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Post by DawninCal on Feb 16, 2014 19:48:24 GMT -6
This is my new charm bracelet. Over the years, whenever we've had a dog leave us to go to the Rainbow Bridge, I've saved their collars as a memento. When we lost Elle in October, I started thinking about making a charm bracelet out of all the dog tags I'd accumulated. Today I decided to get with it and see what I could come up with. The tags are a little bigger than I realized, which resulted in the bracelet being a little bigger than I expected and it's very jingly. When I move my arm, it sounds like there's a dog or two in the house. I suppose it's rather gaudy and tacky, but I love it. Wearing it makes it seem as though the dogs are nearby. Anyway, enough blabbing - here are Angie, Rocky, Fluffy, Dinky, Sadie and Elle (or at least here are their tags): As you can see, the red tag took a lot of wear over the years resulting in the paint wearing off. That was Rocky's tag; he was a barbarian. The Canada tag belonged to Angie. We took her with us when we traveled there on vacation and I picked it up in a little gift shop. She wore it on her collar for years and managed to chip off quite a bit of the enamel. The "I heart my cats" tag belonged to my brother. I found it in a change dish when cleaning out his apartment after he died last year and made a mental note to add it to the charm bracelet if I ever got around to making it. When he passed away, he left behind two terrified kitties and my sister and I were fortunate to find them a wonderful new home that took both of them. So, I just slipped it over top of the rabies tag as a reminder of my brother and his two furkids. I hope no one finds it depressing or maudlin. It's not meant to be sad; it's meant to recall fond and happy memories. Thanks for looking! Dawn
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Post by Michele on Feb 16, 2014 20:00:45 GMT -6
I think that is one of the most beautiful bracelets I've ever seen - maybe not in the usual sense, but the sentiment is. What a wonderful memento to remember your furbabies.
Although it is sad your pets are no longer with you, the bracelet is not sad. It celebrates the love you shared with them.
My screensaver is a slideshow of all of my pets. I love looking at them.
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Post by Sophy on Feb 16, 2014 20:19:36 GMT -6
Dawn, I think it is a lovely way to remember your pets. It makes me wish I had ever succeeded in getting any of my cats to wear a collar, because I would totally copy this idea if I could.
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Post by caeterle on Feb 16, 2014 23:06:01 GMT -6
It's such a special piece, Dawn. No chance I would call it depressing. Bittersweet maybe. Such a lovely idea.
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Post by DawninCal on Feb 17, 2014 1:24:44 GMT -6
Thank you so, so much - I knew fellow fur parents would get it. Dawn
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Post by galadryl on Feb 17, 2014 4:42:44 GMT -6
That is a wonderful idea. Actually brought tears into my eyes. What a sweet way to remember them.
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Post by Irith-Rita on Feb 17, 2014 7:02:32 GMT -6
This is very touching - making a bracelet from your beloved pets collars. Although my cat won't wear a collar, if she ever goes before me, I shall make a bracelet and add her photograph to it. Thanks for the wonderful idea.
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Post by DawninCal on Feb 17, 2014 10:54:17 GMT -6
Thank you Sylvia and Irith. I'm glad to read that some of you have been inspired to do something similar some day. Dawn
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Post by caeterle on Feb 17, 2014 14:19:39 GMT -6
Dawn, this gave me the idea for a project of my own, too. Maybe I can start it this weekend. Thank you for that.
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Post by gbobmi on Feb 17, 2014 14:45:20 GMT -6
Dawn, what a lovely way to remember your furbabies.
When Freddy died, my hubby took his id tag and put it on his key chain. It keeps our special guy near to him.
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Post by DawninCal on Feb 18, 2014 19:47:18 GMT -6
Hope you will share your idea here with us, Cat. Thank you, mightycat. Gayle, that is so sweet about the keyfob. And, thank you too! Dawn
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Post by lotty64 on Feb 19, 2014 13:50:01 GMT -6
What an absolutely wonderful idea. I love your charm bracelet.
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Post by j3jewelry on Feb 21, 2014 21:17:15 GMT -6
Dawn it's really wonderful. I'm glad you get to keep their memory closer to you this way.
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Post by DawninCal on Feb 21, 2014 23:44:39 GMT -6
Thank you bunches, ladies. It's an idea that's been percolating in the back of my mind for quite some time and it makes me happy to see that it's struck a chord with all of you. Dawn
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