The dogs of the PR Dispatch community
Behind every successful brand founder or marketing team is… a dog.
Well, maybe not every one. But luckily for us, our community is full of them.
So, we’ve turned to our members to introduce us to the brilliant dogs behind the brands – office assistants, chief distraction officers and unofficial brand ambassadors, all rolled into one.
And because we’re a team of dog owners too, you’ll get to meet our four-legged sidekicks along the way.
Are they helping build brands? We like to think so – whether that’s keeping spirits up, demanding some screen-free time or simply being a very good excuse for a walk.
Now, let’s meet the dogs of PR Dispatch.
Freckle and Bruce from Oops a Daisy
Bruce
Freckle
Jo Mellor founded Oops a Daisy after discovering creative journaling in 2016 and designing her own journal stencils when she couldn’t find any available in the UK.
Since then, the business and team have grown, expanding into journaling and planning tools while keeping fun, functional stationery at its core.
And then there are Freckle and Bruce. With both Jo and designer Kate being former vet nurses, Oops a Daisy was always going to be a dog-friendly office.
Tell us about your dog and how they came into your life
“Freckle is my rescue Chihuahua, 3kg of sassiness. She was abandoned at the practice I worked in at the time, and it was love at first sight. Bruce is Kate’s rescue Jack Russell Terrier cross, who was found as a puppy in a lay-by at the side of the road.”
How do your dogs fit into your workday?
“Freckle loves to sit on my lap while in the office and especially enjoys scaring off delivery men and sharing everyone’s lunch. Bruce gives everyone the warmest welcome when they arrive, but most of all his favourite auntie (me).”
What magazine, newspaper, podcast or newsletter would your dog read or listen to?
“Freckle enjoys the Off Menu podcast! While Bruce loves the Mom Can’t Cook podcast and curling up with his mum and dad to watch bad movies.”
What would your dog be the go-to expert for?
“Freckle is the go-to expert for snacks. Bruce is an expert sniffer and takes an alarming amount of time to read his ‘pee mails’ on walks.”
Follow Oops a Daisy on Instagram here.
Dougal from The Croft House
The Croft House is a family-run Scottish knitwear brand creating contemporary pieces inspired by Scotland’s landscape and heritage, using natural yarns from British woollen mills and championing slow fashion, local manufacturing and quality pieces designed to last.
At the reins is founder Louise Hepworth, with her trusted assistant Dougal never far away. And judging by these photos from the brand’s recent Christmas shoot, he’s clearly no stranger to the spotlight either.
As Louise says:
“He likes nothing better than being lavished with attention, so muscles in on all our photoshoots.”
Tell us about your dog and how they came into your life
“Dougal is a Skye Terrier (an endangered native Scottish breed), my constant companion and ... no surprise, my brand ambassador for The Croft House. He features on our website in the ‘Our Story’ section as he's a major part of our lives, and we want to help the breed get recognised by more people by using the platform we have to help promote it. He's the same type of dog as the famous statue Greyfriars Bobby in Edinburgh, and I can confirm that they are as loyal as the story!”
How does your dog fit into your workday?
“Dougal is now 2 years old and can still be a bit of a daft. He spends his day sleeping on one of his favourite rugs around the house while I work on my computer and loves our daily walks along the quiet fisherman's path beside our local river, where we sometimes see otters. He can be quite stubborn and loves a game of tug o' war.”
What magazine, newspaper, podcast or newsletter would your dog read or listen to?
“If he could read, he'd read GQ as he loves nothing better than getting brushed, so is definitely into male grooming.”
What would your dog be the go-to expert for?
“He'd be the expert in how to get attention from complete strangers!”
Follow The Croft House on Instagram here.
Nellie from Raven Botanicals
Raven Botanicals is a sister-led Scottish skincare brand founded by Charlotte and Arabella, inspired by family, the Scottish landscape and a lifelong love of plants and nature.
From their rural studio in East Lothian, they create high-performance, plant-based skincare combining Scottish botanicals with ethically sourced ingredients, drawing on their backgrounds in botany, forensics and fine art.
