All The King’s Horses…
… and all the king’s men, couldn’t put my faceless ceramic pooch together again.
Well, maybe they could, but they weren’t around. So I tried to do it myself, using only a mother’s love (and some super glue).
And because I’m a freak about fumes I did it on the back patio while Clara was napping (baby monitor in hand).
Pretty much immediately things got wonky.
Wop-wop. Nothing matched up and it looked all crazy and jagged.
I think the fact that some shards were just too small to keep & reglue threw everything off. And somehow there was a huge chunk from the top of my beloved pup’s head that was mysteriously gone. I suppose I could try to use plaster or putty to fill things in and attempt to smooth things out and then spray paint the whole thing. Or I could shatter the rest of his face in the hopes of creating a headless lamp/umbrella stand/planter etc (you guys had awesome suggestions for us when we revealed the tragedy here), but I think my ceramic animal love hinges on the face. It’s the cutest part, so without it he’s just not as sweet and charming. Kind of like people I guess. Heads are important to me, what can I say.
Anyway, I’m happy I gave it the old college try and surprisingly at peace about the whole thing. Maybe a giant ceramic dog in the hallway wouldn’t have been the best idea when Clara starts toddling around anyway. I think I’m – dare I say it – ready to let go of my much loved ceramic pooch. Like how Rose says she’ll never let go in Titanic but then immediately lets go of hottie Leo and he sinks to the bottom of the sea (skip to 3 minutes).
Besides, not to be insensitive, but I do still have my gorgeous concrete greyhound to fill the void…
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Perhaps try using epoxy repair putty for the bigger cracks, sand down, prime, then spray paint a thin layer over it’s head? It will require A LOT of patience as there are many contours in its face.
Sorry that your pup didn’t survive! But, you have a much cuter real one…
And yeah, I think ceramic animal + baby woulda been terrible in the long run. Just think, you probably saved Clara a future disaster. :)
Hi Sherry –
I’m long time reader, first time writer – haha. While I know that NOTHING could replace your ceramic dog, except maybe a concrete greyhound, I was trolling ModCloth’s website and found quite a few cute white ceramic animals that are useful as well as ornamental and thought I would share. I know you’re on the pulse of trendiness and home decor, but I wanted to pass the information along in case you were unawares. Here’s hoping for no more tragic endings for your beloved creatures.
http://www.modcloth.com/Apartment/-A-Staggering-Development-Jewelry-Holder
http://www.modcloth.com/ModCloth%2FApartment%2FKitchen+Bath/-Bird-Bath-room-Soap-Dish
http://www.modcloth.com/Apartment/Furnish+Decorate/-A-Snails-Place-Keepsake-Box
So cute! Love them.
xo,
s
Awwww, Sherry. Sorry. But remember something for next time… never ask superglue/krazyglue to do epoxy’s job.
DONT THROW HIM AWAY!!!!! I’ll buy him broken and all. I realize shipping could be somewhat of a pain but I really want him lol. About a year ago my wife and I saw him at Marshalls Home Good Store and I was crazy about him. My wife on the other hand, not so much. Kicking myself everyday since passing on him. Lol!
Aw you’re cute Jason. Pooch is happy to hear that even in his damaged state he’s loved. The good news is that readers everywhere have emailed and commented to say “they’re baaaaack!” (even including photographic evidence) so if you visit your local HomeGoods for the next month or so I bet you’ll snag a brand new one! And we can give our guy a proper burial. Haha.
xo,
s
You get an “A” for effort! Sorry it didn’t work so well.
Awwww, your pup will be missed!
I say take a piece of the ceramic, a dremel and it and turn a piece into a Christmas ornament of some kind. Unless it’s impossible to detach from “that was his shoulder” kind of thing, because that would be creepy.
Haha, I think it might be. Making an ornament out of an old friend could be creepy.
xo,
s
i was just thinking …maybe if you break (did i say that?) the rest of the ceramic pooch, you could put him to rest as pieces for a ceramic table top that you can use in the sunroom.
kind of like a mosaic?
I just can’t bring myself to do it.
xo,
s
I saw a ceramic greyhound at HomeGoods here in MA – I actually thought you guys when I saw it – you should check them down near you to see if they are back!
Aww poor, poor puppy…
I’m so sad! I loved him too!
Would it be to morbid/wierd to suggest cremating him and keeping him in an urn in the same place? Yes…I should’ve left this post anonymous.
