Q & A with Rachael Ray


Posted on Oct 20, 2008
By Glenn Close

Comments(9)

Rachael Ray

Rachael Ray is a life force! I could feel her energy the moment Jake, Bill, Sweet Pea and I entered the New York studio where she tapes her shows. It is always interesting to meet members of someone's team before you actually meet the person. I sensed a very efficient, fun, positive, can-do atmosphere. When we said that we were a little hungry, what should arrive in our sitting room but a tray full of what was being cooked up on the show that day---very complex and tasty dishes, the best of which was an amazing riff on a Tiramisu. And all at 10:00 in the morning! It was very impressive.

Meeting Rachael is like re-connecting with an old friend. I felt that we could have plopped down on the couch and talked for hours. When I introduced, Sweet Pea, my foster dog, to Rachael, she immediately got down on the floor and would probably have rolled around with her if there had been more time. Sweet Pea was totally charmed.

One of the great loves of Rachael's life is Isaboo, her rescued Pit Bull, who we get to know, at least a little bit, in the following Q & A. I thank Rachael and her team for having us on her show and for so generously focusing on the huge issue of animals who are the victims of circumstance and the ways we can save them.

When you are with her, Rachael sweeps you up with her energy and enthusiasm...and laugh! She is an impressively accomplished, self-made woman who is well on her way to creating an empire---I like that.

Glenn Close: When and how did you become a dog lover? Who was your first dog?
RR: I became a dog lover when I adopted my first dog, sixteen years ago; a Pit Bull named Boo.

GC: Why dogs?
RR:  I read a letter in The Penny Saver from a family that needed someone to adopt their dog. It seemed like a good idea.



GC: How did Isaboo come into your life?
RR: I was distraught after Boo, my first dog, passed away. One day I saw a puppy online that looked so much like Boo I became convinced that she was actually Boo reincarnated. So I got her.


GC: What does Isaboo think about other animals?
RR: She is very socialized as far as other animals are concerned. She went to obedience school at a very early age and goes every day to a socializing doggy gym.

My feet didn't reach the ground on this sofa! Rachael has the stretched-out-leg technique to keep from sliding off.


GC: Where is Isaboo's favorite place at home?
RR: Up on my bed.

GC: Where does Isaboo sleep?
RR: She sleeps underneath the covers and moves back and forth

GC: What is your favorite thing to do with Isaboo?
RR: Hugging. She stands on her hind legs and puts her paws on my shoulders.

GC: Does Isaboo have a special talent? Does she like to dress up?
RR: Besides being a great hugger, Isaboo is a talented dancer, a good listener and a fabulous wrestler. She is a practical dresser. She likes a sweater in the winter and a raincoat in rain. She doesn't wear any shoes or boots.

GC: What kind of car would she drive?
RR: Isaboo is a city dog so she walks

GC: What would be the title of her autobiography?
RR: Can We Go To Bed Now? By Isaboo Ray



Help Picasso Veterinary Fund when you start shopping HERE!

Shop For CharityMaking your purchases count for charity is easy. You can start by shopping for a good cause. We'll track your purchases - whether from Rachael's recommendations or not - and will donate a percentage of those proceeds to Picasso Veterinary Fund. There is no added cost to you - just do your routine shopping and FetchDog donates a portion of the sale, on behalf of Rachael, to Picasso Veterinary Fund.

Picasso Veterinary Fund - http://www.animalalliancenyc.org/picasso/
Administered by the Mayor's Alliance for NYC's Animals, the Picasso Veterinary Fund pays for lifesaving medical treatment for sick and injured animals transferred from NYC's AC&C to other Alliance Participating Organizations (APOs) for adoption.

Read More...


GC: What would be her favorite movie?
RR: Anything with a soothing score, she nods off.

GC: What famous person would she be?
RR: Oprah because she is so understanding, loves dogs and is very loving herself.

GC: What excites Isaboo the most?
RR: Everyone going to bed. A snuggle fest.


GC: Is there a secret about you that only Isaboo knows?
RR: That I am quiet on the inside.


Rachael welcomes my foster dog, Sweet Pea, onto the show. Sweet Pea ended up lying down and gazing soulfully out into the audience.

GC: What is Isaboo's pet peeve about you? What makes her most proud of you?
RR: She hates that fact that I don't go to bed early. She is proud that I started line of dog food the proceeds from which go to animal charities.



GC: What is your pet peeve about Isaboo? What makes you most proud about her?
RR: I have no complaints. I am proud of everything about her. She is pure love.

GC: What is Isaboo's idea of perfect happiness?
RR:  Everyone home and together. Preferably in bed.