Nellie, meanwhile, has her own specialism: surveillance. Arabella’s rescue dog has got the whole household worked out and spends much of the working day at her feet, with plenty of woodland walks and ball chasing thrown in.
Tell us about your dog and how they came into your life
“We got Nellie in December from Dogs Trust. In just over three short months of life, she had come from Ballymena to Penrith to West Calder and into foster care for nine days. Her foster carer described her as being on permanent high alert and the most anxious little dog they had ever cared for.”
How does your dog fit into your workday?
“Because I work from home, Nellie fits into my working day beautifully. She’s with me nearly all the time, except when we are in our skincare lab. We start every day with a walk in our own four-acre woodland, where she can run off the lead and chase her beloved ball. When I’m in an online meeting or course, Nellie is usually sleeping at my feet. She has a lovely life. It’s been beautiful to watch her slowly relax, find her confidence and see her adorable cheeky personality come out.”
What magazine, newspaper, podcast or newsletter would your dog read or listen to?
“Farmers Weekly. Or anything to do with ball sports.”
What would your dog be the go-to expert for?
“Definitely surveillance. Nellie has got us all worked out, and I think she knows what we’re doing before we know ourselves!”
Follow Raven Botanicals on Instagram here.
Django from Banwells
Sally Vickers is Director at Banwells, a family-run jeweller in Sidmouth, Devon, specialising in fine antique, contemporary and bespoke jewellery. She runs the business alongside her husband, Simon Vickers, overseeing the creative direction and curation of antique pieces.
And at the heart of the brand is also their dog, Django, named after jazz musician Django Reinhardt.
“His Minor Swing was our wedding first dance, hence the dog’s name,” says Sally.
Tell us about your dog and how they came into your life
“We got Django when my first daughter was nine months old and never looked back. He’s a gentle giant. He is the most gentle, soppy dog I’ve ever met and believes he is one of the children.”
How does your dog fit into your workday?
“We walk at 6 before everyone else is up, either in the woods or on the beach, weather dependent. I work from home, so he generally sleeps by my feet. Django is the unsung hero of my life: childcare, emotional regulator, exercise instigator, biggest distraction and occasional office dog. I adore him.”
What magazine, newspaper, podcast or newsletter would your dog read or listen to?
“He would, for sure, listen to Desert Island Discs.”
What would your dog be the go-to expert for?
“Expert? Therapist!”
Follow Banwells on Instagram here.
Rococo from Embellished Truth
“I've always wanted a small dog who can fit into my lifestyle, but didn't quite anticipate how he would take over everything,” says Bharati Manchanda, Creative Director and founder of Embellished Truth.
Embellished Truth is a trans-seasonal luxury accessories brand focused on environmental sensibilities. Inspired by Indian culture, prints and embellishments, each piece is created with care in London.
And Rocco has quickly become part of the business too. Small in size but big in presence, Bharati’s nine-month-old Maltipoo has firmly established himself in studio life.
Tell us about your dog and how they came into your life
“Rococo, aka Rocco, is my nine-month-old Maltipoo puppy, who came into my life at only eight weeks old. He is an absolute bundle of fun, sassy to a T and very much my little shadow.”
How does your dog fit into your workday?
“Most of my working day is spent in my studio and Rocco is right there with me. He takes his role very seriously, from enthusiastically greeting delivery drivers to making sure orders go out on time. He hasn't made it to the factory yet, but I'm sure he'll turn up fashionably late, having said hello to every passerby on the way.”
What magazine, newspaper, podcast or newsletter would your dog read or listen to?
“Being a very stylish pup, Rocco would devour British GQ. He also has a great love of the outdoors, so Country Life would be a top read, along with Good Food magazine for his discerning palate.”
What would your dog be the go-to expert for?
“Rocco would be the best sleep expert. He firmly believes in the power of daytime naps to feel more energised and is quite the authority on long, uninterrupted nights of sleep.”
Follow Embellished Truth on Instagram here.
