Not much new with Jo today – I did give her my robe so my smell would be with her all the time.
I have no idea if that’s a good idea or not but I’m willing to try just about anything. Thanks so much for all the advice and helpful hints! Like I said, I’m going to include them all in a journal so I won’t forget them.
Just an inexpensive little composition notebook inside.
Here are the Dirty Dozen quilts for today:
And here are our new Christmas patterns that can be found in the online shop:
Christmas Morning
O Holy Night
Yuletide Light
Song in the Air
These are all available now so you can get your project finished in time to hang up before Christmas.
I’ll have more news about Jo tomorrow – keeping my fingers crossed!
Loved seeing all the suggestions for loving Jo back to joy. Women are a great tribe. She looks better to me already. Thanks for your kindness.❤️
You’ve made progress with Jo woohoo! It shows in the photo of her looking at you. Whatever you are doing is working. I’m happy for you, I know how soft hearted you are and how much love you have to give.
Beautiful quilts today makes me anxious to get back in my sewing room. Virtual appointment with my neurosurgeon today went well. Physical therapy is ongoing.
Mary “Jo” looks so sad. I wonder what she experienced. Was she merely relocated to Iowa from another state because the Midwest is a good place for adopting dogs or was she abused. If she was separated due to a change in household situation I’m guessing she’s so very sad and missing her family and wondering why they don’t come get her. Just my thoughts as I missed how/why she ended up in Iowa. Poor Jo. I think the robe is a good idea until she warms up to you. If & even if not she was given up by her family it must be hard as at some point she’ll be leaving you too. Love to Jo ❤️❤️❤️
You are making progress with Jo. She is not hiding her nose in something-her bed or your robe. She will come around. Patience is the key. Love your journal.
Hi mary, jo is going through a lot of trauma, it’s like being a refugee znd not knowing the language. Our bella spend a couple of days sitting forlorn on the stairs after leaving her family and the first adoption not working out.5 years later she is our little princess( rather spoilt) all the best with Jo,stay safe, sandy
Is that puppy actually looking at you in the picture?? I’d call that progress since her head is not buried/in hiding.
Keep up befriending her ..she’ll come around.
The robe is an excellent idea. Sing softly to her when you are with her.
My heart goes out to you dear friend ! Last January we adopted an abused dog , and it takes lots of patience and love 💕 ! We have a wonderful dog when trusts us and loves us and I know this will happen to Jo too !! Hugs to you and Jo 🥰 🐾
That’s a loving look from Jo in that photo you posted; hang in there!!
Jo looks so much better in the second picture. That looks like progress to me. Love all the DD’s today. Great job ladies!
Sweet Mary, God bless you as you share your heart and home with Jo. I’m positive no one could do it better. I’m looking forward to reading about Jo’s coming out.
Jo has her head up a little. That is definitely better than before. Patience and live… two ingredients that seem to have an abundance of. Thank you for loving Jo. Prayers will continue. ❤
The quilts in this post are amazing! Especially like the large Christmas one but they are all beautiful!
I love your journal. That’s a great idea to keep everything in one place. And I agree with others that Jo looks quite a bit better in that second picture! She’s looking at the camera! Baby steps but progress is progress. All of the quilts are beautiful, I still wish people would post their pictures along with their finishes – and put their names on them! Love the Christmas quilt patterns, something to look forward to doing. Those red and white ones are calling to me! Jan in MA where it’s been unseasonably warm for more than an week!
Janice Hebert – how many times can I say “ PUT YOUR NAME ON YOUR QUILT” before everybody does it? Maybe we should include the pattern name and designer in a separate photo for me to post under the quilt – what do you think?
Jo is such a sad girl! I am so very thankful that she has you taking care of her for now! Thank You!!
The robe is a great idea. Smells like you and is soft and cozy. I’m sure it will help her feel more secure and safe.
Jo looks a lot calmer now than the first picture. Keep doing what you are doing-it seems to be working it will just take time. The robe was a fabulous idea.
I agree, Jo is already looking better.
Jo does look better, not quite so scared. The robe & the journal are such good ideas!
Been in the 70’s for about 7 days, beautiful weather, changing in middle of the week to 50’s, still not to bad for November.
Jo’s eye look brighter in the picture and she is clearly focused on you. I would say that is great progress in a very short time.
I see a change already. Jo’s eye look brighter in the picture and she is clearly focused on you. I would say that is great progress in a very short time.
Beautiful quilts posted today👍🏼
Katie in Gilbert,Az.
When I could go to jail, I kept a journal describing who I worked with, what lesson I taught and how the other inmates were coming with there projects. I miss going very badly. I’m hopeful, when we get a vaccine, I’ll be able to return. So I think a journal on fostering abused animals is a wonderful idea.
I’m sure you dread leaving her to go to the house, but she does look better today. She’s looking at you!!
The DD’s, as usual are exciting. Thanks to all that send Mary pictures. Thanks Mary for doing this blog. My one and only.
Rub her ears for me.
Jo in Wyoming – I’ll bet you are missing your quilt days at the jail! There are so many things I miss going to but winter means we’ll be more isolated than ever. Gotta get ready to work on something big!
Yes! Giving her your robe is a great idea! One of my dogs used to go & get my shirts or jeans out of the clothes basket before I did laundry & she never chewed them or tried to ruin them she just wanted to lie on them while I was away.
Oh, yes, shes looking at you ! Maybe next or soon she will give you a little tail wag when she sees you coming !
When Jo does realise you are her friend, no matter how long it takes, it will be so worth the wait.
What a beautiful little face she has.