GC: What is your idea of perfect happiness?
RR: See the above.
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Comments
I have a pit bull also and they are the best ever. Mine looks like Chance from homeward bound, and also shares the name. We adopted him at 9 months from the Humane Society, and have been in love ever since. He loves to give hugs and kisses, and is wonderful with his little Akita brother who is 6 mths old now. Chance is 14 months now, and we would not change anything about him. Pitts get a bad rep, which is not true of pet Pitts. They are the most loving of all dogs.
Posted By Joan
on Nov 2, 2008
Samantha is my second Pit. We adopted her 6 yrs ago, from a pound. We didn't research her. We didn't realize that she didn't like other dogs until we brought her home and were already attached to her. She was always great with the kids. She was 7 mos old. My son was 4 and my dtr 7. And she is very protective of us. She's a Love to all of us and its a small sacrafice to put up with her not liking other dogs. She's had some funny quirks: Like anything new that came into the house she would act suspicious of and protective until she knew it was safe for the family. And she didn't like when people wore hoods! She has eyes of a hawk, if anything is different ie: hawks sitting in the trees. But, like Isaboo she loves to sleep in bed with us Under the Covers! She has a coat, a sweater and a rain coat. she has to eat a doggie ice cream when we eat our ice cream. And when no one is looking she will go to sleep on our beds on top of all our pillows!! she is a real princess! And yes, she also loves to give hugs and sneaks in a stretch with her paws around my neck and give kisses with her stinky breath! Love Her and Love the breed.
Posted By Marilyn
on Nov 4, 2008
I have a pit bull. I live in Oakville, Ontario Canada and there is a ban all pit bulls as of 2006. Diamond is nine years old and and a very easy going dog.It has been very hard to have to mussle her. I wish that someone like Rachal Ray would talk about how wrong this ban is. If she ever got out with out her lease and mussle she could be taken from us and we would have no way of getting her back and can be fined up to $10,000.00 and yes the most loving dogs ever.
Posted By Laura
on Nov 5, 2008
I'd like to draw attention to NEADS/Dogs for Deaf and Disabled Americans including Veterans -- We are in business (30+ years) to provide assistance dogs to those with physical disabilities including MS, families struggling with Autism, Veterans, those with hearing loss, those suffering from PTSD and more....We also use Correctional Facilities across New England (10 year anniversary) to focus training on the pups as well as providing a level of humanity to an inhumane place. Help us spread the word so we can help more people! That is why we are here! John Moon
Posted By John
on Nov 18, 2008
I to commend you for adopting a dog rather then purschasing one from a breeder. There are so many dogs out there that need to be saved. We even adopted another to make 4 dogs after Hurrican Ike. So many people left their animals behind. I disagree with the pit bull lovers. Sorry, but we had an event that happened to where we had to pay 600.00 for a vet bill from a bit pull attack. This pit bull owner refused ownership, which we ended up paying for the vet bill ourselves. This is right before Ike hit our area. The family that owned the pit bull claimed it was a wonderful family loving dog that liked other animals. I walked every morning with my 3 adopted dogs and this pit bull came from behind and attacked my biggest one. Was not pretty and an awful experience. I strongly suggest if you have pit bull to work with them and stimulate them. Now, I am afraid to walk my dogs. I hate myself every morning for not being brave enough. It took 9 people to get the pit bull off of my dog. Please, keep up the good work and advertising to adopt dogs. Love ya, Rachel Ray and Glenn Close for the service that you do. Sincerely, Heather Barrios
Posted By Heather
on Nov 18, 2008
Hurrican is our second Pit Bull,both were rescues the first was Breeze. She gave unconditional love and was a great Family member it broke our hearts when she past away.She was my best friend and buddy we would have a bonding day when I did errands, she loved the car. Now Hurrican has become the same love never ending loves to hug and kiss and I am so happy I went to the shelter to see her. I knew right there she needed us as much as we needed her. Sincerely, Loretta Pagnani
Posted By Loretta
on Nov 24, 2008
Please keep up the good work promoting adoption. DO NOT buy a dog from a breeder or worse yet a pet shop. Visit your local shelter and adopt a friend and save a life. Also pitbulls are not bad dogs- bad owners make any dog bad. Owners need to accountable for the actions of their dogs at all times.!
Posted By linda
on Dec 2, 2008
Hey Heather! Sorry to hear about your negative encounter with a pit bull, but that is something that could have happened with any other breed as well. A terrible owner is the real cause (as evidenced by the denial of ownership by the scumbag). My dog was attacked by a large white Lab/Shepherd mix that required veterinary attention and now he is skittish around white dogs. Many so-called family breeds are aggressive and bite or cause fights, they are just not very newsworthy. I understand your apprehension to the breed of American Pit Bull Terriers, but it truly is the owner, just visit www.bestfriends.org (a marvelous all animals no-kill shelter in Utah on 33,000 acres) and look at how the former Michael Vick dogs are doing now after some love and attention were bestowed. Proof that good owners have good dogs and irresponsible owners produce problem dogs. Those Vick rescues are called the Vicktory Dogs and are being rehabilitated. I have been a proud responsible owner of American Pit Bulls and American Staffordshire Terriers for 18 years now and I will always have the breed in my house to debunk the bad rap that is sensationalized in the media by ghetto thugs and miscreants. Give the good ones a chance, evaluate the owner, not the breed.
Posted By Crisologo
on Dec 5, 2008
Great story; we love Rachel and Isaboo. We have one American Staffordshire, Bear, and one pit mix, Charlie. They are both rescues and are the BEST dogs I have ever known. These 2 characters have the funniest personalities. Thanks to Glenn and Rachel for being such fine ambassadors for our canine friends.
Posted By Meg
on May 27, 2009
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Welcome to LIVELY LICKS: Profiles of Dogs and their People.
I hope that you will be entertained, comforted and inspired by the people and dogs that I have the privilege of featuring on this blog. Since starting it over a year and a half ago, it has pulled me into an incredible journey. Besides being able to celebrate some of my wonderful friends and the profound bond they have with their dogs, LIVELY LICKS has introduced me to the world of avalanche dogs, bomb-sniffing dogs, service dogs for our wounded warriors and dogs in need of rescue and adoption. I have been inspired by the selfless dedication of the people who run grassroots shelters as well as urban care and control centers. I have been deeply moved by their stories in which dogs heal and empower their humans. Those of us who have dogs, know how much they enhance our quality of life with their unquestioning loyalty and unconditional love. There are an infinite number of stories to tell, so I hope you will stay with me as I continue to explore and discover and delight in the journey.

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