Have you ever had a special relationship with a dog that you could not define?
I recently was a guest at the retirement party for a dear friend who was celebrating 31 years of service in the City of Seattle Fire Department. There was a very large contingent of City employees there to wish her well, most of whom I had never met. One woman brought her dog, Simon. I found myself drawn to the only dog in attendance and therefore engaged in conversation with Simon's owner. She described Simon as the newest member of her family and a second dog who had stayed home for the evening. She then shared the story of a third dog who died two years ago who she described as her soul mate. I immediately understood her - a silent connection was made without her knowledge and I felt an unspoken kinship with her that will always remain.
Joey went to sleep for the last time on September 25, 2009 under the shade of the Maple tree in our meadow, he was not yet six years old. Six weeks prior Joey had been diagnosed with gastroenteritis. We went to the Vet and came home with antibiotics anticipating his full recovery. Joey rallied for a few days and then began to show signs of unexplained pain. Back to the Vet for more tests which identified a disc issue with the good news being he was healthy in every other way. We treated his pain and kept him as quiet as possible to promote a quick recovery. Always wanting to please, Joey rallied again as his health continued to decline. First came seizures, then blindness; I continued to cling to the hope that it would all pass and he would miraculously recover to the vibrant, energetic boy I loved so. My gut told me his condition was irreversible, however I refused to acknowledge it. Joey continued to follow me everywhere I went, loyal and committed as ever, only moving at a much slower pace. He sensed my fear of losing him and his desire to reassure me was constant.
Joey was my boy...in 55 years I have loved and lost twelve Boston Terriers, however Joey's death was the most difficult to accept. I was inconsolable.
There is a difference between a pet and a companion - that rare dog that comes along that you share a profound connection with. They sense when you are coming home, when you are happy or sad, when you want to play and when you feel like being quiet. There is something idiosyncratic in their nature, perhaps they are quirky or odd in the most endearing manner. I believe it is because of those things books are written about them, poems are penned, quotes assigned. It is the pivotal moment in life when one ceases to be a pet owner and become a dog lover. That one animal you connect with who forever changes your life - when they leave they take a part of your soul with them. Not everyone understands this, however when they do, they know exactly what you are talking about - that's how it was with Joey.
Joey's coat was a vintage find my oldest son and daughter-in-law picked up thrifting in Manhattan. Joey wore it while we photographed our dear friend Mary, a Seattle jewelry designer and retired ballerina from the Pacific Northwest Ballet Company. We did not know at the time that Joey was sick; the photo shoot was to be the last photos of him as the handsome healthy boy he was.
At the time, I could not have known how important that photo of Joey in his coat would be in my ability to recover from the empty space he left behind. Creating JoeysCoat has allowed me to channel my grief in a constructive manner that will keep him a part of my daily existence.
JoeysCoat is a responsible product. The fabrics are all vintage, recycled and repurposed from clothing and blankets found in Thrift Stores and at Estate Sales; no longer valued or needed, all with a history of their own. The buttons and buckles are recycled from a time gone by, all given a new purpose in life. The majority of the binding is vintage as well, found in the original packaging from companies in businesses that still exist, with original pricing on the labels, some as low as .08 cents for a five yard piece. The colors and textures reflect the decades in which they were created.
The coats are cut and sewn from a pattern fashioned after Joey's vintage coat with some minor changes to give it a personality all it's own. Each coat is given special consideration as fabric, trim, buckles and buttons are carefully chosen for just the right combination; each unique - no two alike. The craftsmanship is exceptional thanks to my friend Carrie who has thoughtfully created the samples for the website.
From Joey's death a remarkable memory has been born - inspired coats handcrafted from vintage textiles and repurposed materials for the discerning canine and the humans who love them.
