Young House Love

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Broken Up About My Broken Ceramic Dog

All The King’s Horses and all the king’s men, couldn’t put my faceless ceramic pooch together again.

Broken Dog1

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).

Broken Dog 2

And because I’m a freak about fumes I did it on the back patio while Clara was napping (baby monitor in hand).

Broken Dog 3

Broken Dog4

Pretty much immediately things got wonky.

Broken Dog 5

Broken Dog 6

Broken Dog7

Broken Dog 8

Womp-womp. Nothing matched up and it looked all crazy and jagged.

Broken Dog10

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…

Comments

  1. Lianne says

    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.

    Reply

  2. Jessicah says

    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. :)

    Reply

  3. Erin McDonough says

    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

    Reply

  4. Pamela T says

    Awwww, Sherry. Sorry. But remember something for next time… never ask superglue/krazyglue to do epoxy’s job.

    Reply

  5. Jason says

    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!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      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

  8. heather says

    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.

    Reply

  9. Sishya says

    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?

    Reply

  10. Kate says

    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!

    Reply

  16. Lisa in Seattle says

    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.

    Reply

  17. Jennifer says

    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.

    Reply

  18. Stephanie says

    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! =)

    Reply

  20. Christy Sattler says

    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.

    Reply

  23. Jill Lorraine says

    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! :)

    Reply

  24. rebecca, who agrees that doggy should stay says

    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.

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      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

  26. Terra says

    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?!?!

    Reply

  28. Amanda Revere says

    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.

    Reply

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