I know this is totally crazy and validates any thoughts any of you have of my emotional status and cognitive abilities. There was this old, frail kitty at our local, no-kill animal shelter whom I wanted to bring home for the remainder of her life. She had been there for a year already, she had lost the tip of one ear to frost bite and she had kidney failure already. But, her kidney functions were actually improving! She slept most of the day on top of the stainless steel cages. I just wanted her to have a soft chair beside our warm fireplace and some love and soft pets for her end of life. But, I have three young kitties who get into huge, loud tumbles that I knew would stress her out. Then the stress would make her kidneys worse. So, instead of bringing her home, I made a soft, warm quilt for her to have at the shelter. Her name was Jewel, so I put some jewels on it, and some strings and ribbons and bells on the flannel squares and a design that looked like her. If you can see in the photo there is the applique design by butterhex and a catnip mouse applique too. Every square has something special for her. I made her a pretty kitty color too with a jewel charm. I took it to her, and she took right to it and purred. I still felt bad I couldn't bring her home, but it got her off of the stainless steel and she was happy. I heard the other day that someone else had taken her home, with her quilt, to live her final days in front of her fireplace. It made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. I wish all kitties could live their final days in front of a fireplace laying on a quilt made with love just for them.

Thank you for all your nice comments on my kitty quilt. Something that made this especially fun was adding all the little details to it, things we can't add to baby quilts because they are too small and might get swallowed. It is wonderful to remember our furry friends, but what is sad is there are human babies who never receive this much love. How we animal lovers would wish that all living things could be treated with love and respect and have a chance to enjoy a love filled life. Thank you all so very much for your lovely comments. Either I'm not crazy, or we ALL are a little Crazy! Much love, Jan

You are quite special and I am sure the kitty knows it. Hugs Lisa

What a wonderful story and it just brought tears to my eyes. And it's nice to know that I wasn't the only one who would do things like that for our furry friends. I crocheted an afghan for our cats so they could all sleep on the sofa. People thought I was nuts to go thru all that trouble, why not just lay a towel or something else for them? But I think somehow they know when someone has gone the extra mile for them, and the appreciation they show is more often greater than some human counterparts.
Jewel may not know who gave this to her, and all the work that went into it, but she knows why, and that is what truly matters.

what a touching story. she must have felt your love.and it's so sweet you made this for her!

what a touching story. she must have felt your love.and it's so sweet you made this for her!

what a touching story. she must have felt your love.and it's sp sweet you made this for her!

Was ein schöne Geschichte,ich kann kein Englisch schreiben aber ein bisschen lesen und die decke ist wunderschön.
Lgr. Lammina from Germany

I'm not a cat person, but your story touched my heart, Thank you.

You made me cry, I also love animals and we have two scotty dogs, a ginger cat and a mix siamese and a type of Egyptian cat with a small head. All of the spoilt and we love them. You made a beautiful quilt and God loves you for it. Here is a *4u. Hugs.

What a lovely quilt and you are just so kind to do that for the poor cat. I have 2 cats and both are so spoiled rotten. I couldn't afford to take care of another one but could make some small quilts to give to our local shelter here. *4U

Hi Jan, What a loving action for God's creatures that give us so much love selflessly...and hardly the C-word!! Kudos to you! I have 4 foundling kitties and would have more but......;>)
(Recently, there was a question about what to do with test stitch-outs. Making wee quilts for charity organizations, or inexpensively framing them as pictures, sewing them up as small pockets or pencil pouches for school-or any organizations'- fundraisers or teachers' reward baskets, are just a few ways to put these to great use! My sister-in-law is an elementary school teacher, and she is always looking for little tokens for the "student reward store." ....just a thought of two from a retired educator and animal lover! I used to have a teacher reward bin...they loved it as much as the kids too!)

