Why Dug Pog? Why a dog brand?

Because I was involved in an accident in May 2018 that changed the trajectory of my life forever.

At the time, I had just graduated with a first class honours degree in Fashion. I was in the process of starting my own swimwear brand and, for the first time, life felt full of possibility. Everything I had worked towards finally felt within reach.

Then my accident happened.

The reality of becoming disabled and living with chronic pain meant I could no longer sew and with that, the dream I had built my life around was taken away from me.

Seven and a half years on, I have been in and out of hospital, undergone nine major surgeries, battled PTSD, and been diagnosed with the most painful condition known to man. Somehow, in the midst of all of this, I found the strength to try again, retraining as a textiles teacher and rebuilding a career I was proud of.

But after five years of teaching, each surgery became less effective. The pain became unmanageable, and I was forced to leave yet another career I had worked tirelessly to build.

As someone who has always been deeply career driven, my mental health declined rapidly. I felt like every attempt to improve my life was taken away from me. I lost joy. I withdrew from people. I carried anger and grief for the years that were lost to someone else’s mistake.

Eventually, I had to face the reality that my condition is chronic and that one day, it may take my mobility away from me.

When life felt unbearably heavy, I realised something important. The smallest moments carried the most weight. Those moments were my two dogs, Nevison and Barnabus.

Nev and Barney became my security. On the days I didn’t want to get out of bed, I had to, because of them. They made me smile through tears and gave me a reason to keep going when the world felt completely against me. They didn’t fix anything, but they saved me.

Knowing my life will always fluctuate, I asked myself a simple question: if my dogs have always been the answer, then why not build something because of them?

Dug Pog was born because of Nev and Barney, and because I know I’m not the only person whose dog has carried them through their darkest days.

Every product is designed for real life walks, moments where holding a lead brings comfort, and routines that help rebuild a sense of control and confidence, but also for moments of celebration and joy.

Dug Pog isn’t just a brand.
It’s a community built on resilience, honesty, and the unbreakable bond between dogs and humans.
A place for dogs, and the people they save.

This is for Nev and Barney.
For the dogs who save us.
And for the people who keep going because of them.