What I Missed Most in Prison

Of course I yearned for my family, but I saw them during visitation. My mutt, however, was never allowed.

View in Browser  Wednesday, August 27, 2025 I've never had a dog, and much to my daughters' disappointment, I have no urge to adopt one. P.G. Sittenfeld, a politician in Cincinnati, is very much a dog person. In 2024, Sittenfeld went to federal prison on corruption charges, which he strenuously denied. He ached for his family, of course. But what surprised him was how much he missed his dog. Sittenfeld wrote an essay for Esquire about his experience in prison, and the potent cocktail of emotions that comes with being away from your family and, yes, your dog. The story almost makes me want a dog. – Michael Sebastian, editor-in-chief   Plus: Alien: Earth episode 4 is a complete dud Exclusive: Travis Kelce on his new collab with American Eagle Get yourself a brand new lawn mower on sale this Labor Day No One Told Me How Much I'd Miss My Dog When I Was in Prison Of course I yearned for my family, but I saw them during visitation. My mutt, however, was never allowed. Once I settled into my new life as an inmate, Sarah and our sons drove two and a half hours each way to visit me every other Saturday. She and I exchanged daily messages through the prison's email system. I used my allotted 15 minutes of phone time per day to call home, though we were frequently interrupted by an automated voice saying, "This call is from a federal prison," as if we needed a reminder. Being separated from my family, especially when I believed with all my heart that I was innocent, was the cruelest and most painful experience of my life—but at least there were opportunities to express my love for Sarah and our sons.   There's no equivalent way to do so with a pet. Dogs are capable of giving and receiving great love, but it's a love that must be shared in person, most often tactilely, and cannot be captured or conveyed by mailing a letter, sending an email, or making a phone call. When Sarah would put me on speaker phone during our nightly call, she said that Oakley seemed to recognize my voice, just not in a way that registered emotionally. READ THE STORY Decades of collaboration between Swiss watchmaker Tudor and the French navy have led to this: a 43mm Master Chronometer. Nick Sullivan previews the Pelagos Ultra from Tudor. >> What's happening in D.C. and Los Angeles is about to happen in Chicago. Who knows where else? Charles P. Pierce on Illinois governor JB Pritzker's alarming statements about Trump. >> You Don't Have to Know Anything About Tennis to Enjoy a Honey Deuce It's hard to mention the U.S. Open tennis tournament without talking about the event's signature cocktail. The Honey Deuce has been an essential part of the U.S. Open experience since 2007. And the man who created it, former Grey Goose ambassador and restauranteur Nick Mautone, was inspired by the light and refreshing taste of honeydew melons for the iconic drink—and it didn't hurt that, when scooped, the fruit resembled the bright green tennis balls that fly up and down the court.   Frances Tiafoe, who heads into the semifinals at the U.S. Open this week, likes to enjoy a Honey Deuce on his down time. "The list of legends who have their name on the cup is also one of my favorite things about a Honey Deuce," Tiafoe tells Esquire. "I love seeing the fans sipping on Honey Deuces in Ashe while I'm on court. The energy at the US Open is different and the Honey Deuce is part of the magic." You can drink like a tennis pro when you get your hands on one.  By Sirena He The Ultimate Everyday Commuter Backpack It's easy to underestimate backpacks. When we finished school and became adults with jobs, a whole world of messenger bags, satchels, and briefcases opened up to us. We're not going to Sociology 102 anymore. We're going to work. In reality, even adults know backpacks are an A-plus commuter accessory. Having both hands means we can enjoy a coffee and a bagel, and unlike messengers that sag on the shoulder, a backpack evenly distributes all that weight we're carrying. It's simply the most practical option.   Since 2018, Montana-based Evergoods has struck the balance between heavy-duty utility and stylish minimalism. Tailor-made for outdoorsy folk with indoor careers, Evergoods' backpacks, duffels, and slings can brave both the mountain trails and subways equally. Of all the options Evergoods has available, there's one Swiss Army knife that deserves attention: The Civic Panel Loader. By Eric Francisco Follow Us Unsubscribe | Privacy Notice | CA Notice at Collection Esquire is a publication of Hearst Magazines. ©2025 Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. This email was sent by Hearst Magazines, 300 West 57th Street, New York, NY 10019-3779