In the 1980s, my Mom began breeding Belgian Tervurens and named her kennel Beau Chien—French for “beautiful dog.” In 1991, she traveled to France and picked up a feisty puppy named Gabatchou. No, it doesn’t really have a meaning, but we affectionately called him Gabby, or Chew for short.

In August of 1995, at the age of 60, my mother was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. She passed away just nine months later.

I brought Gabby home with me to Massachusetts. At the time, our family had four rescue mutts, but Gabby quickly became “my” dog. I couldn’t go from one room to another without him at my heels. We often joked that he was my tail. But to me, Gabby was so much more—he was my heart and a living connection to my mother.

In the spring of 2005, at the age of 14, Gabby developed a nasal tumor. He could no longer stand and was clearly in pain. Our kind and gentle vet helped him pass quietly, cradled in my arms. I know he’s with my mother again now, and he’ll always be in my heart.

To honor the woman who always encouraged my art, and my faithful Gabby, who was always near, I created an urn in his likeness. It sits proudly among the pottery collection my mother started. When I look at it across the room, I feel a deep sense of peace and comfort.

It’s that very peace that I hope to share with others who have experienced the loss of a cherished pet. And so, I began throwing urns as Beau Chien Pottery—a tribute to my mom, my dog, and the love that still fills my heart.

Twenty years later, I’ve found expression and therapy in ceramics, continuing to grow and expand my craft. What began as a tribute to my mother and Gabby has blossomed into a full creative journey. Over the years, I’ve also woven my love for animals and plants into my work, capturing the beauty and life of both in the pieces I create.