I’m thrilled to get the scoop on the four-legged muse and go-to product tester behind one of our favorite brands! Based in Brooklyn, New York, Waggo was founded in 2011 by Regine Raab, who created the company after a successful career working for a number of leading fashion houses, including Marc Jacobs and Adam Lippes. One constant companion over the years was her beloved Schnoodle, Benny. Always on the hunt for fun, colorful things for her pooch, she found herself disappointed with the choices in the market — and with that, decided to take matters into her own hands, using her design know-how to develop her own line of products. And thus, Benny’s illustrious career as a top-tier, canine product tester –as well as the Waggo brand — began! Let’s meet this inspirational pooch, shall we?
Name? Benny
Nickname? Ben, B, Bennysbiggles, Bennifer, Benjamin, Bens
Age? We’ve been saying he’s 7 for about 3 years, not sure! Probably around 9.
Breed? We got a DNA test and they said he was a Schnoodle + about 20 other breeds… He’s a mutt!
What’s “The Scoop”? We adopted him from BARC Shelter in Brooklyn. I was volunteering there walking dogs secretly hoping that I would meet my match. One day I came in and there were all of these bigger dogs there and one little Poodle looking dog hiding in the back of his pen. He looked terrified. I took him out for a walk and never looked back. 48 hours later he was at our house! Turns out he was given up twice before which I can’t even believe! He is the absolute sweetest. He’s stuck with me now.
Favorite Toy? There are two toys that Benny absolutely loves – a good ol’ tennis ball and his tack toy. The tack toy will bounce if you throw it and he goes berserk trying to catch it.
Favorite Food? He can smell cheese from a mile away. He will be in a different room and he hears the packaging open and before you know it he’s at your feet giving you googly eyes.
Favorite place to sleep? Early in the night at the foot of the bed but as the night goes on, he loves to lodge himself right between our pillows. At work he loves his Gusset Bed under the table. He likes sleeping in tight areas; he once fell asleep with half of his body in a small planter. Nothing is really off limits!
Pet Peeves? For a dog that never growls and rarely barks, pulling a cover out from under him while he’s sleeping turns him into a very angry boy. He’s also not a fan of you blowing air at him – he starts to bark and run in circles.
Best Trick? He can untangle himself from a leash when it gets caught around his legs.
Gear? Waggo of course! He loves his Waggo Dipper Bowls. He has them in every color: more bowls = more food for him! He also has a new collar and leash every other day; right now he’s sporting a Line Up collar with his name monogrammed on it.
If your dog were another animal what animal would that be? I think he would be a koala. When you pick him up he wraps his leg around your arm to hold on. He’s sweet, calm, fluffy and cute!
Benny is a fashion-forward pooch who always seems to have his ear to the ground on print, color, and pattern trends. What are some of his trend predictions for the coming year? Benny is really excited about metallics for fall — he’s been testing out some new metallic dipped bowls and fun new spotted prints. He loves color so he sees a lot of bright reds, oranges and blues in his future! He’s also excited that his mom will soon have some fun prints on her poo bags — he likes it better when they match his leash and collar.
Thanks Regine and Benny!
