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Former NY Lawyer Finds Homes for Stray Puerto Rico Pups

By William Vogeler, Esq. on March 28, 2018 | Last updated on March 21, 2019

Tania Isenstein had reached the dog days of her career, and she was dog-tired of it.

So the veteran lawyer left the dog-eat-dog world to search for that elusive day that every dog is supposed to have. "Dog gone it," she said to herself. "I'm going to make a run for it."

She took over a doggy day care business, and found her true collie, er, calling. Seriously, Isenstein is all about dogs these days -- about 200,000 of them.

Dog-Eat-Dog

Isenstein's story, well-documented in New York City, is similar to the stories of many attorneys who tire of the law business. But her passion for dogs is exceptional.

She left Wall Street to run Camp Canine on the Upper West Side, and found joy in her job. Her business cares for about 100 dogs a day, grooming, walking, rescuing and otherwise caring for the animals.

Her family and friends said she was letting her law career go to the ... Let's just say they thought she was nuts. But she didn't care because she was happy.

"The one thing that really makes me happy on a consistent basis is dogs," Isenstein said. "I'm that crazy lady on the street who goes up to people's dogs and I talk to the dogs rather than the humans."

Top Dog Rescue for Puerto Rico Pups

Her dedication has paid off. Her canine coiffure business has been ranked as one of of the best in New York City.

But Isenstein is not really in it for the fame or the money. She just really loves dogs, and has  been named "New Yorker of the Week" for her efforts to rescue them.

Camp Canine fosters dogs rescued from Puerto Rico, where about 200,000 strays roam the streets. She has helped save hundreds of them.

"I'm very lucky that I did find my passion," she said. "It took 20 years, but I'm happy that I have it now and now I get what it is and I can do it and that's tremendous."

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