You might be surprised to hear that I haven’t always considered myself an artist.
Growing up, I doodled a lot. But it was just that. Doodles. Artist, drawer, creator were never things people labeled me as or careers I seriously considered pursuing.
In college, I started drawing more, using it as a study aid to help remember what I was learning in anatomy and physiology. But when I was made fun of for my doodles at the gym (don’t be that person), I stopped drawing almost completely. It embarrassed me in a way that I didn’t expect, so I stopped doodling. For years.
Once the pandemic hit, I had a lot more time, so I started drawing more consistently.
I started drawing my dogs because I was struggling to find designs that truly represented my dogs. For my pit mixes, I could find "pit bull" items, but nothing felt like them. So I turned my dogs into custom stickers, and I could finally celebrate them in a way that felt genuine. Little did I know at the time that those stickers would eventually lead me to start Pet Obsessed People and create custom pet portraits and patterns, helping other pet owners celebrate their dogs in a way that is as unique as each dog.
(the sticker that started it all)
Shortly after I created my first stickers for my dogs, I faced the heartbreaking loss of Vanity, my first rescue. When she passed away, I wanted to honor her memory meaningfully. I sold the stickers I had created of her as a fundraiser for The Sato Project (the rescue that helped me bring her home from Puerto Rico), raising $150 to support rescue efforts. This process opened my eyes to the impact of my art; it wasn't just something personal to me. It resonated with others, too.
So I started creating my own patterns because I kept seeing the same types of products everywhere. You know the ones: mass-produced patterns and things that felt like you’d seen them a hundred times at craft stores. Or worse—those designs where you just dropped a photo of your dog onto something and it looked kind of cheap, like a novelty or gag gift.
As I started making them for other people, pet people, I began calling them pet patterns. Patterns designed around pets and the things their owners love.
What started as a quest for a sticker that looked like my dog has turned into a mission to create custom designs that reflect each pet’s unique personality and story. My “pet patterns” are seamless, personalized creations tailored to you and your pet. Each design celebrates your bond, making it perfect for themed parties or everyday items like blankets and mugs, and it can grow with you and your pet as you grow.
At Pet Obsessed People, I believe your pet deserves to be celebrated with a custom pattern or portrait as unique as your bond. From personalized designs to merchandise featuring your beloved pet, everything can be purchased directly from POP. Let’s create something special together that honors your furry friend! Ready to get started?
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Written by Alex, Founder of Pet Obsessed People
Story edited and refined for this blog by Kaylene Love
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