Need advice - Needle-felted version of neighbor's 3-legged dog

[petskin]

Hi!

My sweet neighbor lost her adorable old dog 2 weeks ago to cancer. She had been fighting for years and for the last few years she only had 3 legs. The lady told me today and looked devastated (ofcourse). So I felted a little replica of her dog and wanted to give her... but my hubby made me second guess- would that possible upset/offend her?  Would it make it worse?

I`ve never had pets, but I`d imagine i`d like a little plushie... (and it looks really similar to the one she had, recognizable)




-WOULD YOU?

[bubblegum_phoenix]

I personally would bawl my eyes out and say thankyou 1000x and then cry some more. The thought you put into this is amazing  you did good

[petskin]

Thank You, bubblegum !

I`m a little afraid about that bawling part (but I guess it would be the good kind :S). Also good to hear it looks good, since especially in this incident I want it to really look good, not just any funny critter I normally make, but a good little 'treasure".

[DawnsTrees]

I also agree with bubblegum_phoenix. Yes, it would make me cry (and this could be the 'upset' that your husband was worrying about). But it would also make me feel that someone understood and acknowledged the loss. I can't imagine feeling offended by your sweet gesture. (And the dog is adorable)

[tryskal]

Please give her this wonderful reminder of her beloved pet. She will treasure it.

[bridgeth]

Def yes, lady will bawl like anything but in a sort of good way, if that makes sense. I am sure she will be touched by your generositiy and thoughtfulness.
She may be a bit abrupt with you as a way of not breaking down, but am sure she will really appreciate it.
One of my cats died in March and I would have loved it if someone had done this for m

[Trekky]

I think it is a lovely gesture, go ahead and give it.  You have done a great job, the nose is adorable!

That dog is a cutie, tripod dogs always make my heart melt!

[zaluly]

I definitely agree..as a dog owner I think she would be touched by this and would love it

[LadybugsAndBumblebees]

I would give it to her with an explanation.  It think it would make her very happy and I think it was really thoughtful of you.

[smallhold]

How about asking her and offering her as an act of kindness? I'd be over the moon with such a thoughtful gift.
Cry my eyes out but that's a good thing in such circumstances.

[Subee]

Oh, please give it to her. I'm sure she will love it and will cherish it.
Yeah, she may cry, but because she misses her girl, not because of the present.

[MissingWillow]

Our beloved farm dog Jenna (and my avatar) lost a leg to cancer on Thursday.  I would love this gift. 

[kneser]

I think this would be wonderful.  I definitely think you should give it to her.  If are worried, maybe wait a little bit longer (like a month or two),  But I think no matter what she would love it.

[dellastella]

Definitely, definitely give it to her. As a dog lover whose sweet mutt passed away in April of 2010, I can tell you that I still feel the loss acutely. A sweet token such as the lovely felted pooch that you made would be heartily appreciated, and I don't think you need to wait. I would imagine that receiving such a lovely gesture would have made me cry for sure, but would serve as a wonderful reminder in those tough first few months.

[Mokeyh]

As a recently bereaved pet owner, I would have loved for some one as kind and thoughtful as you to have taken the time and care to make me a little plushie of him, a little 'I hope you don't mind....etc I thought it might comfort you' and I'm sure your neighbour will be touched and grateful if she's anything like any of the PP's and me
It's a beautiful example too, and so very kind and thoughtful, you are lovely

[petskin]

Thank You guys for Your thoughts!
I gave it to her today and just as You guessed, there was a tears and hugs and she loved it... and it made me feel good, that she has something to hold now, when feeling blue.

Thank You all also for the kind words!

[hgddm]

So glad you did! Wonderful and thoughtful idea.

[MiLady]

Can I echo what everyone else has said? I have 5 beloved pets and would be truely touched by this gesture, I dread the day that they leave me

[queenbeira]

As some one who works with animals and has lost a few furry friends, Something like this would mean the world to me. I think she would be very tuched by your kindness. He is too cute by the way, you did a great job.

