A business owner has dedicated her first ever billboard to her dog, who inspired her to turn her love for creating things into a successful handmade craft company. 

Dawn McKenna, from Granton, in Edinburgh, was a childminder for 17 years until her beagle Honey became a part of the family. With a lot of hard work, Bowzos was born and has gone on to achieve some incredible things, including a billboard to showcase the craft – but Dawn says it’s all thanks to her dog Honey.  

Around six years ago, Dawn was disappointed at how ordinary the collars found in shops were. As a woman with a talent for making things, she decided to make Honey a collar herself, using leftover tweed in the house. 

When it got to Christmas she jazzed it up a notch, adding a bow to it, and she was instantly inundated with compliments. She started selling dog bow ties immediately along with her daughter Nicola. 

Dawn, 52, said: “I was inspired to make her something special as I couldn't find anything unique. Now I sell tartan bow tie collars worldwide, all inspired from my love for Honey.”