Joey: The Most Famous Dog in Quilting

Back in October during the Piece for Shelter Pets Blog Hop, we gave you a quick introduction to our new favorite pet, Joey the Shop Dog. 

As a newborn puppy, Joey was abandoned. When he was brought to the local SPCA, he immediately underwent surgery to remove a damaged eye, and remained very sick. Enter quilt shop owner Rose Ann Cook, who along with her husband, has a soft spot for dogs with health issues. "When I met Joey, we already had three dogs, and that's usually as many as we have at one time," Rose Ann says. "I surprised my husband by bringing him home. I knew this dog wouldn't make it if we didn't take it home." 

If you've seen our Joey the Shop Dog collection, you know this story has a happy ending!

Joey was adopted by Rose Ann Cook and her husband almost six years ago. He’s made his home both with the Cooks and in Rose Ann’s quilt shop, the Quilter's Emporium in Stafford, Texas.

Why did Joey catch your eye?

What I can say? We look for dogs that have serious issues. That doesn’t mean that they can’t be loving, wonderful pets. As a matter of fact, I think they become the most grateful pets. We have no children—this is our calling to take care of dogs that otherwise would be put down.

How did Joey start coming to the quilt shop?

I go to the shop every day, and I felt I needed to take him along to look after him. Every single female customer who walked through the door is a mother at heart, and they all fell in love. He’s a little fixture around the shop. Joey actually has a fan club. Some customers only come in on Joey days.

How has Joey’s fame spread?

He tells me what to write for an article in each of our newsletters. If there isn’t something from Joey in the newsletter, we actually get phone calls checking on him. He recently came in 6^th place in the SPCA calendar contest, so he’ll be featured in the 2017 calendar as well. He also has his own Facebook page!

How else has Joey helped the cause of strays?

If someone local finds a stray, they’ll send me a pic, and Joey will write up a story about the stray—have been able to find homes for about 2 dozen dogs. Joey does so much good.

We'll be sharing up close and personal looks at the fabrics in Joey's collection, as well as some fun projects made with the fabrics later this week!