Tulip Memorial

Many years ago I had planted a dozen tulip bulbs to have an early bright spot of color. Then our dog, McV, decided that was his spot to lay when he was outside. For the past several years only a single tulip has blossomed and we consider it a memorial to him.
In the spring of 2001 my husband and two shelties, McV who was eleven years old and Basil who was seven, were left at home while I spent a week in Pigeon Forge taking every class that Libby Lehman and Ricky Tims taught at that quilt conference. The day that McV became paralyzed and ended up being put to sleep, I had constructed this quilt.
I cannot look at this piece without thinking of McV. Initially it was with sadness, but now it's remembering his long-legged prancing and howling. He's our only sheltie who ever howled ... and that was when he was prodded by our asking if he wanted to "go to the beeeaaach". That quilt hangs at the cottage.

All of our past pets are represented by metal sculptures in our patio garden. Our first "child," Dudley the dachshund was with us for sixteen years. Tamar, our first sheltie, was the dog of our sons growing up years. As was our only cat, Smudge.
Two shelties, Basil who is fourteen years old and Presley who's three, are the animal members of our family. The old guy is deaf, but still frisky and she is the smallest and the most spoiled ... the only one ever allowed on the furniture. She even has her own quilt ... to protect the cushions.