Hand-crafted Gnomes
There are 2 passions in my life; Cavaliers and crafting.
I started my love affair with CKCS in 1972 when my parents got Rikki, an 8 week old blenheim. I was totally smitten! Unfortunately, Rikki was a poorly dog who tragically died aged 3. Whilst working full time for the next 20 years, I felt it wasn`t fair to get a dog but in 1992 my husband Colin and I moved to York and agreed that I would give up work for a while and we could get a dog!
I never had any doubt which breed I wanted and we got Poppy aged 8 weeks from a breeder on the east coast. Another blenheim, Poppy was an absolute joy! She was typical of the breed, sweet, easygoing, eager to please, she loved people and most dogs (but adored other Cavaliers!) We were so happy. When she was 4 she was diagnosed with a grade 4 heart problem. We were very worried but with regular medication she managed well. Sadly, she had many other health problems during her life but she always coped well and had a great life travelling all over the U.K with us by train, bus and boat. We could take her anywhere, she was never a problem.She lived to 13 and a half, we lost her in 2006.
In 1995 I volunteered for the local RSPCA Animals Home and soon became a Trustee. I set up and managed their first charity shop as a volunteer and Poppy became a regular in the shop with me. I started to make greetings cards to sell in the shop and then went on to making knitted toys, dolls, babywear and blankets for dogs and cats at the Home.
In 2003 I left the RSPCA and looked for another animal charity to help.My friend moved to East Yorkshire and so we decided to fundraise for Jerry Green Dogs Home in Gilberdyke, doing lots of charity stalls, tombolas and book stalls. We made about £500 each year.
In 2007 I began to search for another Cavalier. I had always kept up to date with the dog world and so was fully aware of CM/SM. I researched breeders all over the country and finally found a lady who only bred when she wanted to increase her family of dogs.
After a few meetings and many questions (from both sides), I decided this was the right breeder for me. My Spangle was born in November 2007 and came to me aged 10 weeks. She was beautiful and a very lively puppy, just what I wanted. But, after only a few weeks, she started to cry out when being picked up and had these strange kicking, jerking movements of her back legs. I knew in my heart what it was and after an MRI scan in November 2008 she was diagnosed with SM. She is now 4 and copes reasonably well at the moment with her many daily tablets. I joined Cavaliertalk in December 2008 and found a caring and knowledgeable community. I now had the perfect reason to do more crafting because any money I raise goes to help Cavaliers. My latest crafts have been knitted gnomes and pixies, bunting, lavender hearts, tiny knitted puddings (with a chocolate inside) and felt xmas tree decorations.
C.W.