My husband Roy and I live in Troutdale, Oregon, about 20 miles east of Portland.  We share our home with Anabelle, our sweet Airedale-girl.  I spend a lot of my time caring for four of our grandchildren.  Anabelle loves to have them visit and knows them all by name.  She's very smart, as well as beautiful.   

Last October, we were devastated when Anabelle was diagnosed with Lymphoma.  It was a shock to us as she was only seven years-old at the time.  Our regular veterinarian referred Anabelle to an oncologist.  After a thorough exam, the oncologist said Anabelle was a good candidate for chemotherapy.  We felt we had to give Anabelle her best chance to fight this disease.  She began treatments that day. 

It's been a tough battle.  Anabelle had several bad days due to the medication but she's a fighter.  We are totally in awe of her courage and strength.  She is now finished with her chemotherapy.  We are praying for her to continue to stay in remission.  Every day we spend with her is a gift. 

The quilt block this year depicts one of Anabelle's favorite summertime activities.  She loves to protect the flowers on our deck from what she considers to be "marauding bees."  She'd spend the day with her nose in the lavender and salvia plants snapping at honey bees.  Since that's not something I approve of, she's become very sneaky about her addiction.  She loves to wait till I'm in the garden before she starts her bee hunt.  I'm often alerted to her actions by the sound of her jaws snapping.  I'll never be able to see a bee without thinking of Anabelle.   

Anabelle's bee hunting has been the subject of some of the stories I've made up for my grandson, Jordan.  He used to love to hear about Anabelle's naughty antics.  Our sweet Airedale, Beau, now at the Rainbow Bridge, was always the hero of our stories.  Jordan would always identify with Anabelle causing trouble though.  He and Anabelle are the same age.  

I hope you enjoy this quilt and I hope it makes you smile.

Block drawn by Linda Hobbet.