Meet Skylie Ryce, Social Media’s Sweetest New Star

All paws are on deck when it comes to taking pictures with this Instagram superstar. Come along with her for a day on the town.

Photo by Sue Barr
7:30 AM: It's wake-up time and I know what you're thinking. "Skylie, what are you doing taking pictures this early?" I'm glad you asked!
I struck a deal with Mom: If I pose for her, she'll take me out and about in downtown Morristown.
Score!
10 AM: My fashion is on point for a day in town.
The Bubba Rose Biscuit Co. is like a choose-your-own-adventure...so I chose a big bowl of treats!
Oh, and FYI, Mom even let me try a specialty cupcake since I was so well-behaved. Can you say YUM in my TUM?!
Noon: Mom and I spent the afternoon running TONS of errands. All of them (of course) revolved around me. She picked up some flowers at Elliott's Flowers for my photo shoot...
...then whisked me off to my best friend Fred the Dood's house for some much needed hang time.
2:30 PM: Fred and I had a fantastic play-date. We wrestled. We fetched. We had a ball. Literally...we had a ball! Both of us had a ball. Afterwards, Mom was probably thinking we'd go home, but I informed her that I was ready for more treats. Wait. When am I NOT ready for more treats?
5 PM: This was my face when Mom was taking forever to post Instagrams outside The South Street Creamery and Café.
I took one look at her and said, "Woman, why must we always post pictures BEFORE devouring our sundae?" Life is short. Eat dessert first!
8 PM: 8 pm Today was exhausting with all of the posing and playing. Listen, I love what I do, but even social media pet influencers get tired. I'll totally be dreaming tonight about that delish black-raspberry sundae with marshmallows and rainbow sprinkles! Zzzzzz...Photo by Sue Barr

Photos by Sue Barr

Skylie Ryce was barely two months old when she first posted on Instagram. Three and a half years later, Skylie, a minature Australian Labradoodle, has more than 35,000 Instagram followers—and a like number on Facebook.

Skylie’s eternally optimistic social-media posts flow from the fingers of her “mom,” Harding Township resident Lauren Huston, a digital consultant who has made Skylie into a cottage industry.

“Skylie is a funnel to my business, and my business is a funnel for Skylie’s work,” says Huston. That means branding deals and sponsored posts—proof of Skylie’s social stardom.

It took Huston about a year to find Skylie’s voice. “I had to stop fighting her free spirit,” says Huston. “It was when I decided to let her go that I was able to appreciate it.”

Up next: a book reflecting Skylie’s rosy outlook. “She always has a great day,” says Huston. “Even when she’s acting like a lunatic, those are great days for her.”

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  1. Julia Vickers

    You are just adorable. I do enjoy your adventures every day. You make my day. Can’t wait for your book. Hope autograph or should I say pawtogragh party.