Ottawa Dog Blog had the chance to interview local collar designer and artist, Lindsay Campbell who runs Underdog Designs.

Name: Underdog Designs | Lindsay Campbell
Website: underdogdesigns.ca
Location: Ottawa, Ontario

What kind of Dog Business do you do?
We are in the business of fashion and compassion! We create unique and durable dog collars for the everyday dog. Plus, we work very closely with Ador-A-Bull Dog Rescue (www.ador-a-bull.com) and donate 10% of all sales to them. Ador-A-Bull’s current focus is bull and terrier breeds being discriminated against by the Ontario Government. No other breed is more misrepresented or mistreated in our society. The shelters are overflowing and they desperately need our help. The donations raised from our collars will help save and re-home dogs facing euthanasia.

How did you get into doing dog-related business?
I have been surrounded by dogs my whole life. It started with my Mom’s dog sitting business during my childhood and then my very first job at Berry’s Pet Food. This is where I really experienced how the pet industry works. I had also graduated an arts high school around that time and was starting my own artistic career. Naturally my art was full of animals-especially dogs. I started to do a few commissions of people’s pets and loved it! Anytime I get to share in the relationship between a dog and it’s owner is a joy for me. I also got a chance to work at a Doggie Daycare before I started this business. I just gravitated towards my first love: dogs!

When did you first realize you are a craftwoman?
Ever since I picked up that first crayon! I love to create with my hands. Using any part of oneself to create beauty in this world is an amazing feeling. I get to experience this with my art, but now with my sewing as well. When I finish up a collar I can’t wait to see that dogs face shine with pride when they try it on. It always makes me laugh.

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It is with great sadness that I announce that Duke, Ottawa’s most famous Great Dane, has passed. Duke was laid to rest last Thursday July 23rd at 3:30pm after a battle with bone cancer. Duke was a staple to the Ottawa and Kanata Bark and Fitz stores. He helped to raise thousands of dollars for charity and brought smiles to many people’s faces over the years.

Although he weighed in at a whopping 180lbs, Duke was the best behaved and gentlest dog I have ever had the pleasure of meeting, and working with. He appeared in many fundraising campaigns for “Photos with Duke” or “Shake a Paw for $1″ and always did so happily and lovingly.

Corduroy, at one point in her life, decided that all big dogs were bad – she’d bark non-stop and let them know that she did not like them, except for one, Duke. She loved Duke and never barked at him. He even let her climb all over him, even though he wasn’t too fond of puppies. That was the kind of dog he was, patient and accepting – people would come to the store just to see him!

Duke brought true meaning to the phrase “gentle giant” and will be missing by many, dogs and humans alike. He is remembered by his humans, Amanda and Matt as well as his doggy siblings, Bosco and Angel and by the entire Bark & Fitz Ottawa and Kanata staff, past and present.

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