got a lot more fun honestly! Walks became non-negotiable. I started waking up earlier. He taught me patience, and joy in the simple things. Life can be chaotic, but he brings the humor and lightness right along with it. My social circle grew by an entire community of dog people I never expected to meet. I’m endlessly grateful for him and the love he’s brought into our lives.

At Peony Celeste, we believe every walk is an opportunity to create meaningful moments together. What does your ideal walk with Mojo look like?
If Mojo had it his way, our perfect walk would be an endless sniffari, at least three squirrel sightings, and running into other dogs along the way. For me, it’s seeing how excited he gets to explore the world. Watching him enjoy the simple things reminds me to do the same. Every outing is another chance to create memories and see the world through Mojo’s curious eyes.

Peony Celeste is built on the idea that dogs deserve products made with intention, quality, and care. What does choosing thoughtful products for Mojo mean to you?
The bar for Mojo’s products is exactly the same as it is for ours. We love supporting brands that care about quality, sustainability, and community. That’s why Peony Celeste stood out to me. Beautiful products caught my eye, but the mission made me stay. I can see the passion and heart behind the brand. It’s even more meaningful knowing Peony Celeste is a woman and minority owned small business. Those are the kinds of businesses we want to see thrive, and we’re proud to support them.

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 Mojo's journey, visit @mojotheirishterrier 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