Hector from Jacks Turner
Meet Hector, a regal prince in Jacks Turner’s eyes.
Jacks Turner is an independent contemporary jewellery designer who has been designing and handcrafting precious jewellery for over 30 years. From her workshop in the centre of Bristol, she creates contemporary pieces with a strong focus on craftsmanship and individuality.
And alongside Jacks at the workshop is Hector, her Beagle/Boxer cross. He may spend most of the working day asleep under her desk, but with skills in sausage surveillance and parkour policing, he clearly has his own specialisms.
Tell us about your dog and how they came into your life
“I wasn't meant to get a dog, but when I saw the images of his puppy litter, I knew one of them would be the one. What made it more special was that I used my scrap gold to buy him.”
How does your dog fit into your workday?
“Hector comes with me to the workshop every day and sleeps under my computer desk, dreaming the day away.”
What magazine, newspaper, podcast or newsletter would your dog read or listen to?
“Local Post: Good for reading the neighbourhood's smells through dropped paper.”
What would your dog be the go-to expert for?
“As a Beagle/Boxer cross, Hector would be an expert in two areas reflecting his mixed crossbreed.
Sausage surveillance: Weaponising a superpower Beagle nose to locate a crumb dropped three blocks away.
Parkour policing: Launching their spring-loaded Boxer bodies off the sofa to catch absolutely nothing.”
Follow Jacks Turner on Instagram here.
Tatty from FROM YOU TO ME
FROM YOU TO ME was founded by Neil after caring for his terminally ill father and realising how many stories and memories can go untold within families.
Since 2007, the independent Wiltshire-based publishing brand has created books, journals and gifts designed to help people capture meaningful stories, celebrate special moments and create lasting connections.
Here, we chat to team member Georgia Clarke about Tatty, the much-loved family dog of directors Helen and Neil, and a familiar face around the studio.
Tell us about your dog and how they came into your life
“Tatty is the family pet of our Directors, Helen and Neil. She has the designer label of ‘Cockerpoo’, but we think these used to be called mongrels and were ‘free to a good home’.
She was named after a combination of the champagne Taittinger and the young girl in the newish Swallows & Amazons film after the BBC politically corrected the original name. (You can work that one out for yourself!)
She is, however, very calm and placid and enjoys coming to visit our studio. In fact, we think she believes she owns the whole Glove Factory and can be seen popping into the café or other studios during the day just to say hello.”
How does your dog fit into your workday?
“The day simply cannot start until Tatty greets every member of the team. Once she’s done, it’s back to bed until Neil takes her for her mid-morning walk. While she spends most of the day napping, she’s a big part of the office and demands plenty of fuss from the team. She’s also appointed herself as office security, making sure we know when a delivery driver or guest has arrived.”
What magazine, newspaper, podcast or newsletter would your dog read or listen to?
“Tatty loves her monthly subscription to Country Life. Unfortunately, the latest issue may have given her a few ideas. Helen managed to step in and cancel a suspicious order for a child’s electric Lamborghini before Tatty’s latest purchase could arrive.”
What would your dog be the go-to expert for?
“If you want to master the art of an Irish goodbye, Tatty is a true pawfessional. One minute she’s there, the next she’s disappeared for a nap.”
Follow FROM YOU TO HOME on Instagram here.
Lola from Made Scotland
The first meeting with Lola was a slightly surreal one. Alexandra Borthwick, founder of Made Scotland, had quite the introduction to her future dog, involving an old Scottish castle and twelve Springer Spaniels. The setting alone sounds like something from a film.
Made Scotland began with a simple idea: making it easier to discover and buy beautifully made Scottish gifts online. The platform brings together talented Scottish makers and their thoughtfully crafted products, chosen for their quality, craftsmanship and the stories behind them.
And alongside Alexandra throughout the working day is Lola, her slightly crazy eight-year-old Springer Spaniel, who is rarely more than a few steps away.
“She is constantly at my feet, on my feet.”
