TJ, the Big Red Dog

I haven't mentioned this before now, because I wasn't sure that I could get through it ... I'm still not sure, but I'm going to dive in and say it and see how this goes ...

Our friends Kim and Andy's greyhound TJ, the dog that I loved as if he were my own, was sent to Heaven on October 1.  Four weeks ago ... it feels like yesterday.  A friend of ours said it best, "the world is a little quieter and the light is not so bright."

 

 

 

 

 

 

TJ was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma and had amputation surgery in July 2010, at the tender age of 8.  In the face of a disease that has a 12-month or less average survival timeline, he defied the odds and lived 39 fantastic months ... showing everyone he met that life on three legs was just fine with him.

Here he is, already up (with a little bit of help) the day after his surgery

Look at that smile, right after his stitches were taken out.

 

Getting a drink, after working a long day at our GRF benefit in 2011.

I have so many stories I could tell about TJ.  What I remember most is that he loved people, and how he was such a clown. 

Working with other Therapy Dogs, at the Santa line at the mall.

 

Gathering toys while at a Greyhounds Rock planning meeting.

 

TJ, and his friend Oscar, at GRF's event in 2011.

TJ touched thousands of hearts in his time on earth in his work at schools, hospitals, festivals, fairs, and other events ... and so many of our hearts are breaking now that he is gone.

Blessing of the Hounds, 2011

 

Blessing of the Hounds, 2010

 

My favorite photo of TJ.

Those of us who love TJ are channeling our grief into energy and working hard on the final details of this weekend's 8th annual "Take a Bite Out of Canine Cancer" benefit.  We are dedicating it to the memory of TJ, and my sweet boy Daniel, and all the other dogs who lost their battles with cancer in 2013.

Fly free on your angel wings, TJ ... your work here is done.

Meanwhile, Back in the Sewing Room ....

Outdoor work in the garden has come to a halt for now, because it has rained at some point during the day for nine of the last ten days.  For the past three days, we have had periods of fairly steady showers and the place is thoroughly saturated.  (For those of you who desperately need rain, please accept my apologies.)  Since I can't plant roses while the ground is like this, I have been keeping myself occupied doing other things. 
 
Yesterday's project was to make a pile of martingale dog collars for the Greyhounds Rock Fredericksburg booth at the Heritage Festival in downtown Fredericksburg on July 4th. 

Those of you who are connected with me on FB saw this photo when I posted it yesterday afternoon.

When I started making collars years ago, I only made them one-and-a-half-inches wide and greyhound size.  Martingale collars, at that time, were mostly used for greyhounds and other sighthounds, so it made sense to cater to that market.  Since then, owners of other dog breeds have learned about the safety provided by a martingale's limited slip choke loop ... and that it doesn't have to cost a fortune to have a whole wardrobe of colorful collars for your dog.

These are some of the collars that my Daniel wore.  The one in front was my favorite!

To feed this new interest in martingales, I have added a smaller-size to our inventory.  As the photo says, these collars are 1" wide, and they are slightly shorter than the original size ... think of this as a Medium.
 
I use donated discontinued upholstery fabric samples to make my collars.  The samples are small, and I am only able to get two, three, or (at the most) four collars from one piece of fabric.  The benefit of this is that you're not going to see your dog's collar on every other dog at the dog park.  The downside is that once a pattern is sold out, it's gone ... get 'em while you can, because you may be disappointed when your favorite isn't there when you come back to the booth.

Anyway ... as I looked at the new collars, I realized that there was nothing there for the girliest of pups.  There is the brown rose chintz one, and the lime green one has polka dots on the lining, but something was definitely missing.  I dug through my fabric stash and I came up with this:

Pink houndstooth!  Such a classic pattern, small scale to compliment a more petite collar, and oh-so feminine.  It was hard for me to put all four of these collars in the pile for the booth ... one of them would look SO good on Ruby. 

If you are local and plan to come to the Heritage Festival, please stop by the GRF booth ... I will be working the afternoon/closing shift.  If you can't make it to see us in person and you are interested in one of these collars, let me know and I will pull it from inventory and sent you a PayPal invoice.  Or, if you have an idea for a custom collar, I would love to work with you ... I once made collars for a woman so her two dogs would match the couch in her office.

I donate my time and all supplies to make these collars, and every $ of the purchase price is donated to Greyhounds Rock Fredericksburg ... to support canine cancer research that benefits ALL breeds of dogs, not just greyhounds.  This is a cause that is close to my heart, since it was cancer that took my Daniel in May (and Emma in 2011). 

I love this photo of Daniel and me!!

It is appropriate that I post this today, because it is a special day to celebrate.  Today is the three-year anniversary of my dear friends Kim and Andy's dog TJ's osteosarcoma diagnosis and surgery to amputate his front leg.  Three years survival is a miracle for this horrible disease, and TJ has thrived as a Tripawd ... continuing to work as an active Therapy Dog in hospitals, schools, and mentoring other Therapy Dogs.

Happy Ampuversary, TJ!!

Greyhounds Rock's Annual Benefit ... Thursday Night Preparations.

Last night, the Greyhounds Rock crew assembled to put the finishing touches on plans for this weekend's "Take a Bite Out of Canine Cancer" benefit.  As with all of our meetings, food is a major player ... last night it was take-out Chinese.

While the humans were talking, TJ made himself busy emptying Quinn and Taylor's (the resident dogs) toy basket.  TJ always tests the toys first, making sure that the squeeker still works before adding it to his pile.

Yes, TJ, I'm talking about you.

The main goal for the evening was to stuff the goodie bags.  The bags themselves are donated by the Fredericksburg Tourism department, and our sponsors and supporters donate trinkets and treats for our guests to enjoy.  We worked like an assembly line, each placing an item in the bag as the bag made its way from one end of Gale's living room to the other.

This photo is proof that greyhounds are the most cat-like of all dogs.  While we were working, Quinn carefully made his way into the fray and laid down in the middle of a pile of half-filled goodie bags.  We worked around him, sliding bags out from under him as we needed them.

Here is just a fraction of the finished bags, ready to be loaded into my car.  It looks like one of the dogs was pilfering toys from the bags.

We also gathered up the rest of our donated auction items.  Everyone has been very generous, and we have some wonderful things available for bids.  Here are two that I really like:

Christmas-themed appliqued embroidered towel set.

and the BEAUTIFUL photo "The Meeting of the Racers".

With everything organized, donations tallied, and the boxes of goodie bags filled to the brim, Quinn and TJ and Taylor made it known that their work was done and they were tired.

This morning, we are meeting at the event hotel to begin the on-site preparations and set up.  It's going to be a GREAT weekend!!

(If you want to attend, we still have tickets available ... hint, hint.)