We’ve all played the “What would you do if you won the lottery?” game. I used to dream about winning big and buying a huge house at my favorite Jersey beach, Long Beach Island. It's still a pipedream but with a twist. Because now I'm a dog mom and my million dollar dreams have shifted, just a bit to include my furkids.

When the million dollar question popped up in my head, being the dog photographer that I am and a bit dog obsessed, I put a twist on it and well, I'm going to toss the question out to you--- what if you had a million dollars, and every penny had to be spent on your dog? What would you do?

If I had a million dollars that I could only spend on my dogs, Maizy and Muddy, I'd...

Build a Dog’s Paradise

Where I once dreamed of buying a house in my happy place, I now dream of owning a property that would enable me to give my dogs and foster dogs a place to explore that's safe and massive and gives them endless freedom. I'm imagining acres of fenced-in land with open space and areas with dense trees, a forest for sniffing adventures, a splash-worthy creek like the kind you find all throughout Chester Count. I'd create a space with obstacles and enrichment experiences- sandpits for digging, tire tunnels for crawling through, soft grass gardens for napping on, a sensory yard with dog safe plants, sticks for chewing, lots of textures- mulch, dirt, stepping stones, a splash pool, agility course.

I’d design a cozy indoor retreat with orthopedic dog beds, a treat bar, and an endless supply of plush toys that mysteriously never get destroyed (hey, it’s my million dollars, I can dream up anything for my dogs ;)

Create a menu of fresh food and ditch the kibble

I go back and forth with what I want to feed my dogs and let's be honest, ditching kibble for healthier options is a bit more expensive and well, a bigger time commitment.  My dogs are worth it so I'd definitely change the menu and maybe even hire a private chef to whip up gourmet, dog-friendly meals made with the freshest, healthiest ingredients. I'm talking hand-crafted, vet-approved meals and treats that would help my dogs become Forever Dogs (have you read The Forever Dog yet? I'm working on it.)

 
Epic Dog-Friendly Adventures across the US

With a million-dollar budget, travel becomes a no-brainer. I’d plan an epic, dog-friendly road trip across the country, stopping at all the best hiking trails, beaches, and pup-welcoming restaurants. From mountain hikes in Colorado to off-leash beaches in California, my dog would experience the adventure of a lifetime—nose out the window, tail wagging in excitement. We'd scoop up a custom RV and take our time traveling the country stopping to sniff it out. 


Giving Back to Dogs in Need

While spoiling my own pups would be a dream, I know there are so many dogs out there who don’t have a loving home or a safe place to rest their heads. If I had a million dollars, a big portion would go toward supporting rescue organizations, funding medical care for shelter dogs, and helping find forever homes for pups who need them most. I'd consider turning our paradise into a sanctuary- offering foster pups time with us to decompress, learn to dog all the while capturing tons of photos and video to help them get seen by potential adopters.