Rudy, Our Inspiration & Chief Dog Officer (CDO)

If you’ve ever wondered who really runs things around here, let us introduce you to Rudy — our golden retriever, best friend, and official Chief Dog Officer (CDO). Sure, we humans might manage the website, create the content and pack up your orders, but Rudy is the heart and soul of everything we do.

Rudy isn’t just our mascot — he’s our daily reminder of why we started this journey in the first place. From the moment he bounds into the room with his tail wagging at full speed, he makes it clear: dogs don’t just fill our homes, they shape our lives.

Over the years, Rudy (and the many dogs who came before him) have been our teachers. They’ve taught us patience, joy, and the importance of choosing the right chew toy before your favorite shoes fall victim!

Every product we (will eventually!) stock and every tip we share comes from this lived experience — the wins, the fails, and the “why is there peanut butter on the ceiling?” moments that only dog owners truly understand.

Rudys Story

Rudy came into our lives three and a half years as a golden bundle of energy and floof. Since then, he’s grown into the perfect mix of gentle soul and mischief-maker. He greets every delivery box like it’s Christmas morning, knows exactly where the treat cupboard is, and has a knack for hiding socks in spots only he knows about.

Like most goldens, Rudy is loyal, goofy, floofy, and endlessly curious. His favourite pastime? Testing out every new toy and treat that arrives before we share it with you — though we’re still trying to convince him that he doesn't need them all, all at once.

It’s not always fun and games though, and he has a way of getting himself into trouble more often than not. In the short time he’s been in our lives, he’s raised our stress levels by:

  • Eating a bee whilst simultaneously being stung by it
  • Losing the last few millimetres of his tail by getting it trapped in a door
  • Walking headfirst into a dumpster on the street because he got distracted
  • Swimming for over a mile downstream of our local river to chase after ducks
  • Walking straight through a wasp’s nest
  • Being stuck in a house with a fire alarm going off for over an hour

  • From Tiny Paws...

  • To Big Responsibilities..

Our Experience With Dogs

Rudy may be the star of the show today, but he’s not our first teacher. Over the years, we’ve shared our home with several wonderful dogs, from Retrievers to Collies, and Dachshunds to Leonbergers — each with their own set of quirks, challenges, and lessons to pass along. From training
stubborn puppies to caring for seniors, we’ve lived through (and learned from)
every stage of a dog’s life.

"Every tip we share has been tested and approved (with a wag), by Rudy"

Those years of hands-on experience are what guide us when we recommend products, write guides, or share training tips. We know what it’s like to struggle with leash pulling, hunt for the right food, or find toys that last longer than five minutes. If we suggest something, it’s because we’ve been there ourselves.

How Rudy Inspires Our Store

Rudy reminds us daily of the simple truth behind our store:
dogs deserve the very best. Whether we’re selecting a durable toy, sourcing
healthy treats, or writing about enrichment ideas, we always ask: Would Rudy
approve?

He’s our in-house quality tester and the reason we set our
standards high. If a product doesn’t meet the “Rudy test” (read: wagging tail,
hours of fun, and zero vet visits), it doesn’t make the cut.

Tips Straight From the Chief Dog Officer

Rudy has taught us more than we ever expected. Here are a few gems we thought we’d pass along:

Rotate toys to keep things exciting: Rudy gets bored if the same toy is out all week, but bring it back after a short break and it’s like brand new again.

Enrichment beats endless fetch: Snuffle mats and puzzle feeders keep Rudy happy and calm on rainy days when walks are shorter.

Patience (and peanut butter) solves most problems: Whether it’s bath time or nail clipping, a little peanut butter goes a long way in turning stress
into success.

Rudys Favourites

Favorite Treat: Carrots (and also peanut butter, and chicken, and anything else he can get his paws on)

Favorite Toy: Squeaky tennis ball — preferably the one that used to belong to the humans

Favorite Nap Spot: Stretching out and relaxing on the sofa

Favorite Adventure: Long walks with access to water where he can channel his inner otter

Favorite Job Perk: Testing new toys before anyone else gets their paws on them

Closing With Personality

So yes, Rudy may nap on the job (a lot), but he’s the reason behind every choice we make as a brand. He keeps us grounded in what really matters: caring for dogs with love, patience, and plenty of belly rubs.

Follow Rudy’s adventures with us on our social channels or sign up for our email updates, and stay tuned for more Rudy-approved tips, tricks, and favourite finds. Because around here, the Chief Dog Officer always has the final say. 🐾