October 13, 2026
Atlanta
Dear Julian,
Yesterday, I received the most wonderful, unexpected gift from an artist friend of mine, Scott Dove. It was a beautiful portrait of my Golden Retriever, Duke.
I’ve been lucky to have had two beautiful Golden Retrievers in my life: Baron and Duke. Duke is the current resident at Comfort and Atlanta.
Duke is a hairy beast that sheds incessantly, much to my sister Regan’s chagrin.
As you know, I love a party…and so does Duke. He’s not a grabber or a counter surfer, nor is he a chronic beggar. He will look at you…you will give in. That’s the end of it.
I picked Duke out of his litter at four weeks old, choosing the lightest cream puppy with the best block-shaped head. And at eight weeks old he came home with me. He was a gift from my boyfriend, Jim at the time. Don’t do that. Ever.
Ultimately it worked out.
Duke has driven with me across the country and up to Comfort countless times, silently enduring my marathon drives. There is no better driving companion. He doesn’t complain about the music…and generally has to stop for a break as often as I do.
Perhaps his favorite drive is in my old Ford truck. The bench seat allows him to be right next to me.
These days, at 10, he takes a lot of naps.
And in between those rests on the porch or next to me while I work, he makes his rounds on the island, scaring off the mink and the geese and wading into the water at the beach just enough to cool down and get wet enough to earn a rub with a giant towel.
Clever boy.
Can’t wait to see you this weekend.
Stephen