Hi, my name is Kirsten, and this is my blog, Take Paws and Relax.

This is a place where dog lovers can read about great places to go in and around northeastern Ohio (and sometimes a bit further). I’ll fill you in on how to have dog-friendly adventures, provide some dog training and advice, and give you a look of the ins and outs of dog ownership. Occasionally, this is also a place where I let out my random thoughts, which aren’t always dog-related but usually very relatable in general.

Originally, this blog began as a way for me to share stories about my first two dogs Caesar and Jeter. In 2022, Jeter passed, but then I adopted Gatsby. Today, I continue to remember and honor Jeter, but now I also tell new stories about Caesar and Gatsby too.

A little about me–I work in marketing with a heavy focus in community and public relations and have, in some form, for over seven years now. I began my writing career as a newspaper editor for a small town newspaper in Ohio in 2016. I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in English with a writing concentration and a religious studies minor from Purdue University Fort Wayne. Today, I work in brand marketing, focusing mostly on social media, building community relationships, and telling the stories of our organization, for a mid-size restaurant franchise.

I am the Marketing Manager, Executive Board Secretary, and Chair of the Fundraising Committee for my local Humane Society, where I focus on creating a safe space for homeless animals to stay before finding their forever homes, fundraising for operating monies, and teaching the public about our organization. I work to tell the story of our shelter through content creation. I have a huge passion for my community, volunteering, helping animals, and advocating for those without a voice. In 2023, I was awarded the YWCA’s Women of Achievement award for Civic Dedication; one of my goals is making my community better in any and every possible.

In addition to my volunteer efforts with the Humane Society, I am a Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo volunteer. I love to educate people on a variety of animal-related issues, which I often use my platform on social media and as a writer to do.

This blog will focus on a little bit of everything above. I hope you’ll find something useful on Take Paws and Relax. Maybe you’ll learn some new or grow to love Caesar and Gatsby too. Regardless of how you found this blog, thank you for being here.