The last time I fell out of a bar stool I was almost sober. I was telling a story about Big Willie using telepathy to pressure SuspensionWerx technicians to give up part of their lunch and was laughing so hard at my own narrative I momentarily lost basic physical literacy. CRASH. Closing my eyes and picturing his silent, serious, expectant visage as he stood just close enough silently willing your food to come to him is one of my favourite happy places. 

D’Nutz, ButterTarts, Rutabaga, TrevAir, Stoyboy, he always knew to target the newest person and heaven forbid you should work part-time because your debt was never paid in full. And maybe you’re thinking – dogs begging for food, news at eleven – normally I’d agree with you – but, Willy was different, as anyone who worked at SWerx will corroborate. He had a genuine sense of humour. 

I still laugh until I cry thinking about all the versions of ‘fences’ that James built for inside the ‘bully limo’ AKA the big black SuspensionWerx-logo’d GMC Suburban. There’s a not a one of them that Big Willie didn’t manage to solved between his big brain and larger neck muscles. 

Anywhere we’d go to pick something up, or grab some grub, we’d leave the limo with the dogs secured in the back and return to Georgia (TBB) and Willy sitting in the front seats. Georgia was always excited to see us and there was Willy looking so happy with himself that after Jimmy released the requisite amount of blue language we couldn’t help but laugh.

We used to play a fair amount of fetch outside. Breaktime, before work, after work, and often other times just because Georgia (TBB) demanded that it was so. He figured out right away that with his loping puppy gait – bounding up at least as far as he went forward – and devil-may-care attitude he was never, ever, going to beat Georg’ to the ball. 

So he’d let her tear up the grass at a full sprint, grab the ball with all tenacity, and then as she’d turn and slow down he’d T-bone her with his full mass and watch her barrel roll one, two, sometimes three times over and over. Then he’d come bouncing over so obviously pleased with himself that you couldn’t help but congratulate him on his timing. 

All the dogs at SWerx had a job. Willy was head of the QC/QA department, popping his head up on workbenches to see what was going on (and if the technicians were holding back snacks). Georgia (TBB) was in charge of chewing the handles on James’ new screwdrivers, and anything else plastic that hit the floor, so he’d have an excuse to go shopping. Oscar-The-Intern would sit with me and type for ages. 

But mostly what they did was to break the mood as everyone focused on doing their best work again, and again, and again, to get riders back out on the trails. 

As the person at the front-of-house, I’d spend some time between bookings, ordering, invoicing, and receiving to put together a series of awful Paint-Art advertisements for our social media. When all your business growth is by referrals and word of mouth marketing is just a matter of reminding folks you’re there and it’s probably past time to get your fork and shock serviced (yes, again). 

I kept a lot of that stuff not for any reason other than it always makes me smile when I’m having a day. It’s not just having a dog around – there have been dogs around many of the shops I’ve worked at – but Big Willie had next-level character. I mean, like everyone working at SuspensionWerx does, past and present. 

I’ve said goodbye to a lot of dogs that I’ve loved, only one of which was actually mine. Awesome mountain biking or hiking companions and/or just loving mutts that recognized me as someone who always had time to give out some neck scritches and belly rubs. I get it, it’s the nature pets. 

Big Willie is different though. I guess if you’ve never had the chance to get to know him, or a dog like him, it probably sounds like an exaggeration, but wow, what a personality. Sunshine on a rainy day, and a f***ing hilarious co-worker. Goodbye, William.

Pour one out for ‘big dubs.’