Why Animals Are the Best Part of Life – A Heartfelt Note from DJ iSizzle
If there’s one truth I’ve learned in this life, it’s this: animals have a way of reaching parts of your soul that words—and even music—sometimes can’t. They love without condition, they show up without fail, and they remind us to be present, grateful, and fully alive.
When people see me as DJ iSizzle—full of energy, moving the crowd, mixing beats with passion—what they don’t always see is the foundation underneath it all. And a big part of that foundation was laid in my childhood… by an Irish Setter named Sarah Rose, and a clever American Shorthair cat named Bijoux.
The Day We Found Sarah Rose
I’ll never forget the journey that brought Sarah Rose into our lives. It was a cold but bright day when my dad, brother, and I packed into the car and left Lopez Island on a mission—to find a dog that would keep us company, one that would fill our home with warmth and laughter.
Our destination was Olympia, Washington, where a small family farm had a litter of Irish Setters. We took ferries, drove through winding roads, and made our way through a foggy morning full of excitement and nerves. I was just a kid, but I remember that trip like it happened yesterday—the way we all shared that silent hope that today would be the day.
When we arrived at the farm, we were greeted by barks, muddy paws, and wagging tails. We walked through grassy fields and met so many dogs—each beautiful, each full of energy—but something didn’t click. We kept looking, searching for that one dog who would choose us back.
And then, she came trotting out from the barn—a slender, red-coated Irish Setter with curious eyes and the calmest energy we’d seen all day. She didn’t bark or jump. She just walked right up to us, looked us right in the eyes, and it was like something in the world just settled into place.
We knew.
She was the one.
Sarah Rose had found us.
Childhood Companions Who Shaped Me
I was homeschooled growing up. That meant I spent a lot of time at home—sometimes a little too much time. But what I didn’t get from classmates or traditional school activities, I more than made up for in love and life lessons from my animals.
Sarah Rose became my best friend, my adventure buddy, and my emotional rock. One winter, we had this rare, heavy snowfall, and our front yard transformed into the perfect sledding hill. I grabbed my sled and launched down the slope while Sarah Rose ran beside me, barking with pure joy, ears flying, tail wagging. It felt like a dream—like flying, but with your best friend racing the wind beside you.
Bijoux, our American Shorthair cat, was a whole different energy—cool, observant, and weirdly wise for a cat. He had this chill confidence and a very specific taste: homemade fries with ketchup. If I sat down to eat and left my plate unattended? Boom—Bijoux would be there, licking the ketchup like it was fine wine.
Where Sarah Rose was loyalty and boundless energy, Bijoux was the philosopher, the quiet presence who always knew when I needed a gentle nudge or a purring nap companion on a hard day.
DJ Beginnings… With a Pet Audience
Before I ever played weddings, school dances, or packed venues, my very first audience was two animals who couldn’t even speak—Sarah Rose and Bijoux.
I’d hook up my little controller in my room, practicing mixes, transitions, and trying to figure out what songs made people feel something. Sarah Rose would stretch out on the carpet, watching me with that head-tilted curiosity, like she was trying to understand the beat. Sometimes she’d get up and bounce a little when the vibe was right—tail wagging like she was feeling the drop.
Bijoux? Always perched on the windowsill or curled up on my bed, pretending he wasn’t paying attention—but that tail would flick right on beat. If I cranked the bass too high, he’d quietly hop off and leave the room, like, “Tone it down, rookie.”
They were the first souls to witness my dreams taking shape. No applause, no spotlights—just love and presence.
Enter Ziggy – The Nugget-Loving Doxie
Years later, after I was deep into DJing professionally, I had the joy of being adopted by Ziggy, a little Dachshund with a big heart and a taste for Burger King chicken nuggets. I’m not kidding—he could smell them before I even walked in the door. He’d go nuts spinning in circles, doing his little “please dance,” tail wagging like a propeller.
Ziggy also had a serious love for fetch. He’d drop the ball at my feet again and again, tail wagging, eyes locked on mine like, “C’mon, just one more throw.” And of course, I always did. How could I say no to that face?
He reminded me that even in the busiest moments—between wedding gigs, rehearsals, or late-night edits—joy is always right in front of us if we just make time for it.
These Days, It’s Me and Pepsee
Today, I share my life with Pepsee, my longtime girlfriend and biggest supporter. She’s been with me through it all—from early gigs and long road trips to the quiet mornings and everything in between. She’s my heart, my teammate, and the person I look forward to dancing through life with—on and off the stage.
What Animals Teach Us
If you’ve ever had a dog, a cat, or any animal, you know this truth. They have this power to:
- Love unconditionally—They don’t care about status, fame, mistakes, or mood. You’re their person.
- Keep us grounded—In a world that wants to keep us rushing, they bring us back to now.
- Make joy out of the ordinary—A walk, a ball, a cuddle, a fry with ketchup—suddenly, it’s magic.
- Help us become more human—More empathetic, more loving, more whole.
So here’s to Sarah Rose, Bijoux, and Ziggy—the ones who watched me grow, who saw me dream, and who loved me through it all.
And here’s to anyone out there who’s ever felt that special kind of love that only an animal can give. They don’t just leave paw prints on your floor—they leave them on your soul.
With love,
🎧 DJ iSizzle
(and a smile from Pepsee too)