Happy Pet Owner's Day!!!

Its Pet Owner's Day so I've  interviewed several of our Crafting for Animals Guild members' pets to find out what they think about their owners.

I first interviewed Chester over the telephone. Chester was very candid about his owner Debra of Sleepy Cat Designs:

My owner, Debra, is so funny. She loves to take my photo but I seldom do anything the seems photo-worthy at my age of 12. (Mostly, I sleep a lot.) For example, for this photo she told me she loved my whiskers! Yikes - but she means well! So I put up with it.

Next, I made a virtual home visit to Sara of Posh Pooch Designs. There I met Maximo and Rosie. 

Sara says that Maximo and Rosie are the reason she designs and does what she does. Maximo, the white dog, was rescued from a dog rescue. The lady had lost her job and was moving to a small apartment that didn't allow dogs and was going to put him to sleep. He was 9 months old then. Rosie, the other chihuahua, was reasued from a bad breeder - when she was 13 weeks old, she only weighted 1.4 pounds. 

These two pooches are well known in the design industry for their debut in the Posh Pooch Designs' caricature. Their caricature were an instant success so Sara designed several Posh Pooch paraphernalia after them as well.

Maximo and Rosie, despite their celebrity status, spend much of their time at home with Sara. They say that Sara often tells them, "Even though I rescued you I think you rescued me! You guys have brought so much joy and love and energy to our house." Maximo, Rosie, and Sara support the "Because of you Chihuahua Rescue" and donate a portion of the Posh Pooch design proceeds to them.

Eddie is a Boston Terrier and lives with our Crafting for Animals Guild member Pam of Bags and More by Pam. He is a big guy for his breed. Some say dogs don't like to be hugged, but Eddie is a real hugger. I asked Pam how this usually occurred and she said, "He will stand in front of me if I am sitting, put each of his front legs on either side of my neck, and snuggle his head against me.  Or, he may get on my lap, do the same thing, and his whole body is against my chest and his head against the side of my face." 


I asked Eddie why he likes to snuggle with Pam so much and he said, "You know,dogs don't like to hug. I hear it all the time from my friends. But I just can't help it and I'm not ashamed. Maybe my mom was a cat?  I just can't remember."


I asked Eddie about his favorite past time and he said, "Its definitely traveling. My Pam and My Bob let me travel with them and its just great. They let me know when they are leaving by barking, 'Do you want to go?' I am ready to go in seconds - since I always carry my jacket with me. I pounce off the sofa and sprint to the door and head straight to the car. They are slow but I deal with it and wait to be let inside the car..... You know.....sometimes My Bob will go on an errand and take My Pam and leave me at home all by myself! That really irritates me. So to remind myself of My Pam I usually take out a shoe, book, or a little something from My Pam's overnight bag. I am not sure if she likes this but its the only way I survive the loneliness. I think My Pam thinks she is my number two but I hope not."


Calcifer was my next interviewee. He takes care of Michelle of Creative Critters, also known to Calcifer as Mommy, Best Friend, and Guardian Against All Bad Things. I asked Calcifer what he likes to do and he emphasized that he can't live without his snuggle time, catnip time, and special Mommy time. I asked him what he meant by that and he said:

I snuggle into Mommy. I can only find her fur on her head so I snuggle there and purr to make Mommy happy - that way she won't move.  I love playing hide and seek and crawl around the house with Mommy. I always manage to scare Mommy when I pop out from behind the couch. But when Mommy is not around I play with my catnip. Its the best I've ever had - I just don't know how Mommy does it. I see her making it and she lets me test it. Mommy always gives the best belly rubs and chin scratches, keep the litter box fresh and clean, and always leaves me good food and fresh water. 

I asked Michelle about her relationship with Calcifer and she said, "He feels safe when I comfort him when something scares him. Calcifer and I share a very intense bond, and I see that love every time I look into his pretty eyes."

