Susan Hartzler: How I Built a Life I Don’t Want to Escape From

So many people feel the quiet craving to stop fantasizing about escape and actually enjoy the lives they are living. What does it take to build a life that feels aligned, sustainable, and deeply fulfilling? One where health comes through daily habits, wealth comes through intentional choices, and connection is shaped by boundaries and meaningful relationships? How can editing our lives, rather than simply adding more, bring us closer to real happiness? As part of this series, I had the pleasure of interviewing Susan Hartzler.

Susan Hartzler is an award-winning writer, author, and advocate for the human–animal bond who has built a career — and a life — centered on the healing power of dogs. The author of I’m Not Single, I Have a Dog and The Peace Puppy, and the creator of the popular Substack BlissDog, she shares intimate, practical stories of the dogs who have shaped her world. Her third book, Teaming Up With Therapy Dogs (McFarland Publishing), is scheduled for release in early 2026.

Thank you so much for joining us. Before we dive in, can you tell our readers a bit about your background and what you are doing today?

After a long career in public relations, I realized I didn’t just want to fit dogs into my life — I wanted to build my life around them. So I redesigned everything to align with what matters most: purpose, freedom, and the human–animal bond. Today, I write full-time alongside my Australian Shepherds, Seven and Paige Turner, sharing stories, insights, and lessons about how dogs teach us to live fully and love unconditionally.

Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?

At first, I juggled PR and writing simultaneously, tapping away at the keyboard until the wee hours of the night. The one rule I had — keep them separate. Early in my writing career, I was on a client call for my PR business when my dogs started barking in the background. I apologized and muted myself — but then I realized something bigger was happening. Their interruption was actually a message: I didn’t want to keep quiet about the part of my life that brought me the most joy. That moment taught me to listen to my intuition (and my dogs). Sometimes the very “distractions” we try to silence are guiding us toward our true path.

What was the first moment you realized you didn’t want to keep living for “vacations” or “escapes,” but instead wanted to create a life that felt good every day?

The moment hit at my rescue dog Baldwin’s first day of daycare. I handed the little scruffy curly-haired mop of a dog over, walked back to my car, and burst into tears. It was clear: I didn’t want a life that required leaving him behind; I wanted one we could both live in every day. From then on, I redesigned my work around what I love — and that decision became my compass.

Many people think building a fulfilling life requires adding more: more money, more experiences, more achievements. What have you intentionally removed that made your life richer?

I removed the idea that “more” equals better. No more press trips, no more business suits, and no more overworking to impress others. I let go of people-pleasing and built my days around simple routines — walks, writing, and being with my dogs. Experiencing dog love 24/7, and writing about our experiences together, made my life far richer than any paycheck or title ever could.

What daily habits or rituals anchor your sense of peace and alignment?

My peace comes from routine — the kind my dogs taught me. I wake up naturally each morning to a smiling dog beside me, no alarm needed. We walk, we eat, we rest. I feed them breakfast before my own, take quiet morning walks, and go to bed at the same time every night. Their rhythm keeps me grounded and reminds me what balance truly feels like.

How do you define success for yourself in a way that feels sustainable and not borrowed from someone else’s expectations?

I define success by how peaceful my days feel, not by how impressive they look. If I can write, walk my dogs, and end the day feeling grateful instead of drained, that’s success. It’s not about applause or achievement anymore — it’s about alignment, authenticity, and the joy of living the life I built on my own terms.

Boundaries often shape whether life feels draining or energizing. Can you share a boundary you put in place that changed your relationships or well-being?

My clearest boundary is simple: if my dogs can’t come, don’t expect me there. It’s not about being difficult — it’s about honoring what matters most to me. Saying no to places and people who don’t align with that has brought me peace, authenticity, and relationships that truly accept who I am.

Has your view of “wealth” evolved as you’ve built a life that feels worth living? In what way?

My view of wealth has completely changed. I define it through the health and happiness of my dogs, the therapy visits we make together, and the lives we touch along the way. As long as I have enough to feed them, care for them, and keep sharing their love with others, I already feel rich.

Looking back, what trade-offs did you have to make? Do you think they were worthwhile?

I traded glamour for grounding — and it was absolutely worth it. I no longer take strangers on press trips, need a fancy wardrobe, or attend Hollywood events. My days are simple now, built around writing when I’m inspired and spending time with my dogs. They’re my muses, my joy, and the reason I wouldn’t trade this life for anything.

What are the five biggest lessons you’ve learned on this journey, and how did you learn them? Please share a specific experience or challenge that shaped each lesson

1. Routine creates freedom. I used to think creativity required spontaneity, but I’ve learned the opposite is true. Maintaining a daily rhythm — such as morning walks, feeding the dogs, and taking them to the beach or the park daily — free my mind to create. The predictability calms my nervous system, leaving space for inspiration to flow.

2. Time with my dogs is never wasted. In my PR days, I used to feel guilty stepping away from work to go for a walk. Now I know those moments recharge me emotionally and often spark my best writing ideas. My dogs aren’t a distraction — they’re my teachers.

3. I don’t need to please others to feel proud of my work. For years, I chased approval — clients, editors, colleagues. But writing my memoirs taught me that authenticity matters more than applause. When I write from my heart, especially about dogs, readers connected deeply. That validation came from truth, not performance.

4. I can do anything I put my mind to — as long as my dogs are by my side. Training my dogs for therapy work reminded me what patience and partnership look like. Whether visiting special needs children or filming a commercial (my dogs are also professional actors and models), their steady presence gives me courage. Together, we’ve faced challenges big and small, and I’ve learned confidence through connection.

5. Less “doing,” more being. When I stopped measuring success by busyness, everything changed. I traded deadlines for dog walks, press trips for purpose, and a full calendar for a full heart. The quieter my life became, the richer it felt.

If someone is reading this and feels like they are living a life they constantly want to escape, what’s one small but concrete step they can take today to begin changing that?

Start by noticing what truly makes you feel calm and alive — and do a little more of that today. For me, it began with a simple walk with my dog, no phone, no plan, just breathing. When you create even one small pocket of peace in your day, you start building a life you don’t need to escape from.

You are a person of great influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. :-)

I’d start a movement called “Paws for Connection.” It would encourage people to slow down, spend mindful time with animals, and learn from their natural ability to be present, loving, and nonjudgmental. Dogs remind us how to listen, care, and connect without words. If more people lived with that kind of heart-led awareness, the world would be a much kinder place.

How can our readers further follow your work online?

https://susanhartzler.com/

https://blissdog.substack.com/

This was very inspiring. Thank you so much for joining us!

About The Interviewer: Dr. Bharat Sangani is a cardiologist and entrepreneur with over 35 years of experience, practicing in Gulfport, Mississippi, and Dallas, Texas. Board-certified in Internal Medicine and Cardiology, he specializes in diagnosing, treating, and preventing cardiovascular diseases, including heart disease and hypertension. In 1999, Dr. Sangani founded Encore Enterprises, a national real estate investment firm. Under his leadership, the company has executed transactions exceeding $2 billion, with a portfolio spanning residential, retail, hotel, and office developments. Known for his emphasis on integrity and fairness, Dr. Sangani has built Encore into a major player in the commercial real estate sector. Blending his medical and business expertise, Dr. Sangani created the Life is a Business mentorship program. The initiative offers guidance on achieving balance in health, wealth, and relationships, helping participants align personal and professional goals. Now based in Dallas, Texas, Dr. Sangani continues to practice cardiology while leading Encore Enterprises and mentoring others. His career reflects a unique blend of medical expertise, entrepreneurial spirit, and dedication to helping others thrive.