It’s not uncommon for a fan to name a child or a pet after his or her favorite celebrity or sports hero. But it’s always a surprise when a popular figure acknowledges the namesake, the way North Carolina coach Roy Williams did last week (h/t CBS).

On Sunday night, fan Whitney Shankland tweeted a letter Williams sent to her after her dog, Roy, died.

“I wish you and your family all the best in this time of grievance,” Williams said in the letter he signed.

Shankland added to her tweet: “I can’t imagine naming my dog after a more perfect man.”