The Story Behind Câliner

My name is Marité Ibanez, and I am the founder of Câliner.

Câliner is much more than a brand to me. It is not simply a collection of grooming products. It is a dream created with love, dedication, patience, and years of memories shared with the animals who have shaped my life.

This dream began when I was a little girl. I grew up in Peru surrounded by dogs, cats, chickens, guinea pigs, and many other animals. My childhood was not always easy, but animals gave me something very special: companionship, comfort, and unconditional love. When I felt alone or needed affection, they were always there. They never judged me. They simply stayed by my side and made me feel loved.

One of my first and most unforgettable companions was Chabelo, my best friend. He had long black-and-white hair and weighed probably no more than 20 pounds, but the space he occupied in my heart was enormous. He stayed with me for almost 20 years. He was there through so many stages of my life, offering the kind of quiet and loyal love that only an animal can give.

Later, Aischa, my beautiful Chow Chow, became part of my family. She traveled with me from Peru to the United States and shared one of the most important transitions of my life. She was not just my dog; she was like a daughter to me.

When Aischa passed away in 2019, I was devastated. Anyone who has loved an animal deeply understands that it is not simply “losing a pet.” We lose a member of our family, a daily companion, and a part of our lives that can never truly be replaced.

Although life led me down different professional paths, the desire to create something meaningful for animals never left my heart. I always believed that one day I would find a way to honor the love they had given me.

Then, in 2023, Gucci, my Cavapoo, came into my life.

From the first day I met him, there was something incredibly special about him. His long hair, his personality, and the way he looked at me reminded me of the animals I had loved and lost. Sometimes, I felt as though he carried a little piece of Chabelo and Aischa within him.

Gucci awakened that childhood dream again and gave me the reason to finally pursue it.

During a vacation in France, I discovered cosmetics made with monoï. I fell in love with the delicate fragrance and the feeling of warmth and beauty it created. I remember thinking, Why couldn’t something this special be created for dogs?

The idea stayed with me.

Later, while we were in Belgium, Gucci’s hair had become dirty and tangled, and he urgently needed a bath. My sister told me about a nearby place where I could take him. While we were there, we discovered a dog perfume made with monoï.

They sprayed it onto Gucci’s coat.

Gucci and I looked at each other, and in that small moment, something clicked inside me. I looked at him and said:

“We are going to create something with this.”

That moment became the beginning of Câliner.

I started researching monoï, learning about ingredients, and imagining the kind of products I wanted to create. Eventually, I found a laboratory in Belgium that believed in my idea and was interested in developing the project with me.

The journey was far more difficult than I had expected. We spent more than two years searching for and perfecting the formulas. I wanted the products to be effective, gentle, beautiful, and worthy of the animals we love as family.

After that, I waited more than six additional months for the first production to arrive.

There were delays, sacrifices, uncertainty, and moments when I wondered whether this dream would ever become real. But I kept going.

When I finally held the first Câliner products in my hands, I felt overwhelmed with emotion. I did not see only bottles of shampoo, conditioner, perfume, or detangling spray.

I saw my childhood dream.

I saw Chabelo.

I saw Aischa.

I saw Gucci.

And I saw every difficult step that had brought me to that moment.

That is why Câliner is not simply a grooming brand.

It is my way of honoring the animals who taught me what unconditional love feels like. It is a celebration of the special bond we share with them and a reminder that they deserve to be treated with tenderness, care, and respect.

Every Câliner product carries a part of my story. It was created with patience, intention, and, above all, love—for Gucci, for Chabelo, for Aischa, for the animals who came before them, and for all the dogs who make our lives happier simply by being beside us.

Câliner was born from love, inspired by memories, and created for the animals who love us unconditionally.

With love,
Marité Ibanez
Founder of Câliner

Gucci Ibanez