Atlas Pet Company has definitely come a long way over the years; so have I. When I got Atlas, my black lab, I was processing the loss of my 3 best friends, all before the age of 25 – overdose, car accident, suicide. Figuring I could be up next, I took a look at my life and priorities; how could I make the most out of the time I had left? I started by throwing Atlas in the truck on Friday nights and spending weekends roaming the mountains and deserts of California, still hanging on to my tech job and the security of the known. But something was brewing: my adventures with Atlas convinced me there was a need for higher quality American-made dog gear. So we started Atlas Pet Company, and after a few years of early morning manufacturing and late nights packing orders, I quit my job in San Francisco and moved into a 4x4 Sprinter van with my partner, our two black labs, and gear for a year on the road.

We were going to road trip across the country (dipping our toes in Canada and Mexico), while building the business, living our story while designing products I hoped would allow others to live theirs. Atlas started in a dark place, but its come to mean something more. The best pet products in the world were catalyzed by the most difficult chapter of my life, one that started me on the most beautiful, with my best friend by my side. Most people wait their whole lives to realize that life is too short; the passing of my friends and my bond with Atlas left me no choice but to chase my dream.

Some rules quickly fell into place: Never cut corners. Focus on quality. Make products that improve the lives of dogs and owners. And what do we mean by home base? Well, we moved our mobile operation into a warehouse in Golden, Colorado, against the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. These days, life looks a little different. If you swing by the office, you’ll find Atlas and me there, still best buds hard at work building our dream life. Our team has grown, too. We’re now a crew of five, plus a few four-legged friends. But the important stuff is the same. We design our products to last forever. Then, we stand behind them with a lifetime warranty - you buy once, you cry once, you use it for the rest of your pet’s days. You don’t compromise when it comes to your best friend, and neither do we.