From shelter dog to Connecticut Dog Magazine cover girl.

This fall, one of my sweaters is featured on the cover of Connecticut Dog Magazine. I made it for Thelma, a shelter dog at The Simon Foundation. With the help of shelter Director, Nikole Strickland, we were able to gather insights about Thelma for the the Honored Dog personality quiz. Once we discovered her dominant personality profiles were Bossy Pants and Goodest Girl, I was able to create a sweater that reflected her individuality. Deep eggplant purple as the primary color with a champagne and rich teal accents. The colorful blend speaks to her bold presence, while the classy collection of colors highlights her Goodest Girl loyalty and soulful demeanor.

A year ago, none of this existed.

Westie Wear was me, my dogs, some yarn, and an idea I couldn’t stop thinking about. With excitement, hope, and delusional motivation, I worked night and day; feverishly crocheting sweaters for my first vendor booth. In September 2025, as I prepared for my first festival event, I staged my booth in my kitchen for five weeks straight while curating the signature color collections that would eventually branch off into their own brand; The Honored Dog.

The ideas and inspiration kept growing. First there was the idea of Westie Wear; a small business making custom crocheted dog sweaters designed to reflect each dog’s personality. Then came the idea of forming a Craft Pack; a group of dog-loving crocheters who longed to craft with purpose. And in early Spring of 2026, The Honored Dog; an framework extension of the dog personalities that became written guides and workshops aimed at helping pet parents better understand the dogs they bring into their lives.

Something else happened too. As I donated sweaters to local shelters, the work brought me back into the animal welfare world that meant so much to me in the early stages of my career. Working as the Education Coordinator at The Arizona Humane Society, I learned a lot about animal behavior, and advocated for humane treatment of animals. Now, decades later, I come to the table with more than 17 years of coaching and facilitation expertise: new ways to support dog lovers and dogs alike.

I am pleased to share that over the past year, Westie Wear has donated more than 10 sweaters to animals needing a little extra comfort. As I have advocated for these pets, I’ve brought attention to dogs waiting for homes and have begun forming relationships with shelter staff interested in the work I’m doing with Westie Wear and The Honored Dog.

After years of malaise resulting in a chronic bone infection that devolved my lifestyle over 20 years, this progression feels a bit like a miracle. And it is why this magazine cover means so much to me. This isn’t just a picture of a sweater on a magazine cover. It’s a shelter dog being seen … recognized for who she is. Which is exactly the outcome I’ve hoped for with each sweater I have made.

Once Thelma’s sweater was crocheted, I brought it to The Simon Foundation for her photo shoot with professional photographer Oscar Dean. Thelma was overwhelmed by the whole production, but she pulled it together in courageous moments, as you can see in the results featured in the magazine.

Thank you to Connecticut Dog Magazine for recognizing the work behind Westie Wear® and The Honored Dog™. It has been one of the greatest experiences of the past year, to work with Publisher Melissa Roberts, photographer Oscar Dean, and Nikole Strickland and the team at The Simon Foundation. I am grateful to celebrate this rite of passage; my first year in business, in such a meaningful way. I am looking forward to experiencing what year two brings, and sharing more meaningful moments with dogs and the people who love them.

See the issue at: https://connecticutdog.com/ or scroll through the issue below.

— Kimberly Jo DeVault, Founder: Westie Wear & The Honored Dog