The Boudoir Interview starring YumYum and Lollipop

27/01/2014

In the city, space is a premium but these pampered pooches are given more square footage than most New Yorkers!

Two of New Yorks biggest (and smallest) celebrities are Yum Yum and Lollipop, (owned by Teresa Costanzo) and they are taking the USA by storm!!!

Yum Yum and Lollipop

Yum Yum and Lollipop

Firstly, can you adopt me? Your house looks lovely

awwww, thanks so much

Dog Room

Dog Room

What fur babies share your space?

YumYum is my 3 year old, 2.7lb, applehead, cream, short haired chihuahua. She is extremely shy and a total scardy cat.  She is very loving, happy , healthy little girl. She loves to sun bathe on a sunny day or under the covers on a cold day. She loves to dress up and she will jump in my lap when she sees me bring out a dress.  She will jump right in her carry bag as soon as she sees it as she knows she’s coming with mama.

The dynamic duo

The dynamic duo

Lollipop is my 6 yr old, 3lb, tan, short haired chihuahua.  We rescued her this past July.  She was found on a construction site in Texas. When the owners were located, they told them to “put her down” because they didn’t want to pay for the double hernia surgery she needed.  A fellow FB’er who does a little rescue held a fundraiser to raise the funds.  She has her surgery and her photo was posted on FB.  That is when I first saw her and immediately fell in love with her.  The rest is history.  She is outgoing, and fun loving.  Loves to take walks and must go up and say hello to everyone.
Chihuahua are a very misunderstood breed as many claim they are “nasty & Mean”.  Soooo NOT true.  They are very loyal, and OVERprotective of their owners.  YumYum and Lollipop do not have a mean bone in their body. They are cold by nature so it is usually always necessary to have at least a little shirt or sweater on them.

Yum Yum and Lollipop with their proud mama

Yum Yum and Lollipop with their proud mama

What makes your dogs different to most dogs in the city?
It was when I started my FB page “Chi Yum Yum” that I started discovering all the Animal Rescue Groups and Charity Events to raise money for animals in need. We started attending some events and immediately knew it would be something we would continue to do.  Extremely fun filled events and all the proceeds go to different animal charities.  We started growing quite a fan base as many of these events held little competitions/contests within them and we have been on quite a winning streak.

Some of our achievements to date:

-2013 Doggies & Tiara’s – we won “Glamour” and “1st Runner up” overall,
-Paw’s & PJ’s (Counting Sheep theme) – won 1st place “mommy made it”,
-Disco Party – 1st Place,
-Yorkie 911 Event Won 1st Runner up
-Tompkins Square Park Halloween Dog Parade – won 1st place & Best in show (out of 500 contestants)- Lobster Bake Theme
-Paws for a cause (Carmen Miranda theme) won 1st place
-Tinsel & Tails (Christmas theme – Fireplace/tree etc) won 1st Place.
The Trophy Room

The Trophy Room

Yorkie 911 Event Winners

Yorkie 911 Event Winners

YumYum & Lollipop also have a wardrobe larger than most people I know. I’ve lost count to how many dresses, PJ’s, shirts, coats, necklaces, hats, bows, doggie beds, blankets, strollers, and carry bags.

Getting ready for a photoshoot

Getting ready for a photoshoot

What is the most difficult thing about having dogs in the city?
The only difficulties having my babies in the city is that I cannot get 5 ft without a crowd surrounding us.  We like to call it “puparazzi”.  Don’t get me wrong, we absolutely love sharing our babies with everyone.  The only time it a bit of a problem is when we actually have an appointment but we have learned to now leave extra time for that.  lol
These celebrity pups have serious bragging rights!

These celebrity pups have serious bragging rights!

What are your dogs fav things to do? 
Of course one of their favorite things is meal time.  They also love coming in the car to go with me wherever I go but I think what they love most is in the evening when our day finally settles down and we finally make it to the couch for cuddle time.  YumYum curls up between my arm and my body while Lollipop prefers to be in the bent part of my leg by my knee. Then its lights out and they just melt into me.  I won’t even think about trying to get up for a drink or bathroom break as I just can never disturb them.

The dog food fridge for their favorite meals made by mama

The dog food fridge for their favorite meals made by mama
How have the dogs changed your life?
My whole world revolves around my dogs.  I do not have children.  YumYum & Lollipop are my babies.  There is nothing I would not do for them.  I take care of them better than some children I know.  I cook, clean, sew and do their laundry. We go to many dog charity events and made some great friends and help rescues at the same time. Before them I didn’t have much to do.  Now, it seems like I don’t have enough time in a day. Much time is spent on making stroller and float decor for the events we go to. There is no shopping for mommie any more.  It’s all about them.  Even birthdays and Christmas when I’m asked “what would you like” , my response….anything for the girls.  Having them and their FB has opened my life to a whole new world about doggie rescue.  Now I want to do whatever I can to make a difference.
Do your dogs sleep with you? 
YumYum & Lollipop do not sleep in my bed with me although I wish they could.  My fear is that they are sooo tiny and fragile and if they were to fall off or try to jump off in the night, they could get severly injured and even die.  YumYum had an extremely “open” fontanel (soft spot) on her head that never closed and it very dangerous to for her to bump her head.  She could actually die from that and Lollipop has luxating patella’s.  So I am not one to take any chances.  YumYum sleeps in a little playpen just to the side of my bed so she cannot bump into anything during the night and Lollipop sleeps in her own little bed just beside my bed as well.

 

Yum Yum and Lollipop have their own beds

Yum Yum and Lollipop have their own beds

Do you want more dogs? 
I will always want more dogs, but for now 2 is good as I bring them with me everywhere and I think anymore would be very difficult to handle.  I grew up with dogs all my life.  The first 24 yrs we had German Shepards.  They each lived 12 yrs.  They are a beautiful breed but as I got older I grew extremely fond of the very itty bitty ones.  I think its the fact they they tend to be more “needy”.  I will never ever be without at least 2 babies.

 

Incredible handmade bed

Incredible handmade bed

Toy Box

Toy Box

 

Thank you so much Teresa, Yum Yum and Lollipop for such a wonderful insight into your incredible world.
Do you have any questions for Yum Yum and Lollipop? Post them in the comments below and we will ask Teresa to answer as many as she can

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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