11 minute read
animal lover's profile
Full-Circle with Special ReScueS By Nancy Dewar
Ziggy and Zoe at the office.
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Hampton and NYC resident Zoe Costello’s professional life is right back where it started, all about Zoom, albeit in a much different way! Zoe grew up in Andover, Massachusetts and spent every summer of her childhood at her grandparent’s large summer home in North Hampton overlooking the ocean and surrounded by many aunts, uncles, cousins and, of course, LOTS of family dogs! Her first career began at a young age when she played a leading role in the first season of the PBS children’s entertainment program called Zoom, which was created by WGBH/Boston and aired nationally for seven years.
After graduating from NYU, Zoe saw a post on Facebook about her friend’s new job at a recent start-up in NYC. The company was called BarkBox, a new monthly subscription service for dogs, and it hit her heart. “OMG, I want to work there. Dogs are my life!” Zoe started with the company in customer service back when there were about 60 employees (now there are over 600), worked her way up through the creative ranks and now is a head writer. Though the work climate has changed a lot since COVID, as she now works remotely from her family’s summer home in Hampton via Zoom, her passion for her job continues. And her special rescue dog Moose is happy with any of his Mom’s work situations. While in New York, his social life was full with the many dogs he mingled with at the office. Here he’s found that less congestion and walks on the beach suit him just fine, as well! the ripe age of 17. After graduating Zoe wanted to get her own pup and constantly visited various shelters in the city. “I knew that one day I’d meet a dog and just know this is the one,” she told me with a smile. That special first dog ended up being Ziggy, a pit-mix puppy who had been abandoned on the roadside in Louisiana with his litter mates. Ziggy entered Zoe’s life when he was 3-months old, and they shared nine amazing years together. Not long enough, but as rock solid as his stocky body. As Zoe and I talked about Ziggy, it was obvious that this was a “who saved whom” rescue story.
Moose is a official toy tester for Super Chewer (line of extra durable toys).
Moose & Zoe for Bark’s latest dental ad.
Ziggy modeling.
toy products…he also was his Mom’s safety net and security. Like many creatives, Zoe periodically faced bouts of depression and anxiety. And Ziggy was always there for her. “In addition to his love and the fun we had, he also helped me,” Zoe explained. “If I was too depressed to get out of bed, I had to…to take him out for a walk.” At the age of nine, Ziggy was diagnosed with lung cancer. “Losing him was devastating, and I told my everyone at work that I wasn’t getting a dog for a while.”
Well, “awhile” turned into less than six months. There are lots of dogs every day at BarkBox…six floors of them plus a PuppyPlaypen! The company is actively involved with several rescue organizations and shelters often reach out to them to foster dogs until their forever homes are found. “We’re always getting emails asking for help, and of course we do.” One day Zoe ran into a fellow employee a few floors down who was fostering “this big blockhead of a dog that I immediately fell in love with!” Zoe was heading to Berlin the next day on business, and her fellow employee said that she was traveling soon, as well. “Okay, I’ll take over the fostering of him when I return from Germany.” And the rest is history.
Moose and his girlfriend in the puppy playpen.
Not only was Ziggy a familiar, loved face at BarkBox…and a rising star with his mug on the packaging of many BarkBox toy products… he also was his Mom’s safety net and security.
While walking Moose home from work over the Manhattan Bridge, a walk she and Ziggy had done for years, Zoe felt Ziggy’s presence and an old Ella Fitzgerald song popped into her head: “I’ll be seeing you in all of the old familiar places.” And then she immediately knew, “I need this disaster of a dog!” Her friends at work thought she was acting too quickly. “They were saying, this is not a good idea. This dog is such a handful. They were very apprehensive for me.”
Moose came to BarkBox as a foster from the New York City Animal Care & Control. He’d been living in the bathroom in an apartment building for around two years with little outside contact. The family hid him as dogs weren’t allowed. When they finally relinquished him, he was missing patches of hair and had absolutely no idea of the outside world. He didn’t understand other dogs or people. As Zoe put it, “Moose was socially inept. He had never really interacted with anyone and had no idea what the world was about. The only thing he knew was “sit” though did love kids and other dogs. His challenge was, and still is, realizing he’s not a puppy anymore. He’s like a 65-pound puppy. When he first came to work, he was a total bomb. He head-butted everyone with no boundaries!”
Happy endings are so nice to share; especially now more than ever. Though still somewhat of a blockhead, the dogs at the office love Moose! Moose is now as happy living at the beach as he was in New York. And Zoe continues to create innovative, fun ideas at BarkBox and doing what she loves… everything creative about dogs. Though she admits that working remotely via Zoom instead of at the office isn’t quite the same. “Where else can you go to an office that is essentially like a dog park? Moose was like a social butterfly there, and I spent a lot of my time working in the Puppy-Playpen. It’s a dog crazy office. We have relationships with all the dogs. And now we’re remote. But that’s okay cause look where I am. On the beach with Moose, friends and family.” Life does go full circle. “My friends told me that Ziggy took care of me. He did. And now I’m taking care of Moose.”
