August 15, 2011

2nd Annual Pets on Quilts Show 2011 - August 15-19th 2011

Darlene over at SewCalGal is hosting the 2nd Annual Pets On Quilts Show  that runs from Aug 15 - Aug 19th!  If you have photos of your pets lying on your quilts, quilts that you have made with a pet theme, or Electric Quilt Designs in the pet theme then this show is for you!! Art Quilters are also welcomed!

My entry for the show is of a quilt that I made for my husband for Christmas 2003!  It is of his beloved Benitta who was bought from a breeder in the southern part of NC in December 1982!  She was originally bought for his brother but Benitta took up with Butch immediately and she fast became known as "HIS" dog.
 My husband has been a tobacco farmer for over 30 years and Benitta would walk up and down the rows while he cultivated with the tractor and when she tired she would go lie down under the shed until he was finished.... or go to the house and beg inside where it was cool.  She was a house dog..YES! even as large as she was...

She slept on the bed with my husband every single night!  He said she would lie on her back with all 4 legs stretched out at times and these nights he did not get much sleep.  But he did not mind.  Her usual style of sleeping was on her side but even with that, she took up a lot of the full size bed but hubby made the best of it.... He is just tenderhearted like that!  He would never be mean to an animal... especially his Benitta!

During the day if she wasn't outside with my hubby, she liked to lay on her back in the hall just outside his room.  The floor was always cool and she loved it!
Benitta made sure she was in the truck every time he went somewhere.  She would either lie down in the seat with her head on his lap as he drove or he would row down the window and she would sit in the passenger seat with her head hanging out the window with her tongue just swinging in the wind. lol

And if he stopped at the store for a chocolate bar, well... she had to have hers too or he didn't get to eat very much of his!  And the Frosty Maid was her favorite place to go! She was always ready for her ice cream cone! He spoiled her rotten and she loved it!

By July 1995, Benitta had arthritis really bad in her hips and back and it was all she could do to walk.  My hubby would help her walk a lot of times but it got to the point that he knew what he had to do.  Although it broke his heart in to a million pieces, he had her put down.  She now lies in his mother's front yard with beautiful azaleas surrounding her grave.  He still cries for Benitta... there will never be another one like her!

If you would love to feature your beloved pet, all you need to do is write up a story about them and head over to Darlene's and link up to the Pets On Quilt Show!

And any quilt show is not complete without prizes! Some of the fabulous sponsors are: Fat Quarter Shop! -  The Raspberry Rabbits! -  Jane's Fabrics! - The Quilted Kitty! - Fabric.com! - InchWorm Fabrics! and many more fabulous sponsors!!  Head on over to Darlene's and check out all of the sponsors!

Darlene is also collecting photos for a calendar that will benefit the Humane Society!  If you have a photo that you would like to see in the calendar contact Darlene!

So what are you doing sitting in front of the pc! Scoot on to your sewing rooms or grab those cameras and get something ready so you can join in on the fun!

You can link up through Aug 19th!

GO! :)

52 comments:

SewCalGal said...

Thanks for the great shout out Thearica.

SewCalGal
www.sewcalgal.blogspot.com

QuiltSue said...

That's a lovely story, thanks for sharing the quilt and a special dog.

Shelley said...

Sounds like Benitta was a great gal! What a lovely memory quilt :)

andsewon said...

Awwwhh such a sweetie she was. My DH had to do this for his Sadie Last year. Very pretty memory quilt!

Lynette said...

Such a sweet memory quilt for a special friend.

Stray Stitches (Linda G) said...

Thanks for sharing those wonderful memories of such a beloved friend.

Connie Kresin Campbell said...

Beautiful story Thearica, and a wonderful memory quilt for your husband.

Staci said...

What a beautiful story! Your husband must really treasure this very special quilt.

Library Gal Quilts said...

Ahhh. that is a wonderful memory quilt! Lucky husband!

Threeundertwo said...

What a special dog, and a great quilt to remember her by!

Needled Mom said...

What a great memory quilt for your DH. I'm sure he loved it.

Dana Gaffney said...

