I grew up in a tiny apartment in Germany, where my love for animals began early. My childhood dream was to become a veterinarian, but since I wasn’t allowed to have a dog or cat, my first companions were two parakeets—Susie, a vibrant blue, and Charlie, a curious albino. To be around dogs, I volunteered to walk every neighbor’s pup I could. It was my way of staying close to the animals I adored.
The day I bought my first home as an adult, I fulfilled a lifelong wish and brought home Reggie, a loyal German Shepherd named after Green Bay Packers legend Reggie White. That moment sparked a deeper journey into the world of dog training and rescue. I began with obedience classes, eventually teaching puppy and basic obedience courses. My passion led me to volunteer as a translator at German Shepherd dog shows who brought over German judges, bridging language gaps for the visiting judges.
Through these connections, I became a founding member of a German Shepherd rescue group. Over the years, I fostered 15–20 dogs, organized adoption events, coordinated transports, and handled countless emails—all while raising my son as a single mom and maintaining a full-time career. Though life eventually required me to step back, those years left a lasting imprint. Reggie remained by my side for nine wonderful years until he crossed the rainbow bridge.
As life grew busier, I found that cats fit more easily into my routine. My first foster cat was a feral boy who had been returned twice due to fearfulness. I brought him home, gave him space, and spent quiet hours reading beside him—tuna in hand. After two weeks, he began to trust me and became my shadow. I knew he’d be hard to rehome, so I became a proud foster fail. He lived with me for 15 years, alongside Bugsy and Simba, who are still part of our family after more than a decade.
Even with a full plate, I felt called to give back again. I’ve always supported mission-driven brands, and that sparked an idea: what if I could create something that helped animals in need through everyday purchases? That’s how Paws of Love was born—a way to turn compassion into action and make a difference, one paw at a time
