The gift that made me cry ... sweet tears.

I received a parcel from Sandy last night, it was there when I arrived home from school feeling flat, and knowing I wanted to take my time over the contents I left it as I went to meet some people. A meeting which upset me a little. So on arrival home I gathered the box, a cup of tea, and headed to sit on my cosy bed. This is what I found.
Do you recognise my babies? After Maggie girl, and Hamish died Sandy was (as many were) so very supportive. Sandy told me in a little note within this parcel that she contacted Mo,of froyandolo, and asked her to make me some cards. Mo visited my blog and read about my love for the furry ones and made these beautiful sets of cards and tags: Maggie and Hamish, Hamish alone and Maggie alone. Mo then refused to take payment because she had read the blog and understood. Do you see why I cried? My furries, who I miss so much (even with the dear little Archer asleep on my lap and Phantom by my side); permission to remember, the kindness of two women; one I have not met face-to-face and the other I had never heard of. How my heart swells.

This sweet doll has so much detail, even 24 hours later I am still finding stitches and charms, patterns and pictures. Each time I turn her over I get a lump in my throat; her label says: 'Julie's doll August 2007' - those simple word's move me. Sandy has some of her beaded work headed for a gallery (in New Hampshire) very soon - pop over to her blog and have a look.

And if those two precious gifts were not enough, some wall paper tags, and deluxe charms ... I am so very spoilt. Thank you.

Winter Wire Work

bookmark on etsy sold

bookmark on etsy

on etsy

Sunday was an exceptionally cold, wet and windy winter's day here in the South West. I was determined to spend some time at home (something I have been avoiding since Miss Maggie's absence is so obvious here). What better day to sit and twist wire - and perhaps head towards paying some vet bills. I really find the whole process quite soothing and was pleased with these three items. I also managed to package and post some swaps, IOU's and gifts that had been sitting on my desk for the last week or so.

The 'Friends of the RSPCA' are looking for temporary carers for animals and I have made initial contact today towards becoming a carer - hopefully we will be able to help some sad animals adjust and find new homes. I have such a lovely big backyard - not burdened by expensive plants or landscaping and just perfect for dogs to run and play.

The hail looked like snow drifts on my neighbours roofs. The thunder rumbled and growled for most of the day, while lightening cracked overhead. While Maggie was on my mind and in my heart I was so grateful that if she had to pass it was before this storm - she was so afraid of the thunder and would run and bark, leading to sore joints and a swollen throat - all the while looking at me with the expectation I could make the noise go away. She has no more pain, and I can not regret that.

Beautiful Maggie - Thank You

Maggie 2 February 2007 to 20 June 2007

Maggie (Margaret Anne H _____) was born on the second of February 1997, and came into my life eight weeks later. I still remember our first meeting, a pet shop in Perth. I took Maggie from her cage and put her in the little play pen they had nearby, a Chihuahua pup in the same pen barked at her – she ran and cowered behind my hand. I fell instantly in love.

The fear and timidity Maggie displayed at the first meeting plagued her for her whole life. Strangers were scary, and barking at them seemed to make them go away – of course if they came too close she would either make friends or cower miserably under the table (or in the wardrobe). I would warn guests to ignore her - and wait for Maggie to approach – left to meet people this way she made forever friends. Rach’, Rae, Colin and many others all loved her (and spoilt her) – how grateful I am to those who loved my girl. Maggie’s other friend was Gilbert – a beautiful ginger tom cat who shared our lives for a little over a year, later Charles became her friend too.
I now know not to get puppies from pet shops and that fearful dogs are hard work. I am certain that had I not chosen Maggie she would have struggled, she (and her fears) controlled so much of my life. However, not for one minute do I regret choosing Miss Maggie. She gave unwavering devotion from the moment we met; we bonded on the long drive back to Albany, 5 hours with this cute puppy on my lap as I drove. While she gave up trying to sit on my lap, in the car, she never gave up sitting on my lap when I sat on the floor at home –all 32kg’s of her.
Maggie was a one owner dog, it did not matter how well others cared for her she would always cry miserably as I left and almost turn her self inside out with excitement when I returned. She had a couple of hunger strikes while I went away and was well known for trying to break into my car, if I stopped for coffee ,with the kind people who had cared for her in my absence.

... with Charles

I can not begin to imagine how many kilometres we walked over the decade we shared. Most nights we walked an hour, some more some less, only in this past year did we drop back to 20 minutes or half an hour. Oh, how she loved her walks. We loved the hill where Maggie posed for some of these shots, and the cooler tree lined paths on warmer days.
We also walked a million miles emotionally – sharing tears and laughter, mental anguish, overwhelming joy, fear and depression, friendships and loneliness. Through it all, Maggie walked beside me – head tucked into my chest – or nuzzling my leg.

...with Gilbert

... with a friends' daughterTonight I cooked for the first time in nearly two weeks – and as I prepared the vegetables I cut the broccoli leaving lots of stalk attached to the stem and turned to give this ‘treat’ to Maggie, a few seconds later I was sobbing at my sink. My funny girl who loved her vegetables, watermelon and oranges is gone. My faithful, tripped over a million times, friend is not beside me anymore, already I miss burying my face in her coat and breathing in her dusky doggy aroma. I miss hearing her snore quietly in the night, and feeling safe in the sure knowledge she was listening out and would bark if the bumps in the night were baddies.

Mummy's Girl - I love you, thank you for taking such good care of me for so long. I always felt safe with you, your unconditional love and trust made me whole, and kept me steady so many times.

Does Goldilocks give lessons?

When I awoke yesterday morning I did find it difficult to believe that either Maggie or Archer thought that they had found the "just right" bed.

Maggie had a severe bout of pancreatitits this week, and I caught the lurgy so we have spent a lot of quiet time in bed. Now my art room is calling and I have put the heater on, set the kettle to boil and taken the phone off the hook ... See you soon.