Jackie Ducci | Advocate | Philanthropist Equestrian
Wellington, FL
Tell us about your dog and what makes them special to you.
Ralphie is my four-year-old English Bulldog. Bulldogs are notorious for being couch potatoes, but Ralphie missed that memo entirely. He’s energetic, endlessly curious, and has a personality – and presence – that is larger than life. I often joke that he takes up a lot of space in the Universe! He’s demanding, mischievous, and always keeping things interesting. Life with Ralphie is never dull, and that’s exactly what makes him so special.
Share a memorable or funny moment involving your dog that you’ll never forget.
One of my favorite Ralphie stories involves our pool. Bulldogs aren’t known for their swimming abilities, but Ralphie loves the water. One day, while splashing around on our sun shelf (his favorite place to hang out), he suddenly dunked his entire head underwater. I panicked! Imagine my surprise when he calmly blew bubbles through his nose and opened his eyes as if he were on some kind of underwater expedition. Since then, putting his head underwater and “exploring” has become one of his signature activities. It’s so unexpected, and hilarious – and so completely Ralphie.
What has been the greatest blessing your dog has brought to your life?
Laughter. Ralphie has an uncanny ability to deliver a pick-me-up whenever I need one, with perfect comedic timing. He’s a clown, but also remarkably sweet and intuitive. I believe that animals make us better people, and Ralphie has certainly done that for me. He constantly reminds me to enjoy the moment and not take life too seriously. In Ralphie’s world, adventures exist around every corner, and every day offers an opportunity to have fun. I’m grateful for the joy he brings, and the continuous inspiration to embrace life with a little more lightheartedness.
