Last month unexpectedly left a tennis ball sized hole in our hearts.
He was one of a kind. That's true for most dogs but our boy knew he was different. He named himself. For the first week that he was ours (or we were his) he had a different name. He refused to answer to it though, so we began working through some alternatives. Eying a @jcrew catalog one night, "Crew," I said as he looked up, bright eyes, tail wagging as to say, “Finally. That’s me.”
He couldn’t have been but a few tail wags older than a puppy, but still as big as a thoroughbred horse, when a bird flew in the house years ago. It was an unwelcome task on my busy to-do list: get the bird out, but for a dog it was more. As I chased a bird room by room my sidekick, a goofy lovable goldendoodle, was having the time of his life. Cornering our houseguest in a bedroom, I slammed the door behind me. Before I could make my next move the door barreled open with a dog eager for the next round of his favorite new game. I’m not sure how long it took to usher the bird out, but a happy dog can make a bigger mess than if the bird had just moved in. That’s who he was. No matter what we were doing, he made it better. From lying by my desk all day at work to his morning walks - he loved anything we did together.
When you bring a pet into your life you sign up for eventual heartbreak no matter how you slice it. Hopefully in the end the joy outweighs the heartbreak. As much as we are grieving I wouldn't trade it and lose the 11 years of joy. The older I get the more I realize that grief is what you feel when you don’t know where to put the love you’ve had for someone. There was a lot of love in that big dog. If you're a pet lover or know my wife and I well, you know how different our home feels now. He was the first thing that was "ours" and that bond may be his legacy.
So, for now, we do what you do in such times. Look to the things that make you smile and thankfully there are a lot. In time we'll heal but for now send the birds. Instead of an unwanted task, the next time a bird flies in the house it will be a reunion with an old friend who loved tennis balls, morning walks, and tortilla chips.
Thank you, Crew.
-Bryant
Honoring the goodest boy.
For Crew.
HAND-INKED using linocut blocks with water-based ink for that perfect aged t-shirt feel. Each shirt is made with desired imperfections for a one-of-a-kind product finish.
Made in USA
4.5 oz Supima Cotton Jersey
How does it fit? Slightly slimmer fitting.
Garment dyed with silk wash for soft hand
3/4" binding on neck
COLOR: Cream / INK: Black
Hand sewn tag on inner neck
Unisex
For Crew.
IF THERE ARE NO DOGS IN HEAVEN THEN WHEN I DIE, I WANT TO GO WHERE THEY WENT.
-WILL ROGERS
DR Co. Logo on front pocket
6.1 oz, 100% preshrunk ring-spun cotton
Rib knit collar
Screen printed tag on inner neck
Unisex
Color: GREEN
Ink: BROWN
"Everyone thinks they have the best dog. And none of them are wrong." – W.R. Purche
To honor my late best friend, CREW, and all of the best dogs in the world. Thanks for the love, old friend.
Crown: 6 Panel firm structured low profile.
Patch: 2.” Paw print logo on English Bridle chestnut leather stitched on hat.
Color: NAVY
Visor: Pre-curved
Sweatband: 3-part cotton comfort fit
Closure: Plastic snap back adjustable
Sizes: One size fits most