Page 80 - Demo

80 || MOST FITNESS || FEBRUARY / MARCH 2016MFM: Dogs are a man%u2019s best friend-Was Amore your first best friend or did you grow up with dogs? Is it hard not to resist taking more in everyday when you see all the rescued ones? Does your husband love dogs as much as you do?VSF: I always had a dog growing up, but it was different because when I was a child I think I was too young, and plus I had to share him with my whole family. But I always loved dogs, always took good care of them, and was very responsible with all of them. Amore was my first dog that was all mine, and yes, she became my best friend, my companion, and she traveled everywhere with me. She was with me all the time for 14 years; she was definitely like a child to me. She taught me how to love unconditionally. I would love to have more dogs, and yes, it%u2019s hard to come home from a shelter or rescue, because every time I go there is always at least one dog that really catches my heart and that I want to take home with me. My husband is a total animal lover too, so we have that in common. When I first met him he had four dogs, and I had Amore, and now we have five total at home. And there is nothing better and happier than to come home knowing that all your dogs are there waiting for you to greet you.MFM: What is your daily routine like being the owner of so many dogs? Do you take multiple walks or runs with them or combine?VSF: Our big golden retriever goes to work with my husband every day, but lately I have been going to the vet a lot. Usually I go at least twice a week, since right now two of our dogs are on chemotherapy so they get to see a lot of vets and always get special treatments. I usually walk the three little ones together and then the two big ones separately. When we travel to Aspen they all get to go with us, and they love it! We built a gated park named after Marley, which is our youngest Kings Charles Cavalier, so they can all run free with no leash. They all have such a blast out there, and they love to go when there is snow. MFM: Do you spoil your dogs?VSF: Our dogs are part of our family. I don%u2019t think I spoil them, but I do give them a lot of love and attention. I am pretty disciplined when it is needed. Of course our three little ones get to sleep in bed with us, and the other two sleep on their beds right next to our bed. And of course they all get to hang out with us at home no matter what we do, whether there is a pool party going on or a photo shoot or even a formal dinner, but like I said they are part of our family. So for some people maybe it looks like I do spoil them a little. I cannot imagine living my life without my dogs or any dog! My family is my biggest blessing in life! Photo Credit: Alex Ardenti