So I've decided I'd like to adopt a small dog, and after some research, found that a Papillon would suit us best.  Poor Cedric really misses Ozzy, and I think he would have a lot of fun with a small dog.  He'd probably "mother" it the way he did with the ferret.  Cedric used to carry Ziggy around by the scruff of his neck and bathe him just like a kitten.  Then they'd curl up together and go to sleep.  I would enjoy a nice furry little lap dog, and a companion when I'm outside (which I am as much as possible when the weather's warm).  I've spent a few weeks researching different toy dog breeds and I like many attributes of the Papillon.  First, they're beautiful little dogs.  Papillon is french for butterfly, and this refers to their furry ears, which resemble butterfly wings.


They also say that they're "big dogs in little dog suits".  They say they're very capable with handling a 5 mile walk, which makes them perfect for me.  Most little dogs wouldn't last through one of my typical walks (although toy breeds are small enough to carry when they poop out).  Papillons are very athletic, energetic, and intelligent.  They're generally healthy and very devoted to their owners.  They don't bark much (unlike some toy breeds), and get along well with cats.  Plus they like to cuddle, which is what I really want in a dog.  Now my only problem is finding a Papillon puppy (preferabley male).  I'd really rather adopt than buy one from a breeder or pet store, but I haven't seen ANY small dogs in the shelters in my area (Fairview Park, a suburb of Cleveland, Ohio).  We've got a lot of Pit Bulls in the shelters, but that's more dog than I can handle right now.
So now I'm asking for your help, dear reader, and hoping you can point me in the right direction to find the puppy I'm looking for.  If any of you know where I can adopt a Papillon puppy in my area, please leave a comment (or contact me through my ArtFire shop).  I need another fuzzy  to cuddle, and Cedric needs a playmate.  Thanks in advance for any tips you can provide!
-Michelle of CreativeCritters

I lost a very dear friend and loving pet yesterday.  Some of you may have known Ozzy through my blogs, from Flickr or Facebook, or on my avatar. He's 1/3 of CreativeCritters, after all.  He turned 13 this summer, and I rescued him when he was barely weaned.  He brought me so much love, comfort, and happiness in those 13 years, and I, in turn gave him lots of love, a warm, safe, interesting home, and all the catnip he ever wanted.  He had been a lively and healthy cat for most of his life, but in the last few months he started losing weight and having difficulty eating.  I did everything I could to keep him going, including giving him Milk Thistle (thank you so much, Ugabugabowls, for sending that) daily, and feeding him baby food through a syringe.  This weekend he wasn't even able to keep the baby food down.  He came up to me in the kitchen and told me he was tired, and all he wanted to do was be near me.  I knew the end was very near- I could see it in his eyes.  Ozzy and I have been "speaking" to each other for 13 years- we understand each other so very well.  So I spent as much time as I possibly could with my fuzzy man this weekend.  I was amazed he found the strength to give me a few sweet little purrs as I held him and gently stroked his frail body.  I held him so his head lay right over my heart, just like I would do when he was a kitten.  I have no children, but I do have very strong maternal instincts, and those have been turned to my pets, much to their benefit (and mine).  Our other cat, Cedric, knew that Ozzy was sick.  He sat on the chair above my head, looking down on his big brother, with such intense worry in his eyes.  Cedric loved his big brother from the start, and they've always been friends.  Right before Ozzy took his final breath, Cedric touched his nose to Ozzy's fur.  I'm so glad he had the chance to say goodbye too.  Ozzy's death was surrounded by love, as was his life.  We're all feeling a great emptiness in our lives today, and Ozzy will never be forgotten.  I'm making a special grave marker for Ozzy right now.  It should be finished by Christmas Eve.  I also plan to make a stuffed Ozzy, so I have something to hug and cuddle.  Cedric likes to be petted, but he's not a lap cat like Ozzy was.  Eventually we'll get another kitten, as much for Cedric as for me.  Then he can be the big brother, and teach a new fuzzy what Ozzy taught him. This a Ozzy and Cedric cuddling.

 

And I want to thank everyone who has offered their condolences and more.  It really helps to know that others care, and understand the pain of losing a beloved family member.  At least I know Ozzy is waiting for me at the Rainbow Bridge with all my other pets.

-Michelle of CreativeCritters

 

I'd like to showcase some of the different types of cats available in my studio today.  My first "real" pet (other than hamsters and gerbils) was a cat.  Mischief was his name, and he certainly lived up to it!  Before Mischief I always thought I wanted a dog more than a cat.  It took about 2 seconds after holding my first kitty to realize I was a cat person.  I do adore dogs, and all other animals, but my first love will always be cats.  I connect with them on a very deep level, and have always felt an affinity to them.  I've had many cats since Mischief, and each has been a very important part of my life.  Now I have Ozzy and Cedric, both certified catnip inspectors.  Ozzy has an artistic streak of his own, and he likes to check out all of my work.  He's put his purr of approval on all the items below.  You can click on any of the pictures to go directly to the listing, or simply browse through CreativeCritters, where cats prowl through many of the categories, including Gifts Under $20, Catnip Toys, Jewelry and Magnets, Knit Toys, Cloth Dolls, Animal Sculptures, Fantasy Sculptures, and Christmas Themed Gifts.

 

Thanks for stopping in to take a look at all my different kitties!  Be sure to check back often for new additions!

-Michelle of CreativeCritters

As you can probably tell from my shop name, CreativeCritters, I'm a real animal lover, and have been all my life.  From my first lump of Play Doh I was sculpting crude cats and dogs, as well as attempting to sew my own stuffed animals.  My skills have improved just a bit since then- LOL!  In ceramics class in high school I was always getting in trouble for sculpting animals, rather than the bowls and cups we were supposed to be making.  Now, of course I can make whatever I want, and my inventory certainly reflects that.  I have animal Christmas ornaments, animal sculptures, animal pen sets, animal jewelry, knit stuffed animals, and catnip toys stuffed with my own organic catnip.  So if you're an animal lover yourself, or have one on your Christmas gift list, stop in and see some of my unique handcrafted items that are sure to bring a smile to anyone's face.  You can click on the pictures below to go directly to the listing, or click on the categories to view everything available.

 

And there's a lot more where these came from!  I've got critters wandering all over my studio, with more being adding regularly.  Thanks for stopping by!

-Michelle of CreativeCritters

HAPPY HOLIDAY SALE AT CREATIVECRITTERS!!

I'm offering 10% off everything in my shop November 19 through December 3, giving you plenty of time to find some wonderful handcrafted Christmas gifts.  My sale covers Black Friday and Cyber Monday, and then some.  Below is a sample of what can be found in my shop, including Christmas Themed Gifts, Fantasy Sculptures, Polymer Clay Sculptures, Miniature Houses, Pen Sets, Plush World of Warcraft, Animal Sculptures, Cloth Dolls, Knit Toys, Jewelry and Magnets, Catnip Toys, and Erasers and Pencil Toppers.  I've got something for everyone- even the cat!  You can click the links to view the categories, or click on the pictures below to go directly to their listing.  Thanks for stopping by!

 

- Michelle of CreativeCritters