Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Live Today

Interview With Carol Gardner

Aired January 14, 2004 - 11:48   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: This is one dog's life that's not so bad. Zelda the bulldog is a face that has launched a multi-million dollar industry. Owner Carol Gardner was going through a painful divorce when she got Zelda. She started taking photos of her precious pooch. The pictures are now featured in a whole line of products from greeting cards to postcards to calendars and t-shirts. We have both with us. It is called Zelda Wisdom. Carol Gardner joins us. Of course, we have Zelda, the super model with us. Good morning to both of you ladies.
CAROL GARDNER, ZELDA'S OWNER: Good morning, Daryn.

KAGAN: I can just see Zelda, once the camera goes on, she lights up.

GARDNER: She does light up. She's a star, a diva.

KAGAN: This is a few years ago. You were going through a difficult time. People have a choice. They can go one way or the other. Someone recommended you get either a therapist or dog. You ended up with Zelda.

GARDNER: Absolutely. I found after 27 years of marriage I was fired from my job as a wife. I had to find something else. And this angel came into my life.

KAGAN: Now, it's one thing -- I'm a dog owner. I know how you can get nutso about the dog. You're preaching to the choir. How do you go from being a dog love to dressing her up, which my dog would never allow past a bandana, to creating a business?

GARDNER: Well, I had worked as a creative director. The minute I saw Zelda, she made me smile, she made me laugh. I thought, Boy, there's a Zelda in all of us. And she's so full of love. She enjoys being in front of the camera. We used to play. We were together 24/7. She enjoyed it when I put headbands on her and dress her up. That's how it started.

KAGAN: Absolutely amazing. What about the spirit of Zelda? One thing to take the cute pictures, but you're trying to inspire people to get up and beyond and also have humor while you do it.

GARDNER: We do try to help people get through some tough times. We've been through some. We think we have experience in that area. So we try to say, Hey, tough times never last. Tough people do. Let's laugh with us. KAGAN: What would you say to people out there who think they have a great idea for starting a business? So many people get discouraged.

GARDNER: That's really true. I would say to people who want to start a business, one, you know, hanging in after others let go is how you can survive, and just hang in there. Never, never, never give up. Maybe -- you know, survival depends on how high you can bounce back after you hit bottom. Keep going.

KAGAN: To give the girl her due, people think Zelda is just a pretty face. This is a woman with some depth. She is a therapy dog and does charity work, too.

GARDNER: She does. She works with children who have learning disabilities. We've had wonderful success with that.

KAGAN: You've had so many products. You sent us t-shirts and books. This is the one I picked that I like. It saws Zelda and says, "When you're the queen you can do anything." I try to tell people around here that. I guess I don't have the same clout as Zelda. But, thanks for the stuff. It is nice to meet you, Carol Gardner, and Zelda. Best of luck.

GARDNER: Thank you. Enjoyed talking with you.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com







Aired January 14, 2004 - 11:48   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: This is one dog's life that's not so bad. Zelda the bulldog is a face that has launched a multi-million dollar industry. Owner Carol Gardner was going through a painful divorce when she got Zelda. She started taking photos of her precious pooch. The pictures are now featured in a whole line of products from greeting cards to postcards to calendars and t-shirts. We have both with us. It is called Zelda Wisdom. Carol Gardner joins us. Of course, we have Zelda, the super model with us. Good morning to both of you ladies.
CAROL GARDNER, ZELDA'S OWNER: Good morning, Daryn.

KAGAN: I can just see Zelda, once the camera goes on, she lights up.

GARDNER: She does light up. She's a star, a diva.

KAGAN: This is a few years ago. You were going through a difficult time. People have a choice. They can go one way or the other. Someone recommended you get either a therapist or dog. You ended up with Zelda.

GARDNER: Absolutely. I found after 27 years of marriage I was fired from my job as a wife. I had to find something else. And this angel came into my life.

KAGAN: Now, it's one thing -- I'm a dog owner. I know how you can get nutso about the dog. You're preaching to the choir. How do you go from being a dog love to dressing her up, which my dog would never allow past a bandana, to creating a business?

GARDNER: Well, I had worked as a creative director. The minute I saw Zelda, she made me smile, she made me laugh. I thought, Boy, there's a Zelda in all of us. And she's so full of love. She enjoys being in front of the camera. We used to play. We were together 24/7. She enjoyed it when I put headbands on her and dress her up. That's how it started.

KAGAN: Absolutely amazing. What about the spirit of Zelda? One thing to take the cute pictures, but you're trying to inspire people to get up and beyond and also have humor while you do it.

GARDNER: We do try to help people get through some tough times. We've been through some. We think we have experience in that area. So we try to say, Hey, tough times never last. Tough people do. Let's laugh with us. KAGAN: What would you say to people out there who think they have a great idea for starting a business? So many people get discouraged.

GARDNER: That's really true. I would say to people who want to start a business, one, you know, hanging in after others let go is how you can survive, and just hang in there. Never, never, never give up. Maybe -- you know, survival depends on how high you can bounce back after you hit bottom. Keep going.

KAGAN: To give the girl her due, people think Zelda is just a pretty face. This is a woman with some depth. She is a therapy dog and does charity work, too.

GARDNER: She does. She works with children who have learning disabilities. We've had wonderful success with that.

KAGAN: You've had so many products. You sent us t-shirts and books. This is the one I picked that I like. It saws Zelda and says, "When you're the queen you can do anything." I try to tell people around here that. I guess I don't have the same clout as Zelda. But, thanks for the stuff. It is nice to meet you, Carol Gardner, and Zelda. Best of luck.

GARDNER: Thank you. Enjoyed talking with you.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com