How weird are those people who dress up their animals? They are as weird as you believe they are until you become one of them as I have. I am now dressing Simon, the 13-year-old dachshund in a sweater. It’s not just any dog sweater. This one was custom made, created by my neighbor from good wool, she tells me.
Sharon made this little pullover in her spare time, with spare materials and this, she says, gave her pleasure. She spends a lot of her happy time creating new clothes for herself and her family, cutting out patterns and then improving upon them. Desire a bit of piping, no problem. How about a secret pocket? Of course. According to Sharon, patterns are just the starting point; the rest is up to your imagination.
She tells me about her latest projects while she’s working on my teeth in her office. Sharon is not only my neighbor, she is also my dentist.
Sometimes I imagine her living in the Wild West. She’d fit in so beautifully. I see her sewing, patching, building, repairing and looking around for more to do. Everyone else would be admiring her handiwork and wondering what was wrong with them.
Oh, did I also mention that she also likes to bake. And not just regular stuff— really tasty, delicious the-best-you-have-eaten stuff.
Once she showed off some new boots she was wearing. And then she added, someday I’m going to make shoes. I have no doubt she will.
So when she asked me how I would feel if she made Simon a sweater, I said sure! A few days later she appears with a sleek gray knit tube for my dog. After two fittings, she has fashioned a beautiful second coat for the canine.
Little loops go over his legs while the rest of the sweater hugs his torso. There’s a row of white stitching around the neck. Under his head there are the cutest white triangles in the shape of a collar and there’s a little maroon tie hanging down right in the middle.
Sharon says she thought about making a bow, but she didn’t think that it would be dignified, and the collar and tie was a better plan. I agree. Simon looks, well, distinguished.
And he can do his business too, without interference.
I bought him sweaters before, but as soon as I put them on him, he would be pulling at them with his teeth to get them off. I can’t remember him ever calm in any article of clothing I’ve forced upon him. I’ve dressed him in costumes, once an angel, and another time a pumpkin. He didn’t like those outfits either.
But with his new sweater, he has no argument. I think he may even like it, or at least likes the warmth.
The morning after receiving the sweater gift I take the time to dress Simon for his walk. It only takes a few seconds to put it on. And there he is, all sleek and handsome and warm. I’m wearing my fuzzy purple sweater, pajamas and fake fur lined slippers. We walk the neighborhood and I hope to see people. I want everyone to see Simon in his new sweater.
No one is on the street yet, just me and the dog, wearing our warm weather clothes. I think we look good together and Simon, you look marvelous.
