About The Founder

"I realized that ordinary things can become extraordinary... When the light hits them a certain way. I think life is like that. We are the light that shines on dark things and makes them beautiful."

I want LOVEDOG to be a light — and I am building that dream with the money I make from being a full time photographer. I love photography, but I needed something more, something to feed my soul and to say thank you for the life I have been able to make for myself.

I spent my first ten years with an extraordinarily abusive mother and was taken away from her off and on until the age of ten, when they took me away from her for good and put me into foster care. 22 foster homes to be exact.

The foster care system is not the best place for a child who is already suffering from trauma to recover and find peace. Until I was placed temporarily in a group home and met a dog named Niki. I loved her so much, and she brought me so much happiness. I looked forward to every next day, to see her. I spent most of my time playing and snuggling with her, rarely wanting to be around people.

My best memories — the ones that make me feel grounded and whole — are because of the dogs and animals that were in and out of my life at that critical time. I'm most able to express my love for finding beauty in the ordinary things through my photography. LOVEDOG was created from that spirit.

I thought, what if I could build something beautiful, that makes people happy and is a testament to love every time a dog wears it... A beautiful tribute to awareness and to the love and community that makes us as human beings, our best selves.

Every time I walk into my LOVEDOG office, I feel joy. And at every pop-up or event, talking to all of you and meeting your dogs makes me happy in my soul. We are all in this together, we are all doing the best we can every day.

That statement is especially true of the women in rescue. They sacrifice their mental health, safety, time with their families. The heartache that they subject themselves to is soul crushing. I unabashedly admire them and I feel extraordinarily grateful for their strength and unwavering commitment.

I hope you will join me in my desire to support them. They need help and LOVEDOG wants to help shine a light onto them.

The dogs who are lucky enough to lay their heads down at night and feel safe and loved can help the dogs who are still out there who need these heroes. They find them in their dark places and bring them into the light so we can give them the love and safety that they deserve.

Forever the optimist — I believe that we can actually change the world if we keep looking for that light.

Laurie ❤️