Today is National Inspire Your Heart with Art Day, and for me, art doesn’t hang on a wall or sit in a frame. It lives right here at my sewing machine.
My name is Erin, and I started Kudo the Dog to share Kudo’s journey with cancer—but that wasn’t his whole story. Kudo was part of our family for 12 years. He was my best friend, my adventure buddy, and the dog who never needed to be asked twice to head into the woods. He will live in our hearts forever.
Every time I sit down to sew, I feel connected to him. Creating collars is my art. It’s where memory, love, and purpose come together. I wish Kudo had the chance to wear an official Kudo the Dog collar, but he did wear the very first one Brad and I ever made—crafted from an old leather belt at our kitchen table. That was the beginning of everything.
My sewing space isn’t perfect. It’s right in our dining room, in the heart of the house. I could move to a quieter room, but I stay here so I can be close to Luke. I work full-time outside the home, so when I’m creating, I want him to know he’s not alone. We take breaks to play fetch, practice calming skills, and sometimes I just stop and cuddle him on the couch. I would get more done somewhere else—but this balance matters. This is his home and his life, too.
There’s something grounding about sewing. When I’m creating, I feel calm, present, and at peace. I know that Kudo the Dog is more than collars—it’s a way to give back, to support dogs in need, and to honor a legacy built on love.
Some people might think I’m a little crazy. And maybe I am. I’ve made hundreds of collars over the past year, waking up at 4 a.m. just to steal a quiet moment to sew and create. I do it for the love of dogs. I do it for the dogs who need help and support. I do it for Luke. But most importantly, I do it for Kudo.
On National Inspire Your Heart with Art Day, this is my reminder—and maybe yours too—that art doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to come from the heart.
Thank you for supporting Kudo the Dog and being part of this journey.
