Pet Memorial Stone DIY

It's been a year since we said good-bye to our sweet baby Tyke.  He was our first fur baby and a very sweet and sensitive dog.  It was something that came on quite suddenly for us, but long enough to see him suffer.  We made the decision to let him go when we just couldn't see him like that anymore.  After letting him go, I did not take it well.  I needed him in my life, even if it was just a little memorial to keep him close.

I decided to make a little stone memorial for Tyke.  I wanted to see his name and keep him close.  I had made paw prints and framed them before he passed.  I made copies of his paw prints and used that along with his name and an angel picture.  I printed all of these on to a piece of cardstock.

After printing, I cut out the inside images of my letters and pictures to make a stencil.  I'm sure if you have a Cameo or Cricut you could do this on there, but this worked for me.  

I placed my stencil on top of a concrete stepping stone I got at a home improvement store.  Using a black Sharpie marker, I traced inside my stencil onto my stone.  I then colored in my letters and freehanded the date as well using a Painters paint marker.  This will last much longer, especially outside.  Mine still looks good a year later, but you could always repaint if it starts to fade.

I made another smaller stone with Tyke's name and paw print on it to bring out to our beach condo. 

We placed our memorial stone in our backyard underneath a maple tree.  I smile when I see it and try to remember the good times we had.

He was our first baby and nothing could replace him.  We miss him everyday.  My youngest still talks about him all the time and tells me she can't wait to go to heaven to see him.  I know he is no longer in pain, so I'm glad he can rest.  Still doesn't make me miss him any less.  Love you Tyke!!

Ball Bin Memorial

Framed Paw Print

Shared at Tatertots & Jello

Easy Monogram Fleece Blanket

Need a last minute gift idea for someone on your list?  This is an easy monogram blanket and can be a great gift for anyone on your list!  Kids, pets, friends, neighbors, teachers...everyone loves to cuddle up on the couch with a cozy blanket.  Fleece is always on sale this time of year.  Plus there are so many great patterns and prints to choose from!  You can find the perfect fabric for anyone on your list.

This is a quick and simple sewing project that even a beginning seamstress can make.  I bought a piece of fleece material.  One yard is usually good for a baby or small child.  I like to use closer to two yards for an adult throw blanket.  Make sure your edges are square.  You can round your corners if you would like to.  Zig zag stitch around the outside edge to give your blanket a finished look.

I found a printable letter coloring page that I printed and used as a pattern to cut out my monogram letter.  Cut a piece of fusible web for your letter and follow instructions to adhere your letter where you would like on your blanket.  Attach your letter by using a zig zag stitch around the outside edge.  That's it!  A nice comfy blanket in any kind of fun print!  I made this C monogram letter blanket last year for one of my Christmas angel gifts for a child from a foster home.  All kids deserve to feel safe and warm!

Tennis Ball Bin Dog Memorial

Most of you have already heard me talk about our first furry love, Tyke.  We wanted to pass along his memory to other dogs and their owners.  Just wanted to send out the message to love your baby and enjoy this time that you have to play together.  Tyke loved to play ball when he was a pup.  He would run and chase the balls, but he was never too good at giving it up.  Part of the fun was trying to wrestle for the ball after he brought it back.

We wanted all dogs to have a tennis ball from Tyke and a fun time with their owners.  I found everything I needed at the dollar store.  We bought a small plastic bin, plenty of colorful pet balls, and a foam board.  At home I printed a picture of Tyke along with the message, "Please help yourself to a tennis ball for your dog to play with.  Keep it or drop it back in the box for another dog to enjoy.  Love this time with your pup and enjoy this day you have together."  I used packing tape to attach the paper to my foam board.  I covered the paper completely with the tape to help laminate it and make it last a little longer.  I poked small holes in the bottom of the foam sign so I could zip tie it to the basket.  Finally, we filled the basket with the balls.

We took our tennis ball bin to our local dog park and left it under a large oak tree.  I know that more than a few dogs have been able to enjoy a day at the dog park with one of Tyke's gifts.  It's been nice to see him among the dogs at the park.  Whether you post your own picture or message along with your bin, I feel like it's a tiny way to give back and help some pets and their families enjoy their day.

Sharing on Tatertots & Jello

Framed Puppy Paw

Every morning and every evening I'm filled with a sense of loss. During the day I can stay busy, for the most part. There are times when I walk by his bed or an abandoned bone that it hits me as well.  I still miss my furry baby, but I hope in time it will be easier to see these things and think about him without the pain and only the smiles.  If you missed Tyke's story, you can read it Here.

