When we received an email asking us to build a wooden bowl stand for a dog named Joe, we didn’t hesitate for a second. As dog owners ourselves, we know how important it is to create something functional yet special for our furry family members. And let’s be honest—how could we say no to a project for a golden retriever?
Joe’s owner made our lives easier by coming prepared. He’d already researched the ideal bowl height for dogs of Joe’s size (he’s a big boy, after all!). Golden retrievers aren’t just big—they’re famously goofy, and we knew the stand needed to be sturdy enough to handle anything Joe might bring to the table (or knock over).
Designing for Joe
We started by sketching a few design options and shared them with Joe’s owner. Along with the sketches, we provided two wood choices, and after some discussion, the owner chose walnut wood and one of our designs that featured lots of intricate joinery work. This was a fun challenge for us, as joinery isn’t something we’d done extensively before, but it was the perfect opportunity to expand our skills.
As we refined the design, Joe’s owner had one more request: a live edge top. We couldn’t agree more—it added a stunning, natural element to the piece and elevated the overall look.
Crafting the Pawfect Diner
Just because we were building for a dog didn’t mean we’d cut corners on the details or quality. We approached this project with the same level of care and craftsmanship as we would for any other.
The stand’s legs featured beautiful, interlocking joinery that gave it both strength and character. We carefully routered the bowl circles to perfectly fit Joe’s bowls and added rubber padding inside the circles to hold the bowls securely and minimize scratches on the wood.
The live edge walnut top was the crowning touch, giving the piece a natural, rustic beauty that you definitely won’t find in any pet store.
A Stand Fit for the Goodest Boy
The end result? A sturdy, stylish, one-of-a-kind feeder that was built to last—and built with love. It’s not every day that you get to create something for a dog as special as Joe, and knowing that he can now eat and drink comfortably from a piece made just for him fills our hearts.
We also got the stamp of approval from Joe himself!
To us, every project is personal, whether it’s for a human client or their furry best friend. The Pawfect Diner is a great reminder of why we love what we do—it’s about creating functional, meaningful pieces that bring joy to families (and their pets) for years to come.