Jul 22 2010
A Bedtime Story
Last summer I got the bright idea to make a new bed for Olivia. The bed I made last summer was to go in her crate. At first, she didn’t like it and actually the first few nights after I made it, we had to take her new bed out and replace it with her old, chewed up beach towels so she’d quite crying and go to sleep. Eventually, she came to love her new bed.
When I made her new bed, I made thee bed and then made several covers to go over the bed so I could switch out the cover and wash it, etc
Olivia has gone through a few changes regarding where she sleeps since we moved out of our apartment. From the time we got her up until February, she slept in her crate. Even when Richard and I lived apart because of work, Olivia slept in her crate. At the end of January, we moved. Our box springs wouldn’t fit up our staircase, so for a few weeks our mattress was on the floor. Olivia could hop on and off the bed. This resulted in her starting off sleeping with us and most often she’d move herself into her crate during the night. After the snow cleared away, we were able to get out and buy a split box spring that would fit up our staircase. Olivia could no longer hop on and off the bed with ease. The crate was still in our bedroom, but she started sleeping with us. Eventually this led to the crate being taken apart and stored in the basement.
After awhile, I realized I wasn’t sleeping well because of the dog. We never take her collar off, so every wiggle creates a jingle and she loves to snuggle and stretch out at the same time which means she nearly takes up as much space as a third person. This resulted in me practically hanging off the bed so the DOG could have enough space to sleep!
I finally had enough and decided that she’d sleep on her bed beside our bed. I assumed we’d have to go through a few nights of crying and restlessness on her part, but that I was willing to do it so things would be better in the long run. Well, to my surprise, on night #1 of Olivia Sleeping Solo Boot Camp, she put her paws up for me to put her on our bed and I said, “Livvy girl sleeps over here” and I led her over to her bed and SHE LAID DOWN AND WENT TO SLEEP without a peep! Most nights she still tries to talk me into putting her on our bed, but then she willingly goes over and snuggles down on her own bed. Such a big girl!
This time on my bed-making adventure, I decided to use a couple of more “serious” fabrics so we can have something not too loud to leave out in our bedroom all the time. The more “fun” fabrics will be used for her beds for the back of the car and her doghouse outside.
Last time I used stitch witchery. That involved lots of time, pinning and ironing. This time I decided to try fabric glue. I LOVE the stuff. I’ll never use stitch witchery again. I whipped up the beds and covers in no time! Of course, watching Julie and Julia while I was working helped!
I actually bought the blue fabric thinking it would be cute if we do get to adopt a boy dog. We haven’t heard a word from the Westie rescue. I completed the application a couple of weeks ago and then emailed them a week or so later confirming that they had received it, but still no word. We’re disappointed, but still waiting to see what happens. The organization is run by volunteers and they get hundreds of applications, so I’m trying to be understanding and patient. Even if a little boy dog doesn’t get to use the blue fabric, I think it suits Olivia, too.
As if making beds and bed covers for my dog isn’t bad enough, I decided she needs a little luggage tag for when we need to take a bag places for her. I ordered it from here, The Monogram Marketplace on Etsy. I got her name and a doggie bone (in light pink and green) on the front and our phone numbers on the back. I can hardly wait to get it in.
It’s kind of starting to sound like it might be a good idea for school to start.