IN LOVING MEMORY OF BEAR
My favorite swimmer.
My best friend.
Rest easy, sweet boy.
— Mom
Hey, my name is Sandy Sullivan.
Bear was my Frenchie. My shadow, my road-trip copilot, and the dog who could make any ordinary day feel important.
He loved water in a way only a dog can: completely, loudly, without caution. A hose, a fountain, the edge of a lake - Bear wanted in.
I thought I knew how to protect him. I bought a vest. I brought fresh water. I watched the temperature. I worried about heatstroke and exhaustion.
I did not know that a dog can swallow dangerous amounts of water while having the best day of his life.
I did not know that Bear’s last water day would be the reason Bark’n’Buoy exists.
When It Rains, It Pours
It was one of those hot summer days when every decision feels harmless.
Bear kept splashing. Kept snapping at the water. Kept swimming back for one more throw.
His old vest kept his body afloat, but it did not give him much support at the front. I noticed he was taking in water, but I thought he was simply excited. I noticed he was tired, but I thought he had played hard.
Then everything changed at once.
One minute, Bear was rolling in the grass beside me... wet, happy, and waiting for me to throw the ball again.
Then he wasn’t.
He began drooling so heavily that it soaked the fur beneath his mouth. He tipped his head back, panting in short, frightened bursts. When I called his name, he did not look at me.
His legs gave out.
I tried to help him stand, but he staggered sideways and collapsed again. His eyes looked distant. He would not take his favorite treat, the one thing Bear had never refused in his life.
The drive to the emergency vet is still a blur.
They told us his electrolytes had dropped dangerously low after taking in too much water. They rushed him into treatment. For hours, my husband and I sat in the waiting room, listening for a door to open, praying every time someone walked toward us.
Then Bear began having seizures.
They transferred him to another clinic in the middle of the night. Machines were keeping watch over him while we sat outside, holding his leash, waiting for someone to tell us he was going to be okay.
But he wasn’t.
And there is no sentence I will ever write that makes that feel real.
At the emergency vet, I heard the words “water intoxication” for the first time.
I remember thinking, How could I have loved him this much and still not known?
Bear did not come home.
The Post I Never Wanted to Write
I wrote about Bear because I could not sleep.
I wrote about the warnings I had missed. I wrote about how I had packed water, bought a vest, and still had no idea that repeated gulping during play could become an emergency.
I expected a few friends to read it.
Instead, it spread.
My inbox filled with messages from dog parents who had their own close calls: dogs drinking pool water while swimming, snapping at hoses, chasing waves, becoming bloated, wobbly, or strangely tired afterward.
Some people wrote, “I had no idea.”
Others wrote, “I thought I was the only one.”
That was the moment I realized Bear’s story was bigger than our family’s loss.
Too many dog parents were trying to keep their dogs safe without being given the information or gear they deserved.
Building Bark’n’Buoy
In 2016, I started Bark’n’Buoy with one question:
What would I have wanted to know before I lost Bear?
The first answer was awareness. The second was better support.
Over the years, more than 5,000 dog parents have trusted us with their water days and their feedback shaped every version of Bark’n’Buoy.
We refined the fit so dogs could move more naturally. We chose soft, durable materials for comfort. We built in high-buoyancy panels, a front chin-support float, reflective trim, a breathable mesh belly, and a reinforced top handle for more confident lifts.
It was never about making “just another dog vest.”
It was about making the water-day gear I wish Bear had worn.
The Mission Is Awareness
Bark’n’Buoy is not a substitute for supervision.
It does not replace swim breaks, fresh water, a safe exit from the pool, or getting veterinary help when something feels wrong.
But every time someone learns to notice how much water their dog is swallowing, pauses a swim session early, or chooses more supportive gear for their dog, Bear’s story reaches a little further.
And with every Bark’n’Buoy vest sold, we donate 10% to shelters and organizations helping dogs and the people who love them.
It is my way of making sure Bear is remembered far beyond our home, at lakes, pools, beaches, and rescue organizations across the country.
I could not save Bear.
But his memory can still help another dog come home.
That is our mission.
To help dog parents feel more prepared.
To help dogs enjoy the water with more support.
