Cones of Shame? More Like “Cones Of Fame!”

Lori Ennis
by Lori Ennis
An animal lover and art student has turned her two passions into an effort to help homeless dogs find furever homes with her “Cones of Fame” collection.


Art Institute Student Erin Einbender of Chicago knew she wanted her final project to be something special that incorporated her love for animals. Einbender says she’s always loved dogs, and probably loves them more than people. (Preach it, sister!)

Related: 10 Adorkable Dogs That Don’t Need Your Judgment


She realized that the animals she worked with as a volunteer at One Tail at a Time looked so sad with their ‘cones of shame’ after they were spayed or neutered, and worked to make them just a bit happier.

Recovery collars or E-Collars are never really fun for dog or owner. Dogs seriously look embarrassed while they wear them and owners worry about dogs navigating with the thing around their neck! But the collars Einbender decorated and then photographed bring smiles to the faces of all who see, which gives the dogs some much-needed excitement and enthusiasm from humans as they wait to be adopted.

Einbender said that as a volunteer at One Tail At A Time, she thought her art could help give the dogs a brighter, happier disposition, which could make their adoptions and entrance to their forever homes faster. She chose a few lovable dogs as her subjects for a final art project for school, and voila! All the dogs she photographed have been adopted and she hopes to continue to do work like this to help other dogs get adopted as well.

Related: Pets Hidden in Optical Illusions Reveal a Double Meaning


Saying that the cones empower pups and help educate people about how important it is to spay and neuter, the project she named “Cones of Fame,” will be on exhibit at the One Tail At A Time Adoption Center on June 21. You can purchase tickets for $10 a piece if you are in the area, with proceeds going to the rescue, and to future efforts to help homeless pets find forever.

Lori Ennis
Lori Ennis

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