Holly and Daisy: The Story Behind The Hollydaz

The Hollydaz is named after two dogs. Holly and Daisy. They were mine, and they were everything.

Holly was a silky Maltese, gentle and white, with a habit of walking a little behind on every outing and then appearing right beside you as if she had been there all along. She did things in her own time, always, and it was always exactly the right time.

Daisy was a Jack Russell cross Foxy, and she had opinions. She was bold and funny and completely herself. On walks, she liked to carry her pink mobile phone toy in her mouth. People would stop and watch her coming down the footpath. 'Can't go out without her mobile, can she?' they would say. 'Does she have international dialling?' Their faces would light up as she passed. She did that to people. She just made them happy.

Then there was Trevor. A moggie, gorgeous and certain of his place in the world. The three of them, Holly, Daisy and Trevor, were inseparable. They played together, slept together, loved each other in the uncomplicated way that animals do, and to their person, me.

Daisy left in 2016. Holly left in 2020. They were not pets. They were my girls, my family, and not a day goes by that I do not think of them.

When I started thinking about what to call this carrier, there was only ever one answer. Holly and Daisy. The Hollydaz.

Holly's paw print is on every single bag. Every order that goes out, every person who carries their dog through a cafe or along a beach or through a weekend market, they are carrying Holly's paw with them. She is still going everywhere, every day. I love that more than I can say. Daisy's design is coming on the next version of the bag.

That is what they taught me, really. That a small dog is not a dog you leave at home. A small dog is a dog you take with you, everywhere you possibly can, for every day that you have them. Because those days go faster than you think.

If you have a small dog, take them with you today.