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Today, Breanni is probably most well known as the Pet Supplies NPC vendor in Dalaran. This was Blizzard's in-game tribute to honor the creation of this site.
Breanni is one of my own characters that became the virtual host of WarcraftPets.
So who am I?
The "Real" Breanni
I'm Brian Brolin.
In the real world, I'm a web designer, graphic artist, writer and entrepreneur. My specialty is web design for small business (as well as Internet marketing) and particularly NJ web design.
These days, I no longer have much time to play World of Warcraft. But a few years back, I played quite a bit — probably too much! In fact, with so much game time under my belt, I've managed to play one of every class/race to level 82. And as you've no doubt gathered, I've always been an avid collector of companion pets.
Q&A with the Site Creator
Why did you create WarcraftPets?
Early on when I began playing WoW, I hunted for a vanity pet guide without any luck. That prompted me to do a little research and create my own. I figured since I was already preparing a guide, I ought to share it with the Warcraft community to help others. So I posted it on the official Warcraft forums and my popular" Guide to Vanity Pets" was born. Since pet collector's were so pleased with the guide, I decided to take it to the next level and create the definitive website for companion collectors.
Have you received any honors or awards?
Brian, WarcraftPets founder
As noted above, my greatest honor came in the form of a Breanni NPC [news] selling <Pet Supplies> at the Dalaran pet shop.
Additionally, I was featured in a 2-page spread of the first issue of World of Warcraft's official magazine. I've also been interviewed by WoW Insider, the leading Warcraft blog site. Check out the interview for my take on certain vanity pets and other tidbits.
Lastly, an NPC Siamese cat was added to a room in Stormwind's inn. It's name is Fuzz. Several people suggested it might have been named for my own real-life cat (see below). Fuzz was later moved to Breanni's pet store in Dalaran, confirming that it was indeed Blizzard's first nod to my work on WarcraftPets.
How long did it take to create WarcraftPets?
It took nearly three months of programming during my off-hours to complete. When it launched in April 2007, it was essentially just a database site. There was no community and no way for people to track their collections. Those things came a several months later.
I continue to tweak and expand the site. Feel free to support WarcraftPets if you'd like to show your appreciation.
Why the fascination with vanity pets?
As soon as I discovered companion pets in WoW, I always wanted to collect the little guys. I thought to myself, "How cool would it be to have a cat or a dragon whelp following my character?"
What was your first companion?
Getting my first pet was a challenge, even though it was quite common. I took a young, level 12 Breanni in search of Donni Anthania. I only knew that she was somewhere in Elwynn Forest (and I actually thought it was a "he"). I searched in utter frustration for over an hour. Having access to this site back then would've saved me a lot of trouble! When I finally found her, I blew almost all the coin I had on my very first pet: a Silver Tabby.
How many small pets do you have now?
After several years of collecting, I have 164 of 206 small pets that I'm collecting. My most prized pet is probably Murky due to his rarity.
Fuzz
Do you have any pets in real life?
You bet. My wife and I have four. We have a Himalayan cat, affectionately known as "The Fuzz" (although her given name is 'Jezebel'). After my mother's passing in 2008, we adopted Kirby, her loving Rat Terrier. In 2009 we adopted another cat, Mirabelle (a.k.a. Moo-Moo because she has the girth of a cow). Our newest family member is Quigley, a kitten who we adopted at only two months old. He's still growing and he's one of the most affectionate cats I have ever known.
The site rocks! Do you do accept donations?
You bet! What started as a hobby has really taken on a life of its own. I continue to spend my free time tending to WarcraftPets and making sure it remains the best resource out there for companion pet enthusiasts. As such, donations are a wonderful way to show your appreciation and help support the site.
Special Thanks
Meg, my wife - Thank you for supporting me throughout my progress and success with this site. You truly are one of a kind. I you, forever and always.
Andrew Nebus - Over the years, you've been a great friend and mentor. Thanks for all of your insightful guidance.
Site Admins - You guys do an INCREDIBLE job! I can't thank you enough for everything you do to keep this site (and community) running smoothly.
Site MVPs - A great big thanks to all of WarcraftPets' MVPs, who have gone above and beyond to help support the site in many different ways. You guys are awesome!
Blizzard Entertainment - A final thanks to all you talented people working at Blizzard. I've been playing your awe-inspiring games for over more than 15 years. Thanks for creating a home away from home within the World of Warcraft.
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Danomie