I know two dog posts in one day. Just thought I'd put this out there in blogland. Another one of my friends is looking for an older dog for her mother. She would like a tiny dog, under 10 lbs, female, and maybe a chihuahua mix. She would be a doting owner, and would love to give a forever home and lots of attention to an older pet. If you know of any dogs that fit the bill, please contact me, and I can pass the information along to the family. Thanks-amanda
This is Ellie, she was born in November of 2007. Isn't she adorable? I am trying to help a friend find a new home for her. She is an Australian Shepherd cross who is up to date on her vaccinations, crate trained, house trained, good with kids, and other dogs. Ellie has had obedience training and knows basic commands, and loves to run -especially off leash. If you know of anyone who needs a furry companion in their life, please get in touch with me, and I can pass along Ellie's contact information! Thanks so much-amanda
I woke up this morning to find our beloved cat, Simon in a sorry state. He has lived here longer than we have, and has certainly led a full life. We moved here almost 12 years ago, and he came with the farm so to speak. The former owners indicated that he was a loner, and that in all of the years they had lived here, he merely stared at them from afar. Never daring to venture close, or allowing them to touch him. Within a week of us buying the house, he was eating on our front porch, and letting us pet him. At the time, I worked for an animal hospital, so as soon as I could, a brought him in to be neutered. We had a few cats in the house all ready, but I intended to domesticate Simon, and make him part of our inside world. He on the other hand wanted no part of an indoor life. So try as I might, he cried, and howled, and let me know that the life of an indoor cat wasn't for him. At the time, I just couldn't imagine why he wouldn't want this pampered life. But he was a feral kitten-I am sure, and an indoor life was completely unnatural for him. So for the last 12 years, I had to be content with feeding him, and being part of his world-outside. He was a beautiful cat in his prime. Big, black glossy coat. Beautiful yellow eyes. He always came when he was called, (if within earshot). And was always gentle with us, allowing us to stroke him, and always near when we worked outside. He had lots of adventures over the years. Sometimes dissappearing for two weeks at a time. Making me sick with worry. Sometimes coming home with wounds. He never complained when I had to take him to the vet. He was a skilled hunter- years ago, we had little bantam chickens, something was killing them at night, and we couldn't figure out what it was. We knew it wasn't a raccoon, or anything large, because the coop was fairly secure. Then one morning we woke up to find that Simon had killed a weasel. The chicken killings stopped. He was the kind of cat that even hardended cat haters couldn't help but like. This last year or so, his health has been on the decline. My beautiful, big black cat, became a mere shadow of himself. We worried that he wouldn't be able to survive another Wisconsin winter. Lately he had been sleeping behind the wheels of our cars. I kept asking him why he was trying to commit suicide. I am sure he knew his time was coming to an end. So this morning when I went out to feed the cats, he was sitting alone in the grass. I called to him, but he didn't come. He just sat there looking confused. I got a can of food and brought it out to him. He tried to walk, and his back legs wouldn't work properly. I burst into tears. I knew right away that it was time. I think that he probably had a stroke sometime in the night, and dragged himself out to where I could find him. I woke up my husband, and told him the sad news. So as I am typing this, Andy is bringing him in to our vet, to be euthanized. My poor boy, I am so sorry that your life is coming to a close. Andy will bring him home, and we will bury him on the farm, that he no doubt was born on so many years ago. At a conservative guess Simon would have been around 17, but I wouldn't be surprised if he was a few years older. I am grateful for all of the years he gave us, and the lessons that he taught me. He will be missed dearly, the farm just won't be the same without him. Rest in Peace, my friend, you are loved, and will be remembered always, you were a legend. -amanda
This is some hand-dyed silk ribbon that I worked on this past Sunday. Our weave-cut-and-sew class met over the week-end to try our hand at dying silk fabric and ribbons. I think I was the only one who had never done this type of dying before, but I was so surprised at how easy it was. We worked outside, because like the good pack-rats we are, we had a lot of fabric to dye. We had two camp- type stoves cooking with propane gas. It was totally amazing what came out of those dye pots. I wish I would have taken more photos before everyone took their stuff home, but below is just a small sampling of what was created. This is a really talented group of women, so I can't wait to see what they make out of all that dyed fabric!