[ChameleonHound]

Nicely done, and I'm glad she liked it. I concur with the above views; the hardest thing with pets is that you can't hold on to them forever, and having a version of mine that I could hold on to would be absolutely cherished.

[k8kre8s]

what a lovely thing to do! i'm glad she liked it and i think you were wise to consider the question, grief can be such a confusing emotional time. that sweet little gift will likely bring her more and more happiness as time goes on. good neighbours like you are the foundation of strong, supportive communities.

[chaz ortiz]

personally, i would be so honored of the time and effort you put into this and highly appreciate. sure, she may cry. but that is to be expected. i am sure she will treasure this

[petskin]

Thank You guys! I appreciate Your kind comments and am so happy to hear, that ALL, who responded thought of it as a good idea

[suereal]

I agree with all of the above.  You might wrap it in a tiny box, and then give it to her and tell her what it is.  That way she can open it on her own and not have to break down in front of you.  OR open it and have a good cry right there...her choice.

It's a beautiful and thoughtfull gift petskin

[Katebl]

Just to add to what everyone else has said, this is a really lovely gesture, I'm glad she loved it and he is a super little bit of crafting xx

[susanab]

You are a sweeeetie pie neighbor!
I love seeing pictires of my past furries and for sure i would love this!

[petskin]

I`m so glad for all the sweet comments and I`ll let her know, that so many people responded to this and care

[feltpets]

Well done you!
I came in a bit late on this thread, but wanted to share that I am often asked to make little felted memorial pieces for people's pets, and they have all cried but have been more than glad to have asked for a little reminder of their beloved pets.
And for you to do that for your neighbour is just so lovely and heartfelt. So glad she liked it, I'm sure she loved it! 

[feltingirl]

you are  so sweet ! what a great story.

[kitschbitch]

I would be so touched!

[greeneggsandham]

That was a wonderful gesture of sympathy and kindness. You are a good neighbor and friend.

[CamOovas]

I've made several felted pets for people after their animals have passed away- they've all loved them, and I would love if someone did something like that for me as well.

[bluwave06]

I think that this is a wonderful gesture! I know I am late on the conversation here, but as an animal lover and cat owner I would love something like this. My best friend lost one of her cats a few weeks ago, he was 16 and would be estactic and tearful at the same time for someting like this. I am glad that she loved it. You did a great job and looks so lifelike.

[petskin]

Thank You all for the comments It`s good to hear, wha You think and also, that You guys like my felted pup

- I`m going to make one now for  my sister, who lost her FIRS puppy a couple of years ago, when a careless driver flew down a street and hit her puppy w/o even slowing down and she saw it all a few meters away, unable to do anything, since the pup ignored her calls

I love making these animals, because they have a 'purpouse' and soul

(and feltpets, Your pets are amazing!)

[Sharalee]

I'm late in this thread too. But I would of love to have one these felted animal look a like, of my dogs. I have had several dogs passed in the last several years. It's so touching for you to had done that. I would of cried too, but would of love a little wool felted animal to remember my pets. I love all animals so much, & the animals give us their love unconditionally!
Petskin you are amazing!! Please show pics of your new felted pet when you get done. I can't believe drivers, we had a dog hit too wasn't good.
I'm so glad your doing this, your sister will love this especially since you made it for her!!   Bless You!!!

[petskin]

Thank You, Sharalee !

[Nobodyhasthisoneyet]

Another agreement here - when I eventually lose one of my beloved furbabies, a little memento like this would be beautiful.

That's a really lovely piece of work, too.  It looks fantastic.

[Harlan]

It would be a great comfort to her, I'm sure!! It's so hard to loose furry friends and even though you keep them in your heart, it really is nice to have something as a reminder.

I've done memorial portraits of pets and they are treasured and a great comfort!!

[jungrrl]

Congrats!!

You're a Craftster Best of 2011 Winner!



Feel free to use this badge as your avatar!
If you'd like to use it as a badge on your personal website or blog, you can grab the full code at the bottom of this page.

[MissingWillow]

Congratulations!  Well deserved!

[petskin]

YAY! Thank You all so much! It makes me very happy!  <3