Remembering Cooper: Our Sweet, Gentle Companion

Our pets are like family. They come into our lives with their own personalities, making us laugh and loving us unconditionally. They’re part of our favorite memories and have a way of staying with us forever. 

This has been a tough year for our family as our sweet yellow Lab, Cooper, who was with us for eight years, passed away unexpectedly in July.

If you visited our RAD office, saw us driving around town, met us at a brewery, or looked through our company photos, you’d always find Cooper. His print was everywhere, because he wasn’t just a pet; he was family. He was our MLD team companion, my constant work-from-home friend, and a steady presence through some of the biggest seasons of my life.

This year, as the holidays approach, and we lean into a season of coziness and family time, there's an empty spot by my desk — and in our hearts — where Cooper used to be. But this time is also giving me an opportunity to reflect on what an amazing eight years we had and finding little reminders that Cooper’s sweet spirit will always be with us.

The Early Days with Our Loveable Lab

In 2017, this little yellow fluff ball came into our lives when everything felt new and uncertain. Dan and I were newly married, moving to Asheville, and just starting out. We were building a business from home and figuring things out one step at a time. 

From day one, he made himself part of it all — sitting at my feet during Zoom calls, occasionally photobombing team meetings with coziness, and somehow knowing when I needed a break more than I did. He had a gift for lightening the mood, even on the most stressful days.

A Companion that Brought a Smile to Everyone

Cooper didn’t just belong to me and our family, he belonged to everyone who worked with us. He greeted people at our old office like they were old friends, made guest appearances on social media, and was always ready for a snuggle between emails. He’d pop into our company photo shoots, sit on the couch with us at annual retreats, or be at your feet any time he was around. Quiet, gentle, but always there. He became our unofficial mascot, a furry reminder to take joy in the simple things and to always lead with kindness.

8 Years of a Beautiful Life Together

Over the years, we went through a lot of life changes. We moved into five different houses, moved back to Raleigh to raise our two babies, and Cooper handled each transition with his usual calm patience — sniffing tiny toes, standing guard during nap time, and accepting the new chaos of family life with love and gentleness. He grew alongside our family, somehow understanding that his job was to keep us grounded and together.

Always in Our Hearts

Losing him so unexpectedly has been hard — so much harder than we could have imagined. The house feels quieter, my home office feels emptier, and the holidays will be different this year without him curled up nearby as we wrap gifts or sip hot cocoa.

But even though he’s gone, we still feel his presence, in the small routines he helped build, in the joy he taught us to notice, and in the love he gave so freely. Cooper reminded me daily of what really matters: connection, patience, and finding happiness in every moment you’re in.

This holiday season, we’ll light a candle for him and tell the kids stories about their first best friend. He’ll always be a part of our family and our company’s story — our forever mascot, our loyal teammate, and our sweetest boy.

We love you, Cooper.