Just before the Thanksgiving weekend this past November, our beloved Sofie, our shephard lab mix died from Leukemia. We had her for 10 years. She welcomed home our new born son 7 years ago, and she took care of our other two toddlers and watched them grow and protected them from the dangers of the backyard. It was hard to watch her go. I had intended on putting her down after Thanksgiving, I thought she was going to be fine for another 4 or 5 days. But I got the call at work by my wife. She told me that Sofie was going. She was curled up in her favorite bed mat right in our family room by the fireplace. Our fireplace is the center of our home. And she loved being the center of attention. So there she passed with my wife and my three kids stroking her fur and telling her she did good, and she'll be alright, and she'll do fine during this hard time for her. She basically suffocated to death, her blood cells were not carrying the oxygen to her brain that she needed to stay alive. From what my wife told me, it was probably a very uncomfortable passing during the last 15 minutes for her. And my kids had a rare opportunity to see God calling back one of his creatures, and they wept, and sobbed. I could hear them in the background on the phone as I was pulling over the side of road.

I told of this back when it happened and we had some really nice support form our animal lovers here on this forum. And our Scroll Sawing Forum Host Greg Aksdal sent us a very special piece of artwork that he made himself. We will treasure it for ever. It is an Angel Doggy. It hangs in the home, and it could also be used on the Christmas Tree. We received this wonderful gift a couple weeks ago and this thank you post is long overdue. I had thanked Greg privately, but I wanted you all to see our Angel Dog. So today my wife and I got our two dogs together and pose for the Angel Dog photo. Tonya is holding the Angel in her right hand. The small dog is Woodie, that was Sofies best friend. He was so depressed when she left us, a few weeks later we brought home a rescued animal shelter dog for Woodie. And for us. I am not going to glaze over the fact that we missed Sofie horribly, and we wanted another friend in our life. Jessie is the golden dog in Tonya's arms. And she is really something. Full of spunk and she just loved everyone she meets. Jessie and Woodie are best of friends now.

Greg, thanks again partner, we will cherish our Angel Dog for years to come, and it hangs in a very special place next to Sofies leash and collar in our kitchen. When we received this gift, it truly did bring joy to this part of our lives where a little bit of our heart is missing. Thanks Greg

Picture below is my wife Tonya with the Angel Dog and our two friends Jessie on her right and Woodie on her left.

The Angel Doggie!

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John Morris
The Patriot Woodworker
Proud Supporter of Wounded Warrior Project and Homes For Our Troops

John, I'm so glad that I could do this for you and your family. One of the things that I really enjoy about scrolling, is the fact that I can make items like this that may be small but put so much joy into someones life, especially at a time like this. Also I need to mention another member who had a hand in this without knowing it, the wood i used for the body came from a care package of cutoffs I got from steven newman, I thought that would make it that much more special. 

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Greg
http://www.thesawdustfactory.net/

Greg,

Both our son and us lost our dogs within weeks of each other. I'd really like to make a couple of those. 

Can you dirct me to a plan or book of plans?

Thanks buddy.

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Gene
'The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him.' G. K. Chesterton

Gene, Here's a link to Diana Thompson's site which is where I got the pattern from. If you have any questions about the pattern she is always great about answering questions, or contact me, I'd be glad to help. 

http://www.scrollsawinspirations.com/default.asp?ID=7&action=detail&ProductCode=142

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Greg
http://www.thesawdustfactory.net/

Greg, you did tell me from the beginning that Steve had sent the material that ended up in this Angel Doggie.

Thank you Steve for playing a part in this. And yes, this had made it even more special, knowing that the material came from another soul here on TPW, you bet!!!

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John Morris
The Patriot Woodworker
Proud Supporter of Wounded Warrior Project and Homes For Our Troops

Thanks so much, Greg.

Greg Aksdal said:

Gene, Here's a link to Diana Thompson's site which is where I got the pattern from. If you have any questions about the pattern she is always great about answering questions, or contact me, I'd be glad to help. 

http://www.scrollsawinspirations.com/default.asp?ID=7&action=de...

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Greg
http://www.thesawdustfactory.net/

John, that's what makes this more of a family , than just another forum  

John Morris said:

Greg, you did tell me from the beginning that Steve had sent the material that ended up in this Angel Doggie.

Thank you Steve for playing a part in this. And yes, this had made it even more special, knowing that the material came from another soul here on TPW, you bet!!!

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John Morris
The Patriot Woodworker
Proud Supporter of Wounded Warrior Project and Homes For Our Troops

You nailed it.

Greg Aksdal said:

John, that's what makes this more of a family , than just another forum  

John Morris said:

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Greg
http://www.thesawdustfactory.net/

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John Morris
The Patriot Woodworker
Proud Supporter of Wounded Warrior Project and Homes For Our Troops