Since 2003, when The Doggy Diva Show aired its first broadcast, Susan Marie and her canine co-hosts - the doggy divas themselves - have been committed to sharing important health and lifestyle information for pets and pet parents, with help from pet professionals, authors, and national industry experts including Bob Barker, Dean Koontz, Julia Cameron, Alison Eastwood, and America's Veterinarian, Dr. Marty Becker. The show was inspired by and continues to honor its original mascot, "Sophia the Doggy Diva," who captured the hearts of listeners, becoming "the voice of the voiceless" for homeless animals everywhere. Since 2007, Susan and her divas have penned the bi-monthly editorial column "Diva Delights," which promotes animal adoption, fostering, and "paying it forward." The parent of three foster/rescue dogs, Susan is a passionate advocate for animal rescue and is committed to promoting adoption, fostering, spaying/neutering, and the importance of donating time and money to local animal shelters and rescues. Susan is inspired by her aunt, an award-winning children's book author and animal advocate. Susan is a member of the Florida Writers Association and the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI).
Miss Olive is a tiny, rescued Italian greyhound who was adopted from the Italian Greyhound Rescue Gulf Coast into her loving "furever" home in 2015. Like Sophia, Miss Olive was a victim of neglect and illness who was looking for unconditional love. Despite the fact that Miss Olive lost her hind leg to cancer, and her teeth because of a lack of medical care, she is an inspiration to many. The neglect and illnesses she has endured have never affected her loving, sweet, and gentle spirit. Channeling her "Inner Sophia," Miss Olive has a diva-licious fashion sense: She adores her pink jammies, pretty dresses, and diva accessories, and LOVES lots of yummy, healthy treats! A tiny and loving fashionista, Miss Olive continues to wave Sophia's magic wand over the microphone as host of The Doggy Diva Show, and as the author of "Diva Delights" and "Miss Olive's Favorite Things" in Suncoast Pet Magazine, with which she advocates for homeless and special-needs animals. Miss Olive is honored to have been selected as one of the special dogs featured in the National Geographic book Love Unleashed! Tales of Inspiration and the Life-Changing Power of Dogs by Rebecca Ascher-Walsh.
Rebekah Phillips is a graduate of The Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts in Old Lyme, Connecticut, and has won multiple awards for her paintings. Also a published songwriter, she has recently turned her attention from writing songs to writing and illustrating children's books. Rebekah has a heart for inspiring creativity in others through her artwork and storytelling. She feels strongly that spending quality time with developing minds is of the utmost importance. "To be able to create is the essence of being human!"
