Mabel Mae's Adoption Day!

Surprise, Surprise!

We welcomed a new family member to the Quiltville Gang yesterday - Mabel Mae!

Isn't it funny how sometimes things just happen - things you really hadn't planned on?

Well, we had planned sort of.  We've been looking - but not intently.  Just occasionally browsing shelter pages to see if anything came up that looked like a good fit.

We don't know Zoey's history before she came to us at 1 year old.  But every time she sees a dog, whether it be while hiking, or while driving through the country, or even on TV - she cries.

As in a mournful whining cry as if her heart is broken.  We think she had other dogs with her in her early life.

Yesterday, I happened to browse the Galax/Carroll/Grayson shelter page, and there was a black lab mix that I thought might be "The One."

I called the shelter, talked to the gal there, told her I was on my way and in I went.

Only the black lab was rambunctious, loud, and angry barky-bitey.  He has issues.  Poor fella.

I asked if they by chance had a calmer dog, one that was not so reactive to other dogs barking.

The attendant told me about a new dog that had only just been brought in 45 minutes previously.  She wasn't in the system yet.  

She is sweet, quiet, non-jumping.

Spayed. All shots. 1/12 years old.

"Why was she surrendered?" I asked.

It seems that she, an Aussie/Heeler mixed breed - chased cattle.  And I laughed out loud.

Isn't that what they are bred to do?

Well, chasing and herding are two different things.  Herding happens on command from the owner/trainer with distinct signals to get the cattle to go a certain way.  Chasing cattle into a frenzy is NOT herding.

Evidently this little dog didn't understand the assignment.  LOL!

But she was so sweet, sitting by my feet, so scared - not knowing why her family had dropped her off at this horrid place, I just knew I had to take her home.

Oh, and the price of adoption including microchipping?  $10.00.  Only $10.00.

Let's go home, sweet girl.

There is someone who will be so excited to meet you!

Out of the car, exploring the yard.

The squeals of delight coming from Zoey let us know we had done the right thing.

There was much sniffing, and eventually Mabel's tail came out from between her back legs and began to cautiously wag.

It didn't take long until this happened:

The two girls slept all night side by side.  This is a miracle.

And if you are wondering about Ivy - there has been no chasing going on.  Ivy perched herself on the loft railing and just watched from above.

This morning when we came down to the kitchen, Ivy puffed up her tail and made a quick run for under the bed.  But no chasing, no barking, no growling - 

I think we've found the perfect sister for Zoey Jo!

Getting to know you - 

Getting to know all about you -

Who's a pretty sister girl?

And yes, she is housebroken.  So very much so - we were afraid she'd run if we let her out unleashed, so since yesterday late afternoon we'd been walking her around the yard on a leash and she just wouldn't go.  We'd be out there for a long long time, hoping she would go.  She wouldn't go.

She slept all night long - and we repeated the leash walk this morning all around the yard and the edge of the woods hoping she would go.  She wouldn't go.  Not in the house, not outside on a leash.

I took a big chance - walked into the leaves at the edge of the woods with her and undid her leash.

She quickly walked over to a pile of leaves under a tree and instantly took care of EVERYTHING she needed to, big time.  Poor thing, she'd been holding it in since she arrived at the shelter.

A call of "Good girl!" and she came right back to me, and we walked to the back door of the cabin leashless. Right in for treats we went.

She is just a VERY good girl!

Her paperwork said her name was "Lady Mae" and that is just a bit too stuffy.  We knew she needed something that sounded close that she could learn to recognize, so Mabel Mae she is.

I almost wish I didn't have to go in to work today - but it's Quiltville Inn 2022 Opening Day!  The February Quiltvillians will be arriving around 4pm and there is still so much to do to be completely ready.

AND - it's time to draw for the winners of our Quiltmaker March/April '22 Gift-Away!

Who is entry 1364?

June Alton!

And entry 2817?

Congrats June & Shirley!

Please respond to the emails I've sent to the address you included with your entries and include your shipping address so I can get these magazine issues right out to you.

I've attached the PDF copy of Forever Mine to the emails I sent, so look for that attachment to download your patterns.

Thanks for participating, everyone!

And just for a refresher - My blocks from the first issue Jan/Feb '22 are found in THIS POST. I'm really loving how my purples are working out.

My blocks for the March/April issue (Part 2) are found in the Gift-Away post HERE.

Magazines are just appearing on news stands.  Some of you at home with subscriptions may already be working on your blocks!

Not a subscriber yet?  Subscribe HERE!

Digital issues can be purchased HERE.

We've got a gift-away for Bruce Leonard's Amazon kick off with his new quilt genre novel, Quilt City Murders!  I'm giving away a paperback copy and our winner will also receive a PDF pattern for my Cherry Crunch quilt.  Enter to win ON THAT POST.

And I think that's all I have time to share for right now - it's time to get myself over to the inn and put on the final polish!

Bring on the Quiltvillians!

Quiltville Quote of the Day -

It's hard to comprehend, but really - what other people think of you doesn't define you. 

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No matter what the naysayers and the purveyors of negativity around you might say, your self-worth isn’t defined by an approval rating. 

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There’s no objective rating scale that allows another person to judge you. 

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They don’t know what you’ve been through. 

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They don’t know your story, your trials, your tribulations, or the path you’ve walked. 

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No, it simply doesn’t work that way. 

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Just keep doing the next right thing - for you.⁣
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Have a wonderful Wednesday, everyone!