Collar Karma

19/11/2022

FB tells me people are stopping by.

Well, I'm sorry y'all. Life isn't allowing me to get back to making things just yet. But an announcement will be made when we're back.

So I hope you all enjoy your holidays. Hugs your babies close.

28/06/2022

I know, I know. Where'd I go?

So many changes in my life, and it's all leading to leaving my house and completely changing my way of life. The Etsy shop will likely be closed, and a regular website made. I'll be on the road and doing pet expos and the like as I can.

If you've been wanting something from me, I apologize. My life has been totally upended, and I'm trying to figure out next steps.

This is ALL GOOD. It's just a lot to do and process.
Hope y'all are safe, healthy and your dogs are happy.

Namaste

08/04/2022

Hey folks. The shop will be reopening soon, after I get a new sewing machine (it's been ordered).

It's been a rough year for me, but I can't let it keep me down, right?

Should be a week or so and I'll be back to normal.

09/03/2022

Shop still closed, sorry folks. My husband died in January, so just too much to manage (estate and emotions). We were separated but still very good friends.

In the meantime, I adopted Simon, this little chihuahua to keep Anastasia company. Found out yesterday that Anastasia's heartworm infection was worse than first thought, so we're gearing up for the fast-kill treatment.

It's been too eventful already in the past 3 months. Whoever wishes for a less-boring life....don't.

12/01/2022

Happy New Year, Collar Karma friends.
I'm hoping 2022 isn't as awful as 2021 was, personally speaking.
I have a new dog living with me, her name is Anastasia and we're working together to help her past her traumas. A beautiful brindle bully girl that was running on the streets when she was found.

I hope to also completely change my life; selling my things and move into an RV to go tour the country. Collar Karma will be changing how we do business as well, doing craft shows along the way. I can't fit my entire sewing room into a motorhome, so will drastically slash the stash and keep only those patterns that sell, or that I think I can sell.

I look forward to these changes, as I've wanted to travel the country for a very long time.

In the meantime, meet Anastasia.

21/12/2021

It's the end of an era. An era that NEVER should have been in the first place. Run free, VICKTERY dogs. Hail the furry Travelers.

The incredible 'Vick dog' era is over.

On Saturday, we had the great honor and privilege of attending the transition of the sweet, shy Frodo as his family helped him pass over to be with the rest of the dogs from the group.

He was the last of 48 brave survivors from that game changing case. Seized and rescued in 2007, we estimate that he would've been 15 years old - and THIS is the important part - the last 14 years of his life were spent being pampered like a prince with the Ramirez family and dogs. Sweet Frodo - How we loved him. He was one of the bravest survivors we've ever met.

We didn't realize at the time that Jonny Justice had just passed away in a private moment with his people, Cris & Jen, just two days earlier. Oh Jonny! We thought you might live forever.

And finally - in the first week of October, Letti de Little's sweet man Uba passed over. We've been grappling to find the words, and now Uba's friends have pushed that door wide open.

Warm sympathies and gratitude to the families. We'll come back with more on each special dog and the lives they lived, but for now, it's time to have a little cry and say good-bye to them all.

(Photo: Frodo gobbled that big bag of steak under the tears of his mama, Kim Ramirez and her daughter Dominique. Thank you Dr. Williams for tending to his medical needs up until the end. He trusted you and you made this moment so perfect.)

10/10/2021

Lots of updates in my life, but the store is still closed for now. I took Peanut to his new adoptive home near Chicago a week ago (he's living the life with friends of mine), and while I was on vacation, my foster passed away in her sleep (I'd taken in an elderly Chinese Crested).

I came home to an empty house, which was weird. And after a few days, adopted Maya, this black puppy. Not sure what she is but she's going to be a big girl (and I'd said I was going to stay with smaller breeds haha).

And then, my landlord informed me of the plan to sell the house. :O
He is making sure I have a place to land in one of his other properties. He loves me as a tenant; I've been here for 6 years and always pay on time and take good care of my home. But now my life is truly in flux so I don't know what I'll be doing just yet. I may move to the new place or might sell everything and go on the road in an RV.

Who knows? Collar Karma may end up a mobile collar making business. This year has truly been one for putting me through the ringer and it's not over yet. But here are the puppy photos. I mostly post them to Collard Green Gang so you can stay updated there.

Be well, everyone. I hope to see y'all soon, somehow.

Namaste.

06/07/2021

So...um...I don't know if I'll be re-opening.
Gypsy Kale, the canine love of my life and the CK mascot died on Fri 7/2 from one of those cancers that you don't know is there until it's too late: TCC - transitional cell carcinoma in the bladder. She was fine on Monday, jumping into the trees like normal. Tuesday she was sick. Weds it was a UTI. Thursday came the second opinion and it was terminal. Friday she was PTS because there were no options.

I've thought about how to say this, how to tell you all. I can't even look at my sewing room right now. My shoulder rehab is nearly over but my heart is broken into pieces. She was the youngest of my four dogs (not including the newest addition Peanut, who is so confused) and never sick a day in her life. So, I'm just keeping the shop on vacation until I can think more clearly.

I don't know when that'll be. Be good to each other. Love your babies. They don't live long enough and sometimes, they get taken from us even sooner than they we thought.

She was only 9 1/2. She was perfect. She was the one and only Gypsy Kale.

01/06/2021

Happy Pride Month y'all. I would normally be putting all my rainbow themed patterns on sale and donating to some non-profit but I still can't sew yet. Soon, I hope. I'm ahead of the curve, recovery-wise and doing well. So instead I'm showing you this cute rainbow-themed Lambchop toy I bought from Petco, that I'm keeping for myself (mwahaha). I bought other toys for Peanut, the accidental puppy (he's brown guy in the photo.) Story will be in the photo caption.