Friday, April 15, 2011

D is for Dog Thank You's

Hello there! I wanted to share a some cards tonight that I recently sent off to a fellow blogger: Maria, from Crafty Cre8tions. Last week, she was kind enough to send me one of her fantastic cards, along with some adorable stamped images. Maria is also a big animal-lover (like me) and is very active in working with her local Humane Society to find new and loving homes for the animals at the shelter. I think that is pretty awesome! 

I really wanted to send her a special Thank You for being so sweet. Nothing in the good ol' "card stash" seemed to work. So I busted out a favorite stamp set and got to work. 
My inspiration in creating these cards, came from two of the best dogs I have ever met. If you have visited me before, you have probably been introduced to our "fur-clan" on a few occasions. (They are on the left-hand side-bar, if you want to see those furry faces!) I don't think I have ever shared the story of our "original" pups. 

We said good-bye to our beloved Bailey just last year. We adopted him from the Humane Society when he was merely 7 weeks old. He was a Valentine's Day gift to my husband, which was so fitting because he stole our hearts for over 15 years. :) 
Then, 5 months after Bailey joined our family, we adopted his "sister" Nikki. She was almost 9 months, at the time, and came from a horribly, abusive background. Who hurts a 9 month old puppy?? After a LOT of patience and love, she adjusted perfectly with us and was became my big ol' "shadow". Nikki was almost 15 years old when we had to say good-bye in July of 2009. She was diagnosed with bone cancer earlier in the year and had just reached a point where it was getting to difficult for her to keep going with her illness. We still miss both of the them, every single day! 
Yup, that was sure tough to share. *drying my eyes* But that's why I care so much about animal rescue and care organizations, like The Humane Society. I also think it is important to recognize the people who give so much to help the animals find loving, forever homes...people like Maria! Thank you Maria, hopefully you will get your cards tomorrow. :) 

Thanks for visiting today! I really appreciate the time you take out of your day to stop by. Until next time...have a very HAPPY day! :)

14 comments:

  1. Aww Anne.. yikes.. I have tears now too! I too, had a bailey, that I lost last July. I love my doggies to pieces and when I loose one, it is loosing a child to me.. very devastating. I so feel for you. *big stampin hugs*

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  2. You've got tears in my eyes...what lovely pups and I know that they had a good life with you. These cards are so happy...I love the DSP.
    Hugs,
    Lesley

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  3. Beautiful Cards. I love your color combo and the DSP is beautiful too. I am sorry about your loss. Pets become part of our Family.. Sadly I am allergic to Cats since having had my DD and DS might be allergic to Dogs. I miss having a Pet but for now a Fish is all we have.

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  4. She will love the card is very pretty. And thanks for share your dogs story, the information of The Human Society and the deserve recognition of the people that works there.

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  5. What a beautiful card - I love the colors you used. And what a beautiful story about Bailey and Nikki. They'll always be with you in your heart and memories.

    Sorry I haven't been around in blog land - it's just been crazy with work and home. :( Hope to be posting something in the next couple of days. Thanks for stopping by the other day and leaving a comment. Lexi sends her regards to Mr. Emmy and hopes he's been staying out of the dirt! :)

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  6. These cards are perfect!!! She will love them and just so perfect for her. I think it awesome what she does for the animals and appreciate that she shares her time. Love your story, that is so great that you took these sweet little dogs in and I am sure the appreciated it. Just like your newest addition, Emmitt. Have a great weekend.

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  7. Anne your cards are wonderful and so cute and cheerful! So sad about your pets - and yes, I was almost in tears too. Just thinking about a pet we've lost makes me so sad. Maria really is a sweetheart and know she'll love the cards. She does so much good for all the helpless animals.
    Lynn

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  8. Working for the Humane Society or any animal protection agency is a job that I could never do. I would want to take all of the abused and abandoned animals home with me and make my home their "forever" home. These critters give so willingly of themselves to us and ask for so little in return.

    Bailey and Nikki were so blessed to share their lives with you just as you were blessed to share your life with them.

    Your cards are a perfect choice to send to Maria.

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  9. Anne, I loved your post. You'll just have to bring your personal staff of Design Team members over when you visit, as I'll need their input when I have to work on my next project. We miss our little ones, Caitlyn and Pasha, very much. They love you unconditionally. Lucky Maria to receive great cards created just for her from an awesome friend. Lots of Stamping hugs to you.

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  10. Awww, Anne Marie!!! Thank you!!
    I'm so excited to get the cards! They look gorgeous! Honestly - they might be in my mailbox, but I just go home from training (5:15pm) and it is POURING out....so...I'm not heading out there until tomorrow!

    I didn't realize you had to say goodbye to two of your babies. They are both gorgeous!!! I love Bailey's spotted tounge and I really can't resist a grey face!!
    My two blondies keep their grey hidden (don't I wish I was a blonde!)

    And - thank you for the shoutout! I'm so happy I can work with these shelter animals and really do encourage others to do so. It really is not as hard as you think.

    I heard a saying today that one shelter volunteer said "If I can make one part of this animal's day a little brighter then I have done a service to them." And that's the perfect mind-frame to have when volunteering for anything!!!

    Thank you so much again and thanks for your help with Haylee :)

    Blessings :)
    Maria

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  11. Thank you, Anne for this. I have to say I really love your post today.... heck, I love all your posts... But this one is extra special. First off, that is THE perfect card for any dog lover!!! I bet Maria will love it as much as I do. I enjoyed reading about Bailey and Nikki... oh, what sweet faces they have! ((((( hugs ))))

    I lost my very first kitty 8 years ago due to kidney stones... he had it twice and was in so much pain the second time... we couldn't bare seeing him suffer any longer so then... even though I now have 4 cats & 1 dog (all from the Humane Society)... I still miss him so much.

    You and your hubby's love for animals just warm my heart.

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  12. Thanks Anne for your beautiful story about your pets. I had tears too. Don't even want to think about our aging baby and the thought of losing him one day. Your cards are perfect and so heartfelt. Thanks for sharing!

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  13. I'm drying my eyes now too. My dogs are both getting very old and it makes me sad to know they won't be with us much longer. Our cocker has been having health issues and we thought we were going to have to put her to sleep a couple of weeks ago, but thankfully she has sprung back to almost normal.

    I know Maria will love your cards. I love the cheery papers you used.

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  14. ok... so... I had to get the tissues out! Our pets may no longer be with us in body, but they sure are never far away from us in mind and spirit. Thanks so much for sharing their stories, and for highlighting the work of people like Maria.
    I love the cards you created, btw!!!
    hugs
    jaydee

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Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment!
Have a great day! :)
Anne Marie