Today we’d like to introduce you to Xiannie Peynado
Hi Xiannie, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My journey with Barking Muse began in 2014, during one of the most emotional and challenging times of my life. My dog, Deuce, who was my absolute world, was diagnosed with severe health issues. I remember standing by his side, watching as his once vibrant energy faded and his hair began to fall out. It was heartbreaking. I tried everything I could to help—everything from vet visits to the prescribed medicated kibble—but nothing seemed to make a lasting difference. I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was missing, that there had to be another way.
With nothing but love and determination, I decided to take matters into my own hands. I began to dig deeper into natural remedies and holistic care, exploring ways to heal him from the inside out. I started preparing wholesome, homemade meals and experimenting with natural, chemical-free grooming products tailored specifically to his needs. I can still remember the first time I saw the results—how his energy began to return, how his smile came back, and how the hair he had lost started to regrow, strand by strand. It was nothing short of a miracle.
Seeing that transformation was a pivotal moment for me. Not just because my beloved pup was getting better, but because I knew I had stumbled onto something powerful—something that could help other dogs, too. That’s when the idea for Barking Muse was born, originally as a chemical-free grooming line. It started as my own journey of hope and healing, but it grew into a mission: to offer other pets and their parents the same kind of thoughtful, holistic care that brought my own Deuce back to life.
What started as a personal journey became a dream turned into reality. And every step of the way—from those first homemade meals to creating those first grooming products—felt like stepping into a new purpose, one driven by love, resilience, and a belief that every pup deserves the very best care.
I made the difficult decision to sunset the business in 2019, as I faced mounting challenges in scaling and meeting the growing demands of our operations. Shortly after, the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020, and like so many small businesses, we found ourselves navigating an incredibly uncertain landscape. Closing Barking Muse during that time was one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever made. But even in that moment of heartbreak, I made myself a promise: I would return stronger, with a renewed sense of purpose and a vision to serve our community in a more impactful way.
Fast forward five years, and that promise has been fulfilled. On April 1, 2024, The Barking Muse Pet Club opened its doors. It wasn’t an easy road to get here. There were moments when it felt like every door was closing in front of me. Finding suitable lenders and securing banking support proved to be one of the most difficult hurdles in bringing this dream to life. Yet, through it all, my passion for animals and my belief in creating something meaningful kept me going.
This isn’t just a business for me—it’s a labor of love. Every dog who walks through our doors becomes part of our family. From enrichment daycare to grooming services, everything we do is rooted in holistic, engaged care. I wanted to create a place where dogs could feel safe, loved, and truly cared for as if they were my own. And honestly, as soon as they’re with us, they are my babies.
Looking back, this journey hasn’t been easy, but it has been incredibly rewarding. Barking Muse represents resilience, passion, and the belief that when you pour your heart into something, amazing things can happen. I’m so grateful to be able to share this journey with our clients and their pups.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It’s safe to say the road hasn’t been easy. When we decided to relaunch Barking Muse after COVID, the challenges began almost immediately. The lending landscape had shifted dramatically, with many banks and the SBA hesitant to fund new ventures in such uncertain times.
Unable to rely on traditional financing, we moved forward as a fully self-funded business. Every step of the way—from purchasing the property to renovating the space—was approached with careful planning and a commitment to creating something special. It required a level of resilience and resourcefulness that tested us in ways we never expected.
On top of financial challenges, navigating the complexities of opening a new location post-pandemic presented its own set of obstacles. From finding the right property to overcoming delays and setbacks, the process often felt like an uphill battle. But each challenge reminded me why I started this journey: to create a space where small dogs could receive personalized, holistic care in an environment built just for them.
Looking back, the road may not have been smooth, but it’s been worth every struggle. The love and joy we see in the dogs and their families make it all worthwhile.
We’ve been impressed with Barking Muse Pet Club, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
My journey to Barking Muse has been anything but linear. I come from a corporate consulting background and studied hospitality and hotel management, driven by my childhood dream of one day owning and running my own hotels. While I transitioned into a career in consulting, that entrepreneurial spirit never left me.
Now, instead of managing hotels, I get to love on dogs for a living—and I couldn’t be happier. I’ve swapped spreadsheets and boardrooms for belly scratches and wagging tails. These days, I find myself consulting on much more important matters, like determining the perfect timing for a belly rub or when it’s appropriate to break out the treats.
What sets Barking Muse apart is our unique, holistic, and engaged approach to care. We focus on more than just the basics; we believe in nurturing the whole pup—emotionally, mentally, and physically. That’s why we chose to focus on little dogs. They deserve a space where they can receive individualized attention, love, and enrichment without being overwhelmed by crowds or chaos.
Why small dogs? Because I believe they deserve an environment where they can truly thrive. Larger facilities often overlook the unique needs of little dogs, and I wanted to create a space where they could receive personalized care, attention, and enrichment. At Barking Muse, we’re intentional about keeping our daycare low-capacity so that every pup gets the love and focus they deserve.
Our low-capacity daycare allows us to provide personalized experiences for every pup that walks through our doors. It’s a setting where dogs aren’t just a number but a member of our family, and every interaction is intentional and tailored to their unique needs. We blend socialization, enrichment, and individualized care to ensure every dog feels safe, happy, and truly loved.
Barking Muse isn’t just a daycare or grooming facility. It’s a space built on the belief that every small pup deserves a holistic, caring, and engaged environment—one where they can thrive in every way. My experience in hospitality taught me how to create environments where people feel welcomed and cared for, and now I bring that same philosophy to Barking Muse every day.
This journey has come full circle in the most incredible way. From corporate consulting to running a low-capacity, holistic daycare for little dogs, I’m living my dream in a way I never could have imagined. And honestly? I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
The quality I feel has been most important to my success is my genuine, hands-on approach and my deep care for both the pups and their families. I always put myself in the pet parents’ shoes, striving to understand their needs, concerns, and hopes for their furry little ones. This perspective allows me to build trust, connection, and a sense of partnership with every family we work with.
At Barking Muse, we focus on quality over quantity. We prioritize personalized attention, enrichment, and love for each pup that walks through our doors. I treat every dog as if they were my own, ensuring they feel safe, valued, and nurtured in every moment. This philosophy is the foundation of what sets us apart—creating an environment built on trust, engagement, and holistic care rather than simply meeting numbers or ticking off boxes.
This personalized, empathetic approach has been the key to our success and the reason we can make a lasting, positive impact on the lives of so many little dogs and their families.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.barkingmuse.com
- Instagram: barkingmuse
- Facebook: barkingmuse
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/barking-muse-sugar-land
