Sharing the Puppy Love

As a multimedia journalist with FOX5 in Las Vegas, Nevada, Diane Tuazon knows a thing or two about communicating with people—and so do her beloved friends, Cocoa and Honey, two yorkies who can just look at Tuazon and get what they want or elicit an emotion from their smitten owner. Here’s what Tuazon told Sashay Magazine about her love of her pets, one of which has special needs:

What do you love most about your yorkies?
Their opposite personalities. Honey (6 years old) is feisty and aggressive, but very smart! She actually concentrates on people's facial expressions to comprehend what's being said. Cocoa (3 years old) is sweet and patient. She loves to cuddle; even when I need my space, she'll find her way on top of my chest to curl up and sleep.

Describe the challenges of caring for a special needs pet.
Cocoa is battling cancer (lympho sarcoma). It breaks my heart knowing she's battling such a horrible disease. Having to keep up with all her medication and chemotherapy can be a handful, but nothing is more challenging than trying to accept the fact that she has cancer. I look at her every day, and she doesn't even seem to be fazed by the sickness...still as playful as can be, but deep down inside, it's breaking my heart knowing that she's being faced with such a cruel disease.

Do you and your yorkies share any personality traits?
I'd like to think Honey and I share the same trait of being independent. We both are capable of getting things done on our own without any help. Pretty much fearless. Cocoa and I both have a sweet tooth. We both love to cuddle as well.

In the history of TV, book and movies, who is your favorite canine icon?
Scooby Doo! Definitely a favorite canine icon my siblings and I grew up watching. There's something cool about a dog who solves mysteries.

What advice do you have for people looking to adopt a pet?
I can't stress it enough to remind folks who are looking to adopt to PLEASE adopt from a shelter and NOT from a pet store. Save a life instead. Also, take the time to do your research on what breed of dog you'd be interested in getting and if your current living/financial situation will allow you to have a pet. Many times people get a new pet without thinking it through and later find that they can no longer take care of it and end up giving them up or abandoning them...you're only hurting these animals more by allowing them to think they have a permanent home, and then only to give them away shortly after.

More about Tuazon
Tuazon started her TV career at the very young age of 12 when she was the host for an educational TV show that aired on PBS in California. She then made it a dream to pursue a career in TV news reporting.

Born and raised in San Francisco/Bay Area, Diane moved to Las Vegas to attend college at UNLV. It only took her about a year and half to complete her degree in Broadcast Journalism and graduate Magna Cum Laude. After spending nearly two years in Midland, Texas, a much smaller town where she was a reporter/fill in anchor for KWES, an NBC affiliate, Diane is now thrilled to be back in the vibrant city of Las Vegas.

Prior to her reporting gig in Texas, Diane was an intern for MTV networks and Bunim/Murray Productions where she worked on the hit TV show 'The Real World.' When she's not busy reporting, you can catch her spending most of her time outdoors. She loves to surf, scuba dive, snowboard, and any other extreme sport you can think of.

Diane is always looking for great story ideas. Feel free to e-mail her at diane.tuazon@fox5vegas.com or follow her on twitter @dianetuazon.