Tattoo to Celebrate Pet Appreciation Week
by Christy Caplan
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May 29, 2016 
This is a tattoo I got years ago of Snoopy and my dog’s names in his footprints
In celebration of Pet Appreciation Week (June 5-11), get a tattoo of your animal! Ok, maybe not for everyone…. BUT…
Some people get tattoos to celebrate their children or themes that drive their life. And there are some of us that get tattoos to celebrate our animals.
About five years ago I decided on Snoopy as he represented the hounds in my pack and his footprints carry the names of the dogs in my family – both present and past.
I decided to write about this as Walter, now four, hasn’t been added yet so I finally made an appointment for late June to add another footprint and his sweet name to the Caplan “pack”.
Tips:
- Do your research and interview 2-3 artists (ask about sessions as there can be up to 3-4 but it depends on your tat)
- Either have them draw it for you (recommended) or bring them something done by someone else but note that they may need to make some tweaks
- Learn about what you can do after your session – and make sure you talk to them about how the needle feels…
- Go all in! I love mine.
I did some research to see how many others have stories where they’ve inked their body with their dog’s name, mugshot, birthdays… charities?
Another blogger, Amanda Yantos of – Dog Mom Days – has an animal inspired tattoo that she shared with me and I HAD to include it for you all. How cool is this? And what inspired her moved me.
“I got my tattoo in 2011 when I was going through difficult times. At the time I was involved in animal rescue and had been since 2007. The tattoo represents the animals whom I’ve rescued but the fact that they have also rescued me. I may have saved their lives but my animals have equally saved mine!” ~Amanda Yantos
M.K. Clinton, author and blogger of Barking from the Bayou also has a profound story behind her tattoo. Read more about Bentley’s story!
“I got this tattoo last summer. I asked the artist to design something for Bentley that included a heart, a paw, and an infinity circle. I wanted a #7 in the paw to represent Bentley. He is our 7th dog and has an actual 7 on his side. That was the inspiration for my book series and ultimately to my blogging career. That is how one lovable Basset Hound changed my life. I love it.” ~M.K. Clinton
Articles of fabulous animal themed tattoos if you’re looking for inspiration:
Do you have an animal inspired tattoo? Send me a pic as I’m doing a follow up story after I get Walter’s name added.
Cool tattoo. I’ve been wanting to get a tattoo to symbolize our 3 dogs. I haven’t decided yet between their actual nose or paw prints with their names yet though. I’m leaning more toward nose prints since paw prints r more popular.
Thank you so much! Check out the links as there are so many great examples of tattoos folks have that will hopefully inspire you! I think nose prints would look awesome — please send those to me when you’re done and I’ll post them.
I love it! It’s so unique and I just love the paw prints and how you’ve got each of your dogs,’past and present included. I want to get something tattooed dog related, I was thinking paw prints on the top of my foot. I’d love to get the boys portraits tattooed but you have to find an artist that specializes in that, which can be hard to find.
I just recently saw a video of a man covered in bulldog tattoos, it’s beautiful. I’ll try and find it and tag you in it.
Oh Thank you! If you really want portraits – I’ve seen some amazing ones done when I was researching other tats for this piece. I love the idea of paw prints on your foot! And yes please share the one with the guy with Bulldog tats – I bet they’re amazing. After all this tat talk I want to get a whole sleeve done. Keep me posted, please!
Love your tattoo!
I’m getting a new tattoo, which is an expansion on my flower. I’ve requested blueberries for Blue, who passed away 2-1/2 years ago. And I want more vines around my flower.
Thank you so much! Oh that’s really sweet to add blueberries for your dog that passed away, I think it’s a wonderful way to remember them. It’s so great to add enhancement years later – they just evolve… appreciate you sharing.
Great tattoo. I have two; one on each wrist and yes, one of them is a dog tattoo for Bentley. ♥ I’d be happy to send a pic, just let me know when and where.
Oh my gosh!! I just added Amanda’s to my post – can you please send me your pic to christycaplan@gmail.com and a blurb about it? 🙂 I’ll add! Thank you!
Thanks so much for adding my tattoo and the story behind it. ♥
Thank YOU SO much for sending me the story and image of your tat! I’m so happy to include this in the post! Appreciate this so much.
I’ve been itching for a tattoo dedicated to my cat Edison and my guinea pigs. But I cannot decide on a design!!!!!!!!
I’m hoping all this tat talk has inspired YOU! I also feel like the design piece is the hardest part. Keep me posted – clearly!! Thanks for sharing, I’m so glad to feature other bloggers and their animal inspired tats!
Love Snoopy, but Mom isn’t a tattoo lover for herself.
Thank you! Tats are super personal choices so I get it!
Great post and love the Snoopy tattoo. I’ve been thinking about getting another tattoo but definitely want to do my research to find a reputable artist.
Thank you! It took me awhile to find someone I liked – and someone I wouldn’t mind hanging out with for hours 🙂
I have two tattoos in honor of my first German shepherd, Isis. I should have done more research for the first one, which is just her name on my foot (a fact that got complicated by international affairs, as you can imagine). The other is her image on my forearm. For that one, I searched Instagram for tattoo artists. I’m thrilled with this one and plan to get ALL my dogs by the same artist. I’ll have a sleeve by the time I die…
Oh such a great idea to search Instagram for artists! And I love that your plan is a sleeve. I may just start one! Who could have known about Isis, right? I totally hear you… do you have pics?!
I love the idea of including each of your dogs’ names in the tattoo.
Thank you!
Very cool! Wish I had the body room. I have all the ink I can stand, since I added a tat when I got married a few years ago. I love it, but I’m not sure I want more. Your ideas are sure tempting, however!
Jean from Welcome to the Menagerie
Thank you! That’s cool that you have a lot of ink already!
There’s a tattoo place for us that does benefits for all the cat shelters “Tats for Cats”. I had my first one done at one of the benefits. I am thinking of getting a second one this summer.
What a cool tattoo place that does benefits for cat shelters — What is your first tat of?
Those are all beautiful tattoos. I can’t wait to see your new design later this month!
Thank you! It was fun to include some other blogger’s tats too!
That’s a great tattoo. I have one (non dog related) on my lower back. All I remember was the increase pain it caused me (I’m such a chicken). I’d love to get a dog related one, but not sure. You’ve got me thinking hard now about another one!
Thank you! It was so long ago that I got mine, I cannot remember the pain factor! 🙂 me too I’m a total chicken. Hope I inspired you!
I love how your tat shows Snoopy with your dogs’ names in his footprints, that is SO creative! I’d really love to get a tattoo that represents my dogs, but I’m a little bit chicken. Thanks for sharing your tattoo story and those of some of our other blogger friends, very inspiring!
Love & Biscuits,
Dogs Luv Us and We Luv Them
Thank you so much! Snoopy seemed appropriate since he’s a hound and I love him…. I love the other blogger’s tats too! So creative and so thoughtful!