I Had a Visitor

...and his name is Rex.

I didn't know his name was Rex when he showed up in my front yard. Little Bug was barking while looking out the window so I took a peek, and there was this handsome boy. I opened the door and invited him in. He was happy to come in for a visit. I put him out in the backyard and called the Police for Animal Control. He seemed pretty non-plussed about being at a stranger's house. 

A policman came and took him away, but not before asking if I would want him if they couldn't find his home. His tags were barely readable because it was obvious he enjoyed chomping on them. We could make out a town (which is 20 miles away from me) and a tag number. I definitely did not want him to be put down, so I said I would take him and find him a home. I told him I am involved in dog rescue and that actually, I have a friend's Aunt that is looking for a dog like Rex. I'm assuming they moved at some point to my town, but I do not know as no information was left with the card. 

So I how did I find out his name you ask? 

I went out to run some errands and came home to this beautiful bouquet and card on my doorstep. The card thanked me for taking care of Rex, then the Mom that penned the card, thanked me another three times. It was signed by her and her two daughters. Two dozen roses with a few that look like to be tropicals mixed in. This was intentional effort, time taken out to show appreciation. This dog is truly loved. I did what a person should do. That's all. I'm sure Rex was happy to see his family, I'm happy that they were reunited. My heart was deeply touched by their love for their dog, and the gift of a sweet thank you. 

A Gift, A Gift, A Very Cutie Gift

Finally!! I'm telling you about my Schnauzer gift. I meant to post many weeks ago after receiving it, but busy-ness and laziness got in the way.

Look at this little guy!!

The sweet and talented Suzy from GeorgiaPeachez sent this to me. She said while thrifting one day she came across it and knew it had to go home with her, to be sent to me. How nice is that? To be in someone's thoughts that you've never personally met and only know through blogging. 

The funny thing was (and still is) is that I had (and still have) a small collection of things on my desk that are meant for her. When I received her email asking for my mailing location, it couldn't have been timed better because I needed hers, too. The difference? She is not a procrastinator and sent it out immediately. Me? Wellllllllll..... 

...but I do have an excuse, I'm going through some more stuff and the pile is getting a little bigger. Plus, I had work and the 5 weeks of vacation that got in the way, and, and, and....

Thank you Suzy!! He's an adorable addition to my Dog/Schnauzer collection. 

2nd Down, Two to Go

Bella has left the building...

We were outside with Bella when her owner showed up, as soon as she saw him get out of the car she galloped over to him, he opened the back door, she jumped in and trampled her way to the front seat. Um, she's not too happy to be going home.

Now I can vacuum up Black Lap hair for the last time....well, until her next stay over.

One reason I like non-shedding dogs is the fur/hair factor. I'm a little anal with the vacuuming already, to have to do it once or twice a day? Worse is that Bella likes to be on my sofa while I'm not home. Like I said, I'm anal about vacuuming and this includes furniture but to see black hair all over it? and all the black dust bunnies on the floor? Well, it wouldn't take too long for me to be over it. For the purposes of dog sitting, I can handle it.

Bella also likes to be under foot. I trip over my dogs on a regular basis especially in the kitchen when food is being prepared, but at least they know to get out of the way after being stepped on once or twice. But Bella? she just sits there with her pretty pouty face totally not getting the fact that she's right in my path to the refrigerator, or sink, or stove.

Look at this face...so pathetic you gotta love it.

Fortunately, she's a good girl, just doesn't realize she's 70 pounds.

Whenever Chuck & Carol go away and I dog sit for them, they feel the need to bring me back a gift. It is very generous of them, but so unnecessary.

On this trip to New Brunswick they came to a little shop that sells jewelry with minerals and rocks. This is what they picked out for me...

Tiger's Eye, something I haven't seen in quite some time. And no, they couldn't just get the ring....or the bracelet...or the earrings...funny thing is, Chuck was almost apologizing when he said, "they had bigger earrings but they were too much money" WHAT!!!??? they shouldn't have spent what they did! Very sweet of them, they are ALWAYS good to me. Our relationship had started as client/painter and blossomed into a very close friendship. So much so that if they die, I get Bella. Oh, wouldn't she be thrilled about that!! LOL

Wonderful, Unexpected Gifts

I like to frequent my local (literally just around the corner) thrift store that benefits the Seniors in my town. Well, they not only have some good finds, they have wonderful volunteers that I've gotten friendly with. I guess this is bound to happen when you stop by weekly to drop things off for them to sell, or buy things that they have for sale. We strike up conversation, and I learn their stories.

One woman there recently asked me if I sewed, I responded, "yes." She asked me if I would sew a few buttons on her coat for her because one popped off and she couldn't find it so she had to sew four new ones on instead. She has sewn all her life but when she went to thread the needle in preparation for button attachment, she found that the arthritis in her hands have made it too difficult even to thread the needle. I was happy to help her out. This is her favorite warm coat to walk her dog and she was planning to drive to Maine to be with her daughter for the rest of the winter and really wanted that coat to be part of the trip.

Her attitude about not being able to sew any longer is so great! She said, "well, I can't sew anymore" and instead of feeling sorry for herself, she added, "guess there's other things I'm meant to do now." (she's 75) how wonderful is that?

A couple days later I dropped her coat off to her at the thrift store. She was so pleased and pulled me aside. I noticed this box in her hand and as she opened it she was explaining to me that she wanted me to have the contents within. She knows that I take things and use them in new ways and that I sell on ebay. There were 3 pieces and she explained the history of two and then handed me the third piece, which was this beautiful brooch:

 

I had to show different angles to try to capture the beauty of this piece -- and pictures don't do it justice. I was stunned! It is so gorgeous and I couldn't believe she was giving it to me. She told me who she received it from over 20 years ago and that she loved the piece. I asked her why she would be giving it to me then, and she said it was because she didn't wear it and she thought I could do something with it because she has seen the things I buy and thought I would like it.

UH, HELLLLO! YEAH!! Holy Crap I love it! I told her I was going to put it in a small frame so I could look at it all the time! I've shown it to a few friends that I knew would appreciate this and I think they are secretly coveting it. I looked on the back to see if there was an origin and it is stamped 'Austria', I am wondering if that would mean they are Austrian Crystals. I haven't researched it, yet. 

So, about a week later, another volunteer there that shares my love of dogs says to me, (and she knew nothing about the gifts I already received)  "I have a scratchboard I did when I was younger (she's 81 now) that I'd like to give to you if you want it." She explained that she thought it was a Schnauzer, I said I'd love it no matter the dog's breed. I love vintage dog art. So she brought it in for me and it does indeed look like it could be a Giant Schnauzer. I told her how wonderful it is and that I'd love to be it's new owner.

  

She said to me, "I don't want to sound morbid but sometimes I meet someone that I think will appreciate something I love and I give it to them, it makes me feel better knowing where it's gone." "Besides," she said, "now Santa can go in his rightful place on the wall."  SHE TOOK IT OFF THE WALL FOR ME, PEOPLE! 

I asked her to sign the back. She was a little apologetic about the old frame and watermark on the matting...I think it adds to the charm. She signed and dated it 1950, she was 19 at the time.

I am touched by such generosity and kindness I receive from these volunteers. Aren't these gifts so wonderful?