Next I visited Mona of 3 Peeps Designs. There I was immediately greeted by Apple and Charlie during their daily sunbathing time. Apple is the tall one of the bunch and was brought home from the Greensboro SPCA. Charlie comes from a large family of nine litter mates from a dog that Mona's parents rescued. Like so many female dog rescues you often end up with more than one and Charlie's mom was no exception. As you can see from the picture, Apple and Charlie are very protective of Mona and have appointed themselves as her guardian. They find it their duty and obligation to take care of the mistress of the house so that they can be provided with timely feedings and back rubs.

My last visit was Linda's house. She runs Jazz It Up Designs and has a houseful of furbabies.  The two cats are Dudley and Digit. The three Yorkies are Earl, Elvis, and Priscilla. Warren is the Maltese. 


I tried to interview the siblings all at once but they would just all speak at once. As a result, the best way to sum up their feelings for Linda are through these pictures.

 

 

Little did I know that Dani had been waiting all afternoon. She came on a visit for Pet Owner's Day. I was shocked! Dani is my very own buddy that I had placed in a loving family home. Her mother, Anna, barged into my apartment in Saipan and I instantly fell in love with her. After a month (maybe less) of asking around for her owner, I took her in permanently and brought her to the vet. That's when, like Charlie (Mona's big fellow), I found out she was pregnant. She had several puppies and I had found good homes for them but I couldn't help keeping Dani, her first born and tiniest. In fact, I helped Anna deliver Dani - Anna was a natural mother. Right after delivery she popped the sac and licked Dani and got ready for the next delivery. 

However, after moving to California, I had to find Dani a loving home. Now that Dani has situated into her new home, she recounts her past in Saipan:

Mom was so grateful that El took her in. She admitted she was a little pushy but she wanted the best for me and my brothers. I still look out the door to make sure strangers don't come in our house. Its just something I am born to do. I miss and love El but I know I am with a loving family. I loved watching her crochet and I liked to sleep under her bed.

Happy Pet Owner's Day!!!!

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El of Tantalizing Stitches is the proud guild master and member of the Crafting for Animals Guild. She runs Bag Makin' Supplies at Tantalizing Stitches. 

Pet Owner's Day Special: Spay / Neutering Saves Lives

Most people know that you should have your pets spayed or neutered because there are countless unwanted animals in shelters, as well as out on the streets. Many of these poor creatures live a short and difficult life. Here's a personal example.


When I was young I had a female cat named MC, short for Madame Cat. My parents never got her spayed, and before she was a year old she had her first litter of kittens. Of course they were adorable, and I loved each one, but now we had 5 cats to take care of.


MC's personality really changed after she had kittens. She wasn't as playful and loving anymore, and even after the kittens were weaned she seemed to prefer being by herself. After that I learned to recognize the signs that she was going into heat, and kept her in the house for the duration of her heat (which wasn't easy, because all she wanted to do was get out and find a mate).


Then I found out that sometimes female cats don't exhibit obvious signs when they go into heat. And so MC, just over a year old, had her second litter of kittens. All but one of these ended up being sold at a pet store. These births must have been pretty hard on my little kitty, because it wasn't too much later that she got sick. My poor little girl only lived a few years before dying in my arms one night. I believe if she had been spayed when she was a kitten, she would have lived a much longer, happier life.


 And if you think it's OK to not neuter a male cat, just think about how many females a Tom cat can impregnate, and how many unwanted kittens each of those females can have. Plus, neutered males don't spray and are much more affectionate (once again, I'm speaking from experience here).


 Once I was old enough to make the choice myself every pet I've owned has been spayed or neutered. And I've had long, loving relationships with each of them.


You are doing your pet a favor by fixing them. They have fewer health issues and better personalities, and are much less likely to stray from home. When we take these creatures into our homes, they become our responsibilities. It's up to us to give them the best life we possibly can.


If you love your pet, please, get them spayed or neutered.
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Michelle of Creative Critters provided this special post for you. At CreativeCritters you can find animal themed sculptures, jewelry, stuffed animals, home decor, catnip toys, and organic catnip from my own garden.