Tell us about your dog and how they came into your life
“Lola is our slightly crazy eight-year-old Springer Spaniel. She was born in a Scottish castle. We drove up to see her at Fingask Castle and when we arrived, we wandered through this old stone castle and found a very boho setting of assorted guests in a big kitchen, some wandering about in silk dressing gowns, others calling out, ‘Grab your swimmers!’ before wandering off for a swim in a river.
We were waved in, given coffee and had assorted strangers chatting away as if we'd been there all week, before they realised we were there to see the puppies. ‘Oh, they're here to see the puppies!’ As though it was perfectly normal for a random family to wander into your kitchen on a Sunday morning and get stuck in.
Outside, there were twelve gorgeous Springers scuttling around an ancient walled garden in the autumn sunshine. It was all so surreal, with everyone urging us to ‘take two, take three!’ that before I knew it, we'd had, luckily, just one pup pressed into our hands and were driving away through the leafy grounds.”
How does your dog fit into your workday?
“She is constantly at my feet, on my feet. The bonus of working from home means no dog daycare. Her daily walk over the hills is a godsend or I'd be sitting on my butt all day long. She'd probably be happier if I had an outdoor career, but when it's January and we're working with the fire blazing, she seems pretty happy.”
What magazine, newspaper, podcast or newsletter would your dog read or listen to?
“She would most definitely read The Field magazine.”
What would your dog be the go-to expert for?
“She would be very good at being a sniffer dog at airports, trained to sniff out people trying to smuggle grouse and pheasants into the country. If that was a thing.
She'd also be a very good PT as she is always motivated to get out and run and never seems to get tired.
She'd also be a good hair influencer as she has a very fine quiff fringe, which is her crowning glory!”
Follow Made Scotland on Instagram here.
Cider from The Moonlit Press
The Moonlit Press is a small-batch homeware and gift brand based in Shropshire, run by couple Emma and Andy alongside their whippet, Cider.
They believe the things you bring into your home or gift to someone else should feel special, spark joy and be made to last.
Cider is a much-loved part of the business and, at almost 16, has perfected the art of cosy living, from blanket-covered naps to keeping a close eye on snack opportunities.
Tell us about your dog and how they came into your life
“Cider is a fawn whippet who came to us from a rescue centre when she was 12 years old. I always wanted a dog and hate the idea of seniors without homes, so when I saw her photo, we had to bring her home. She's about to turn 16, is quite deaf and a bit stiff, but she still enjoys a little play and a sniff in the garden. She loves a river boat trip and ice cream on holiday, forgets her manners when chicken appears and hates small talk with strangers.”
How does your dog fit into your workday?
“Cider loves her sleep, so most of the day she's curled up on her bed under her blanket. But when she is awake, she visits my office every five minutes, provides additional support for tea and toilet breaks and always attends my craft fairs and Christmas markets.”
What magazine, newspaper, podcast or newsletter would your dog read or listen to?
“It would definitely be Good Food magazine because she's not yet found a dish she doesn't like and is very dedicated to expanding her palate every chance she gets.”
What would your dog be the go-to expert for?
“Cosy living, reviewing the best sofas and sharing her expert tips on how to use blankets all year round to make your morning, afternoon and evening naps as comfy as possible.”
Follow The Moonlit Press on Instagram here.
Milo from PR Dispatch
PR Dispatch founder Rosie’s Maltese Terrier, Milo, has been the company mascot from day one.
He was a regular at the office during the London days, but now he’s swapped the commute for the soft life on the Devon coast.
And he’s even had his own moments in the press, so it’s fair to say Milo knows a thing or two about PR.
Tell us about your dog and how they came into your life
“Milo joined us at just eight weeks old, 13 years ago. I was working solo at the time, starting my first PR business, and as my work location was flexible, I wanted a fluffy pal to keep me company during those long, lonely days.”
How does your dog fit into your workday?
“As he is an older boy now, he doesn't like long walks. He's happy roaming around the garden outside my office and sleeping under my desk most of the day. After work, I'll take him to the beach with the kids, but he usually naps on a towel.”
