Celebrating 17 Years of Ugly Dog Adventures!

Next month, Ugly Dog Adventures turns 17—and we’re filled with pride, gratitude, and a whole lot of emotion as we reflect on how far we’ve come. What began as a dream (and a backpack full of leashes) has grown into a thriving community of dogs and humans who believe in the power of the pack. We couldn’t have done it without you.

When we first started, pack walks were unheard of. Most people didn’t understand the concept, and it was a tough sell. These days, pack walks are recognized as one of the best ways to socialize and train your dog—something we’ve known all along and are proud to have helped pioneer in Southern California.

Seventeen years in, we’ve seen it all—and we’ll be honest, it’s not always an easy business. We’ve loved and lost so many beautiful dogs who were part of our pack family, and each one has left a paw print on our hearts. At the same time, we’ve welcomed countless new dogs into our circle, and with each one comes a new connection, a new challenge, and a new reason to keep doing what we love. It’s bittersweet, and it’s deeply meaningful.

To build these relationships—with your dogs, and with all of you—is a joy and privilege we never, ever take for granted. It’s a life full of muddy paws, happy barks, and moments that remind us just how lucky we are to do this every day.

And wow, how times have changed! We used to navigate with a Thomas Guide, carry around sets of keys, and collect checks from clients. Today, we have payment apps, key codes, GPS navigation, and streamlined systems that make running this business smoother than ever. But at the heart of it, nothing has changed: it’s still about the dogs, the relationships, and the adventures we share.

Thank you for being part of this incredible ride. We’re proud to still be leading the pack after all these years—and the best is yet to come.

With all our love and gratitude,

Jennifer Patten & the Ugly Dog Adventures Team