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The Scoop: Tiziana Agnello and Orzo

The Scoop: Tiziana Agnello and Orzo

Tiziana Agnello is the Founder/Designer of Brooklyn-based pet accessories brand LoveThyBeast. After a successful career as a prop stylist for major magazine publications, cookbooks, and advertising, she was inspired to create her own legacy in product design. She started her company with the Canvas Pet Tote, after discovering that “nothing on the market was large enough for my then petite pug Gzigzia, and I knew all of her beast friends from the park needed a way to get around town comfortably”. Tiziana’s vision and LoveThyBeast’s mission is to manufacture US-made pet products using locally-sourced materials and craftsmanship.

Tiziana recently adopted a beautiful pug named Orzo (who is showing her the ropes on what he would like designed just for him. First up: toys!). Let’s meet him, shall we?

The Scoop: Tiziana Agnello and Orzo

Name? Orzo

Nickname? Orzo the bozo, Orzito, Boo Bear.

Age? 1.5 years old

Breed? Pug Dog

The Scoop: Tiziana Agnello and Orzo

The Scoop: Tiziana Agnello and Orzo

What’s “The Scoop”? I found my little Orzo through a great local rescue organization called See Spot Rescued. After the loss of my beautiful black rescue pug Gzigzia, (the co-creator of LoveThyBeast), I began fostering some incredible pups for shelters in the NY area. Eventually, I started searching for an adoptable dog, when I came across Orzo’s photograph. I immediately had an existential feeling about him, like I already knew him. I was confident in adopting a pug again since I knew those silly fur babies so well – I just never thought I would adopt her twin!

I learned that Orzo was found by the side of the road in Charleston, WV, (at a skinny mini 14lbs), and dropped at a local shelter. Thankfully, a kind hearted woman named Gina Jones Young (along with her two pups) stepped in and became Orzo’s foster family, giving him lots of love and excellent vet care so he could be adopted out to a forever-home. Gina works for an animal rescue group in West Virginia called Dog Bless, who partners with Zarina Mak of See Spot Rescued to bring adoptable fur babies to the NY/NJ area. I can’t thank Gina and Zarina enough for being inspirational, organized and loving women helping out animals in need. They even introduced us to Jenna Teti, who beautifully photographs the animals up for adoption through See Spot Rescued; she took many of the photographs of Orzo you see here. I feel so lucky to have a healthy and spunky little boy. Imagine if we could all help a beast friend in need.

The Scoop: Tiziana Agnello and Orzo

Favorite Toy? Orzo loves toys–he is the chief toy designer here–he came in the door demanding it! His favorite toys are the squeaky stuffed animal kind. I love how he gives every toy equal attention. He’ll bring you each one until you throw one for him to fetch (yes pugs play fetch!) But can we talk about his favorite game? He’s such a goofball: when a guy friend comes over, or the UPS man arrives, he barks at them, trying to initiate a chase. He usually gets his way, and the next thing you know, the whole apartment is like a dog run.

Favorite Food? Anything but vegetables.

The Scoop: Tiziana Agnello and Orzo

The Scoop: Tiziana Agnello and Orzo

Favorite place to sleep? Orzo loves to sleep on your lap with your arm as his headrest. It’s adorable, but pretty tough to get any work done at the studio. Every afternoon, he asks me or one of the LoveThyBeast pack members if he can jump on our lap to take a nap. At night he jumps up on the foot of the bed and prances up to me, then burrows under the covers back to the foot of the bed.

Pet Peeves? Orzo’s biggest pet peeve is if his afternoon nap time/lap time isn’t going to happen because of our work flow. He also sends out a warning when his water is low. He is a very smart pug and will get vocal if he needs something, so I can always figure out his agenda.

The Scoop: Tiziana Agnello and Orzo

Best Trick? Orzo is great at magic tricks… he is a pro at the vanishing shoe.

Gear? LoveThyBeast of course! He loves the sound of me picking up his Canvas Harness and Lead.

If your dog were another animal what animal would that be? Orzo would be human, a lumberjack specifically.

The Scoop: Tiziana Agnello and Orzo

Orzo is one handsome–and fashionable–hound. Other style-conscious pups would love to know: what are some of his favorite up-and-coming trends? Orzo looks great in red– our new Canvas Pet Tote in natural canvas and cherry red was designed just for him. In fact, our entire Canvas Pet Tote collection is getting a spring makeover, with new materials in classic combos, splashy color ways and poppy prints all coming soon. Orzo is even testing our first rubber toy line, inspired by some of my favorite local artists. We love to conceptualize ideas and prototype them right here in the USA. All of our union workers and craftspeople love making our products, and they especially love a visit from Orzo (the bozo)!

Thanks Tiziana and Orzo!

Capree has a deep love of Victorian-era “fancy lads”, 19th Century anatomy drawings, and tin robots. She loves big, bold colors and big, bold patterns. Oh, and anything well-designed, especially if it’s something she can sit in.