Shamontiel is a three-time dog owner (one Lab crossbreed for 13 years; one German Shepherd for 9 years; and now the owner of a Hound mix). Dog walking and dog boarding weren’t career fields she intended to get into. She did it initially because her own condo board wouldn’t allow dogs, and she missed having a four-legged roommate. By the time she challenged the condo association board to do away with the no-pet rule, she accepted the nomination of being the condo association president and became a dog caregiver. The Wag! walker and former Rover dog boarder completed 632 walks, eight dog sittings and six dog boardings for 101 different dogs since 2019. On Juneteenth 2021, when COVID-19 hit and dog caregiving slowed down, she adopted a dog: Junee.
“Black Girl In a Doggone World™” is a place for her to share her experiences as a dog walker, dog boarder and dog sitter, along with chatting with dog owners about all bark-related activity. Because it is rare that these stories are told from an African-American pet owner or dog caregiver’s perspective, you will see the occasional post with her tying dog ownership to race and culture, too. Posts are written on a weekly basis.
Why Substack?
I’ve written numerous online and print series since 2006. Some were with mainstream newspapers. Others were pretty well-known and lesser-known online news and lifestyle publications. Business decisions on my end were made, and I’m rebuilding. When I made the decision to start transitioning to Substack mid-2022, I knew I was losing a few thousand followers. Some have found me again on here, and I appreciate it. Whether I’m brand new to you or we’re reuniting again, let’s chat!
Amazon Affiliate
As an Amazon affiliate, I earn a percentage from purchases with my referral links. I know some consumers are choosing to boycott Amazon for its diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) removal, and I don’t blame you one bit. I have zero love for Target, but that happened long before the worst possible choice for president returned to the White House. However, after thinking about this thoroughly, I have chosen to continue on while trying my absolute best to promote small businesses, women-owned businesses and black-owned businesses who still feature their items on Amazon.
You’ll still see links on my post from ads I already agreed to showcase pre-presidential results that are not from any of these three groups. All of my posts as of February 1, 2025, the first day of Black History Month, will feature a minimum of one product from a black-owned business though. I have verified all websites and founders even after seeing that Amazon stamp above to confirm the owners. But if you are boycotting anti-DEI companies regardless, I respect that all the same.
SUBSCRIBE ($5 P/MONTH, $50 P/YR)
Check out exclusive weekly pet posts, and join the community to leave feedback for her and other dog-loving readers.
FOUNDER’S PRICE ($80 P/YR)
You’ll have full access to read and comment on all five publications:
“Black Girl In a Doggone World™” (one per week)
“Homegrown Tales” (one per week)
“I Do See Color” (one per week)
includes “BlackTechLogy” (one per month)
“One Black Woman’s Vote” (spontaneously post-Election Day 2025)
“Window Shopping” (one per month)
Join Shamontiel on each Substack social media account:
