By Carol Bryant, FIDO Friendly magazine
Need a cure for the blues? Smile. It could be worse. Or at least that’s what Zelda says.
Carol Gardner was having a bad day. Divorce bestowed itself upon her doorstep and left Carol in a deep depression with huge debt. Her divorce attorney lamented, “Honey, you need to either get a therapist or a dog.” So Carol did what she’d wanted to for as far as she could remember: She got an English bulldog. The look on the 4-month-old puppy’s face was a mirror image of what Carol felt in her heart. It was love at first sight. Having grown up with a dachshund, an English bulldog was quite a deviation. From that day on, Zelda would impart her secrets and wisdom into Carol’s life and soon into the hearts of millions.
“I always wanted an English bulldog. They just make me laugh with that pushed in little face. You don’t know whether they are canine or human,” Gardner gleefully shared. “I think that’s the magic and secret of Zelda. When people see her photograph, they see themselves. I often say there’s a little Zelda in all of us.” Indeed. Thousands of people subscribe to Zelda’s free daily newsletter dogma. The wisdom that is Zelda shines through photographed images coupled with humorous, spot-on quotes to mirror the frivolity and mood of the message.
Finding costumes is a mixed bag for Gardner. Recently on a shopping trip, Gardner and her production person Linda Moore discovered popcorn bowls. Outfitted with a chicken costume in a big movie theatre seat and the two bowls of popcorn between her legs, Zelda’s latest message was born: “Time for a chick flick!!”
Recently the Heathman Portland in Portland, Oregon erected a bronze statue of Zelda. As one of Portland’s most Fido-friendly hotels, Zelda serves as the perfect puppy ambassador to welcome guests. Not a one-dimensional supermodel, Zelda is so much more than a beautiful bulldog mug posing for “puparrazzi.” Having been a part of almost 10 adult books, it was a natural progression to share the magic of Zelda with children, both in person and in print. Princess Zelda and the Frog will be released in the spring by MacMillan Publishing.
Perhaps best known and adored for her message on greeting cards, Zelda was Hallmark’s #1 selling mass card line. In today’s tech savvy world, over 500 paper cards are available via Card Store and can be sent to recipients via postal mail through Zelda’s website. Fans behold, the 2012 Zelda calendar is in the works.
“Zelda knows life is tough,” Gardner quipped. In the 2011 calendar, one image is of Zelda in a referee uniform. The quote below says ‘No one ever said life was fair.’ Who hasn’t had a rough day? Such is the eternal timeless wisdom of the magical bulldog in costumes to rival a Lady Gaga concert.
Zelda works with children with learning disabilities, the Morris Animal Foundation in a cure for canine cancer, as well as dog rescue organizations. Educated, compassionate, and well-traveled, this jet-setting canine doesn’t let fame go to her head. “Zelda is allowed to fly on the airline, all 61 pounds of her. She loves to sit next to me in the cabin and greet the fellow passengers.”
One of Gardner’s favorite Zelda-isms she proudly displays on her desk features a photograph of Zelda in a boxer’s outfit with a band-aid over her eye. The quote reads, “Tough times don’t last, tough people do.” All hail the eternal wisdom of Zelda, keeper of the dogmas and Fido ambassador of good will. Learn more and sign up for daily Zelda Wisdom dogmas at www.zeldawisdom.com.
Want more FIDO Friendly content? Check out our website at http://www.fidofriendly.com and our blog at http://blog.fidofriendly.com. Call our subscription department at 888.881.5861 Monday through Friday 8 am to 5 pm PST and mention code DEXTER for 20% off your subscription or renewal.
Zelda always puts a smile on my face... great learning more about her!
Posted by: Pup Fan | 02/11/2011 at 07:03 AM
Fabulous and uplifting-I'm off to subscribe to Zelda's wisdom!
Posted by: Joan DeMartin | 02/11/2011 at 03:25 PM
Awww Zelda is an inspirational doggie. I love the name Zelda! I really wanted to give my first cat that name. But the little kitty I found just so happened to be a male. So, he's Link (hero from Zelda videogames) instead.
Posted by: Link Bartholomew | 02/12/2011 at 06:32 AM
It's easy to see why Zelda made it to Hallmark's #1 selling mass card line. I hope that Zelda as a bee will be in the 2012 calendar!
Posted by: Alexandra | 09/12/2011 at 02:49 PM