Kanweienea Kreations: CFA Volunteer and Her Dog Cleo

April 18 was Pet Owner's Day so I took a country tour around the United States to some of our CFA guild member's homes to meet them and their pets. In the post I completely forgot about Gunilla/Kanweienea Kreations and her dog Cleo.

Cleo is a Newfoundland. She is a brown/white landseer which isn't an approved color technically (black/white is though), but regardless of her color, Gunilla loves her. She's very much a part of Kanweienea Kreations. Besides being inspiration for artwork (see the t-shirt?), she also loves getting her photo taken. She makes sure there is always time to play and when Gunilla is working she tends to keep her company by either lying next to Gunilla's work desk, or waiting outside her studio. She eagerly waits outside the studio when Gunilla is airbrushing and can't wait for Gunilla to finish and come outside her studio.

Besides being an animal lover and artist, Gunilla is also an active member of the Crafting for Animals Guild and also one of our monthly columnists. We are very glad to have her in our guild!

KanweieneaKreations

Unique Gifts

El of Tantalizing Stitches was born to be an animal lover. Currently, she uses her love for animals and handmade to spur her online endeavors in running this Guild and her online store. At Tantalizing Stitches, you will find bag making supplies such as magnetic snaps, swivel clips, and d rings.

Fourth of July Parade…..not just for people! by Pam Todd

No doubt across the country, folks celebrated the Fourth of July with food, parades, and fireworks.  Our town has a parade every year, and I can’t recall having missed one since our kids were youngsters.  This year’s parade featured lots and lots of fire trucks with their red lights flashing and their sirens ringing through the mid-morning air; police cars and motorcycles; the county fair queen and her court riding in a convertible; the Scottish Society of Bloomington, Indiana with their wonderful bagpipe music; church floats; military floats recognizing those who have served our country in multiple wars and military actions; stage companies; gymnastics groups; cheerleaders from the middle school and high school; a combined high school band from Bloomington North and Bloomington South; a 4-H float; soccer team; people on horses; the solar bike team from BHSS; and many more.  People of all ages watched, some in lawn chairs they brought, others standing. 
This year’s opening ceremony was especially impressive.  There was music by the community band prior to the start.  A chaplain from the American Legion gave a prayer, and then led the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag.  There was a 21-gun salute, followed by the playing of “Taps.”  Goosebumps covered my arms from the first note, and tears made their way slowly down my cheeks by the last note.  “Taps” touches my soul in a way I can’t adequately describe.  The crowd then sang The National Anthem, and the parade began. It was an overcast day, with a nice breeze, and quite comfortable weather-wise viewing the parade.  

I know you are thinking, “What does this have to do with animals?”  Well, it is the fact that people weren’t the only watchers at the parades.  Just from our little spot by the town square, I saw several dogs who had joined their people family for the celebration.  There was a long-haired chihuahua just in front of us.  At first, the dog was down on the pavement, sniffing around the chair and looking at people, but ended up snuggled on his owner’s lap before I could get a photo.  Then we saw a couple pushing a stroller, with their dog sitting up taking in the sights.  I so wished my I Phone had been out of my pocket.  That would have been a real digital photo moment!  There was a shepherd mix just across on the other corner.  And then there was this handsome guy, who walked back and forth in front of us several times.  The last time, his owner stopped right in front of us, with a chunk of crushed ice in her hand, holding it for him to lick, chomp, or whatever.  At that moment, I just looked at the woman and said, “Can I take a picture of your dog?”  She smiled and said, “Sure.”  So, I did, and here he is . . . a very handsome fellow!

Sure wish I could have gotten a photo of the dog in the stroller, too!
This post written by Pam Todd, http://www.bagsandmorebypam.artfire.com/, a member of the Crafting for Animals Guild, who loves animals of all kinds and loves learning about them.  Pam  features hand crocheted items for people, pets, and homes in her Art Fire Studio.  She supports The Elephant Sanctuary in Hohenwald, Tennessee (http://www.elephants.com/) with an annual contribution.

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