What magazine, newspaper, podcast or newsletter would your dog read or listen to?
“Country Living. Since we've relocated from the city to Devon, he's really settled into a country way of life.”
What would your dog be the go-to expert for?
An expert in judging character. If you've got bad energy, watch your ankles.
Follow PR Dispatch on Instagram here.
Nancy from PR Dispatch
Kate is our Press Database Manager & Creative PR Assistant, with the UK press landscape at her fingertips and strong relationships with journalists across national and regional titles.
She also makes sure PR Dispatch gets its own share of PR coverage, practising what we preach.
Based in the peaceful Cumbrian countryside, Kate has the perfect stomping ground for her Cockapoo, Nancy.
Tell us about your dog and how they came into your life
“Nancy came into our lives in April 2021. She's five now but still looks (and acts) like a puppy.”
How does your dog fit into your workday?
“We start our morning by checking on our sheep, who Nancy is very good friends with. Then she will snooze on her chair for most of the day until my break, when we go for a walk.”
What magazine, newspaper, podcast or newsletter would your dog read or listen to?
“Country Life magazine.”
What would your dog be the go-to expert for?
“Nancy would be the go-to expert on Scooby-Doo balls. If Scooby-Doo balls ever need a PR team, Nancy should be first on the list.”
Follow PR Dispatch on Instagram here.
Fox from PR Dispatch and Fearless Flamingo
Charlie is PR Dispatch’s Community Manager, keeping customers happy and answering all the questions that land in the inbox like a pro.
She’s also an illustrator and founder of feel-good prints and gifts brand Fearless Flamingo, so she knows both sides of the brand world.
Recently, Charlie and her family adopted Fox, a Lurcher with a very clear work-life balance: a little bit of zooming, followed by a lot of napping.
Tell us about your dog and how they came into your life
“Fox was a foster fail. We lasted 24 hours before caving and adopting him. He's a Lurcher, about two years old, we think.”
How does your dog fit into your workday?
“Essential walk first thing. If I'm late, he'll protest by taking a trail of shoes, hairbrushes and shin pads out into the garden until the lead comes out. His speed is crazy, but eight minutes of zoomies = eight hours of napping, flat on his back, legs in the air. He won't move for the rest of the day.”
What magazine, newspaper, podcast or newsletter would your dog read or listen to?
“The Field – racing enthusiast with aspirations of grandeur.”
What would your dog be the go-to expert for?
“Amateur dramatics.”
Follow Fearless Flamingo on Instagram here.
Dottie from PR Dispatch
Cecilie looks after PR Dispatch’s copy, blog content and email marketing, from member communications and automated flows to the newsletter.
Based by the Kent coast, her mystery-breed rescue Dottie is a core part of WFH life, mainly providing excellent company from whichever sofa or bed or she has claimed.
When she’s not demanding treats, she’s usually snoozing somewhere.
Tell us about your dog and how they came into your life
“Originally from North Macedonia, we rehomed Dottie via Rutland three years ago, just before she turned one. She was very nervous and shy (and still is a little bit), but she’s quickly gained confidence and is the queen of our house. She lives for food and will do anything for a treat. She’s also extremely nosy and will often stop and stare at people or try and listen in to conversations.”
How does your dog fit into your workday?
“I drag Dottie reluctantly out of bed for a morning walk. She loves it when she’s out but finds it hard leaving the bed. If we get up early enough, we go down to the beach in the summer and this is her ultimate happy place.
She’s the laziest dog I’ve ever met and loves nothing more than snoozing. During the day, she alternates between chilling next to me on the sofa, upstairs on our bed or in the guest room. Hard life. She’s more like a cat than a dog in some ways.”
What magazine, newspaper, podcast or newsletter would your dog read or listen to?
“Stylist – most specifically their wellness section. Dottie loves the soft life and wants to stay on top of the latest wellness and sleep tips and news.”
What would your dog be the go-to expert for?
“How to thrive as an introvert in a world that expects you to be social.”
Follow PR Dispatch on Instagram here.
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