Wonderful story and what a wonderful thing to do for your husband. I'm sure he treasures that quilt. I've been thinking of making something like that for my daughter. You just may have given me the push I need.

SewCalGal said...

Wanted to come back and say thank you for sharing your story about Benita. Wonderful four legged friend. And a beautiful memory quilt too. Very special.

SewCalGal
www.sewcalgal.blogspot.com

Nanbon44 said...

what a wonderful Memory quilt..

Wacky Woman said...

What wonderful memories you shared. Thank you.

Marilyn

Barbara said...

What a wonderful friend.

Patty said...

Benitta sounds like a great dog and I love your quilt. I hope you win a prize.

Vroomans' Quilts said...

Beautiful commeterative quilt to a loving family member.

Lesly said...

That's a wonderful story about true love! How sweet - and a beautiful quilt - he must be thrilled.

hetty said...

What a beautiful dog tale! And your memory quilt is beautiful too.

Anonymous said...

Maybe even only once in a lifetime do you befriend a dog or cat like that. I loved the story...melts my heart!

Jan said...

What a wonderful quilt. I loved the story behind it.

Apple Avenue Quilts said...

What a wonderful memorial for a wonderful dog!

elizabeth said...

What a sweet story...love the quilt : )

Joanna said...

Your quilt of Benitta is a treasure. It is beautiful, and I love the design.

Cecilia said...

What a wonderful story and a great quilt.

paulette said...

Your story got me all teary!! Thanks for sharing...and love your memory quilt!!
P

Sean said...

our dog was hit by a car we miss her alot to

I am using grandpa's email
heather

Becky said...

Thanks for sharing a wonderful quilt and dog! Your hubby sounds like a kind man.How wonderful to have a memory quilt of Bettina. Take care!

Jennifer said...

Aw, I teared up reading this...

Beautiful quilt. :)

Snoodles said...

That's so sweet! Love the story, and I bet that is a treasured quilt!

Miss Hillbilly said...

Ahhh, you brought tears to my eyes. Made me think of my husband and his beloved "Dawg". :(

Kim said...

Thanks for sharing your story. The quilt is a wonderful treasure for your hubby.

Gladys said...

Beatiful and sweet memory quilt for a special friend!

Sand and Sunshine said...

Oh what a darlin' from time to time I have wondered what would become of my DH if anything happened to his beloved Tiny.

SoCal Debbie said...

Such a wonderful story! It's great that you made this special quilt for your husband.

Kelli Fannin Quilts said...

What a beautiful memory quilt and a beautiful tribute to your beloved furry friend!

Belinda said...

She must have been a very very special dog. That is a beautiful story and we thank you for sharing it.

Linda in Arkansas said...

Aww she sounds wonderful! I think the quilt is wonderful too. I think I sould make one for my husband and his dog. Thanks for the great idea and telling us about her.

Jocelyn said...

What a beautiful post. I had an airedale that was my constant companion for 10 years. When she went down, we had to put her to sleep. It was the hardest thing I've ever had to do. I just have never been able to get attached to another pet since. Thanks for sharing your hubbys story.

Jan said...

Beautiful quilt and a beautiful story. All our pets leave us too soon so it is hard to have a happy ending to our pet stories. thanks for sharing.

Kendra from missknittas studio said...

What a lovely way to remember such a special friend! Thank you so much for sharing the story of Benitta and your husband :)

Jane said...

What a heartbreaking, heartwarming story! Thanks for sharing.

The Vegetarian Hunter said...

Such a great story although sad at the end. It sound like your husband had a great friend.

Pat V. said...

Your memory quilt is a great tribute to a fine friend.

Melissa ;-) said...

Dogs aren't are whole lives, but they do make our lives whole, don't they? Wonderful quilt!

Janet said...

What an amazing story of a man and his dog!

Talin's Corner said...

Lovely quilt and story.

LethargicLass said...

what a wonderful story... thank you :)

Christie describeHappy said...

What a great memory and way to treasure an amazing friend!

Karen M said...

How beautiful. Thank you for sharing.

Takie said...

Thanks for sharing your wonderful story.
Thanks for sharing the quilt and a special dog.

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