"Attack of the Anglerfish!" or Fish Bed for a Chihuahua (Image Obese!)

[ajmaley]

     Kandi, the pomeranian chihuahua, was all alone on a deep sea expedition when suddenly she sensed danger approaching.

She barked and barked for help, but, as she was in the deep sea, there was no one around to save her.

It was a fierce struggle, but since Kandi isn't a real dog and can't hold her own again anything, it wasn't very long before Kandi was overwhelmed and the deep sea anglerfish began to eat her . . .

. . . and eat her some more . . .

Pretty soon she was all eaten up!

The moral of the story is, if going on a deep sea expedition, an iddy biddy dog is a poor choice to fend off sea monsters!

Ok, enough funny stuff, time to get down to business. This is the cat bed pattern from Simplicity 9004. I found the directions to be somewhat screwy in some places (which I've noted other craftsters saying similar things) but some of that may be due to my inexperience with sewing patterns--this being the first one I've really tried to follow in almost a decade. I did alter the construction of the thing a bit, I found that by following the pattern's instructions, you ended up with a big unfinished seam on the inside. Hence I decided to do it the way I thought it should go, which, for once, actually worked and it now has nice seams on the inside. Speaking of which, the inside is lined with light green fleece, the outside is all cotton of one form or another. I added extra embroidery on the outside with glow in the dark embroidery floss and I found a glow in the dark rubber ball (a cat toy from the supermarket) which I sliced in half for the eyes, so when you turn the lights off . . .

Muahahaha! Speaking of which, since I decided to make this a deep sea anglerfish (which do really exist, do have the lure on the head, and do glow in the dark (bioluminescence). . a la "Finding Nemo" http://www.solarnavigator.net/films_movies_actors/cartoons/cartoon_images/finding_nemo_dory_marlin_angler_fish.jpg), I added the lure to the top of the head. The ball on the end of the lure I made by sewing up some of the fabric from the body, and I took glow in the dark puff paint and added a dot on each of the spots of the fabric. Thus, this is the result when you turn off the light:

And on a note on the dog, she has yet to really take to this thing. She had to be persuaded to go inside it. She loves to burrow under blankets and such so I'm somewhat aggravated at her for not loving this stupid fish, it took me 6 months to sew, by hand (off and on, I didn't work on it constantly). Does anyone have suggestions for this problem? Otherwise, it's a nifty yarn holder . . . ;-)

But I suppose its all worth it when this is the result, however persuaded it may be:

Comments? Questions?

[SunflowerSmiles]

 that was hysterical!  funny funny   Nice job on the fishy. I have that pattern and have heard as well it was a stinker to do so I've hesitated actually starting it.  Have the fabrics..just intimidated.  I love the glow in the dark stuff embellishments...ni ce, very nice.  Good job! 

[violetta27]

Love the bed! and your little Kandi too!  I also have a small burrowing dog who I made a bed for and she looked at me like I was nuts and refused to go anywhere near it.  Hope you have better luck especially since you made such a great looking bed.

[elwynceltic]

Lol, looks like you had the perfect model! Great job on the bed, I bet it will grow on its new owner!

[KiwiDragons]

What an adorable story...and doggy! And I like the glow in the dark features. This is one of my favorite pet crafts, but I don't know if I'd ever attempt to make one. Great job!

[Geek Love]

aw that's horribly adorable.. Kandi looks a lot like my mother in laws dog.

[SonjaBoo]

This is just hilarious -- I would love an anglerfish bed for our cat Sonja!  It's certainly a conversation piece.   

[scissorbrit]

This is amazing!!!! I wish my puppy would get inside something like that... Also I wish I had the talent to even make something that cool! the glow in the dark parts- seriously awesome!

[HandsyMalone]

That is SO darling!  I love your little puppy and her fight with the fish! 
I can't believe that you sewed that by hand, it's amazing!  I've not tried that pattern, but I've noticed that EVERY pattern I've used in the last year, including my vintage ones, is either missing a step or has an instruction that just doesn't make sense or assumes that you just know how to do something, like attaching a collar.  *shrug*  As long as it makes you happy, it's done right!
ANYWAY, so cute, totally worth the time.  Now I really wish I had little dogs!

Oh!  As for how to lure her into it, you could try putting something in that she likes, something in that smells comforting to her, or just straight bribe her with treats.    I would go with a combination, take a piece of fabric and either get my scent on it or hers (by putting it under her when she sleeps), then shove that in there.  And then I'd train her to go in, then to lay down and finally, to sleep there, the entire process liberally interspersed with treats, lots and lots of treats.    Most likely, fancy treats that she never got otherwise.

[hippiejo74]

  This "rocks"! I love the story (and your adorable doggie) - and would love one of my own I just need one that is kid-sized...