Nick Cline is leaving Mutt today. Actually he’s leaving tonight, after we’re done firing a gallon of peach schnapps down his fucking throat.

Obviously I’m upset right now, and maybe starting to feel a little violent. Unfortunately I’m 30,000 feet over South Dakota at the moment and not able to do much about it. But later tonight, when I see Luker at dinner all bronze and tranquilo, I’m probably gonna crack his big dumb pumpkin head in two (and maybe hyperextend Aaron’s medial collateral with my designer boots). But I digress.

So here’s a question for you history buffs…did you know that Nick Cline was the first person hired at Mutt? Or as our CFO Cindy likes to call him, Employee 001.

It hasn’t always been easy, but damn it’s been fun watching Nick grow up. In addition to the expensive wine stain he left behind, Nick has imprinted our culture in ways I can’t even begin to articulate. If you want to get a sense for how talented he is, just take a little drive around this website. It’s Nick’s baby and man should he be proud. He truly is one of the most talented, passionate, loyal, kind-hearted, sexually repressed bastards I’ve ever met.

And when I think of all the late nights he put in, the patience and humility he showed in the face of partner insanity, the rage he exhibited when people were dogging it and/or not living up to their potential, well…it just makes my eyes well up with tears.

That’s how grateful and proud and touched I am by Nick Cline.

Brother, you are one special hombre.

And we will miss you dearly.

Love MUTT.