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Paw Plunger Creator &
Co-Inventor, Brianne Leary with LuLu
Brianne Leary often sits at her breakfast nook discussing life and business with LuLu, her Wheaton Terrier and inspiration. Woman and pup adore one another in “Odd Couple” fashion: simpatico in temperament, opposite in cleanliness. Leary leans toward a tidy, well-organized household while LuLu is, well, so very LuLu.
LuLu’s nickname is Peppermint Patty named after the defining tomboy from the Peanuts comic strip featuring a beagle named Snoopy. Louie, Leary’s previous dog, a rescue, had a fastidious inclination towards impeccable canine etiquette. But LuLu’s zest for life regularly left paw prints stamped on the couch, bedspread and carpet.
Brianne Leary: Louie was likely gender confused. He was enamored with interior decorating, not bones. His food and water bowls were always neatly aligned. He gravitated towards Burberry patterns and Art Deco furniture. For Louie, clean paws were — excuse the reference — the cat’s meow.
Leary is an actress, writer, host, journalist and producer. Her credits range the gambit: covering the war in Afghanistan in 2001-2002 for CNN; co-anchor of “Good Day New York”; correspondent for “Good Morning America”; and host of numerous shows including: “Celebrity Wings” (Discovery Networks), “Petsburg USA” (Animal Planet) and “Best for Less” (Fine Living Network). She has also produced and created several television shows including “Relationship Rehab” and “Stickin’ Around”. Brianne now adds “inventor” to her expansive resume.
B.L.: Paw Plunger was developed with practical application in mind. It’s a gadget taking to heart that dogs love outdoor adventures and yet reside inside our homes. I live across from Central Park in New York City and that means leaves, grass, dirt and other kinds of sidewalk filth constantly coat LuLu’s paws. She then tracks all that into the apartment, canvassing my furniture and floors. When she was a puppy I could easily pick her up and place her in the tub. As she grew into adult size it became a challenge requiring pawsitive resolution.
LuLu: Two girls living together can sometimes be ruff — you know different personalities and routines. The thing is we both share a ‘jump in with both feet (paw) & figure it out’ attitude — which is how we came to conceiving Paw Plunger™ in the first place. It’s a product that understands a K-9’s desire for discovery, coupled with an owner’s love for clean furniture.
W.P.: How does Paw Plunger™ work?
LuLu: I simply dip my paw into the mug. The concept is similar to cleaning a golf ball and it actually feels good. Who doesn’t like a little paw massage?
Today I went to the park. Saw squirrels and pursued them. Came home ... paw prints caused small rift between Mom & me – she gets I’m a dog so...
Moment of Clarity: Paw Plunger™Today I went to the park. Saw mud puddle that I couldn’t resist. Came home, washed paws and took a relaxing nap on the couch.
Moment of Clarity: Paw Plunger™W.P.: I understand that you are now developing a LuLu Lifestyle line. What’s next in your fido-future?
LuLu: I think I’ll continue journaling and serving as a role model for other canines that love to dig … and you know — take the plunge.
Paw Plunger™ has been featured on ABC World News Now, The Rachael Ray Show, Good Morning America, and Business Week as well as in numerous print media. It’s quickly become a European and Japanese must-have item and was the premier 2007 Holiday canine-stocking-stuffer. LuLu, the catalyst for Paw Plunger™ as well as its demonstrator has become a regular around the conference room tables at Macy’s, Wal-Mart and PetSmart.
Like LuLu, Brianne is a terrier. She can go up against the odds and come out a winner. Leary is not afraid to try new things or go into uncharted territories.
B.L.: “Do something you believe in” is a motto I’ve always practiced. The only difference between success and failure is follow-through. Reaching your goals likely will not happen in the timeline you prefer. But still, you have to do what you really believe in. Any decision based on fear is the wrong one.
W.P.: Is this how you felt the first time you went to Afghanistan in 1985?
B.L.: I was in my twenties and one of only a handful of American woman journalists reporting on the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan.
