Cristina Saralegui and her beloved dashunds

Weekday afternoons across the world she comes into your home through the magic of television. Her name is Cristina Saralegui and she is host of "The Cristina Show", Spanish television's highest rated talk show with an international audience of 100 million viewers.

For the past nine years, "The Cristina Show" has served as a vehicle discussing all of the most popular and important subjects of the day, reaching 90% of Hispanic households across the nation. Cristina was born in Cuba, to a wealthy family who was long respected in the field of journalism. Cristina migrated to Miami in 1960, at the age of 12. As a young woman, she majored in mass communications and creative writing at the University of Miami.

In 1979 she was hired as editor in chief of Cosmopolitan en Español, she stayed on for 10 years making it one of the most successful Spanish language publications. She was invited to host her own show on Univision, the nation's leading Spanish language TV network.

This year Cristina turned 50, and she is at the peak of her adult life and career. Almost ten years later "El Show De Cristina" is among the most popular in the international community. Now the Cristina Saralegui empire includes, Cristina La Revista, a monthly magazine published by Cristina, as well as "Cristina Opinas" (Cristina's Opinion) a daily radio show hosted by Cristina and aired throughout 90 countries. Cristina lives on Miami Beach with her husband Marcos Avila, and their three children, as well as several pets.

KT: How many pets do you have and what kind?
CS: I have four miniature Dachshunds, or Sausage dogs as we call them in Spanish. Their names are Choco (Short for Chocolate), Winnie, Bubba, and Gorda (in Spanish that means "Fat one"). My husband also has a pet rabbit. Her name is Lucky. She is albino - all white with red eyes.

Cristina

KT: As a child in Cuba did you have many pets?
CS: Yes. My family always had dogs. We have had boxers, Scottish terriers; there was always a dog in the family.

KT: Have you done any shows about animals?
CS: Yes, we have produced shows about animals. Ron Magil from the Miami Metrozoo has brought an array of animals. We have had parrots, snakes, rabbits - anything we could fit into the studio. It is always a lot of fun.

KT: In your opinion, what should we do to eradicate animal abuse?
CS: This is a difficult question to answer because abuse is such a terrible thing to happen to anyone. I think we should punish or fine those who mistreat or neglect their pets. Owning pets entails responsibilities.

KT: Do you spoil your pets?
CS: Of course, they practically run my household. Dachshunds are very stubborn but at the same time, very lovable dogs.

KT: What is your favorite type of animal?
CS: My husband! No, just kidding. He is my next favorite after the dogs.

KT: How do you feel we should attempt to control the pet overpopulation problem?
CS: I think we should be serious about breeding our animals. There should be a responsible attitude towards the ownership and breeding of our pets. We cannot just assume that there will be enough loving people able and willing to care for these offspring. I think that, like anything else in life, an irresponsible attitude breeds ill-fated results.

Cristina & son Marcos with "Lucky" the rabbit

KT: Do you like the use of animals in therapy and police work?
CS: I think this is another way in which animals are helpful to us humans. I think that they lend an incredible amount of assistance to humankind. Anytime I see a blind person being assisted by a dog, it just gives me such a good feeling.

KT: You are one of the most influential and powerful Hispanic women. How does that make you feel?
CS: It makes me feel great because I have worked very hard to reach this level of professionalism, and to get there I had to break many barriers being a Latin woman.

KT: Who is Cristina?
CS: I'm someone who has been very fortunate to love what I do for a living, and who has, in the process, managed to help and influence people to lead better lives.

KT: Which animal would you be and why?
CS: I wouldn't mind being like one of my dogs. We are very much alike - loving, caring, and a little rebellious.

KT: What is the largest misconception about you?
CS: I have had people tell me that they were afraid of me because I come across as a very strong person on my show. After meeting me in person, they realize I am just a pussycat.

KT: Do you have a message to convey to fellow pet-lovers around the world?
CS: Think twice before you decide to have a pet, because once you have made the decision to have one, you should be ready to love it and care for it as another family member.

KT: Are you ready to get another pet?
CS: No, not at this moment. We have four dogs, one rabbit, and a huge fish tank. My husband tells me he wants a parrot, but I think we will wait before we get one. We are way too busy at the moment.

KT: What kind of roles have animals played in your life?
CS: Animals have a calming effect on me. Every night when I get home late after the tapings, I sit on my kitchen floor and play with them. This is like a therapy session: I forget my troubles and feel my stress level lowering. It's just great having pets.

KT: Your show is very successful. Do you have any plans of returning to do something on English-language TV?
CS: I keep getting offers to return to English language television, but up to now nothing merits leaving my show to go do these projects. I am very happy where I am and very proud to be part of the Univision TV network, and the tremendous growth it had enjoyed over the past five years.

-Kareem Tabsch is a freelance writer who specializes in celebrity interviews. He has interviewed celebrities such as Elizabeth Taylor, Bob Hope, Joan Rivers, Julio Iglesias, Barbara Mandrell and others. He writes frequently on animal related issues as well as on the entertainment industry.