The best things in life are doggie...........

I sometimes forget in my busy schedule, to pay attention to Lacy and she sure lets me know it.  Lately she just barks for what I think is no reason other than to annoy Jeff and me but when I stop what I'm doing and listen to her, it's like she's demanding attention.  And rightfully so since that is what's been lacking lately and she's so used to getting it when I'm not so busy.
I got the side walls for the canopy at a hardware store near the marina in Mamaroneck.  I figured that would be the best place to find tarps if they're the ones that boaters use, and I was right. So now, if a hurricane comes, the side walls are water proof and I'll be (hahah) protected from the wrath of the storm.  That's the worst case scenerio ofcourse.  It's on again off again with the weather but today is tuesday so who knows what's to take place on the Harvest festival weekend.  If the hurricane moves out to sea we'll have beautiful, cool weather, perfect for pet sweater sales.  If not, it will be my daughters' 2009 wedding all over again (also known as Woodstock revisited)
Something about the Berkshires, the Liebermans and the desire for splendid weather that somehow doesn't jell for one reason or another. 

Every thing is in place.  I'll drive up Friday morning with all necessary stuff, set up and hope for the best.
After this, it's literally back to the drawing board.  I need to send Patricia the new development to start working on.  I won't hear about the grant until December 1 and the Holiday Fair at the botanical gardens will be upon us on Dec 3-4 so I need to get the holiday line of harnesses made and ready. 
Lacy needs my undivided attention now.  She's making a wierd squeeking noise that I imagine is her attempt at communicating "potty time" in dogspeak.

Lollypups Petwear TM: Preview "The best things in life are doggie..........."

Lollypups Petwear TM: Preview "The best things in life are doggie..........."

Preparations continue..........

All week I've been creating small vintage-look garment hangers to display the Lollypups sweaters at the Berkshire Botanical Gardens Harvest Festival, next weekend.  Got the last decoupage pup in place, applied finish, sanded, steel-wooled, applied more finish, sanded, steel-wooled, applied more finish, sanded, steel-wooled.....long process but able to do it in steps while accomplishing other things, and they turned out great.

Mid week Lacy and I went to meet Winston, a bichon poodle mix at A New Leash on Life pet shelter in upper Westchester.  He is a wonderful dog; lively, playful, adoring...just the kind of companion I would love.

Unfortunately, Lacy was too skittish around him and cringed when he came near her , making me realize that a companion for her isn't going to work after all, because she was never really socialized in her 12 years except for Amos who was a little older than she was.  In the coulda, shoulda rationalization, I should have adopted another dog when Lacy was young.  It's too late for her now and I certainly don't want to add stress to her life.  Winston deserves a good home and I hope he gets one.  I'll do what I can for him and get the word out. He's such a handsome boy!

Back to sewing buttons on scarves and pinning hangtags......

What did I learn this week?.................

I learned that I am NOT a radio personality and CANNOT speak articulately when being interviewed live.  Granted it was the local Westchester radio station WVOX and not Oprah, still.........I think I'll just hole away in my studio and create beautiful pet wear instead of talking about it.  Some things I cannot do.......
Interestingly though, I did get into the city today and thought I'd drop by Ritzy Canine Carriage House on East 40th Street to finally meet up with Kristina, the owner, a lovely, statuesque, businesslike but friendly young woman who graciously allowed me to show her the collection.  She was very positive and loved four of the styles, promising me an order once she figured out what she'd need.  Ritzy Canine Carriage House is one of those do everything kind of city establishments where they not only keep pets in doggie day care (large pets upstairs and little guys down stairs) but sells high end pet products, apparel, toys etc in their ....well.......Carriage House, great old building, tastefully done.    A perfect fit for Lollypups. 


I stopped by FIT today, to retrieve the Sorbet Valentine sweater that was making the rounds with Pet Fashion Week.  Paige, a true Lollypups fan, insisted that I try to produce this style as a Lollypups Couture.  I would if it wasn't so freaking expensive......come on......silk yarns, angora, cotton, metallic.......tiny stitches (I think it's all done in single crochet!!) it would take a week or more just to make one.  How cost effective is that???
So I guess Lacy will be the only one to own this "couture" style, good press when she wears it, but I don't see how it can be reproduced.  That's the problem with my designs.  They emerge from my head to my fingers and I don't pay much attention to commerce when I do them.  Too bad.  It is pretty.  I'll try to do a simplified version (though Misty Heart was my attempt at simplifying....it looks good, but maybe TOO simple.  The colors also, make it look special.  Back to the drawing board Paige. (the place I like to be the most). 

UK National Dog Adoption Month

Networking works and I was asked to pass on this information via dogsblog.com which is in the UK.
For our pet loving fans across the pond, September is national dog adoption month. For the US, it's in October, but I'll spread the word any day of any month of the year, no matter where it's promoted. Here's the link: http://www.dogadoptionmonth.co.uk/

Promoting pet adoption has always been a topic near and dear to my heart and Lollypups Petwear tries to do it's part in supporting this worthy cause.
I'm also in the process of adopting a companion for Lacy (and me) and I'm getting quite an education in doing so. The shelters don't just hand out puppies like they used to years ago. It's now a lengthy process and a very necessary one because the dogs are cared for by the shelter that houses them, and medical care, food etc. costs money. There's an application process so that the right parent is chosen for the right dog. That's ok with me since Lacy and I are always around, and we have all the prerequisites for making a good home for any pet. Because of my allergies, I'm limited to what I can adopt and may have to consider fostering an animal first to make sure Lacy, me and my malfunctioning sinuses are compatible. It's a thought.... although knowing me, I'd run for the Claritin if I fell in love with a foster. It works when my 2 terrier grand dogs visit.