Our Paws Are Everywhere
Since 2008, we’ve been helping dog lovers celebrate the breed that stole their heart. Every order is packed with care by Kim and John — a husband-and-wife team from Massachusetts who know exactly what it means to be crazy about your dog.
The Tail Behind Our Beginning
Meet Teddy — the Why Behind Everything
We owe everything to this little fluff ball. Teddy joined our family in 2006, and he was the first pup to truly steal our hearts — which is exactly what led to a business fueled by love and passion.
Throughout our years in business, Teddy has proudly served as the official store mascot and model for many of our photo shoots. Now that he’s entered his senior years, his playfulness has slowed down a bit, but he’s still the same Teddy we know and love. He will forever cherish his ice cream cone squeaky toy that has entertained him for endless hours over the years. He loves going for walks, riding in the car with the window down, and meeting new friends. We thank him every day for being the spark that started it all.
The Humans Behind the Story
Meet Kim & John
Kim
Picking, Packing & Custom Art
For Kim, the love of dogs started in June 2006 when Teddy came home. She always imagined a cuddly lap dog — Teddy had other plans. More adventure, more fun, more excitement. Fortunately, Kim has a “you do you” mentality, and Teddy’s spirit became a source of inspiration for her and many others.
Kim handles picking, packaging, and shipping orders, sourcing new products, and customer support. She’s also the artist behind all of our custom painted figurines. She loves connecting with customers and hearing about their dogs on social media.
Kim loves nature, shopping, Oprah, photography, interior design, sunsets, and all beautiful things.
John
Website, Inventory & Operations
John’s love for dogs grew after Teddy arrived. Watching him learn, training him, and going for walks together ignited something that’s stayed with John ever since. It was rewarding to see Teddy figure out the ways of the dog world one step at a time.
John handles the business behind the scenes — website optimization, inventory and product management, customer support, shipping, and working with manufacturers.
John loves music, his mom’s home-cooked Lebanese food, video games, cold weather, creating the perfect cup of coffee, and anything that sparks nostalgia.
When We Began
A Business Born in College
Dog Lover Store was established in 2008 when Kim and John were both still in college. Kim was earning her degree in Operations Management; John in Management Information Systems. With graduation on the horizon, they knew their plan was to build an e-commerce business together.
They had the love for dogs (thanks to Teddy), the passion for business, and an excellent partnership. Before long, Dog Lover Store was born.
Fun fact: Kim and John are high school sweethearts. They started dating when they were juniors and seniors in high school, and when they launched the store in 2008 they’d already been together for four years. Since then, both their business and love have never stopped growing. They got engaged, had a destination wedding in Florida, built a house in their hometown, and continue to work, thrive, and dream together every day.
Our Mission & Promise
We Know Dogs Are as Unique as Their Humans
Dog Lover Store aims to offer unique gift ideas and decor for dog lovers. Dogs have their own coloring, markings, personalities, and mannerisms — all of which makes them easy to love and one of a kind. Providing gifts and items that cherish, spark joy, and remind you of your four-legged friend is our ultimate goal.
Beyond being a one-stop shop for all things dogs, we promise to provide a place where customers know they will be taken care of, heard, valued, and appreciated. We know customers are choosing us when they decide to spend their hard-earned money and take time to shop, and we will never take that for granted.
Who We Serve
If You Love Dogs, You’re in the Right Place
Dog Lovers & Gift Givers
Whether you’re shopping for yourself or the dog-obsessed person in your life, we’ve got you covered. It’s okay if you’re not a dog lover yourself — we like everybody.
Makers & Businesses
Cake makers, teachers, urn makers, nurses, non-profits, Faberge egg makers, doll house makers, and more come to us for their gifting, crafting, and fundraising needs.
Wedding Couples
Looking to honor the dog who walked down the aisle with you? Our custom painted figurines have topped wedding cakes across the country.
Animal Shelters & Rescues
We proudly support organizations raising funds for shelters. All of it is done with heart, love, and purpose — united by the mission to spread joy.
Kim’s Artistry
Hand-Painted Custom Figurines
Every custom figurine starts as one of our cast stone resin dogs — and ends as a one-of-a-kind portrait of someone’s beloved pet. Kim paints each one by hand, working from photos you send to capture the exact coat color, markings, and personality of your dog.
They’ve been used as wedding cake toppers, memorial pieces, retirement gifts, and holiday keepsakes. If you can dream it up, Kim can paint it.
Oh my gosh. It is perfect. Thank you so much. You may not know how much your work means to people, but this is so helpful as we grieve the loss of our baby Aster. So, thank you from the bottom of my heart for taking such care and making such a beautiful likeness of her. Again, please leave work today knowing how much good you’ve done for me and my family. Thank you.
— Rachel A., Custom Painted Figurine Customer
Spreading Good Word
As Featured In
Gifts for Dogs and Dog Lovers — October 2020
In Print
Featured in The South Coast Insider
Back in July 2013, we were featured in a full two-page spread in The South Coast Insider — at the time the South Coast’s leading lifestyle magazine, with a free monthly circulation of around 30,000 copies distributed throughout the Massachusetts South Coast region from Mount Hope Bay to Buzzards Bay. The article, titled “Putting on the Dog,” covered our story as two young college graduates who turned their love of dogs and technology into a thriving hometown business. The magazine has since closed its doors, but we’re proud to have been part of the community it served for so many years.
Click either image to view full size · The South Coast Insider, July 2013 — “Putting on the Dog” by Jay Pateakos