Thank you to all of our followers who have reached out with kind words and warm thoughts about the loss of our canine companions. It isn’t easy to say goodbye. The fact is that we lost two of our office dogs over a month ago, yet each time I tried to write about my boy (Charlie) the tears welled up and my fingers froze over the keys. While I doubt I’ll ever be able to compose something about Charlie without blinking back a flood of emotions, the time that has passed has eased a little of the sorrow and it is only right to keep sharing our boys with everyone in our lives…

With heavy hearts we said goodbye to our two best office dogs. Charlie and Phin were fixtures in our NY headquarters. I’ve always felt fortunate to work in a place that has a dog culture. If ever you stopped in, chances are you were greeted by one – or both – of these special co-workers. Charlie spent the last decade tail wagging and sniffing everyone who came through the door and meandering from desk to desk waiting patiently for pets and treats. While Phin, a more recent addition to our crew, spent his time lap-hopping – a feat that Charlie could never manage with his 90lbs of muscle of golden fluff.

John and I want to thank everyone who spoiled and played with our guys at work and at home. They were loved by not just us, but all who met them. Animals have a way of touching our hearts. They bring out the best in us; they support us; they make us laugh; they offer companionship; and they keep us entertained. I’m humbled by the selflessness they offer and the unconditional love these two dogs shared with us. It was an honor to have such amazing creatures by our sides for all these years.

I could spend hours talking about Charlie and still would leave one wanting as knowing him was an indescribable pleasure. The same can be said of Phin – what big personality in a small package! While I won’t do justice to a life lived to the fullest for 12 years, I will say that Charlie was sweet and kind to every living creature (though he did like to chase the neighbor’s chickens!). He obsessed over every ball and frisbee. There are so many people Charlie knew and loved. We’re doing our best to fill the hole his departure has left with good memories. Many have asked what happened. To put it briefly: cancer. It came without sickness or a whimper. (We learned that cancer of the spleen is the most common cause of death of Golden Retrievers.) One evening, Charlie was excited to play frisbee and watch us do yard work after having “worked” his day at the office. He came to lay near us and I knew from how he looked at me that something was wrong… We’ll forever be grateful for the ways he touched our lives.

Phin was popular wherever he ventured. He’s credited with turning several people on to the Boston Terrier breed. The ‘little guy’ even had his own popular Instagram #Phinstagram. As John explains of his little guy: Phin spent countless hours riding with me in the car, on adventures, to and from work, or just going for a drive to clear my head. He was goofy and loved wrestling with toys… and being pretty much Phin. I’m glad I had these little moments with him when the times were pretty tough. It seems sort of fitting that my little guy left this world in his comfy passenger-seat spot. I’m glad I could be there for him in the end. I’m really going to miss this little guy. Sadly there was a neurological problem that came on rather abruptly, and took him years earlier than anyone would have expected for a little breed. Even at his worst points, he still wanted to join in on the adventures or go to work and greet everyone at the office. I was fortunate to have such a great little partner in crime, even if it was far too short.

Charlie and Phin are irreplaceable but there are a few new canines following in their paw prints around the office. Kairo, Reilly, Betty, and Penny in our HQ and Sherlock, Barlow, and  one or two other part-time office pups in Portland, OR.

To honor our faithful pups, Pioneer Millworks and New Energy Works have made donations in their names to Lollypop Farm, an organization local to our NY headquarters, that works tirelessly to support the health and well being of animals both in and out of our community.