The story of my dog tattoos
I inked the outline of my cattle dog's ears forever on my wrist
People are sometimes surprised to learn that I have four (2025 update) fourteen tattoos. My two favorite tattoos are both minimalist dog designs inspired by the most resilient, beautiful creatures I’m lucky enough to love.
These are their stories.
Snow dog Snort, the single-line Siberian husky
My very first tattoo was inspired by my family’s chronically ill husky, Snort. It’s a minimalist, single-line design sometimes mistaken for a fox (but what matters to me is that I know who it is).
This tattoo was done by Mark at Tattoos by Hoss in Wausau, Wisconsin and later touched up by Vanessa Harper at Endless Summer Tattoo in Cocoa Beach, Florida.
I chose a single-line abstract tattoo for a few reasons:
Snort is a strange dog I often understand in abstract terms. She’s not a typical husky, and I wanted my permanent image of her to invite some ambiguity.
I was able to position the design on my upper left arm so it looks like she’s howling at my heart. I’m about as sentimental and metaphorical as they come… so this was perfect.
I’m a wimp. One continuous, thin line seemed like an excellent first foray to the world of being stabbed with needles on purpose. (Now, years later, I’ve gotten several more involved tattoos and find the pain negligible—but I stand by my decision to start off easy!)
Bat-eared Scout, the attentive Australian cattle dog
My most recent tattoo pays homage to the first dog I’ve ever owned by myself (and the reason for this blog’s entire existence). It’s a thin-lined illustration of Scout’s ears in their “alert and ready” position.
This tattoo was illustrated and inked by Vanessa Harper at Endless Summer Tattoo in Cocoa Beach, Florida.
I knew I wanted a tattoo of Scout for about a year. While Snort started my dog training obsession, this little speckled cattle dog is the one who has taught me the most, sticking by my side as I make countless mistakes and learn how to be a better owner.
I went back and forth between ideas — maybe her paw print, maybe an outline similar to my snow dog tattoo, maybe her uniquely curved tail? — but kept coming back to her ears.
I ultimately settled on these adorable noise-sensitive satellites because:
One of my favorite things about Scout is how readily she listens to me. It’s not an exaggeration to say I can merely whisper her name and she’ll shoot into my arms like a bullet.
In my mind, this image of her ears alludes to the back-and-forth nature of our relationship. She listens to me — and I listen to her. We both play each role in turn, ultimately growing as a team.
Pointy ears are adorable. I’m simply obsessed.
It was the perfect opportunity for another minimalist yet meaningful design. I really have a soft spot for subtle, thin-lined tattoos.
Will there be more dog tattoos?
Only time will tell. If you ask my gut, though… it gives a resounding yes. I never tire of reminiscing on our time together when I glance at my art.
Looking for more dog-lover sentimentality?
Since adopting my blue heeler in 2019, we’ve navigated fear-based dog reactivity, fostered shelter pups, and found joy in chaos. In January 2023 we hit the road for full-time van life! What started as a training journal on Instagram has become a place to reflect on so much more… but still dogs, of course. Always dogs.