And to make sure fewer people have to learn what I learned only after it was too late.
With love,
Sandy Sullivan
Founder, Bark’n’Buoy
Real Dog Owners. Real Piece of Mind.
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3d ago
We bought this for our 38 pound French Bulldog (after watching him slip off a kayak and sink like a sack of potatoes a few years earlier.) Needless to say, he highly approved of this vest! It DOES have the zip on chin float which he DID love when he was actually in the water. It’s easy to put on and take off with a simple zip! Well worth the purchase!
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7h ago
I bought this for my 40 lb English Bulldog and although it’s says it’s for a frenchie, it works for a smaller English Bulldog and it fits her well. The extra “fin” in front for the chin is really ideal for dogs with shorter legs and barreled chests. If your shopping for a smaller, squatty type dog, that little lift is pretty helpful for them to keep their heads above water
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12h ago
Frenchies are notoriously difficult to get the right fit for, but this life vest fit perfectly. Really appreciated how the neck strap keeps his head above water. He loves swimming but sinks, now he joins us when the temps get hot in the pool and we don’t have to worry about him going under. Does what it says and fits perfectly.
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🏅Best Dog Life Jacket 2026
Even water-loving dogs can get tired. Bark’n’Buoy combines buoyant body panels with a front chin-support float, designed to give your pup extra support during supervised swims, boat days, and lake adventures. Easy to put on and adjust. Built for more confident water days.
🛟 Keeps Chin Above Water When They Exhaust
👐 Easy-Grab Top Handle for Quick Assistance
🐶 Adjustable Straps for All Breeds & Body Types
🏳️🌈 Bright Colors + Reflective Trim for Visibility
If between sizes, it's recommended to size up.
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This is a perfect fit and the chin piece helps my pugs keep water out of their nose.
My lil pug swims much better with this and she has more confidence to join the rest of the family in the pool.
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Our baby is a 70lb American Staffordshire Terrier (pit bull) and we ordered the large. The fit is great. He loves to swim and this makes it easier on him. He wears his life jacket and swims safely the entire time we are at the lake. The orange color has great visibility in the water. The best part is that our dog is happy and comfortable in his life jacket. He even gets excited when he sees it! The life jacket appears well made with clean stitching and secure fasteners. This is our first season using it and we've already had it a month. Highly recommend
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I really like this life jacket. My dog used it in the pool and was able to swim comfortably while the jacket helped keep him afloat. It feels well made, the adjustable straps make it easy to get a good fit, and the design is practical for adding extra safety around the water. Overall, I’m very happy with it and would recommend it for dogs that enjoy swimming.
You've got Questions. We've got Answers.
Will it fit my dog?
Will it fit my dog?
Bark’n’Buoy comes in five adjustable sizes, from XS to XL, for pups from 5 to 77 lbs. Measure the widest part of your dog’s chest, then match it to our size chart before ordering. A secure fit is what lets the vest do its job comfortably.
Does the Head-Up Chin Support actually help?
Does the Head-Up Chin Support actually help?
Yes. The built-in front float is designed to sit beneath your dog’s chin and provide added support while they paddle. It helps encourage a more comfortable, head-up swimming position, especially for short-snouted breeds and dogs that tire quickly in the water.
Will it work for my stocky or muscular dog?
Will it work for my stocky or muscular dog?
It’s made for more than just lean, small dogs. With adjustable chest and belly straps, Bark’n’Buoy can be fitted securely on compact, broad-chested, and muscular builds too. Just measure first and choose the size that matches your dog’s chest.
Will my dog be comfortable wearing it?
Will my dog be comfortable wearing it?
That’s exactly why the fit is adjustable. Secure the straps so the jacket stays in place without rubbing or restricting natural movement. Let your dog wear it briefly on dry land before their first swim so they can get comfortable feeling like the captain of the boat.
Can we use it in pools, lakes, and the ocean?
Can we use it in pools, lakes, and the ocean?
Absolutely. Bark’n’Buoy is made for pool days, lake weekends, paddleboards, and boat rides. After use in salt water or a chlorinated pool, rinse it with fresh water and let it air-dry before your next adventure.
Important safety note: Bark’n’Buoy is a flotation aid, not a substitute for active adult supervision around water.