Maternally Grateful w/ Isabel Serna

You can listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all the other podcast platforms. New episodes post on Tuesdays.

Dog Brings Out An Unexpected Caregiving and Nurturing Side

IsabelThumb4d.jpg

About The Episode

After her family got their first dog when she was 15 years old, there was no turning back for Isabel Serna. Her love for dogs was ignited and an obsession grew. As she went into adulthood, Isabel longed for a dog of her own.

Eventually, Isabel was united with a Frenchie named Charlie in her home country of Colombia – who she then brought back to live with her and her husband in Miami.

Bringing Charlie into her life didn’t only fill the dog-sized piece of her heart that was missing, but he also helped her with so much more. Even starting with the simple routines of going on walks every day together, interacting more with the neighbors, discovering new parts of town, and many small moments that informed a bigger picture appreciation of the present each day.

On a deeper, unexpected level - there was another way in which Charlie played a big role, too. Isabel had never felt maternal or nurturing growing up, and wasn’t sure if or how she would handle it if she ever had kids. But with Charlie, she realized how much she would make sure he was always fully taken care of and doing her best to give him the happiest life possible. She realized that a caregiving bone was in her all along. Now, she’s also been exercising that muscle with her niece after becoming a recent Aunt.

A talented designer, illustrator, and all-around artist (with her own company, Black Lamb Studio) – Isabel recently wrote and illustrated a new book, Dog Mom: A Love Story, that’s a love letter to the life we share with our dogs as “dog parents” (moms, specifically). But it wasn’t an easy path. After coming to her as a dream opportunity, she was working on the book and everything was going great. But then early in that process, Charlie had to have surgery to remove some tumors in his skin that turned out to be center. A light, fun project turned into something else – and Isabel wasn’t even sure if she could finish it anymore. But then the book became deeper and more meaningful. It became an ode to Charlie, and their time together. Luckily, Charlie is doing good now and Isabel is more grateful than ever for having him by her side and going for their walks in Miami.

About The Guest - Isabel Serna

Isabel Serna is the founder of Black Lamb Studio, a Miami-based design studio. She recently published a book, Dog Mom: A Love Story, that she wrote and illustrated. It was based on her experience with her dog, Charlie, a french bulldog who she got when she was 30 and who completely changed her perspective on being a nurturer and caregiver – even preparing her for eventually becoming a loving and caring Aunt to a recently born niece.

Featured Links

InterviewJack SommerArt / Creativity, Authors