An Inspiring Life’s Journey-cher0805 Feature with Christina Potter
Some journeys follow a carefully mapped plan. Others take shape one opportunity, challenge, passion, and unexpected turn at a time.
For Christina Potter, much of that journey has included dogs.
I have been fortunate to know Christina for close to twenty years, and during that time, I have watched her balance a life filled with different roles and responsibilities. She is an author, dog trainer, on-set animal professional, court interpreter, entrepreneur, and, perhaps the title closest to her heart, a dog mom.
Behind those titles is a story about resilience, finding meaning in unexpected places, knowing when something has to wait, and continuing forward even during seasons when life feels anything but easy.
When I asked Christina to describe her journey in one word, her answer was simple:
“Rocky.”
That word says a lot. Yet her story also shows how much can grow along a road that was never perfectly smooth.
Where It Started
Christina’s relationship with animals began long before it became part of her professional life.
“I always loved animals. In 1995, I began training my dogs in agility and as therapy dogs.”
What followed was not part of a carefully constructed career plan. Christina says her professional life unfolded “one opportunity at a time.”
Those opportunities eventually brought her and her dogs into film, television, commercials, and other productions.
Working with animals on set may sound glamorous from the outside, but Christina offers a different picture.
“It is not as glamorous as it would seem, but it is gratifying.”
There can also be expectations placed on animals that simply are not realistic. For Christina, knowing the dog in front of her and recognizing what that animal can reasonably do remains part of the responsibility behind the scenes.
Still, the rewarding moments outweigh the glamour. Her favorite part is “seeing how much they enjoy it.”
Watching a dog she has trained step into the spotlight brings another kind of satisfaction.
“It makes me very proud and excited to showcase how rewarding life with dogs can be.”
When Dogs Become the Story
Dogs eventually led Christina into another world: writing.
One puppy became the inspiration for her first diary-style story, beginning a chapter of her life as an author.
Among the books she has written, one remains especially meaningful: Pepe Learns to Run Again, which Christina describes as “a truly inspirational story.”
Writing while maintaining several other responsibilities has not always been easy. Finding both the time and motivation can be difficult, but the message she hopes readers carry from her books is bigger than dogs:
“Life is beautiful, despite all the difficult times.”
That sentence feels especially meaningful when placed beside Christina’s own experiences.
When Life Doesn’t Leave Room for Everything
One of the most relatable parts of Christina’s story may be her willingness to acknowledge that balance does not always mean everything receives equal attention.
When asked how she manages so many responsibilities, she did not offer a perfect productivity system.
“Realistically, some parts go on the back burner.”
Her phone calendar and reminders have become essential, and when life becomes overwhelming, she focuses on what is most urgent. Sometimes that means something she wants to do has to wait.
There is something refreshing about admitting that. A full life does not always fit neatly into perfectly organized blocks of time.
The Strength Behind the Brave Face
Christina has experienced seasons that required her to keep moving even when life personally felt uncertain.
Going through a divorce while continuing to meet her responsibilities became one of the experiences that taught her the most about herself.
When things have not gone as hoped, one constant has remained: her dogs.
And after years of pursuing different forms of achievement, her definition of success has changed.
“Love and peace are now my idea of success.”
Perhaps one of Christina’s most revealing answers came when I asked what individuals who know her may not always see.
“Sometimes a brave face is just that.”
Behind productivity, accomplishments, careers, and responsibilities, there can still be difficult days. Strength does not necessarily mean that everything underneath the surface is easy.
Lessons From Life With Dogs
For Christina, loving a dog also means investing in the relationship.
Her advice to dog owners is straightforward: “Training your dog makes for a happier dog.”
For someone hoping to work professionally with animals, she recommends beginning with the basics and then seeking professional guidance.
But some of the lessons Christina has gathered reach well beyond dog training.
For women balancing careers, passions, responsibilities, and the needs of others, her advice is equally direct:
“Taking care of yourself is not selfish.”
She also recognizes the pressure women can experience to manage everything and the discomfort that sometimes comes with setting boundaries.
“We are taught that saying ‘no’ is undesirable.”
Learning that everything cannot always receive your attention may be part of creating a life that actually works.
It’s Never Too Late
One message from Christina fits closely with what Inspiring Life’s Journey represents.
For anyone wondering whether too much time has passed to begin something different, her answer is:
“It’s never too late to pursue your passion or learn new things.”
Christina is not finished creating either.
One project she would still like to pursue is a book about what it is really like to work as an on-set animal handler, giving readers a look at the experiences behind the camera.
And when asked what she hopes the next chapter holds, her answer could not have been more fitting:
“Dogs!”
A Few Quick Reflections With Christina
A dog who changed your life: “They’ve all helped me grow.”
A career moment you’ll never forget: Being cast on Best Medicine, airing Tuesdays at 8:00 PM ET/PT on FOX.
The best advice you’ve received: “The bigger the mistake, the bigger the smile.”
Something you always make time for: “My dogs.”
A message every dog lover should know: “Cherish every moment.”
And the words Christina would leave with anyone reading her story:
“Never give up on your dreams.”
Christina’s journey may be one she describes as rocky, but perhaps that is also part of what makes it meaningful. The unexpected opportunities, responsibilities, difficult seasons, dogs who became family, stories that became books, and dreams that still remain have all found a place along the way.
Sometimes a meaningful life is not the one that followed the original plan.
Sometimes it is the one we continue building as the road unfolds.
Christina’s Books
Christina’s love of dogs has also found its way onto the page. Her books reflect different parts of that journey, from stories inspired by the personalities and adventures of dogs to the experience of training and living alongside them.
Her books include Chester Gigolo: Diary of a Dog Star, Insider Training: Chester Gigolo’s Dog Training Secrets Revealed, Head of the Pack: Chester Gigolo’s Advanced Dog Training Secrets, Pepe Learns to Run Again: An Inspirational True Story, and Hudson & Rodney Go to New York.
Where to Find Christina’s Books
Christina’s books are available on Amazon, where readers can explore her collection and learn more about her work. i
Explore Christina Potter’s Books on Amazon
Thank you, Christina, for sharing your journey with Inspiring Life’s Journey-cher0805.