Over-dyed fabric,Silk, and some wool yarn.
Some cotton and wool jersey-I think.
A silk-/cut- velvet scarf that Diana made, really pretty!
I had a really nice time at class, and this week is flying by. A few custom orders to create, and lots of pictures to take. I also bought a co-operative ad space from Etsy (www.etsy.com) to advertise my etsy shop. It is a really neat program that allows Etsian's the opportunity to advertise in Mary Engelbreit's Home Companion Magazine (www.homecompanionmag.com) The last ad was really great, very eye catching, and well laid out. I was so excited to get a spot for this issue. Only 30 spots are available to purchase, and they sold like hotcakes. This particular ad is for the Oct/Nov issue of the magazine, and will go on sale September 1st. So I have to figure out which "item" I will feature for my ad space. And take a really good picture of it. Something that could prove to be a challenge for me. Hope you are all doing well, and surviving this hideous heat and humidity wave we seem to be having here in NE Wisconsin. Stay cool! amanda
Ok, I just had to post again, I was lucky enough to be featured in our local paper, The Kewaunee County News, in the lifestyle section today, but....I need to make a few corrections about some of the things that were written about me. :) It was written that I run a dog rescue service, but really I don't exactly run a rescue service. I do from time to time take in dogs that the cosmos throws at me, and I do help people re-home their pets if they need some help. And it is true that we have a lot of pets, so maybe it appears that I have a shelter here, but really it is just our home! The article was accurate in stating that I have raised chickens, and goats, but it also stated that I have raised puppy dogs. When in fact I have never nor will I ever raise puppy dogs. In fact I have a bumper sticker on my car that says "Thank-you for NOT Breeding." Although I found it amusing, I would never be a dog breeder. And the last thing that I feel I need to make a comment on, is that the spoon bracelets I make are my "signature piece." Well I may be known for a lot of things (like crazy dog person) I can lay no claim to fame on the bracelets. The bracelets were created using ideas from a book by an artist I greatly admire; Stephanie Lee. (www.stephanielee.typepad.com) her book is called Semi-Precious Salvage. So thank-you all for listening to me rant, and really, I am very grateful for the press, but I also don't want to create any false impressions of me either! Have a great day, and don't be dropping off all of your unwanted litters on my doorstep! (unless they are Chihuahua's-just kidding) -amanda
If you want to read the article, just click on the link under the title In the Press!
After what has been a really difficult few weeks, I am remembering how very lucky I am today. We have had a series of really awful animal situations around the farm, and I have had a very difficult time coping with some of them. I am feeling ever so grateful to all of you who have put up with my near mental breakdown, and crying. And I hope you know you are loved, cherished, and appreciated more than you will ever know. I was working up in my studio this morning, and the dogs went crazy barking at someone in the driveway. By the time I got downstairs to see what was going on, my friend LeAnna was pulling out of the driveway. She left the most beautiful, huge pot of flowers, a card, and a lovely necklace for me. The necklace came from a women's week-end up north, that I was not able to attend this year. Another group of incredibly supportive, wonderful women. So today I am thinking about all of you women who have supported me, let me cry, and rant, and have just been the best friends anyone could ever ask for! I love you all, and don't know what I would do with out you! Thank you Hugs-amanda
Beautiful Flowers!
The coolest necklace, it opens up, and she put my favorite smell inside-Patchouli! Love it!
Hope you are all blessed with many wonderful friends!
Just a quick note to say I am certain the God's are conspiring against me. Time for a vacation...My husband took off this morning to go to a tool sale. I was worried about letting our new beagle friends out while he was gone, because last night one of them tore a hole in our wire-welded fence, and escaped.
