Last month at our quilt group meeting, Stephanie showed us her latest Value Village find...a red-velvet piece of fabric that had been machine-stitched with the words of one of the most famous dog court cases in US history. (You can read about this fascinating case here.) The fabric reeked of cigarette smoke and she said she didn't know what she was going to do with it, so I barked up an option, "Why don't you give it to a dog lover?" And with that, she tossed it to Fido me and I wagged my tail with joy! But it did smell....so...
Into a soaking bath it went. I used Arm and Hammer's ScentSations detergent (it has a really strong floral scent that stays in the clothes, even after rinsing) and let it soak for about an hour, then gave it a good rinse and hung it out in the sun to dry. I would say about 90% of the smoke smell was gone...there is still a little lingering smoke smell but now it smells like perfumed smoke...and over time that will dissipate. But even with the smell, I could not love this pillow more.
My only problem now is where to put it?!? The stitching on the pillow is a bit hard to read, but once I read the text on line, and understood the meaning behind the words, I can just look at it and get a warm, fuzzy feeling all over...
This is what my pillow says:
"Gentlemen of the jury, the best friend a man has in this world may turn against him and become his enemy. His son or daughter whom he has reared with loving care may prove ungrateful. Those who are nearest and dearest to us-those whom we trust with our happiness and good name-may become traitors in their faith. The money that a man has he may lose. It flies away from him, perhaps when he needs it most. A man's reputation may be sacrificed in a moment of ill-considered action. The people who are prone to fall on their knees to do us honor when success is with us may be the 1st to throw the stone of malice when failure settles its cloud upon our heads. The one absolute, unselfish friend that man can have in this selfish world -the one that never proves ungrateful or treacherous -is his dog."
"Gentlemen of the jury, a man's dog stands by him in prosperity and poverty, in health and sickness. He will sleep on the cold ground, where the wintry winds blow, and the snow drives fiercely, If only he can be near his master's side. He will kiss the hand that has no food to offer; he will lick the wounds and sores that come encountered with the roughness of the world. He guards the sleep of his pauper master as if he were a prince. When all other friends desert, he remains. When riches take wings and reputation falls to pieces, he is as constant in his love as the sun In its journey through the heavens."
"If fortune drives the master forth an outcast in the world, friendless and homeless, the faithful dog asks no higher privilege than that of accompanying him to guard against danger, to fight against his enemies. And when the last scene of all comes, and death takes the master in its embrace, and his body is laid away in the cold ground, no matter if all other friends pursue their way, there by his graveside will the noble dog be found, his head between his paws, his eyes sad but open in alert watchfulness, faithful and true even to death."
I couldn't agree more...I have been privileged to love many dogs in my life...Daisy, Muffy, Re-Re, Gretel, Budgie, Tiffy, Sadie and now, my rotten-to-the-bone Caesar Beezer The Wonder Dog...who I love more than words could say.
Stephanie's find and generous gift is something I will treasure. Thanks Stephanie!
