The Story of My Dog Tattoos

People are often surprised to learn that I have four (2023 update) six tattoos. My two favorite tattoos are both minimalist dog designs inspired by the most resilient, beautiful creatures I’ve been 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 special-needs 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 this particular 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.

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.

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Me: My, what big ears you have! Scout: All the better to hear you with 🐺 For my dog who comes sprinting if you just whisper her name from another room… I can’t imagine a better tribute. I love you forever.

A post shared by Training a Heeler & Her Human (@paws.andreflect) on Sep 21, 2020 at 6:42am PDT

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.

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A post shared by writer Haley + former stray Scout (@paws.andreflect)

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.