We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Riley & Nubsthepups Steinger a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Riley & Nubsthepups thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

The most meaningful project we’ve worked on has to be our fundraising events for local rescue dogs. Each event has its own story and heartwarming impact, but if I had to choose one, it would be our second Annual Costumes for a cause this past October.

It all started when I adopted Nubs, my three-legged hero, who came into my life and changed everything. He showed me the resilience, love, and joy rescue dogs bring, even when they’ve faced hardships. Inspired by him, I wanted to create a platform where we could not only celebrate dogs but also give back to the rescues that save lives every day.

Our first Costumes For A Cause came together in 2023 as a passion project to combine my love for dogs, community, and making a difference. We set up raffles, costume contests, and brought together vendors, dog parents, and their pups—all to raise funds for local rescues. The turnout exceeded all expectations, with over 165 dogs and humans showing up to support the cause. Seeing the community rally around rescue dogs, hearing stories of adoption sparked by the event, and knowing we were making a tangible impact made it unforgettable.

Since then, we’ve hosted events like Cinco de Doggo, Valentine Paws for A Cause and soon, our Pawliday Party Fundraiser this Christmas season! Each event reminds me why this work is so meaningful: it’s about building a community, helping rescues, and showing dog parents that we can all make a difference together.

The connection with our supporters, like you, makes it all possible. Nubs and I are so grateful for this journey and can’t wait to continue creating paw-sitive change!

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I’m Riley the dog Mom Behind @nubsthepups, Nubs is my three-legged sidekick. Together, we run **@Nubsthepups**, a platform that started as a way to share Nubs’ incredible story and has grown into a hub for dog parents, especially those with rescue or special-needs pups, to find inspiration, community, and joy. Nubs was titled best influencer in Fort Lauderdale in 2023 and now 2024.

Nubs came into my life born with three legs but his resilience and zest for life inspired me to shine a light on rescue dogs and celebrate their strength. That’s how I got into this journey of combining content creation, event hosting, and advocacy.

What sets us apart is our mission to make rescue dogs the stars of the story. We focus on creating relatable, uplifting, and educational content that empowers dog moms, especially those with rescue or three-legged dogs, to embrace the adventure of pet parenthood.

The thing I’m most proud of is the community we’ve built. Whether it’s raising funds for rescues at our HUGE events or to seeing rescue dogs find forever homes because of our events, or receiving messages from other dog moms who feel seen and supported, it’s those connections that drive everything we do.

At the heart of it all, I want people to know that **rescue dogs deserve the spotlight**. Every pawprint Nubs leaves behind is a reminder that even dogs with challenges have endless love to give—and we’re here to celebrate that.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

Absolutely! Our goal at **@Nubsthepups** is simple but deeply meaningful: to celebrate rescue dogs, especially those with special needs, and show the world just how incredible they are.

Nubs’ journey as a three-legged rescue has taught me so much about resilience, unconditional love, and the joy that comes from giving second chances. That’s why our mission is to:
1. **Advocate for Rescue Dogs** – We want to inspire others to adopt, foster, or support rescue organizations, and show that dogs with “imperfections” are just as perfect as any other.
2. **Build Community** – Through fundraisers, events, and social media, we bring together like-minded dog parents who share a passion for their pups and giving back.
3. **Empower Dog Moms** – Whether it’s sharing tips on traveling with dogs, finding the best products, or navigating life with a special-needs pup, we’re here to make dog parenthood fun, rewarding, and a little easier.

Every piece of content we create, every event we host, and every project we take on is driven by this mission. It’s about making a difference for dogs like Nubs and helping dog parents everywhere feel inspired and supported.

At the end of the day, our goal is to leave the world a little kinder, one pawprint at a time. 🐾

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Of course! One story that truly stands out is the moment I decided to rescue Nubs and how it completely changed my life.

When I first met Nubs, he was a little boy at 11 weeks with three legs. At the moment our eyes met, I knew he was meant to be part of my family. What I didn’t realize was just how much he would teach me about resilience and finding joy in the face of adversity.

Bringing Nubs home wasn’t without challenges. He had to adapt to life as a three-legged dog, and I had to learn how to care for him in ways I hadn’t before. There were moments of doubt and worry—like seeing him stumble while learning to walk or navigating people’s pity instead of seeing how amazing he was. But Nubs never let any of it hold him back.

Watching him thrive with pure joy, learning to run and play like nothing could stop him, inspired me to approach life differently. That resilience pushed me to create a platform to celebrate dogs like him and advocate for rescues that need a little extra love.

Fast forward to today: Nubs is not just thriving—he’s the heart of a growing community of dog lovers and rescue advocates. Together, we’ve hosted fundraisers, helped other dogs find forever homes, and inspired so many people to see the beauty in second chances.

Nubs’ resilience reminded me that even when life throws challenges your way, you can still find strength, purpose, and joy. And now, every project we take on is a reflection of that spirit—showing the world that with love and determination, anything is possible. 🐾❤️

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @nubsthepups

Image Credits

2 Professional Phots of just Nubs: TailsandPawsphotography