Artist: Judy Dwiggins
Dog's Name: Nephesh (Nephi) Davis
Media: Machine Appliqué
Other info: From Jadie: Hebraic expressions such as "King of kings", "war of wars", and "song of songs" emphasize transcendence. Well, my Nephi was an "Airedale of Airedales". His winsome, clownish ways grew exponentially the more he suffered from his auto immune diseases. His illness caused me to turn to the keyboard to pour out my love for him and in the writing of his life and death; other Airedale owners came alongside me to offer their comfort. I received over 60 condolences from members of the Airedale List and half a dozen donations were made in his name to the Friends of Airedales Memorial Fund. How fitting. And now my little prince continues to bring joy to others in the form of a lovely quilt square. Why am I not surprised?
Other info: From Judy: When Geri Lowe asked if anyone would volunteer to make more quilt squares, in case we didn't have enough, I tried to think of another subject that would inspire me to make another square. I was walking by the 1998 Howliday Cards hung on my closet door and saw the photo of Jadie & Nephi. "That's it," I thought, and then I wrote and asked Jadie if it would be okay if I made a square in memory of Nephi. She replied, "It's more than okay, it would be wonderful."
I tried to make a place I felt Nephi would like. I made the autumn leaves because of his Howliday picture and imagined trees, (squirrels hiding somewhere beyond the edge of the quilt), big open fields to run in and a small stream in which to splash. I worked hard to make him smile because from Jadie's descriptions, that's how I always picture Nephi . . . happy and smiling. I felt a strong bond and connection with Nephi as I put his square together. It was almost as if he were telling me how he wanted his quilt square to look. It now makes me smile when I look at it. I think he looks happy and peaceful.
Return to ADT QUILT PROJECT 1999 here
Thanks to Karen Clouston for the Airedale Graphic
Thanks to Jamie Hare for the Animated Airedale Graphics