Hahaha, that would be insanely creepy. But we’re weird like that…
xo,
s
saw this ceramic dog at pier 1 last night and it made me think of this post and laugh.
http://www.pier1.com/Catalog/Seasonal/tabid/467/List/0/CategoryID/92/level/a/ProductID/29125/ProductName/Ceramic-Doguu/Default.aspx
he even has a crackle finish that makes him look a little “broken” like the one you tried to salvage. looks like there are still plenty of ceramic dogs out there needing a forever home. :)
I saw him at a Home Goods in Danvers, Massachusetts. Would they ever mail him to you?
We’ve heard he’s around so we plan to keep an eye out. If it’s meant to be, it’ll be!
xo,
s
He was such a noble, winsome dog. I will miss seeing him around the new house.
My own broken animal story had an unexpected happy ending. At Christmas 2009, Hurricane Gabriel dropped a heavy fireplace screen on a beautiful ceramic deer, breaking it much in the same way as your dog. We tried to repair him to no avail. Imagine my surprise when at Christmas 2010, we found the same deer at the same store again – with her mate! And we have since removed the heavy fireplace screen.
I hope you find your dog’s twin, if that is what you want. But if not, we’ll remember him with you.
Aw, noble and winsome are the perfect adjectives for him. So glad to hear about your sweet deer reunion!
xo,
s
Why does this make me think of A Christmas Story where Ralphie talks about his dad burying the leg lamp and hearing taps play?
Sorry… Couldn’t resist. I am sorry about your treasured dog; it always sucks to break something you love.
There is a ceramic dog at Pier One right now that looks similar to your broken one. Except it is a teal/turquiose color that would work great with your new color scheme! =)
Awww… He looks exactly like the one Joey bought on Friends.
Have you thought of doing something like paper or fabric that you use modge-podge to cover him up? Maybe you can put something where the hole is and give him new life that way.
I think I loved him most in all of his glossy white glory so it’s time to just honor that memory and let him go. Haha.
xo,
s
i say dress it up with a beret & scarf & it’s totally keepable!
You should put a doggy lampshade on him so he doesn’t lick his wounds!
Hahahah. True! This is a legitimate concern.
xo,
s
Awww, poooch! If you want to try another step, get creative a little with it, try some acrylic artist’s paste from the art supply store,. Then paint that area with some compatible colors, maybe some flower stencils or favorite shapes. Be sure to lightly sand the areas you use the paste on, and experiment a bit on anther ceramic surface to practice first, if you need to. I’m a artist, I always do that when I’m about to try out a new technique. Pooch’ll have a brand new look! :)
Sorry for not reading through the 7,924 comments to see if this has already been suggested, but could you paper mache over the whole thing (get it? HOLE thing. HA!). Use some duct tape over the hole-y part, and then slather it in newspaper/book pages/take out menus/old Target receipts thus smoothing over all the seams…..then you could paint the whole thing or leave it au natural. Just a thought.
Haha, it could work. I just love him best all glossy and white, so I might want to just let go and keep that memory of him in all of his original glory!
xo,
s
Ughhh… The same thing happened to me. I dropped my gnome on it’s head:
http://typearamblings.blogspot.com/2011/04/diy-disasters.html
:/
Oh no! So sorry for your loss!
xo,
s
So, there I was in Pier1 today and guess what they had?!?! A pooch, very similar to yours, that also looked as though he had been pieced back together! It is apparently the “in” thing now. Seriously, they crackle painted the pup in turquoise, with pieces sticking out here and there. Maybe you could just fill in the holes and then crackle paint it?!?!
It’s always a possibility!
xo,
s
I’m so sorry for your loss. I can only imagine losing a beloved ceramic friend.
While enjoying some Etsy shopping I came across these and thought you might enjoy them. I know it could never replace the greyhound, but aren’t they super cute?!?
http://www.etsy.com/listing/62225999/cast-iron-horse-hook-choose-your-color?ref=fp_treasury_8
Love them so much.
xo,
s
I’ve been searching for a way to craft a faux deer or sheep head. I want a fake taxidermy head, but not a ceramic one. I’m thinking I could make one from paper mache.
This made me think about your poor greyhound. Could you patch him together with glue, and then paper mache all over him?? I know he wouldn’t be sleek and ceramic anymore. But if you did the paper mache thin enough, he might not look too clunky, just textured. Then you could paint him white, or another fun color.
Great idea! I think we could, but he’ll never quite be the same. It might just be time to let him go and let his memory live on. Haha.
xo,
s
I found your ex-ceramic dog in the latest Australian Vogue Magazine ad for Versace Home, I know it matters not now, but it may bring back some nostalgia to see it in such a swanky setting.
Hmmm, how to show you the image…
http://www.vogue.com.au/vogue+magazine/vogue+living/ This is the magazine its in.
Love your blog, thanks!
Oohh, he’s a fancy dog to be in a Versace Home ad! Love it.
xo,
s