NelliDesigns

06/16/2024

Cheers!! Raise a Piper Pint to all you dog dads for being dogs best friend! 🍺🍺
I know in our family, Tom is Piper’s trainer, swim coach, paw-nicurist, play buddy, grill buddy, and so much more. It was Tom who pushed me to get another dog after the loss of Nelli. He said, “we’re dog people.” And he’s right….the man I had to push to get a dog 32 years ago now can’t see life without a dog.
And he’s been an amazing dog dad….i think he surprised himself how in love he could be with our dogs. Tom has definitely made life worth wagging about for Maggie, Nelli and now Piper. We soooo appreciate him!
So CHEERS to all you Fido Fathers out there ~ thank you for being dogs best friend
🐶🥂🍾

06/05/2024

We have a Rock Star! ⭐️
This peanut has been battling severe inflammatory bowel disease the last several months…really since the holidays. Between the up and down lethargy, the weight loss, lack of desire to play or go on walks, our worry only increased with each new symptom. She’s had good weeks then bad….then it got really bad in March. After a lot of vet visits then a hospital stay, we finally got the diagnosis and we’re finally able to treat it with chemo pill, chlorambusil.
After 2 mos on the chemo pill, she’s impressing her docs ~ she’s back up to her champ weight and her energy and silliness are back in full swing! And we owe it all to and 🐶❤️
Now….we just need to stay the course as we keep her inflammation at bay. 🤞🏻
Afterall, this little nugget has a summer full of swimming ahead!!
⭐️🐶


#

05/26/2024

Shout out to Miss Mabel for her temp services last week! The additional paws were a great help in the studio as we packed up orders. If you ordered recently, you can assured your order was packed with love by Mabel and Piper. So if you find a tennis ball in your package, consider it a bonus!
But most grateful she didn’t eat the packing peanuts (like other employees 🐶).
🐶🐶

05/07/2024

They're BACK!!! And All New Designs!!

After a long delay, we have the popular concrete candles back in stock!! This time, they are designed and handmade by a Woman Owned, USA Business that values simplicity and eco-friendly green design for her products. We couldn't be more thrilled!

Choose between Light Grey or Dark Grey for your next memorial candle ~
https://nellidesigns.com/collections/maggies-light-dog-memorials/products/copy-of-maggies-light-dog-memorial-candle-12-oz

04/03/2024

High level c-suite coffee meeting in progress.
Actually, Piper & I have been busy meeting, researching, testing behind the (insta) scenes this year. We’re sure you’ll love them as much as we do. We can’t wait to share what we’ve been firing up! 🕯️
Stay tuned……..good things to come🐶

☕️

03/24/2024

The best biz partners always have your back.
When NelliDesigns began, Nelli was an extension of me; she took the job of being my partner seriously. From studio to office to candle deliveries, Nelli was right beside me until the end. Which always made it feel like I wasn’t in this alone but I was part of a team.
And Piper has assumed her responsibilities with same serious dedication (as long as there’s treats).
As entrepreneurs, working solo much of the time, we can feel isolated. Small business organizations provide the “teamwork” we need to advance our business. Because at the end of the day, we’re all better together. Even if the “together” has four legs and banana breath🐶



🐶

03/18/2024

Cheers to Labrechaun Day!!!!

03/05/2024

“Eh um! You do know it’s National Snack Day, right??”

02/21/2024

Life would not be as full without this nugget. The laughs, the snuggles, the shared popcorn, the thousand balls fetched….all seem like such small moments. But kid you not, they are what make each day shine brighter.
Happy National Pet Day, Peanut ~ and all pooches out there🐶❤️
🐶🐱

02/05/2024

As a kid, when I came down with whatever the latest bug was, I got to spend the day on the couch with my pillow and favorite blanket while zoning out to cartoons and game shows. (Kids have it made with streaming!).
Lately, this pumpkin has been battling some sort of eye issue. She hasn’t been her peppy self; more in the mood for the couch and a snuggly blanket. So we’ve been hanging and working from the couch these days, binging 🐶
After a few vet visits and no improvement, we’re off to the canine ophthalmologist this week. Hoping there are answers for this peanut🤞🏻In the meantime, sharing my popcorn seems to help ease the pain.🍿🐶

12/31/2023

Fresh victims had no warning🐶👅

12/26/2023

…..and to all a goodnight.

