August 01, 2012

Tessa and her quilt

Couldn't let this week go by without noting that two special someones both had birthdays this past month. Happy Birthday to my two beautiful daughters!  


And while I love them both, this post is more about the furry one of them--and a quilt, of course. 


Our golden retriever, Tessa, has been part of our family for 13+ years. She tolerates us all well, keeps us in line, and manages to do it with style.

Tessa's been having health issues, has lost some hearing and eyesight, but she's still a real sweetie.  She spends most of each day "resting up" for her evening walk with the love of her life, Mr. CatsMeowTwo.   She sleeps either on the cool tile near the front door or by the back patio door where she can see out and pretend to watch squirrels and birds.  Here she is watching her man build a ramp for her so she can get in and out of the patio door more easily.


On brief occasions (if she smells me eating something yummy for lunch or thinks it's her dinner time), she'll come see me and watch me quilt and help me choose a fabric, then will get a drink, but then she usually goes back to nap by one of the doors.  Getting old requires lots of rest!

So one day this April when I went to find her and she wasn't by either door, I was surprised.  I called and called her, but she didn't come (she doesn't always hear my voice--or does somewhat selectively).  I knew she had to be in the house, so began searching all the rooms for obvious spots, calling her, and wondering if she were hurt or sick or well, worse.

After a second time through the house, I was more than a little concerned and beginning to feel that "missing child" panic.  This time searching, instead of looking through the kitchen at the patio door, I walked to the back door and started across my living room, and this is what I saw:


Tessa was sound asleep laying on the quilt I has spread out on the floor so I could decide on a back.   I hadn't been able to see her from the other direction because she was hidden by a desk.


She was happily sleeping away with total abandon, at least until the camera person woke her up.......then she was a bit grumpy.  (Or maybe she was concerned that she'd be in trouble.)  ;)


Tessa NEVER lays on my quilts.  She ordinarily walks carefully around them, although she will walk across one if I leave it out on the floor too long.  Somehow I have to think that she knows that when you don't feel well, nothing makes you feel better than to lay on a quilt--even if it isn't finished!  (and she knows there are few finished quilts at my house)

And so this is my entry to the 2012 Pets on Quilts Show.  You can see all the cute pet photos here.


And, I promise I'll blog soon and catch up about making "Tessa's quilt" and all the other goings on that have been happening here since March--can't believe I haven't posted since then--Yikes!

30 comments:

Agnes B. Bullock said...

Great model! Love the quilt

Loris said...

Sweet Tessa and a sweet story. Give her a hug and some head scratches for me. The senior girls sure pull on my heart strings. Thank you and Mr CM 2 for taking such good care of her.

Missy Shay said...

She is such a beautiful dog!

CaroleM said...

This is wonderful! I love the picture of Tessa carefully watching the work outside of the window. :)

Gene Black said...

Awww.. she looks so lovable!

Needled Mom said...

She looks so comfortable on the new "rug" too!!!!

Snoodles said...

Sooo sweet! Our pup is 12+ and is moving a little slower, too. Love the photos...and thank you for partying with us!

The Thimblemouse of Country Crossroads said...

Awwww...sweet sweet Tessa...I LOVE her! And she certainly knows what will make her feel better..a nice nappie on a quilt top. I love our little 9-Patch, Maggie...but my heartstrings still pull when I remember our golden "Buster" who was with us for 14 wonderful years.

My Sister Made Me Do It.... said...

Thanks for sharing your story of the Lovely Tessa with us........lovely quilt too.......

SewCalGal said...

My heart and soul is smiling big time. Such a cute post. You have such a sweetie pie four legged kid and I love your quilts too.

SewCalGal
www.sewcalgal.blogspot.com

quiltmom anna said...

Tessa is a beautiful dog and has excellent taste in quilts. The quilt is very lovely. I enjoyed reading about your girls.
Regards from Western Canada,
Anna

Vroomans' Quilts said...

OUr elder pets do alarm us when they don't do the 'norm' in their routine. She must have needed the comfort of that beautiful quilt - yes they do wrap us in love and hugs.

Marcia W. said...

This is a lovely story and a pretty quilt.

Dana Gaffney said...

Such a nice post, she looks so sweet, does she get to keep the quilt?

SpartanBabe said...

Love the model! And the quilt :o)

Joanna said...

What a nice post. Tessa's quilt is certainly going to be much loved, as is Tessa.

Marianne said...

What a sweet story about your beloved Tessa. She is a beautiful and well-loved dog.

heartsease54 said...

What a beautiful girl! And the quilt is pretty too. Hope she got to keep it.

Teresa F. said...

No wonder Tessa loves that quilt, it's really beautiful.

Kruse Kats said...

such good quilt work for a dog! I didn't realize dogs held down quilts as well as cats can.

Christie describeHappy said...

What a sweet story and it was fun to meet Tessa!! Give her a few hugs for me; a fellow goldie lover!

Rebeckah Austin said...

Sweet dog!

Sarcastic Quilter said...

Oh, so precious.

Mhairi said...

What a lovely story. I hope that she appreciates the quilts and that you can get this one finished.

Junebug613 said...

Wonderful story! Having a 13+ dog myself, I can relate. What a beauty Tessa is. Great pictures! Thank you for sharing with us!

Marjorie said...

Beautiful quilt and wonderful story about your beautiful "daughter". She has a good life.

Lyndsey said...

What beautiful photos. Thanks for sharing.

Pat said...

She is a real sweetie!!

Debi said...

Tess looks beautiful on your lovely blue quilt.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful Tessa... and Happy Birthday to your OTHER daughter. Thanks for playing along.