About Leashes & Lattes
A dog mom blog written by a real dog mom in Miami.
Our Story
Hi, I'm Daniella — and Mochi runs this household.
I'm a Miami-based dog mom to Mochi, my mini dachshund who is, without question, the pickiest creature I have ever met. She has rejected more dog foods, beds, and toys than I care to count — which means I've spent an embarrassing number of hours researching every product before it crosses our threshold.
I started Leashes & Lattes because I was frustrated with generic pet advice. Most product recommendations online are either written by people who've never owned the product, or they're thinly veiled advertisements. I wanted something different: honest reviews from a real dog owner who has actually used the products with her own dog.
Every review on this site is based on real experience. If I recommend something, it's because Mochi and I have tested it and it actually worked. If something didn't work, I'll tell you that too — and exactly why.
Life in Miami
Mochi goes everywhere. Seriously.
One of the perks of living in Miami is that the city is surprisingly dog-friendly — and Mochi takes full advantage of that. From South Beach to Brickell, she's been to more restaurants, hotels, and rooftop bars than most people I know.
This photo was taken at the Miami Beach Edition — one of our favorite spots. Mochi strutted through that marble lobby like she owned the place, and honestly, no one questioned it. That's just life with a mini dachshund in Miami.
That dog-about-town lifestyle is part of why I started this blog. Mochi isn't just a pet — she's a companion who comes along for everything. Finding products that hold up to real life, not just a backyard, matters to us.
The Vibe
Yes, she has a Hello Kitty outfit. No, she doesn't care what you think.
Look, I'll be honest — I did not plan on being the kind of person who dresses their dog. And then Mochi happened, and suddenly I'm standing in a parking garage in red heels, matching my mini dachshund's Hello Kitty outfit, and I have zero regrets.
This photo pretty much sums up the energy around here: a little extra, a lot of fun, and Mochi front and center no matter what the occasion. She's not a pet — she's a whole personality. And honestly, she's earned it.
That's the spirit behind Leashes & Lattes. Life with a dog should be fun. The products we recommend are the ones that actually fit into a real, full, slightly chaotic Miami lifestyle — not a sanitized version of it.
Life with Mochi
The Real Chief of Staff
Every product on this site has passed Mochi's inspection. She is, objectively, the most important member of this operation.
Zero regrets.
Pink era, always.
In case you forgot her name.
Approved. ✓
Meet the Team
Mochi
Chief Product Tester. Mini dachshund. Extremely picky. If Mochi approves, it makes the list. If she turns her nose up at it, you'll read about it honestly.
@__princessmochi__
Daniella
Founder, writer, and Mochi's personal shopper. Miami-based dog mom who turned hundreds of hours of product research into a resource for other dog owners.
Our Mission
Leashes & Lattes exists to help dog owners make better decisions about the products they buy for their dogs. We believe in honest, experience-based reviews that actually help people — not marketing copy designed to drive clicks.