Death by Doxie: The Dachshund Free Edition

"How can you have a death by doxie post without a dachshund?" I hear you ask, horrified. It's my blog so deal with it, I reply.

This is Coco.  She was my dog before Ferdi and Elfi.  She was a gorgeous chocolate brown kelpie x lab.  I'm writing about her because even though she hasn't been around for a bit over five years the other night I woke at about 3.30 am, thought of her and shed a tear or two.  And that's not the first time it's happened.  It doesn't happen often, but a few times a year I will think about my old hound and I will feel a bit sad.

I got Coco as a young pup from the RSPCA.  She was a pretty special dog.  She was unbelievably loyal and super smart.  She saw me through so much - my first 'serious' relationship, a broken engagement, several broken hearts, a move to Sydney which took me away from family and friends.  When I was feeling sad and lonely she used to sit next to me on the couch, right up close, and put all her weight against me like a big comforting presence.  She forgave me for being out all night and forgetting to feed her.  She was calm and gentle on a lazy Sunday morning, she was jumpy and happy on a lively Saturday afternoon.  She really was a true friend.

The problem was that Coco liked other dogs, but she did not like other people.  Around strangers she was nervous and aggressive.  Even around people that she knew well (like my parents) she could be unpredictable.  In these situations, she could be dangerous.  Coco needed extra special care and attention to ensure she didn't hurt anyone.  

And so, when I was about to move in with my now husband, and I knew his step sons would frequently be around, I had a long hard chat to my vet.  After 10 years together, I had to put my beautiful hound down (gawd writing this is harder than I thought...).  It was  heart wrenching taking her to the vet that one last time, her face still so full of trust.  Ughhh, it really was horrible.  But I know that I made the right decision - dogs like Coco and children do not mix.

Here she is when she was just a cute little puppy (on her first day home actually) - a little nervous and hermit-like maybe, but before she had jaws to do serious damage.

Do you have a special dog from your past that you still think about?

Good Things...

From Zim and Zou, possibly my most favourite thing ever.  Typography + paper craft + embroidery. It's called 'Weave', it's a font, it's beautiful.  Go love it some more here.

Have you discovered kickstarter yet?  It's an amazing site where you can pledge to support a whole bunch of arty, crafty, creative projects.  In return, if the project you've pledged to support is successful in reaching it's funding goal, you'll be rewarded for your support in a whole range of fun and creative ways (the rewards are designed by the people behind each project - so they may include anything from a hug, to something tangible like a print or tickets to an event, to something like a one on one Skype session to discuss your shared passion for typography).  

I first heard about kickstarter through Dannielle, who was promoting this great project by Jessica Swift.  It is such a lovely way to get involved in the creative community, to directly help people whose ideas you like.  They do have a section for 'small projects' (less than $1000), but even on the bigger projects you can become a backer for as little as $1!  Or maybe you have a project that needs funding?  

From Kurt Riedi and Steffi Gloor, a rather charming way to view the weather forecast (found via Mrs Eliot Books).  Here in Seoul the weather has been swinging between deadly monsoonal rain and stifling sticky heat, but at least now the forecast can look pretty.

Simply amazing critters by Melbourne artist Troy Emery (I can't remember how I got on to these, if it was because of you please let me know).  In his sculptures, Troy explores craft and natural history and creates all kinds of awesome.  Would love to see one of these sculptures in the real world some time.

And last but most definitely not least, my Grandma is a good thing and then some.  Here she is with my sister and I (note the co-ordinating parkas!) on 'Australia's Favourite Steam Train' (I quote) Puffing Billy.  

My Grandma is quite a remarkable person.  She's always been around to look after the gaggle of grand kids and great grand kids; she's been the tough glue that's held our big messy sprawling extended family together.  Strong, caring, confident, quick to laugh.  Stubborn as a mule at times (no, I didn't inherit that, why do you ask?) and unlikely to say no to a glass of bubbles (no, I didn't inherit that either. *cough*).  

She's now 90 and lying unconscious in a hospital bed, hopefully at peace.  She is in all of our hearts and our minds.  And even though she's 'had a good innings' as they say, all our hearts are breaking a little right now.  I'm flying out to Melbourne tomorrow, possibly to say goodbye.  If things are a bit quiet here over the next week, you'll now why.