It's been about a week since we said goodbye, but I've started to do what I do to cope. I craft little mementos to remember my baby by.  I want to remember him in good ways and keep his memory close. I'm a sentimental person that likes to keep little things as reminders. I still have the collar of my first dog, Sugar. I got her as a present for my 10th birthday. Now Tyke's collar hangs next to hers in my closet.

Before Tyke passed, I took his footprints. All you need to do this is some non-toxic ink and a piece of card stock. My hubby held Tyke while I dabbed his paw with ink. Then we simply pressed his paw on the paper. I did a few prints to make sure I got a good one. After it dries, you can also make copies of your print or even scan it into your computer to keep it safe.

There's a saying that "Dogs leave paw prints on our hearts."  I definitely think this is true. Tyke will forever be in my heart. While he may not be here in our house anymore, this will always be his home. I still want to see him when I look around.  Although it is still tough, I know in time that seeing pieces of him will bring back the good memories.

Saying Good-Bye to Tyke

I wish I could say Happy New Year, but this has been the saddest new year of my life. It all started great on New Year's eve morning.  It was raining, but we were closing on our beach condo in New Smyrna Beach. We had been jumping through hoops and doing everything we could to get to closing before the 1st. We even made it to the IRS office minutes before they closed in order to get transcripts that the mortgage company needed and had been unable to get. So we thought the timing was going to be perfect. New year, new condo. After that is when everything turned.

We had planned to spend New Year's eve out at the beach. My husband ran home to get everything else we needed as well as our two dogs. However, when he got home he noticed that Tyke was out back staring off into space. He didn't even come when called, which is very unusual for him. When he went out to get him, he realized that he was drooling and definitely not himself. He immediately tried to bring him to the vet, but it was already closed. He decided just to come out to the condo and see if we could find a place open in the morning.  New Year's eve was a rough night. It was hard to see him so sick. You couldn't even see him in his eyes anymore. They were just staring off.  We were up at 4 am with him when we heard him cry. He'd been sick and needed to go out.  We were up again at 7 am to make it to the vet when they opened 45 minutes away. We spent most of the morning at the vet.  His bloodwork did not come back very good.  His liver numbers were off the chart, he was dehydrated and he had an infection. They started him on meds and admitted him overnight.  The vet said that dogs are pack animals and that they don't like to show sickness in fear of being left behind.  It was just so overwhelming to see this sad, pathetic little thing when he had been so full of life just days before.  The change in him was heartbreaking!

Our poor pup went through a number of tests.  None which came back very hopeful.  We picked him up to bring him home the following evening.  We were up until 5 am just cuddling and loving him.  I didn't think I would be this emotional when dealing with this kind of thing, but I've been a total wreck since it started.  I will burst in to tears without notice.  I may have been seen wandering Walmart with tears running down my face.  I guess I just didn't realize how hard this would be.  Tyke was my first baby!  My hubby and I got him before we were even married.  He would be turning 15 this June.  I know he's had a long and full life, it was just so unexpected.

He was a great dog.  As a puppy, he would run crazy circles around our backyard.  He always wanted to play tug of war and he'd rather hang by his teeth from his toy than let go.  He could be hyper, but he knew when someone was sick or upset.  He'd always come and cuddle or kiss you to cheer you up.  He loved to bite at the water spraying out of the sprinkler and swim in the pool.  Although. he had to be pushed in the pool the first time before he would jump in himself.  He was an amazing babysitter.  He would spend hours just laying by any baby in their seat or crib, just to be near them.  He loved Christmas and always wanted to be in the middle of things when everyone was opening gifts.  He was definitely a people pleaser.  You could tell by his face and by the way his ears went back when he had done something wrong.  Definitely not a good liar.  But he was the sweetest dog who just wanted to love and be loved.

After being home for a couple of days, we would see moments of hope and the old Tyke.  His meds were keeping the seizure episodes away and you could tell that he was aware and knew us.  He even gave kisses and love.  Unfortunately, the meds weren't enough to help his liver disease which was too advanced.  He then stopped eating.  I couldn't keep him here any longer for my own selfish reasons.  I had to let him rest.  It is with a heavy heart that I say good-bye for now to my sweet first baby.  I love you with all my heart and you will be so missed.  Our lives were forever changed by you and will be changed again with you gone.  I want you to rest and run happy again my boy.  We love you Tyke!!