When I had my cleaning business. I would also “dog sit” for some of my clients when they would go on vacation without their dog. My only request was that they send a dirty piece of their clothing along with the dog, so the dog would smell them while at my house and settle in easier. Your bath robe is doing the same thig with Jo. Good luck and God bless
The dirty dozen finishes are beautiful as usual. Thanks everyone for sharing your creative talents with us.
Jo is actually looking at you in the second picture so I would say you’re gaining her trust. When we first got Angel I put a piece of my clothing over her so she would associate my scent with warmth, security and love. Even now if I lay something of mine down she lays on it and rubs her face all over it. Jo looks so comfy with your robe over her.
Mary, I completely agree with many of the comments. You are making progress. She is looking at you! God Bless you and Jo as you make the journey for a return of joy for Jo.
Gloria – what are you working on these days?
The Quilts are just beautiful!
I agree that Jo looks a little better…..love the picture of her looking at you, such a sweet girl
You are a wonderful person Mary to take her in…..
take care,
Sandy
Carolee
Maybe she needs some time to “Be Still “
Could you leave other things that are part of your daily life for her to smell and get use to, like something the cats sleep on or a few chicken feathers? So she could get use to their scent before she gets to meet them. My dogs love to sniff things.
Carolee Knutson – good idea! I’ll take a cat blanket with me today. Ivy is also coming today so hopefully she can coax Jo out of her shell.
Jo looks so much better! Is she looking at you or the camera? If you’re using your phone to take the picture she has to see your face. That’s wonderful progress! I think the robe is a wonderful idea. Many years ago, my husband had a Brittany Spaniel, Jack. He was a hunting dog. On one trip, Jack got away and when it was time to leave he couldn’t find him and he wasn’t coming when he called. He left his hunting jacket on the ground. In the morning, when he returned, he could tell Jack had slept there and he came right to him when he called him. Jo will learn your scent and will grow to trust you. She’ll learn you’re there to protect and love her. You’re wonderful to be doing this.
Susan Boyd – I loved the story about Jack!!
Another wonderful quilt show for us to view. Thank you to everyone. I love Joyce’s color choices for her quilt and that’s the amazing trait of quilters- each one chooses different color choices when making up a quilt. I am drawn to scrap quilts more and more as I look at my stash! I am sure I will be admiring the mountain of scraps I own this winter as I spend more time inside. It’s been a blessing to have one whole week of 70’s for this time of year.
You have jo’s face looking at you so big steps Mary! She’s safe, she’s warm, she’s fed and she is telling you in her own cautious way. We adore her and she will thrive with your gentle care.
It may take a bit longer for her to feel safe, but continue to do whatever you can. Sometimes dogs never recover from the trauma they experienced but you will know that you did all you could. She looks like such a beautiful soul, I hope all your love and care help her. Thank you for taking in this responsibility.
The last picture showing her eyes — she is still so frightened, but there is an ease in her feelings. You are one angel on earth!!
Mary, I can hardly stand the sad look in her eyes!!!😪. If anyone can bring her out of her shell, it’s you!! God Bless you for what you are doing!!!
Jo definitely does look better! How is her appetite? Is she eating anything? I love the journal you are creating. It will be fun for us to be a part of this process with you and Jo. Baby steps each day and pretty soon, she will be following you all over! It makes my heart happy to see her looking more alert and not so afraid.
Jo is looking at you! You will get her turned around. We received a nice amount of rain here in Nw Iowa…hope you got some too! It stopped the manure haulers! Woohoo! We live on gravel and when it is this dry, the dust is awful! You are such a kind animal lover, quilt maker, with such a big heart!
Mary I agree Jo is looking better! Thanks for sharing her with us. The quilt show was amazing, such beautiful quilts everyone did. Rain here today and temps changing to cold, sure enjoyed the warmer temps. Went on a shop hop with my daughter and a good friend on Friday sure was fun to get out and shop. My last outing before I start chemo for my reoccurring ovarian cancer. Be still
Tammy, WI – we will all be thinking of you and including you in our prayers as you start chemo – sewing/quilting can be a comfort when you just need to BE STILL.
Thank you for the update on Jo. I think you are doing the right thing with putting your robe near or on her. She needs to know your smell and that you are the kind person that has that scent. Loved all of the pictures of the quilts. Would like to know the name of the 4th quilt down. Just below the hexie one that was made for a granddaughter. Any info would be appreciated.
I cannot help but notice that the second picture of Jo looks like a different dog. She already seems to be responding to your treatment of her. I think the bathrobe was a great idea. I really like the little “book of Jo” that you made. What a story it will tell!
Thanks for the DD pics. I noticed a small version of Bonnie Hunter’s mystery quilt from two years ago there. I made a full size – that is one big heavy quilt with all those seams. Great job ladies.
I feel so bad for Jo, so happy she’s with you. I wonder if you’d lay down beside her if she’s like that.
Hi Mary
Thank you for post today. Jo looks very much like a dog we had many years ago. Her name was Taffy. Time is the best healer and hope she warms up to you soon as she sees your persistent kindness.
Hi Mary – I’ve been working on a Bonnie Hunter string quilt called Pumpkin Patch in a runner size. Also a panel quilt called Land of Liberty with wonderful Americana fabrics for borders. Another is a red truck Christmas panel wall hanging with Red/black checked material for one of the borders. Last thing is a doll size quilt with pillow and mattress – all to match for Churchberries here in WI. The KC’s build 14 doll cribs every December for underprivileged children and our quilt guild makes the mattress, pillow and quilt for each crib. That’s all for now! Gloria