Inspired by a fisherman in the family, we made our first three-strand, hand-spliced and whipped rope leash for our rescue pups back in 2006. So many people stopped us in the street to admire our unique nautical leads that we decided to share them with others. Our founders met on Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn while walking their two rescue pups, both of whom were named Walter. The Walters were sizing each other up, and their people started a conversation that quickly revealed their passion for animal welfare. They decided to become partners after discovering they had more in common than two rescue dogs with the same name. They had both attended great design schools—Cooper Union and Rhode Island School of Design—and were passionate about animals, animal welfare and a love of the principles of good design.