🎄

11/06/2023

Our little Picasso Pooch 🖼️
I’m way behind on posting this…life’s been busy. But like any “parent”, I have to brag on occasion.😊🐶 What a proud “parent” moment to see what Piper made at her Halloween party ….art worth wagging about!
Halloween marked 3 years since Piper came home with us. Hard to believe our Pumpkin went from rowdy puppy to “artist”. I have thank the awesome folks for bringing out Piper’s creative soul as well as showing her so much love each week these past 3 years.
Can’t wait to see what Piper creates next 🐶😉

09/11/2023

“Mmmmmm….cake!”
How did three years sneak by us while this nugget was morphing from puppyhood to adulthood?? Well…easy.
It’s been challenging the last two years given my parents’ health. While we have been exhausted, frustrated, overwhelmed with appts, visits, treatments…piper always brought her “A” game. And a ball, a monkey, a squirrel, and a lamb. (Sometimes all at once).
She brightened dad’s days when no one else could. And while this year is bringing more challenges for mom this time, Pipes is there for us….waiting for the frisbee to glide across the yard. And just that small act alone can bring us back to the present, and reminds us to be present with our loved ones.
As I read the “Compassionate Caregiver”, this theme is the underlying lesson throughout. The importance of stopping, feeling the moment, of finding gratitude in each frisbee toss….that while it feels small, there is enormity in it.
So as I look back at photos of Piper’s growth over these three years, I can recall the moments and how I felt…grateful, warm, loved, hurried (but slowed down). And I know as more moments come - with my parents and with Piper - I’ll be prepared to slow it down, stop and soak it all in.
So breathe deeply,
make a wish and
Live in the moment of now.
Happy BARK DAY Piper!

09/04/2023

Jumpin’ into Labrador Day with pure Piper Power! And nabbing the “big one”! 🐟
Happy Labrador Day, my peeps! Go out with a splash blast!
🍔😎🍺🍨⛵️⛱️🎡⛺️

08/26/2023

NATIONAL DOG DAY, YOU SAY?!?
This calls for a two ball kinda day!!
🎾🎾🐶

08/24/2023

Last week we said “goodbye and good luck!” to our VP, .reitan 😢 We tried to convince her higher education in Vermont was not the right decision ~ but even Piper’s big puppy eyes couldn’t convince her to stay.
Having .reitan with us the past few years has been such a blessing ~ she will never know what she means to us. While quiet, she’s a wealth of knowledge and smart opinions. Her dedication to hard work, creativity and talents will no doubt take her amazing places! And we can’t wait to hear all about it!!
Thank you and to raising an amazingly smart, poised, respectful, creative daughter who will light the world on fire!
Good Luck in your new adventures .reitan ~ Piper & I can’t wait to see where you go!! (But your apprenticeship will be here waiting when you decide to come back 😉)


📚

07/15/2023

Chuck-it Champ in training….
Catch ability = 10
Speed = 10
Listening to Commands = 5
Summer’s not over…..

06/19/2023

Happy Dog Dude Day to all those dudes who…..
Teach us fetch,
Take us out as your sidekick on boat, in cars and on motorcycles.
Shares your cheezits,
Bananas,
Apples,
And eggs.
Takes us on walks,
Hikes,
And adventures we don’t tell mom about.
All this and more is why your my greatest dog dad dude❤️🐶
Thanks, dad. For all you do. You make life worth wagging about.

06/07/2023

June is just the beginning of the Dog Days of Summer. We also commemorate Dog Dad Day on June 18th. And what better way to celebrate both than with a custom Pint Glass Set??
Raise a glass to man’s best friend with a glass set engraved with an illustration of your favorite pooch. Then kick back with your favorite cold beverage.
Whether your honoring a past best friend or celebrating your bond today, Piper’s Pint Glass Set is the perfect Dog Dad Gift! 🐶😎


🐶❤️

05/30/2023

Best friends,
boating,
diving,
swimming……
Dreaming of more summer
😴☀️
🇺🇸

🐶🐶
🐶☀️

05/19/2023

Cheers to all Dog Dads out there who play, train, feed, bathe, and snuggle up each night. Time to honor them with their own set of Piper Pint Glasses featuring an illustration of their bestest pal. Check out this month's CityDog Magazine for details and coupon code!

Discover the perfect gifts for dog dads this Father's Day (or any day) and show your appreciation for their unconditional love.

05/01/2023

Mutt Mom Day is just 2 weeks away!! To help with your decision, City Dog has a list of Wine Wagging ideas for you ~ check out Our Woof & Wine Set and mention "City Dog" in the promo code at check out for 15% off (Furry & Frugal....no wonder mom loves you!)

