How Mabel the cocker inspired a new Liverpool business and dog owners’ walking group

A new Liverpool dog accessories business and community dog walk has been inspired by the cutest ‘brand ambassador’ – 18-month-old cocker spaniel Mabel!

Ellie McGowan began making her own range of waterproof dog leads and collars when she became fed up with her old ones getting soggy and smelly after rainy walks with Mabel.

Ellie, who lives in West Derby, looked around for an alternative but didn’t like the options on offer online or on the high street.

So the former architecture student decided to launch Puddle Paws Waterproof, handmaking every lead and collar from home in a wide range of colours and sizes, from XXL for the biggest breeds to XXS for tiny ones like chihuahuas. 

Now after a positive response from owners who want practical accessories that match their dogs’ personalities, she’s also planning Puddle Paws Waterproof community walks.

The first one will be at Croxteth Park on Sunday March 29, coinciding with the regular Makers Market in the Hall which is already popular with pet lovers.

Ellie explains:

“My sister got Mabel as a puppy and because I’d just finished uni at the time I ended up looking after her. It was during winter and every time I’d come home from a walk her stuff was absolutely soaking wet. 

“I looked for waterproof versions but there just weren’t many options, and if you went to one of the big high street retailers, they didn’t have a lot of colour choices. 

“I’ve always wanted to have my own business so I was sketching a few designs, I sourced waterproof materials and all the equipment I needed and I started making leads and collars.”

With support from The Kings Trust, 23-year-old Ellie has been guided through how to set up a business. After taking her range to markets including the one at Croxteth Hall, she is going to launch her Puddle Paws Waterproof website in April.

And to coincide with that, she came up with the idea of organising community park walks for dog owners.

She said:

“We’ve got a group chat for our local field so I based the idea on that. When we were all walking around at 7am together, people would say that was often the only time they ever spoke to someone outside of work.

“Dog owners already have something in common, and everyone loves to talk about their dogs, so I thought we could get together and make it a regular event.

“I chose Croxteth Park for the first one, on the last Sunday in March when there’s a Makers Market on, and then I’d like to do a walk every month and vary the location so we get more people attending and different areas.”

Ellie will be there on the walk, which starts from the Hall at 9.30am, with Mabel of course.

“Mabel is basically my free model so she gets to wear everything I make, including a few one-off waterproof outfits I’ve done that are just for her.

“We started an Instagram account for her when we first got her and she’s got almost 3k followers. She’s on there modelling the products and she really loves having her photos taken so she’s the perfect brand ambassador!”

Find out more about Puddle Paws Waterproofs here.

Find more Liverpool news here.

Find out what’s good up North on our new platform, The Northern Guide. 

From the best hotels, beauty spots, days out, food and more up North – visit thenorthernguide.com and follow The Northern Guide on Instagram HERE.