The Happy Tail: A Shagly Newsletter
"Our Pedigree is Personality"
Welcome to The Happy Tail: A Shagly Newsletter.
The pedigree of personality
There is a common myth that all shelter pets are somehow "flawed" or "broken." You’ve probably seen the commercials—the sad music, the slow-motion shots, the feeling of despair.
At Shagly, we believe the exact opposite.
These animals haven't lost their spark; they're simply in a situation outside of their control. They aren't looking for a "fix"—they are just looking for their map back to a home.
🗺️ The Mission: From Lost to Found
Shelters are full of "lost" pets—happy, healthy, high-octane cuddle machines with hearts of pure joy. My job (and yours) is to help them get found. I use my lens to capture their true personalities so their future families can see them clearly for the first time.
✨ What’s landing in your inbox?
Every issue is a celebration of the journey from lost to found. You can expect:
The Joy Feed: No sad music here. Just high-res portraits and stories of resilient, joyful animals who are ready for their next adventure.
The "Finding" Stories: Updates on the pets who have finally "found" their families and are officially off the market.
Behind the Lens: A look at the creative process of capturing a "heart of joy" on camera (even when they won’t stop wiggling).
Rescue Art: Digital downloads and coloring pages of our shelter stars so you can bring their joy into your home.
❤️ Why we do this
A professional portrait is often the difference between a shelter pet being overlooked and finding a home. By opening these emails, you’re helping me keep the spotlight on happy, hopeful pets that need it most. Better photos = faster adoptions. It’s that simple.
Thank you for believing that every pet deserves to be seen in their best light. Let’s help some hearts of joy find their way home. Stay pawesome,
Mark Nardecchia
Shagly | The Happy Tail
Dame Charlotte "Charlie" Taylor
CHIEF OF RESEARCH & SHRUBBERY NAVIGATION
CHARLIE IS A "TANGLED TERRIER" AIREDALE WHO BELIEVES THE WORLD IS ONE GIANT LABORATORY. WITH A BACKGROUND IN ADVANCED SCENTS-ORY PERCEPTION AND A SELF-APPOINTED DAMEHOOD, SHE SPENDS HER DAYS TRANSLATING COMPLEX BEHAVIORAL STUDIES INTO "BARKSPEAK." SHE IS "THE INTREPID EXPLORER"—OFTEN CAPTURED MID-ACTION WITH A LEAF STUCK TO HER NOSE, REPRESENTING THE TIRELESS CURIOSITY OF THE ANIMAL SPIRIT.
Burton "The Bellows" Great-Ear-Heart
CHIEF OF RESEARCH & SHRUBBERY NAVIGATION
Burt is a Great Pyrenees/Basset mix and a master of restorative peace. Once mislabeled in a shelter, he proved his loyalty by protecting his owner during an attack. Today, his docile nature makes him a legendary pet CPR demo dog. Working to help save other animals, Burt proves that his character is the only pedigree that matters.
Duke Cornelius P. Cooper
CHIEF OF RESEARCH & SHRUBBERY NAVIGATION
The Duke Cooper is an English Bulldog who carries the weight of centuries in his wrinkles. He views pet history not as a series of dates, but as a lineage of loyalty. He reminds the community that dogs have been our protectors, workers, and soulmates since the dawn of time. He is regal, high-contrast, and demands respect, a true "Old Soul."
Professor Sarah St. Detrack-Covey, PhD
CHIEF OF RESEARCH & SHRUBBERY NAVIGATION
An Australian Shepherd with three honorary degrees and zero "chill," Professor Sara is the champion of the Mutt. She argues that DNA is just a blueprint, but personality is the home. She represents the "High Energy/High Intelligence" soul. She is vibrant and sharp, capturing the spark of life that makes a family want to get up and run.
Harvey "The Clipboard" Huckleberry
Senior Community Liaison & Chief Polling Officer
(Harvey taps the microphone and adjusts his reading glasses.)
"Ahem. Is this thing on? Good. I’m Harvey. You might know me from my extensive fieldwork in the neighborhood—specifically, Mrs. Gable’s porch, where the tuna is excellent. I’m here to collect the data. Mark talks about 'soul'; I talk about statistics. I’ve visited 42 houses this week, and I have questions. It’s time to vote, people."
Franklin "Four-Folds" Francesco
Chief Investigative Correspondent for the Underground Grumble
Franklin is a Pug with a grumble of flat face informants longer than his leash. He knows where the best festivals are and which parks have the best treats. He represents the "Community" aspect of Shagly—the social, snort-filled joy of gathering. He is close-up, comedic yet serious, highlighting the expressive, human-like faces of our flat-faced friends.
Find out what stories they gather this week!
100% of net profit will save pets' lives.