W.P.: Which is quite a transition from your role on the hit series “CHiPs”, where you played Officer Sindy Cahill. And your other roles on “The Love Boat”, “Match Game”, “Battle of the Network Stars” as well as numerous other film and TV shows.
B.L.: There was a turning point for me. I was a working actress but the roles being offered to me became less interesting. I started writing about being an actress and buying a house in the Hollywood Hills. Other ideas came to me and the fact that people knew who I was provided me with opportunities. A friend was producing a Movie of the Week in Belfast and I pitched TV Guide about a piece entitled: “Casting in a War Zone.” There was no upfront money. I stayed for ten days in an embattled Northern Ireland. The article went to print and I was hooked on bringing stories that needed telling to the page.
In 1985, Leary went to Afghanistan on a new assignment: “What it takes to Get In & Out of Afghanistan to report about the War.” This was her second print story for TV Guide. Her angle was about covering a stringer journalist navigating the insurgent-laden borders. At that time a threat to “eliminate” the next Western journalist crossing country lines had been issued, not as a warning but as a promise. However, the reporter she was trailing took more of an interest in opiates and marijuana than in the pursuit of news coverage. He left Brianne stranded in Pakistan. For anyone that takes Leary for a pretty face (which she has) or lacking “what it takes” then repeat the Tony Soprano phrase, “Fagetaboutit.” Leary’s high pitch “Oh-My-God” verges on Valley girl lingo and reveals what was supposed to be a ten day trip turned into 2 months. During this time, she began what has become her personal two-decade commitment to the women and children of Afghanistan.
Saving Afghanistan – Afghan 2007 Art Auction
Brianne returned to Afghanistan earlier this year bringing two artists with her. They conducted creative workshops with the Afghan widows and their children. The canvases created were then flown to the States for a private auction. $50,000 was raised for the Afghanistan Women’s Council enabling micro-loans to be established. The purpose of the loans is to empower the woman and establish sustainable opportunity for them to improve their living conditions and socio-economic status in society.
For more information:
www.afghanistanwomencouncil.org
B.L.: I’m dedicated to bringing the faces of the Afghani people into the homes of Americans. They should not be forgotten nor misunderstood.
W.P.: In 2001, you found yourself once again behind the camera — this time as a “lite” TV reporter for “Good Day New York”.
B.L.: On November 12th, Kabul was falling as I was reporting on Girl Scout cookie selling season. Live on Fifth Avenue I was dancing with little girls dressed as Thin Mints and I was really working it.
W.P.: This was your AHA! MOMENT that you wrote about in O, The Oprah Magazine.
B.L.: Exactly. It was a moment of truth for me. My gut instinct led me to want to go back to Afghanistan on assignment. Since 1985 I had kept close ties and friendships with many Afghan people.
W.P.: And it was ..?
B.L.: Geraldo Rivera was given the assignment. It was frustrating not to be given the opportunity to cover more 9/11 stories and I was reminded that I was “hired to entertain not educate.” Without further hesitation I went to the Pakistan Consulate and applied and paid for a double visa. I didn’t know how I was going to get to Afghanistan, but I knew when the chance came I was going to be ready.
Prepared and determined, Brianne approached Eason Jordan, the head of international news for CNN. This time she would not take “no” for an answer. She pleaded with him to the point that she never heard him say, “Okay.” But he did. Once Jordan gave her the green light she left Fox while still under contract. She left a well-paying job to pursue of a much higher vision and purpose, and never looked back.
W.P.: How do you deal with fear?
B.L.: Once you commit to overcoming the fear, you get to work on accomplishing what you set out to do.
Customer Response:
Stephanie from Portland Oregon wrote to Paw Plunger: “I am LOVING the Paw Plunger!”
She then went on to let others know that Piper, their golden retriever, is happier and that she’s no longer yelling, “Don’t you dare let that dog in here with muddy paws!” “Now I just need a Paw Plunger for the kids …” she says.
Paw Plunger™: www.pawplunger.com
Photo credits: Brianne Leary - Match Game (© comcast.net ), LuLu Before & After (© pawplunger.com), Brianne & LuLu (© woofpatrol.com), “Piper” (© pawplunger.com)
