Dogs are a Girl’s Best Friend
The Heartwarming Story Behind Pip Stitch Gifts
Gwen Akers
The Ashland Beacon
Pip Stitch Gifts, the lovable dog accessory and treat business that has sparked joy in both people and their pets, all began with just one dog: a rescue named Pippy.
Mallory Niggeneyer found herself living in Columbus during the heart of the coronavirus pandemic. At the time, she was finishing nursing school and looking for a companion to keep herself and her husband some company: and eventually they came across Pippy, a beautiful black and white rescue dog needing a home. Pippy had been in the shelter for over a year, and later was rescued from an abandoned home where she was stuck for almost two weeks with no food or water. Pippy needed a family, and the Niggeneyers were more than willing to become her fur-ever home. On May 5, 2020, what later became known as “Cinco de Pippy” to the Niggeneyers, they adopted Pippy and brought her home.
Soon enough, Niggeneyer and Pippy were inseparable, and by July, Niggeneyer had an idea for her own small business inspired by Pippy: what would soon become known as Pip Stitch Gifts.
“When we rescued her in 2020, she was my first dog that my husband and I purchased. So, I had such a strong attachment to her … I was with her [Pippy] all the time at home. I realized she loved to wear bandannas, so I was like, ‘I can make dog bandannas.’ I started a little Etsy shop, and it just took off there.” explained Niggeneyer.
After taking a home economics class in high school, Niggeneyer was already familiar with the basics of using a sewing machine, and with perseverance and experimentation she got to work creating the bandannas she now makes and sells. Always a crafty person, Niggeneyer knew she wanted her bandannas to be exactly how Pippy would want them: reversible, durable and fun.
Remembering Pippy’s own beginnings, Niggeneyer also knew she wanted her work to eventually get to the scale where she could begin to help and give back to our local animal shelters that do so much for the animals of our area.
“When we rescued her [Pippy], I was like, I would love to get to the point in my business where I can get back to the rescue shelters that are local to us. When we moved back down here after I graduated, that's what I set out to do. I started really taking the time to improve my business and adding more inventory items, that way I could eventually work my way to get back in large doses to those local animal shelters,” expressed Niggeneyer.
Soon, Niggeneyer also branched out to make her own dog treats. Being conscious about what Pippy was ingesting has made Niggeneyer very aware of what ingredients go into dog treats, and just how important it is as pet owners that we make sure we are feeding our animals with sustainable and healthy ingredients.
With this in mind, Niggeneyer set up at her first in person event in November of 2022, where she fell in love with getting to meet her customers and hear their stories. Pippy accompanied her wherever she went, and although Pippy is no longer with her, Niggeneyer still loves being out in the community and continuing to share Pippy’s story.
“I had such a strong attachment to her, and unfortunately, we lost her this past July. We found out she had cancer in November of 2023. It's been hard, but this isn’t going to stop me from sharing her story and doing what I do, because she's the whole reason I started this,” commented Niggeneyer.
Now, Niggeneyer continues creating and sharing her love of dogs with the community – setting up at local events and listening to the stories of her customers and friends and how so many have been changed by their pets just as Niggeneyer has.
“She's the whole reason I started this,” said Niggeneyer. “I always say we because [Pippy] was always there with me working, and it’s always going to be we because her and I would always sell together and do all these things together.”
With the Fall coming up, Niggeneyer is excited to offer new inventory and to keep telling hers and Pippy’s story. For more information about Pip Stitch Gifts, you can find them on Facebook as well as at pipstitchgifts.etsy.com.
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