Mazda Stories explores the heartwarming connection between Mazda owners and their loyal dogs.
Dogs and Mazda vehicles have more in common than you may realize. The benefits felt from owning a four-legged friend are myriad, including lowering blood pressure, reducing depression, and improving fitness by encouraging regular outdoor activity. These factors, combined with boosting the ‘happy hormones’ serotonin and dopamine, make for “a mutually beneficial relationship for both species,” explains Donna Arnett, EVP for Academic Affairs and Provost at the University of South Carolina.
These benefits echo Mazda’s own mission to improve the wellness of each driver who gets behind the wheel. Every detail is carefully enhanced and curated through the entire driving experience, elevating an ordinary drive into an extraordinary moment that stirs both mind and body. As Mazda Stories discovers, the combination of Mazda ownership and a canine companion can lead to even greater things.
Edi always reminds me to live in the moment.”
Kaz Paul, The Netherlands
Getting Out There
“We like to inspire everyone to go and enjoy the great outdoors,” explains Kaz Paul, co-owner of Dutch outdoor magazines The Outdoors, The Hike, and The Bike. “We inspire readers to explore nature. It’s all about passion and community. The joy of discovering hidden trails, testing gear, and exchanging stories motivates us to bring people together.”
A key member of the team is ten-year-old Edi—a rescue dog from a shelter in Spain. “He’s a cross between a German Shepherd and a Labrador,” says Kaz. “He’s energetic, curious, very fit, and the best companion for outdoor adventures. He’s a motivator to get outside, even on rainy days, and he always reminds me to live in the moment.”
For Kaz and his wife, Mechteld, taking Edi out in their Mazda CX‑60 “brings an incredible sense of grounding and joy, especially during stressful times. Outdoor activities provide an escape and a connection with nature that I love to share.”
The couple’s passion for Mazda, Kaz reminisces, “started with my granddad’s 1984 Mazda 323 and his classic 323, which I absolutely loved,” and has since seen them take the CX‑60 on a range of adventures with Edi. “The 1,500W outlet in the trunk is a game-changer for road trips,” Kaz says. “It’s perfect for charging devices or even small appliances, like an SUP pump. The spacious interior easily accommodates Edi and gear, and I also had a roof-top tent on top of it.” Together, he says, “we’ve explored diverse landscapes—from hiking trails in the Alps to beach walks in the Netherlands. Edi loves every moment and it’s amazing to see his enthusiasm for new places.”
“Owning dogs keeps me active, happy, and motivated to build a career around a purpose.”
Taylor Starcher, USA
Creating for Communities
Managing a YouTube community of 674,000 subscribers—as of early January 2025—can be a creative challenge for anyone, but doing so while making content centred around four dogs? Doubly so. But Texas-based Taylor Starcher takes it all in her stride, publishing videos to her loyal subscriber base “about my life as a photographer and as a dog mom,” she explains. She also publishes “educational information including natural dog products and maintaining a multi-dog household.”
Taylor’s pack comprises Teddy, Max, Callie, and Maya, all rescued from a local shelter and now thriving with Taylor. “Owning dogs has kept me busy, to say the least, but it keeps me active, happy, and motivated to build a career around a purpose,” she says. She also uses pet ownership as a way of upskilling and creating new experiences: “I love learning new skills every day, like installing turf to help with muddy dog paws, dog training, or new ways to capture fun content.”
As for her six-figure audience, they’re “a huge community of likeminded people [who offer] an overwhelming amount of support,” she says. And, when she’s not making watchable content for her subscriber base, Taylor enjoys getting behind the wheel of her new Mazda CX‑90, which offers plenty of room for her dogs during long road trips.
When the Texan sun gets too hot, the CX‑90’s three-zone climate control and air-conditioning features help keep Teddy, Max, Callie, and Maya cool, even when the engine’s turned off, thanks to the MyMazda app. “It enables me to keep the dogs in the car while keeping it running, so they can have AC in hot weather, which is essential,” Taylor explains. As for the rest of the vehicle, “there’s enough space for all of them,” she says, “especially when I fold down the back seats and cover the space with blankets.”
“Meeting new people with Shadow has enriched both of our lives.”
Vanessa Wong, Australia
A World of Change
For Vanessa Wong, a transport engineer from New Zealand now living in Sydney, Australia, her eight-year-old German Shepherd, Shadow, made the transition between countries significantly easier. “Making the decision to move to Sydney from New Zealand was nothing short of life-changing,” Vanessa recalls, reflecting on the six-month journey that led to her relocation. “It meant selling everything—my house, belongings, and even my beloved one-year-old Mazda CX‑5—to start afresh.”
One of Vanessa’s key priorities was ensuring she had a reliable vehicle as soon as she and Shadow arrived in Sydney. “Involving Shadow in as many aspects of my life as possible is essential. Experiencing new things, visiting new places, and meeting new people with him has enriched both of our lives. I believe it’s a fundamental part of responsible dog ownership—treating your pet as an extension of yourself.”
Vanessa was determined to “continue driving the same model” as soon as she touched down in Australia: “The day after I landed in Sydney, I took a taxi to pick up my brand-new Mazda CX‑5.” For Vanessa and Shadow, the CX‑5 not only offered familiarity in a new place, but also a sense of safety. “Being a transport engineer, I’m always reminded of how important safety is on the road,” she explains. “So if I can provide myself and Shadow with a safe car, it means I’ve done everything I can control.”
Vanessa also creates lifestyle content on YouTube and Instagram, sharing her experiences with Shadow in Sydney with her loyal audience. “For me, it’s about staying authentic and sharing the highs and lows of life with Shadow,” she says. “Whether it’s capturing his goofy antics, our daily routines, or moments of training and bonding, I love giving people an honest look at what it’s like to own a German Shepherd. Viewers often share how Shadow’s personality brightens their day.”
So what’s next for the duo? “I’m currently planning a road trip with Shadow in our Mazda,” says Vanessa. “Travelling with him is always an adventure, and I’m excited to hit the road and create more memories with him while exploring New South Wales.”
For many Mazda owners like Kaz, Taylor, and Vanessa, their pets aren’t just companions—they’re integral to their daily lives and adventures. Whether it’s a road trip or simply a hop across town, the bond between dog and driver enhances the joy of every journey. Just as Mazda aims to enrich the driving experience, so dogs enrich the lives of their owners, one wag at a time.
