Jewelry Designers Agree: Every Pup Should Shine on National Dog Day

By Karen Dybis | August 25, 2023

Fine jewelry that honors our primal relationship with man’s (and woman’s) best friend is something to celebrate for National Dog Day.

The Aug. 26 “holiday” started in 2004 thanks to pet and family lifestyle advocate Colleen Paige, who wanted to raise awareness of pet adoption from rescue centers, according to National Today, a website that catalogs unofficial holidays. Paige chose the date because that was when her family adopted a Sheltie when she was a child.

Stories like that appeal to jewelry designer Denise Harrison, who creates jewelry for her Bend, Ore., brand Sterling Echoes with everything from beer bubbles to handwriting to wet dog noses.

Dog nose — *Denise Harrison of Sterling Echoes took a photograph of a dog’s nose and created a bracelet ($180) with it for a customer, turning the memory of a pet into a favorite piece of jewelry.*

Harrison says she makes memorial pieces for pet owners as well as necklaces, bracelets, and other items with cherished images just because her dog-loving clients like seeing those squishy faces every time they look at their jewelry.

“We all know that pets are truly members of our families and unfortunately are not with us long enough,” Harrison says. “Losing a pet is heartbreaking. When my daughter was off at college, her beloved ‘Boogie’ passed away, and at that moment I realized I could use my process of using photographs for my jewelry collections to also memorialize Boogie for her.”

Since then, Harrison’s jewelry pieces have become a big hit with many animal lovers. “Working with the images brings me great joy and many smiles as I look into the faces of these amazing creatures. Some are silly, some are serious, and the cats always look angry,” the designer says.

“I have had the pleasure of creating pieces for many dogs and cats as well as horses, a mule, and an elephant. Sometimes it is their full face, or sometimes just their nose print or paw print, but the finished pieces bring joy no matter what.”

*Koa was another beloved dog that a customer wanted on jewelry, and Harrison used the photograph in designing a pendant and a keychain.*

In honor of National Dog Day, here are jewelry pieces from Harrison and other jewelry-makers, including Kismet by Milka, David Yurman, and Anita Ko, to enjoy.

Snoopy earring — *Any day that starts off ruff will likely turn around and (bow) wow you if you put on Kismet by Milka’s snoopy earring ($155)—made for kids but fun for all ages. (Photo courtesy of Kismet by Milka)*

Shout-out to all pups, including my own dog Jinx, for being so cute as to be depicted on jewelry. Bauer is the pooch on this bracelet ($275) that Harrison created for a customer who lost their dog too soon. (Photo courtesy of Sterling Echoes)

Top: Paw print ring by Sterling Echoes is the type of gift you might give or receive for National Dog Day on Aug. 26. (Photo courtesy of Sterling Echoes)

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