This amusingly reminds me of the inspirations for Eevee's creation:
This early design had all the main characteristics of the modern Eevee: long ears, a fluffy tail, and a white ruff around its neck. Fujiwara said that it reminded him of a fluffy cat or dog-like creature one would see in the country. "Once, when I got lost in the forest as a child, I encountered an indefinable creature." He drew upon his vague childhood memories to create Eevee.
The designs for the evolutions came after; Fujiwara drew Jolteon and Flareon, while Atsuko Nishida (who is best known for designing Pikachu) drew Vaporeon and the other evolutions in later games.