Life & Work with Sara Angelo of Malibu

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sara Angelo.

Hi Sara, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Charlie came into our lives when he was around 13 years old, and he was in pretty rough shape. He was frail, underweight, and clearly needed someone to give him a second chance. We fell in love with him and wanted to make sure that whatever time he had left, he would spend it knowing what it felt like to be safe, loved, and completely spoiled.

What we didn’t expect was just how much personality and life this little senior dachshund had left in him. Over time, we got to watch him transform into a happy, playful, opinionated little guy who loves his routines, his cuddles, his naps in the sun, and getting out to experience the world. He’s a reminder every day that senior dogs still have so much life and love to give.

I started his Instagram account, @askmeaboutmywienercharlie, in September 2025. I wanted a place to document his life, share his personality, and capture all the little moments that make having a senior dog so special. At first, it was simply a way to preserve memories and share the joy he brings us. I never imagined it would grow into a community of people who care about him and follow along with his adventures.

Living in Southern California has given us plenty of opportunities to get outside, explore, and let Charlie enjoy his best life. I love capturing the funny, candid, and sometimes bittersweet moments of life with an older dog, because I know how precious this time is. There’s something especially meaningful about documenting a dog in his senior years. You become more aware of how quickly time passes, and even the most ordinary moments start to feel extraordinary.

Ultimately, Charlie’s account is about more than just a cute dachshund on Instagram. It’s about showing people that older dogs are worth choosing, that rescue dogs can thrive when given patience and love, and that giving a senior pet a home can be one of the most rewarding things you do. We may have rescued Charlie, but in so many ways, he rescued us, too. I hope sharing his story encourages even one person to consider adopting an older dog and giving them the chance to live out their golden years surrounded by love.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely hasn’t been a completely smooth road, and I think that’s part of what makes Charlie’s story so meaningful. One of the hardest parts of loving a senior dog is knowing that your time together is limited. Charlie is around 16 now, and while we do everything we can to give him a happy, comfortable life, there are moments when we’re reminded that he’s getting older. Every new health concern or change in his routine comes with a little bit of worry, and you learn to appreciate the good days in a different way.

Another challenge has been learning to balance wanting to share his life with the world while also being present for it. I started his account to document our memories, and sometimes that means capturing moments that are funny and lighthearted, while other times it means acknowledging the more emotional realities of caring for an aging dog. I want his account to feel authentic, not like every day is perfect.

Growing his account has also been a learning experience. I started posting in September 2025 without really knowing what it would become, and I’ve had to learn the ins and outs of creating content and building a community along the way. But the most important thing has always been Charlie himself. Social media is a way to share his story, not the reason we live it.

Ultimately, the biggest struggle is also the biggest lesson: learning to embrace the time we have rather than constantly worrying about how much time is left. Charlie has taught me to slow down, find joy in the little things, and recognize that even in the later chapters of life, there is still so much happiness to be found. I want people to see that senior dogs aren’t defined by their age or their health challenges. They’re still individuals with big personalities, so much love to give, and plenty of life left to enjoy.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Outside of Charlie’s Instagram, I’m a full-stack software engineer. My work involves building technology that solves problems, improves people’s experiences, and makes complicated things feel more accessible. I enjoy the combination of creativity and problem-solving that comes with software engineering, and I’m especially drawn to work that has a meaningful impact on people’s lives.

With Charlie’s account, I get to explore a completely different creative side of myself. I love photography and videography, and I’m particularly drawn to candid, imperfect moments that capture real personality and emotion. I gravitate toward a more documentary-style approach rather than content that feels overly staged or polished. Sometimes it’s a funny little expression, a blurry photo, or an ordinary moment that ends up meaning the most.

What I’m most proud of is being able to tell Charlie’s story in a way that goes beyond cute dog content. Senior dogs are often overlooked in favor of puppies and younger dogs, and I want to help change that perception. Charlie has so much character, and I love showing people that there’s something incredibly special about loving a dog through his golden years.

I think what sets me apart is that I’m not approaching this as someone trying to create an influencer brand. I’m documenting a life that means the world to me. I’m a software engineer by profession, a creative at heart, and someone who has always found a lot of fulfillment in helping others. Charlie’s account brings those parts of me together in an unexpected way. If sharing our life encourages someone to adopt a senior dog, appreciate the time they have with their own pet, or simply find a little joy in their day, then I feel like we’re doing something worthwhile.

Any big plans?
For the future, my biggest goal is to keep documenting Charlie’s life and making the most of the time we have together. He’s around 16 now, and I know how precious this chapter is. I want to keep taking him on little adventures, capturing the everyday moments that make us laugh, and creating memories that we’ll be able to look back on for years to come. In a way, his account has become a living scrapbook of our life together, and that means more to me than any number of followers ever could.

I’d also love to continue growing his community and reaching more people who care about senior dogs and rescue animals. If his story can help change someone’s perspective on adopting an older dog, that’s something I’d be incredibly proud of. I’d love for people to see that adopting a senior isn’t just about giving a dog a home for whatever time they have left. It’s about giving them the opportunity to experience love, comfort, and happiness, regardless of how much time that may be.

Creatively, I’m excited to keep experimenting with photography and videography, especially the candid, imperfect moments that capture the real emotion of life with a dog. I’m drawn to the beauty of ordinary moments, and I think there’s something powerful about preserving them before they become memories.

Ultimately, I’m trying not to get too caught up in what comes next. We don’t get to know how much time we have with the ones we love, and Charlie has taught me to be more present and intentional with mine. Whatever the future holds, I want to keep showing up for him, sharing his story, and making sure he knows just how loved he is. For now, the goal is simple: more adventures, more cuddles, more photographs, and as many happy days together as we can get.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/askmeaboutmywienercharlie
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Charlie-Malibus-Most-Wanted-Weenie/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@askmeaboutmywienercharlie