Our Story

Hi, I’m Tamil—the self-taught artist and longtime vet tech behind GrungePup Gallery.

I’ve spent 24 years in the animal industry—working in doggie daycares, clinics, and hospitals in just about every role you can imagine. In October 2024, right after my husband and I got married, we headed to Bali for our honeymoon. A scooter accident left me with a busted knee. I had one surgery to repair my patellar tendon, then eight months later a second one for the meniscus and ACL. Recovery took me out for months at a time, but I pushed through.

The inspiration that kept me going was my heart dog, Nico—my first dog as an adult, a one-eyed Husky mix with the silliest tongue-out grin and the biggest personality. I started drawing him, turning all the pain, the vet chaos, the love, and the sarcasm into art. In March 2025, GrungePup Gallery was born. Creating these pieces literally helped pull me out of the fog, with my husband and our furry crew right there beside me.

Life didn’t let up. I had the second surgery in August 2025, and then Nico got his cancer diagnosis. We said goodbye in November 2025. It was the first time I’d ever had to let go of a pet of my own—especially my soul dog. I’m still messed up about it. The sad cases at work started hitting harder, and burnout settled in deep. I’m taking a step back now, working part-time, and giving myself space to heal.

Every design here carries pieces of that journey: sarcastic zodiac animals, vet chaos vibes, Nico-inspired portraits, and all the grunge-meets-cute art that helped me keep going. This isn’t just clothes and accessories. It’s my therapy turned into wearable reminders for anyone who gets it—fellow vet techs living the burnout, pet parents who’ve loved and lost, zodiac lovers who want their sign with a side of sarcasm, and anyone turning pain into something beautiful anyway.

Thanks for being part of the Pack. Your support means I get to keep creating. —Tamil & the GrungePup crew 🖤

P.S. If you’re in the trenches of vet med or grieving a pet, know you’re not alone.