Our shortest member of staff has taken over the Christmas gift guide. And, frankly, she's been preparing for this all year.
If you've visited Nudie at one of our shows this summer, there's a good chance you've met Sandy. She's our resident Pembroke Corgi, unofficial Head of Marketing and a rather enthusiastic collector of biscuits.
This year, she's travelled around the country with me as we've taken Nudie on the road, making friends with fellow exhibitors, charming customers and discovering some brilliant independent businesses along the way.
So, as we count down to our very first Christmas tour, we're sharing some of the wonderful brands we've come across during our first year on the show circuit.
And who better to kick things off than the member of staff who has arguably enjoyed the whole experience the most?
Here are Sandy's five favourites. All personally tested, enthusiastically approved and, where applicable, thoroughly chewed.
1. Debbo & Daughters — The travel bed that goes everywhere
If there's one thing Sandy has learnt this year, it's that having a portable place to snooze is an essential part of working life.
Enter Debbo & Daughters, a brilliant group of women making gorgeous, practical travel beds for dogs.
They're designed to move easily from the car to the office, from home to a show and just about everywhere in between.
For a dog who spends an extraordinary amount of time accompanying me to events, it's exactly the sort of thoughtful product we love discovering.
And while Sandy may technically be employed in marketing, she's considerably more committed to the sleeping department.
2. Ruff and Tumble — Finally, a drying coat for short legs
When Sandy was tiny, I bought her a drying coat.
Adorable idea. Slight problem.
It was so long at the front that she promptly fell flat on her face.
Not quite the cosy post-bath experience I'd envisioned.
After a lot of searching, we discovered Ruff and Tumble, who actually cater for our vertically challenged canine friends.
Their Tweenie Dachshund size fits Sandy beautifully, despite her being a Corgi, and has become her go-to after wet walks and baths.
It's essentially her dressing gown.
And given the amount of mud she's encountered during our summer show circuit, I'd argue it's earned its keep several times over.
3. Storeys and Tails — A collar that can survive SandyS
We first discovered Storeys and Tails at our very first outdoor show of the year.
I immediately loved their collars and leads, but Sandy was still growing, so we waited until she was a little closer to her adult size before investing.
A sensible decision, particularly after her first beach trip effectively finished off her puppy set.
We chose their all-weather collar and lead, and so far they've survived everything Sandy has thrown at them.
Which, if you've met her, is no small endorsement.
The collar itself is gorgeous, although you may have to take my word for that.
There's quite a lot of Corgi fluff between it and the outside world.
4. Dougie's Big Cheese — The ultimate distraction
There are few things more useful when you're running a jewellery stand than finding something that keeps your four-legged assistant occupied.
Sandy has worked her way through a considerable number of yak chews this year, but there's something about Dougie's Big Cheese that has her completely hooked.
They're one of our favourite ways to keep her busy when things get hectic.
Particularly when I'm trying to talk to customers and Sandy has decided that everyone within a ten-metre radius should be paying attention to her.
A very worthwhile addition to the doggy Christmas stocking.
5. Wags and Wiggles Pet Food — Treats for the adventurous eater
We stocked up with Wags and Wiggles Pet Food at Blenheim, and Sandy was absolutely delighted with her haul.
Ostrich knuckles, duck necks and lung-wrapped trachea.
Not exactly my idea of a festive buffet, but apparently I'm not the target market.
Sandy is a huge fan of their natural treats, and I've been really impressed with what we've tried.
If you're shopping for a dog who appreciates the finer things in life, even when those finer things are dried animal parts,
they're well worth discovering.
A little Christmas thank you from Sandy and me
One of the unexpected joys of our first year exhibiting at shows has been meeting so many wonderful independent business owners.
When you're packing vans, building stands and spending your weekends in fields, you get to know the people doing exactly the same thing around you.
And it's been such a pleasure discovering products that we genuinely use and love.
That's what this Christmas gift guide series is all about: sharing a little love with the businesses we've met along the way and hopefully introducing you to some new favourites.
We'll be sharing more editions in the run-up to Nudie's first Christmas tour, covering everything from thoughtful gifts to my own skin-first essentials.
As for Sandy, her outdoor show season is officially over.
She's taking some well-earned annual leave from her position as our shortest member of staff.
Although, having reviewed her performance this year, I'm fairly certain she thinks I'm the assistant.
Love, Sophie & Sandy x
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