I have been an animal lover for as long as I can remember. I am also an avid knitter and crocheter, my Grandmother having taught me to do both when I was only 6 years old. I was the dorky kid with the wool stash, creating clothes and accessories for my Barbie Dolls and Teddy Bears, and my friend’s dolls and bears. It seems predestined that my love of animals and needlework would intersect at some point.
This journey began shortly after I moved to Vancouver Island, British Columbia from my hometown in Guelph, Ontario in 2003. We bought a Café on the main street, and one of the regular patrons was a local dog groomer – Uncle Mike. One day, he arrived at the Café with a little 2.5 pound slip of long black and tan fur with enormous, terrified eyes. He placed her in my arms and told me that she needed me. I took her home, no questions asked, and the love affair began. Her name was Bambina Marie – a little long coat Chihuahua. She was a former Finished Grand Champion who had been placed in a private home when her show career was over and she was proved to be unable to breed. Unfortunately at some point, she had been horribly abused by someone, and was afraid of her own shadow as a result. For some reason known only to her, she trusted me completely, and we lived happily together for 5 years until she passed peacefully away in my arms on December 29, 2008 of congestive heart failure.
Knowing what trauma Bambina had gone through in her precious little life, shortly after she came to live with me I began searching on the internet to find ways to help her less fortunate “cousins”. I discovered a network of Chihuahua rescue groups and the family and I became involved. Enter my love of wool. I began knitting and crocheting small dog sweaters to be sold or auctioned off at rescue fundraising and outreach events. They were an instant hit, and much in demand. I continue to knit and donate today, but it has also been suggested that I start my own online store so that a larger audience can have access to these luxurious dog sweaters for their own little darlings. I have named my sweater line Bambina’s Best in honour and memory of my little girl. I take great pleasure in finding and working with luxury and imported fibres and mixing and matching colours to achieve a stunning designer look for each sweater. I only use soft and cushy yarns to ensure your baby’s comfort. I also work with a number of environmentally friendly materials such as bamboo and organic cotton and luxury wool and wool blends. Each item is lovingly hand knit and embellished by me on Vancouver Island. The embellishments include unique and vintage buttons, ribbons, crystals and natural gemstone beads. Many of my creations are one of a kind, which allows your little one to stand out in the crowd and be the pampered prince or princess that they were born to be.
My family and I also continue to work with Chihuahua rescue by fostering and sometimes adopting Chihuahuas that are considered “unadoptable” and are either very old, or special needs with either physical or emotional issues. We currently share our home and our bed with 6 such critters, and we love them dearly. They are my constant companions and inspiration for my dog sweater designs, in spite of the fact that they are all “card-carrying nudists” and will not wear any dog clothing themselves.
So please come on in, spend some time and look around. I hope you will find a sweater or goodie for your favourite four-legged friend or a gift for the animal lover on your list. I truly appreciate your interest in the website. Please don’t hesitate to let me know if you have any questions or would like a custom order. My goal is to exceed your expectations and share a little warmth and love with dogs around the world and to continue to help the animals that are less fortunate than yours or mine.