We've dug up 10 gifts for dog moms who love wine. From custom wine glasses to canine-themed accessories, these gifts will have her saying cheers!

04/28/2023

Mutt Mom Day is May 14th ~ get ready to give mom something to wag about. has published 33 gift ideas….swipe to see #1😉

04/27/2023

Mutt Mom day is around the corner….here are 33 drool worthy gifts that are sure to get you extra bacon bites😉🐶

Surprise the dog mom in your life -- or treat yourself -- from this list of 33 unique gifts for dog moms to celebrate this Mother's Day!

04/18/2023

Mutt-Mom Day is coming up and we have just the gift to set you up!
Help mom unwind this holiday with a new set of custom glassware perfect for her cocktails and mocktails.
Order up a set with mom’s favorite canine kid and raise a glass to toast your Mutt-Mom this May 14th 🥂
Cheers to the mom who makes life worth wagging about 🍾

🥂

Pet inspired memorial candles and merchandise; dog memorial, cat memorial and everyday gift candles for the pet lover. The bereavement period is difficult, we offer the perfect pet sympathy gifts that will comfort those experiencing grief. Shop now.

04/03/2023

Will spring ever come?
As much as Piper has been enjoying all the snow, even she is ready for warm sunshine and soft green grass. But the other day we got 8.5” of fresh snow and her excitement was over flowing! So I headed out with her to run through the drifts, play fetch and make snow angels. It took me back to all my days at the dog park with Nelli….how we would run through the woods and play hide-n-seek.
In these moments with Piper, I’m taken back to memories and moments with Nelli. I can feel Nelli with us….running, leaping, and burying her head in the snow. All the while wagging her tail at top speed.
I firmly believe that when we lose a loved one, they are physically gone, but they are still here. Still beside us, watching over us, still enjoying life with us….in a metaphysical sense.
I so miss Nelli everyday….but I look at Piper, and I know Nelli is here….loving us, Tom, me and Piper, and enjoying the love we shower on Pipes, just as she taught us.




🐶

03/07/2023

When it comes to winter, my mind always flashes back to my days with Nelli at the dog park. Every morning we headed out for another adventure. Somedays we met up with her “posse” (Blu, Sadie, Zoe). Other days, it was just us. And those were the best days. There was a freedom to be silly, to play hide-n-seek among the trees, throw snowballs that disappeared.
It was an hour for us. Just us.
A lot has changed since those days in the winter woods. My cancer diagnosis has left me more sensitive to the cold. And I can no longer run like I used to; my agility and balance are gone. But worst of all, Nelli is gone.
And I miss her horribly everyday.
There are days I pour candles and assemble orders that I feel deep sadness. I know what each of these families are feeling. Their pain in their hearts, their chests, their gut is felt here too.
There have been days I don’t know if I can continue this business with Nelli gone. But she was such a huge part of building this business....she was there literally by my side when our first order came in. And I feel she is here every day with me....she has met these pets. 😇🐶
(When I get an alert of a new order, we say “nelli is giving another lucky dog their wings”.)
So I’m here....feeling sad for my loss, but also feeling honored that Nelli chose us. That she chose to live her life with us, to trust in us to love her with full hearts. And we did...best we could in every way.
It’s now three years later. And I still grieve. I still want to hold her, look into her big brown eyes. Every snowfall, I miss our adventures in the woods.
But she’s still here…we see her in Piper; in Piper’s exuberance for life and love; her ability to share it so willingly. Like Nelli, Piper does not hold back her love for life and affection for everyone.
Piper is not a replacement. Love is not replaceable. It is through loss we learn how to love and the importance of letting love in again.
Grief is another form of love….let it in, let it flow through you. Love is on the other side.

02/28/2023

Thank you to everyone who entered our giveaway to win a Joy Session with Sarah Beth Photography, a Sweet Goodbye cocoon, a Biscuit & Bertie comfort box, and a NelliDesigns memorial candle. Congratulations to our winners, Boris and Jeebs!

02/27/2023

https://mymodernmet.com/grieving-the-death-of-a-pet-study/?fbclid=IwAR2O83A4DsB1J46ul2OaNm_BjmKpl7_7OhZfIjJoCs1gVDbxXOeHXuBGAKQ

Thank you to Supporting Your Pet Loss Journey for sharing this article.....much needed attention for all those experiencing pet loss.

Pets are family. Losing a pet is like losing a member of your family.