Doodle Booth Pop Up at Gone to the Dogs

There’s something especially magical about drawing people and their pets in real time—quick, imperfect, full of personality—and that energy was on full display at my recent Doodle Booth pop-up at Gone to the Dogs in Park Slope Brooklyn.

This event was part of Made in NYC Week, a citywide celebration of local makers, artists, and small businesses. It felt like the perfect setting: a neighborhood pet shop filled with regulars, curious passersby, and, of course, lots of very good dogs.

The Setup

I brought my Doodle Booth setup to the shop—simple, compact, and designed to feel approachable. The idea is always the same: take a picture, shop while your doodle is being created, and leave with a one-of-a-kind drawing that captures a moment.

Being inside a pet shop added a whole new layer. Instead of just people, I was sketching wagging tails, tilted heads, and the occasional very wiggly subject. There’s no controlling a dog mid-doodle, which honestly makes the drawings even better.

The Drawings

Each piece is done quickly—loose lines, a little bit of exaggeration, and just enough detail to make it feel like them. The goal isn’t perfection; it’s personality.

Some dogs sat proudly like they knew they were being immortalized.A few required their humans to hold them still just long enough for me to get the key shapes down. Every single one had its own energy, and that’s what makes the Doodle Booth so fun.

The Crowd

Park Slope showed up exactly how you’d expect: friendly, engaged, and very into their pets. People stopped in while running errands, others came specifically for the event, and some just wandered in and decided on the spot they needed a doodle.

One of my favorite parts of these pop-ups is watching people react when they see their finished piece. There’s always a moment of recognition—like, yes, that’s my dog—even in the simplest lines.

Why Events Like This Matter

Made in NYC Week is all about highlighting local creativity, and events like this remind me why I love doing what I do. It’s not just about selling artwork—it’s about creating something on the spot, connecting with people, and making something they’ll keep.

Pop-ups like this are also a chance to experiment, meet new audiences, and bring the Doodle Booth into spaces where it naturally fits. A pet shop? Honestly, it might be one of my favorite settings yet.

What’s Next

I’ll definitely be bringing the Doodle Booth to more unexpected places like this. If you missed this one, don’t worry—there are always more pop-ups coming.

And if you have a dog… just know they probably belong in a doodle.