Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Quilt Number 33 - Simon's Quilt

Meet Simon . . . . .



Simon's no longer with us, but he was 90 pounds of personality. He was the happiest dog. One of his favorite pastimes was to ride in the back of my car with the top down. As a matter of fact, he could only fit in that car when the top was down. Folks would point and wave at this big dog riding in the backseat of my car.

Before I came up with my current design wall I had a design bed. I would lay out all my quilt blocks on the guest room bed that's next to my sewing room. If I wasn't looking, Simon would get in the middle of the bed, push all the blocks in a pile, then lay on them. I don't know how many times I had to repress and redo my layouts because of that dog.

One time I was complaining about it to my daughter and she said she thought Simon did that because the blocks smelled like me, and why didn't I make Simon a quilt.

So I did. I think this fabric was called Doggie Delight.

The quilter added two layers of batting to make it nice and fluffy for Simon. For some reason, when I got the quilt back from the quilter, I was afraid Simon would tear it up so I wouldn't let him lay on it. My husband kept getting on me about it, I'm not sure why I made it only to let Simon look at it. Finally my husband shamed me into putting it on the floor for Simon to enjoy.

Simon loved it, he laid on his quilt in the sunroom everyday, just like he knew it was his. Sadly he died only 2 months after he got his quilt. I'm so glad I finally let him sleep on it!


Now it's Cooper's Place, by place I mean, we say, "Cooper, go place" and Cooper sits or lays down on the quilt until we say "free dog". It's great for when the UPS guy rings the door bell or company stops by. Even though it's Cooper's Place, we still call it "Simon's Quilt". This is quilt number 33.

19 comments:

  1. A great dog quilt! So glad that Simon had a chance to use it and now Cooper is carrying on the tradition.

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  2. What a wonderful story! I'm curious about how you were able to train Cooper to go to his quilt and stay till he is released. Will he actually stay there till you say "free dog"? My dogs have never been quite so well trained, but I'd like to be able to get to that point!
    Nan S.

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  3. How sweet! And nice that he's trained enough to listen. My two...not so much lol.

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  4. Aw - what a sweet story and 2 very sweet dogs!

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  5. What a wonderful story...can I get you to come to my house to train my boys to stay in their place when someone comes to the door...it's a free for all...2 dogs 85+ pounds at the door to greet whomever is on the other side. CRAZY!

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  6. Oh my goodness, we used to have Airedales. How I miss my sweet gal. Thanks for sharing about Simon's Quilt.

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  7. What a wonderful story - I'm glad Simon got to enjoy his quilt and now Coooper can enjoy the quilt and a little bit of Simon, too.

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  8. I wish Simon could have met our Airedale Daniel. I know they would have been such good buddies. Best dog we ever had.

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  9. I don't know what's more impressive. Your quilting skills or your dog training skills. "Go place...and free dog"??? Wow. The first time we boarded our two we came home with not one, two, but three dog obedience training business cards. They do know sit. But they sit, then stand up, sit, stand up, sit, stand up. I think I have that on an exercise video of mine. Suppose to be good for the thighs. Guess I'll go check their thighs.

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  10. I love Simon's quilt. And Simon and Cooper are beautiful doggies.

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  11. What a great story and beautiful quilt. I also bought that panel and have amassed quite a selection of coordinating fabrics, but have yet to make the quilt. Must get to that soon.

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  12. You are SO FUNNY to put a double layer of batting in the quilt and then not let Simon lay on it!

    And aren't you glad Steve is so tall and has the accompanying "wing span" to hold up your quilts for photographing? Was it his idea to buy the frame you now use to photograph your quilts?!

    And last but not least, is Cooper BIGGER than Simon?!

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  13. What a lovely story! And what a lovely quilt.

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  14. Awww I miss Simon! He was such a great dog, though very stubborn. Does Cooper really still go to place?

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  15. What sweet pups! I love hearing about Simon and his quilt!

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  16. Thelma, that's a great story. I wish Max would cooperate like that. When the doorbell rings, Max forgets all his training and is out of control. Thanks for the reminder of "place". I'm going to give it another try with Max.

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  17. What a sweet story! I am glad you let Simon use it ... and now it is being used by Cooper.
    Blessings,
    Donna

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  18. Great story about Simon and his quilt! He looks so happy sitting on it :)

    Great pics of your dogs and the quilt too.

    SHeilaC

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  19. We only get to have them for a short time, what great guys you have. I too am remembering.....since we lost little Hallie in December. Enjoy your quilts. They are beautiful....thanks for sharing your story and pictures of your darling boys.

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