How the Pohly Hat Co. Started Part 1

In February of 2022, I lost my sweet four-legged best friend, Kaila. It was the most difficult thing I have ever experienced in my life. She was everything good in this world: kind, loving, passionate, carefree, happy, nurturing, gracious and endearing. She loved people (especially her grammy), animals (especially her dog friends), hiking, swimming, walks, the mountains, the outdoors, the snow, the cool green grass in the Summer, the shade of the flower beds in the Spring, the blowing dried leaves in the Fall, and car rides.

The grief of Kaila’s passing has been overwhelming, as I find it difficult to keep her spirit alive and apparent in my everyday life. I have her portraits and her ashes displayed on a shelf in my house. I carry her collar with me at all times. I figured there had to be another way to recognize her.

After realizing how much I loved wearing hats on a consistent basis, I bought a blush pink wool felt hat (Kaila usually wore a pink collar), leather pieces, some feathers and a burning tool. Peony flowers (my favorite bloom) always remind me of Kaila, as Spring is my favorite season and the peonies would always come up in the garden where Kaila would lay in the shade of the leaves of the peony bushes. I burned some peony flowers onto the brim and then burned her name on the underside of the brim so I can see her name every time I wear it. The final touch was the coordinates of our home where we spent most of our time enjoying each other’s company.

This hat became my first creation as a wearable tribute to my beloved best friend, Kaila, so that I can remember her each and every time I wear it.