It gets better

I've been a little angry with myself lately, and it has interfered with my creativity.  I had a disagreement with a friend about a mutual friend who had lost her dog (well, not lost, the dog (a greyhound rescue) darted of the house and ran full bore 3 blocks to a busy street and got run over.  Greyhounds are like that).  Anyway, the disagreement was about whether or not the friend should get a sympathy card.  I make sympathy cards all the time, for people who have lost relatives, but not for people who lose pets.  That is where I draw the line.  Just the week before, a different mutual friend lost her elderly mother in law, and that is a good reason to make a sympathy card, in my opinion.  My friend argued that the woman who lost her mother in law was in less emotional pain than the one who lost her dog, because the mother in law was very old and in pain and mentally foggy, and that for her, death was a mercy, and the woman who lost the dog suffered the shock of a surprise death, plus she had a mourning child and other dog to deal with, in addition to her own unhappiness.  She felt that the dog lady needed a card more than the MIL lady.

I understood what she was saying, but I did not capitulate - it is a slippery slope.  First it is cards for dogs, then cats, then parakeets and gerbils, and the squirrel that runs out in the road in front of your car - once you start making cards for animals, you may as well be lining bird cages with them.

However, I did feel badly.  I really like the woman who lost her dog.  She is a great friend.  I did not make her a card, and my muse walked out.  I think maybe my subconscious is smarter than my conscious mind.
I will be seeing her tomorrow.  This is not a sympathy card.  It is a "I know things are crappy right now and I want you to know that I care about you" card.  I know technically that is the definition of sympathy, but let me have a little bit of dignity left.

Details: The background is DCWV cardstock embossed and sanded.  The butterfly is TAC, I've had it for ages but never used it the way it was designed before now (2-step stamp).  the ribbon I've had for ages, and this is the first time I've used any, and this is the first time I've used this sentiment stamp, although I've had it for ages, too.  The sentiment and butterfly are heat embossed using some iridescent UTEE my buddy Diane gave me, and the flower is a RAK - I don't remember who it is from.

Challenges:
Cupcake Craft - up in the air with green
Diecut Dreams - special friend
Let's Ink It Up - embossing
Pile It On - green and orange
Sentimental Sundays - green plus a sentiment
Corrosive Challenges - Sketch
Phindy's Place - well wishes
Crafty Purple Frog  - things with wings

Juliet Arrighi

25 comments:

Regan said...

It is a sweet thing you are doing... Your friend will appreciate it more than you know! One of my cats passed away last week, my fur baby I've had for 16 years. While I certainly did not expect cards for the loss of my pet, when a handmade one with a kitty angel on it made it's way to my mailbox from a friend, it brightened my day! As this lovely creation will surely brighten your friend's! Great take on the sketch and thanks for playing along @ The Corrosive Challenge! :)

Paula-Kay Bourland said...

very nice card, Juliet. I'm glad you joined the challenge and linked on!

Chris said...

It will mean a lot to her - you did the right thing! I sanded some cardstock yesterday after you left - you always inspire me! :)

SusanK said...

It is hard to know where to draw the line. You need to take the entire situation into consideration and your level of friendship. I think this card is just fine and will get the message across. You are the one who has to look at yourself in the mirror and be able to live with the decision you made.

Donna said...

Delightful card and such a sweet butterfly image! Thanks for joining in the fun at Cupcake...good luck! :) Donna x

Cheryl said...

Great card!! You did the right thing!

Unknown said...

I'm on the fence about this one, Juliet. I agree with you mostly. I don't think I've ever given a sympathy card for a lost pet. But SusanK makes a good point when she says that each situation is different and should be taken into consideration. It's a toughie... I like the card you made, it was a good compromise!

Catherine said...

Thank you for joining us at Cupcake Craft this week with such a beautiful creation ! Good luck !

Unknown said...

Having read your post I can empathise with your position. I think eventually you just have to go with your gut instinct. I have made a care for someone who lost a pet but that is because I have pets and know the feeling of loss and sadness - I don't think it belittles the sympathy card I would send on the loss of a relative - it is different. But to your card - a gorgeous card and the sentiment behind it is truly heartfelt - and that's what counts. Thanks for joining in our Mother's Day/Special Friend challenge at DCD this time. Good luck.
Hugs
Dawn and the Dream Team xx

Shirl said...

Poor Juliet, what a dilemma, hope everything turns out well for you. Can see both sides especially as I am a dog lover and owner.
Your card is beautiful and I am sure she will see the love you have put into making it.
Thanks for sharing with us at Let's Ink It Up.
Hugs Shirley x x

Cor* said...

What a beautiful thought! So sad when a pet dies! Thanks for joining us at LIIU with this stunningly embossed creation!

Unknown said...

Stunning creation, gorgeous embossing. Thanks for sharing with us at LIIU, good luck. Hugs Suzanne x

Vicky said...

Beautiful card.
Thank you for joining us girls over at CPF Challenges, good luck.

Hugs Vicky xx

Holly said...

SO cute!!!

Holly said...

SO cute!!!

Beach Cat ! said...

I am glad the humanity deep in your soul made you reach out to the woman grieving the loss of her dog. Your discussion is worthy of an ethics class ... and it was fascinating to watch you work through your moral dilemma as you wrote. Your card is beautiful.

AmethystCat said...

love the layers and textures on the card and the butterfly is a nice touch.

Lynda Nielsen said...

awww, such a pretty card, I love the butterfly. You did a FABULOUS job! Thanks so much for joining us at Phindy's Place.
Hugs,
Lynda

Ann English said...

Just beautiful!!! Thank you for joining us this week for the Phindy's Place Challenge!

Sharon said...

Hi: I came across you blog while surfing through challenge entries. I can understand your dilemma about pet sympathy cards. They are hard to create and each case is different; however, when my own dog of 15 years died, I received a lovely card from my vet. Here's the verse which I have since "borrowed" for other friends who have lost their pets:
"Forever in your heart will remain the good times you enjoyed with your pet. We share in your sadness and understand the loss you are feeling".
Hope this helps you out, and I'm sure the lady will very much appreciate your card.
Sharon G.

uksharon said...

Fabulous sentiment but not always easy to believe.
Thanks for sharing with us at PIO this week.
Best wishes, Sharon

uksharon said...

Thanks for joining us at LIIU challenge - embossing.
Best wishes, Sharon

Susan Says (Stupid Stuff) said...

It's a perfect card to make both you and your friend feel better, I'm so glad you made it and joined in with our sketch challenge at Corrosive. Thank you :)

Dragonlady said...

What a beautiful thought. THanks for sharing at Die Cut Dreams.

Hugs Ali x

Crystal said...

such a sweet card! love that butterfly & all that green! thanks for playing with us at PIO & hope to see you again! hugs!