Luckily we caught her right away, but he was not happy about trying to repair a fence at night. And I was worried about keeping a close eye and or leash on the two beasts. Not 10 minutes after he leaves, I hear a car pull into the driveway and beep it's horn. It's him, with a furry passenger in his car. He went back down the same highway I found the two beagles, and found a lost yellow lab running all over the highway. This one had a choke collar and tags...but the tags said Milkbone-real helpful! I grabbed my keys, loaded the dog into my car, and took off. Luckily I was able to track down the owner within an hour or so. AND he was really worried about the dog. Happy Ending. So I am asking anyone with connections to the Dog Gods not to send me anymore dogs, at least for a little while! Take care, and hug your pooch today, just don't bring them over for a visit! amanda
I finally heard back from the owner of the two darling beagles...As I suspected he was a backyard breeder and told me not to bring the dogs back. It turns out (according to him) that they were supposed to go to someone for hunting dogs, and the deal fell through. He told me he is sick of dealing with them, and they had been missing for a week. I won't write some of the other things he said to me, but it was evident he wasn't the kind of person who should even have one dog. So the ladies are here to stay until I can find a proper home for them. If you know anyone who would be interested in having two beagles as new friends, please forward my e-mail, or the blog and have them get in contact with me. (amanda@amandadavie.com) They are about 1.5 years old, get along very well with other dogs, of all sizes, and so far appear to know where the bathroom is. They are very loving, and have been very affectionate with my 10 year old daughter. Upon hearing the news that our new visitors would be staying awhile, Lily decided to pout....
Somewhere under this pile is my husband Andy...
I will try to get some more pictures of the beagles up this week-end, but trying to take a picture of a young beagle, is like trying to catch the wind. Constant movement. Hope you all have a great week-end..
P.S. any suggestions for beagle names would be greatly appreciated...so far we have come up with Maude and Millie, Mac and Cheese, and Ham and Cheese-all from my daughter. Obviously we need help! thanks-amanda
Just a quick post before I shut down my computer due to lightening....found these two lovely ladies running loose on the highway this morning. Of course they didn't have tags, or collars. I am hunting for their owners, but for now the Davie Dog Hostel is open, once again. They are lovely, and get along with the pack-just wish they didn't have that distinctive Beagle voice! LOL Have a great night! Amanda
Yes I know I have been a very bad blogger. So many things have been keeping me in the studio this last week or so. I had some special orders to work on, and a shipping date of Thursday for a few more orders. The above "Bad" is one of the altered art dolls that will be making it's way up to Washington Island on Thursday. Red Cup Coffeehouse has been kind enough to bring me in as an artist this year, and things have been going very well. I hope if you are up on the Island you will stop in and say hi to Anne. She has been a delight to work with. When I was looking around for information on the Red Cup Coffeehouse I came across this neat article about it (www.geocities.com/washislanddan/redcup.html it made me want to take the ferry right over and get a cup!
I am looking forward to going to Door County this week-end. My sister and her family will be vacationing in Fish Creek, and we will go up on Saturday to have a picinic, and hopefully do a little bead shopping! I can hear my husband and daughter groaning right now. It's funny when you live so close to a "tourist" town like Door County, you actually never go there yourself. I have family in Iowa who come up nearly every year to stay there, but we (only living within an hour's drive) have only gone up there a handful of times in the last 10 years. It is a beautiful area, with lots of artist studios and galleries, so I am really looking forward to playing tourist in my own backyard. I am hoping to get up there again soon with my friend Sue(http://artfuladventures.typepad.com) to do some serious gallery hopping, but I will have to talk to Grammie and Grampie to see if they'd be willing to take my daughter for the day. (hint-hint if you guys are reading this!)
That's all for now, I am still trying to add new links to my blog, but it is a slow process for this newbie! Please bare with me! thanks-amanda
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