Home For The HolidayS
By JoAnn Actis-Grande – Wine & Food Writer - Portsmouth
Our own Mary Ann Esposito, chef and TV host of Ciao Italia, has been busy baking Christmas cookies and her grand-dog Eli can smell them from far away! Eli lives in Las Vegas with his dad Chris Esposito. When Chris was working and living in Washington DC he found Eli, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, at a breeder in Maryland. Eli is now 8 years old and has won the heart of his famous grandmother. It was love at first bite for Eli! Ciao Italia airs on PBS and this year the show celebrates its 30th year of production, making it America's longest running television cooking series. Each season, a portion of her cooking episodes are filmed in Italy.
Mary Ann, son Chris & Eli
Cooking is not just a TV show and a career for Esposito; it’s a way of life engrained in her from childhood. Her mother and grandmother always began baking Christmas cookies in October. They lived in her grandmother’s large boarding house where there was a cold back room. The cookies were stored there in big tins until the holidays arrived. Mary Ann has continued this tradition with her own family. She bakes 28 varieties by the dozens and her daughter helps get them ready to give away to a list of lucky friends.
Mary Ann loves all things Italian, but especially food. She is also the author of 13 cookbooks including her most recent, Ciao Italia: My Lifelong Food Adventures in Italy. The book contains over 150 recipes, 60 amazing food photos and many scenic pictures of Italy taken by Mary Ann on her travels through the years. Mary Ann cooks Italian food, but she emphasizes that Italian food is really regional cuisine. There are 20 different regions, all with their own specialties and ingredients. Just like dogs…there isn’t just one generic dog, they come in different breeds, all with their own personalities!
Recently Mary Ann offered her name and recipes to a new restaurant which includes a Mercato (Italian market) in her hometown of Durham. Ciao Italia Restaurant and Mercato is convenient to her home/production studio, and they showcase all
20 Italian regions on the menu plus a fine, eclectic wine list. The restaurant is owned by Doug Clark (former owner of Benjamin’s, a Durham landmark). When Doug asked Mary Ann if she would like to collaborate with him, she agreed for two reasons - Doug’s dad, Dr. Charles Clark, was her former professor and mentor at the University of New Hampshire where she completed a master’s degree, so she felt a strong connection - and living nearby would allow her to keep a close eye on her namesake.
Executive Chef Jeanne Clements works closely with Mary Ann meeting often to taste and create seasonal recipes. General manager Deb Weeks, a Seacoast favorite restauranteur, brings along her warmth and expertise to the 106-seat dining room. Outdoor dining is still available upon request and a state-ofthe-art UV lighting system that kills viruses was installed when completing the construction last March. While things certainly have changed since the COVID 19 pandemic, especially for restaurants, there are many ways we can continue to support our local communities by careful dining and take out.
Joann Actis-Grande, Mary Ann Esposito, Jeanne Clements & Doug Clark
Zucchini Meatballs Serves 8 to 10
Ingredients
2 medium size zucchini, shredded 3 cloves garlic, minced 1 ¼ cups fresh breadcrumbs ½ cup minced fresh Italian parsley leaves 1 teaspoon fine sea salt Ground black pepper to taste 1 ½ teaspoons dried oregano 2 large eggs, slightly beaten with a fork 2/3 cup freshly grated Pecorino Romano cheese ½ to 3/4 cup flour ¼ cup vegetable oil Tomato sauce
Directions
Preheat oven to 350°F. Spread the shredded zucchini on non-stick baking sheets and place them in the oven. Turn off the heat and let the zucchini dry out for a couple of hours to remove excess water. This step can be done a day ahead.
In a large bowl, combine the garlic, breadcrumbs, parsley, salt, pepper, oregano, eggs, and cheese. Coarsely chop the zucchini and add it to the bowl and mix well. Refrigerate the mixture for 20 minutes.
Fortunately, some things never change. Mary Ann and her husband Guy are enjoying their time at home. This past summer they spent more time on the garden and had an abundance of fresh fruits and veggies to cook with. Christmas decorations are up, with Eli’s stocking hanging over the fireplace. Hopefully, he and Chris will be able to make their way home for the holidays. Eli always looks forward to seeing grandparents, as there’s always a special treat waiting for him in his dog bowl. What a lucky dog!
For more information and to purchase Mary Ann’s latest cookbook visit: ciaoitalia.com. For the restaurant, dining and curbside pickup information visit: ciaoitaliadurham.com. Salute! Scoop small amounts of the mixture into your hands and form meatballs the size of a small egg, (to make about 18,) or make them larger if you prefer. Roll the balls in the flour.
Heat the vegetable oil in a large sauté pan over medium-high heat and fry the meatballs, turning them occasionally so they brown evenly, or bake them in an oiled casserole dish in a preheated 350°F oven for 20 to 25 minutes. Transfer the meatballs to a serving dish; serve hot with tomato sauce if preferred. Recipe from Ciao Italia
