Hidden Gems: Meet Marianna N.

Today we’d like to introduce you to Marianna N.

Hi Marianna, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I am the epitome of a dog mom! I am also a first-generation immigrant and a first-generation college student. My father Paolo was a hunter and an ornithologist (yep, that’s a bit of an oxymoron!) and my mom Giancarla is a retired (badass) businesswoman. I grew up in Baricella, a village in the countryside of Bologna, Italy, surrounded by all sorts of animals: dogs, rabbits, cats, parrots, finches, canaries, more and more birds…I can’t even tell you how many dogs I found and reunited with their parents in the past years. It was destiny knocking at my door and it was only a matter of time before I started my own doggy business, “Snoutsville: A Homestay for Dogs.”

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
After losing my dad to cancer at 21, I dropped out of school and moved to LA on my own. It was the easiest and hardest decision I ever made. I wanted to escape the pain but did not want to leave my mother behind. She said to me: “I am older. I have dealt with loss in my life and I’ll deal with this one too. You’re young and got a whole life ahead of you. Vai (go)!” I packed my bags and moved to LA. I did not speak a word of English and didn’t know anyone. I went to NYFA and worked as an actress, but my accent became an impediment, so I started writing instead. One day, I woke up and out of nowhere, I enrolled in college. Knowing the unbearable cost of education, I made myself a promise: get scholarships to put myself through college debt-free! Well, you can imagine what it felt like to graduate Summa Cum Laude from Pasadena City College and earn a BA in English Literature with a minor in Creative Writing from Occidental College. I then started my path at UCLA, where I earned my Master’s and I am about to complete my Ph.D. During the first quarter, I contracted West Nile Virus which gave me viral meningitis. Being in grad school with impaired cognitive abilities was not exactly what I was expecting. It took me about three years to fully recover. My neurologist said that I was in the 5% of people that was able to fully recover and that I had an “angel” watching over me. I believe that angel was my papà.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Snoutsville?
The pandemic brought loss but also the best gifts of my life. I met my soul mate, Matt, and got to embrace one of my greatest passions: caring for dogs. In 2020, I started Snoutsville, a boutique homestay for dogs of all sizes and ages. I did it because my dog Nebbia (the English Springer Spaniel in the pics) could not thrive in a traditional daycare and boarding facility with dozens of other dogs. I thought: “Surely there are other pawrents with the same issue that need help!” In fact, many doggy pawrents with senior babies and anxious dogs choose Snoutsville for short and long sojourns. Snoutsville is set up like a well-balanced home and pups don’t even realize their parents are away! They think they are just chilling with buddies at a friend’s house. We also offer add-on services like walks or hikes, pick-ups and drop-offs, and even Extra TLC for dogs with special needs.

What matters most to you?
Establishing a tight community of dogs. It’s the cutest moment ever when dogs arrive at Snoutsville and see that all their friends are already there! Seeing them happy makes me happy. It’s like they literally say to each other, “You’re here too, yay!.” Some of my clients jokingly say that their dogs don’t want to go home after staying here. I obviously take this as a compliment as my goal is to create a stress and force-free environment and make sure dogs receive the same (if not even more!) unconditional love and care they receive at home. I got the most fulfilling “job” on the planet and my heart is full because of it. I thank my clients every time they allow me to care for their babies. Yes, I said babies, because you know, dogs are our furry four-legged children.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.snoutsville.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/snoutsville/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/snoutsville 

Image Credits
Andy Abelow (all pictures excluding the ones listed) Marianna Nespoli (Dogs on hiking trail + doodle love)