No crazy at all. My sons just got a dog from a animal rescue. She was so skinny, all you felt was bones. Her hair was so matter you didnt have a clue what kind of dog she was. I thought she might have a little poodle in her. Took her to the groomers, they worked on her all day, and she is a poodle, thru and thru., She is gaining wieght, and crys if my son goes out of the room. She has turned out to be a very special girl. For the life of me I can not see why or how people could abuse one of Gods creatures. Iva

Your heart is certainly in the right place! I did canine rescue for many yrs and even though I am no longer able to look after alot of animals, I am fostering a canine right now. I also adopted my angel-Pekingese, Patty-Patches in Oct of 2007. She has been a blessing to me! I still find it hard to look online and find so many strays that need a home and it just kills me to find the Kill-shelters online. I want to go and bring all of them home. There is one very close to where my son lives and they put them to sleep by the hundreds every year. They pick them up and bring them in, fix what is wrong and charge a fortune for them so most people can not afford to even look to see what they can find. I have no idea why they do not give them away or at least not charge so much more than what they have had to spend on them. Mom comes in and has 4 to 8 puppies and all they do is take care of Mom and then sell the puppies for a couple of hundred $$ or just give them a shot and put them down. They show no respect for the animals, just their purses. It causes me to shed tears almost everytime I go to the site.

You are so beautiful. hugs Helen

Gee, Jan, maybe you *are* a little crazy if you think we'd put you down for doing such a lovely, selfless thing for a fellow creature! We've had a very negative animal story on our news this week and this sure makes up for the nasty taste that one had left behind. Thanks for sharing that lovely tale with us. No wonder Jewel was adopted. Who could help be drawn to her when seeing her beautiful quilt. I'm sure the staff couldn't help but plead her case for a nice end-of-days home, with such a thoughful sign that someone cared so much. More animals need humans like you!

Your note is the first thing I have read as I started my day. That is such a beautiful thing you did. All God's animals are precious.

You brought tears to my eyes, all that love you have to give to others, human and animals can only say what a wonderful heart you have. God bless you.

May sound crazy to invest so much time in a quilt for a cat, but the love you put into it must be almost touchable and you must have had so much fun making it!! And it's lovely to know the cat (and the quilt) have found a good home.
You have such a generous heart! I hope your fundraiser quilt raises a LOT of money.

This isn't being crazy Jan - this is being so very kind. I hope Jewel has found a wonderful home and that her quilt will always be a part of her. You have made my day. Hugs Sarah.

there's not a single "crazy hair" on you, you are just a very sweet and loving soul for our fury friends. You are very special!
I'm sure that Jewell will wait at the RainbowBridge to thank you one day. : )

there's not a single "crazy hair" on you, you are just a very sweet and loving soul for our fury friends. You are very special!
I'm sure that Jewell will wait at the RainbowBridge to thank you one day. : )

Oh my I really love this quilt- its very preety!

Awww, how sweet that is of you to think of that kitty. Animals love so unconditionally. It's nice to know that she found her "forever home" and she still has a piece of you with her:)

You're a good person. One who shows respect to animals shows respect to their fellow man. Bless you

what a story! your little quilt turned out so cute...and what a delight to find out that Jewel found a home and was able to take it with her!

1 comment

by hightechgrammy 09 Apr 2011

It had her name on it three times, so it had to go with her! I wish you all could see the little details. It was really cute. It was like an activity toy for her too, with a jinglebell tail on the catnip filled mouse, and ribbons with buttons, strings, lace, and kitty designs. My Poppy tried it out and he didn't want to get off of it. Thanks :-)

this is beautiful but you are truly a kind wonderful heart...

this is really great idea

Your quilt turned out beautiful!f I just love It!
You hava a really great idea here! I never thought about doing a cat quilt!
Hugs Dawn

1 comment

by hightechgrammy 08 Apr 2011

I'm going to make one for their big fund raiser this summer. I hope it brings a good price. It's a silent auction. It was really, really fun as I tried some designs on it I hadn't done before. I used scraps from a baby girls rag quilt. I just kept giggling as it went together, thinking how crazy this was going to appear.

My daughter has a cat that is blind from an overdose of anthesia when he was neutered. He is such a sweet cat. I can understand how you feel.

I think it is a great idea.

Heart warming.

ah thanks for the lovely heart God has given you !!If you do this much for animals your friends must be really blessed :):) carolyn

A lovely story

Oh! how beautiful - this bought tears to my eyes. I love cats, but our Amy is allergic to them and so we can't have one. I love dogs too, so Bella can stay as long as she lives with us. I too let her sleep on a quilt - she has slept on them ever since she was a puppy! Love and blessings to you Jan.

Lovely, both your story and your quilt...Heartwarming :-) hugs