A few months ago there were suddenly little pieces of yarn everywhere, sticking to the rugs in various rooms, looking wilted and lonely and very fat next to the long multicolored threads and tiny pieces of jagged fabric Mom leaves everywhere from her quilting projects. The green of the yarn was very pale, so I didn’t connect it right away with the more pronounced green of the gradually balding bathmat. At first I assumed it was Cricket tearing up the bathmat, making a nest for herself the way she does on my bed, scratching holes into my sheets. But then I woke up early one morning, and there was little Butterfly, curled up in a corner of the bathmat, cooling her forehead against the white bathtub.
The artist at rest.
I should have noticed the signs earlier, when I discovered her ducky on the mat in the morning. But there was no bathmat art to go with the stuffed animal, so, I thought maybe Cricket had brought it in there or it had been kicked across the threshold by mistake. There also must have been early works that I did not recognize as such, small smushes of the mat from one side or another. I probably assumed it was my fault, that standing in front of the sink, brushing my teeth, I’d moved the mat out of place. But then there was the abstract rose. Butterfly must have spent quite some time nudging that mat into the shape she’d dreamed of in her mind, an abstract, three-dimensional green rose, with no stem or thorns.
I think each work of art starts as a practical attempt to achieve coziness. Often Butterfly actually prefers to sleep on the hard wood floor, eschewing beds and rugs and all manner of soft things, but sometimes, and I don’t know when or why, the bathmat calls to her.
“This work is not yet ready for viewing, Mommy.”
Bathmat art is full body art. Butterfly doesn’t rely solely on her paws or her teeth, she uses her head and shoulders, and she kicks it with her back legs and even pushes it with her belly. Her first love was paper art. She ripped and chewed magazines and crossword puzzles and even books, if I was silly enough to leave one within her grasp. But maybe she started to get paper cuts on her tongue and the inside of her mouth, or maybe she had trouble seeing her artwork in the dark and decided to go to the bathroom over night, which is where we leave the light on. (Mom has tried to turn it off, but I need at least one light on or else I will bang into my treadmill in the dark, and since the most likely place for me to aim myself in the middle of the night is the bathroom, I figured, that’s the light that should stay on.)
I wish I could capture Butterfly in the act of creation, but she guards her bathmat art process very carefully. There’s an architectural quality to her latest works, a sense that she’s designing tunnels and bridges and maybe a highway overpass.
The Fat Inchworm
Abstract Tree
Bridge and Tunnel
She hasn’t figured out what to do with the loose pieces of yarn yet. They seem to only be a by-product of the larger works, spread across the apartment for future use, but given time, she may decide to collect them into little bundles and make fiber art. That’s something Mom has wanted to try for a long time; using bits and scraps of thread and yarn and fabric to create something new. This could be a project for them to work on together.
Recently, when I had to go into the city for new medical tests, I was anxious. I was especially concerned about the closed MRI, being fed into a dark metal tube head first, and immobilized for forty five minutes or so. Not fun for anyone, but especially not for someone with claustrophobia. I had my prescription of valium, and a Ziploc bag filled with chocolate, but I was missing something.
I really wished that I could bring Butterfly with me to the MRI. The space would have been too small for both of us to fit inside, but if I could have just felt her leaning against my feet while I was inside that dark tunnel, that would have been comforting. But she gets anxious in the car and they’d never let her into the hospital, because she’s not small enough to hide in my pocketbook.
I was missing her very much, and then I sat down in the prep room where the nurse was going to put in the IV (for the contrast), and I saw a small, bent, piece of green bathmat yarn on the floor. I must have had it on my jeans or shoes without realizing it. And yet, it didn’t drop off as I walked to the car from the apartment, or from the car to the hospital, or anywhere I wouldn’t have noticed it along the way. No. It dropped right there on the floor as I was sitting in a chair, waiting to get a needle stuck in my arm, contemplating small spaces and certain death. It was as if Butterfly was sending me a message, that she was there with me in spirit and I wouldn’t have to be in that dark tunnel alone.
My girls.
I tend to be a pretty logical/rational person, but I always keep my heart open to the possibilities, to the little messages the universe likes to send out to let us know that not all coincidences are just coincidences. I don’t quite believe that I have angels following me around stopping trucks from barreling into me, or turning off the flame on the stove when I forget. But I do believe in some sort of electricity that connects us to the people we love.
And I’ve become a great supporter of bathmat art.
Bow Tie?
rachelmankowitz 
I love doggie art in all its forms. We have nose art on the one window the dogs can reach.
My Dina used to love making window art in the back seat of the car. We had to keep glass cleaner in the car.
So do I. However, I could do without that. 🙂 I’d much rather see their paw prints in snow or soft dirt. Even bathmat art would be alright. But the nose prints are a pain to remove. 🙂
Cricket’s paw prints, in snow or dirt, are always blurry. She refuses to stay still.
We don’t worry about it. There are sheers in the window, and the window is high above the street, so nobody can see the art.
I love this! It’s so adorable, and funny. 🙂
Thank you!
I didn’t what this story to end! So wonderful. And how wonderful is that for you to have that little green thread, that little piece of Butterfly with you? I got goose bumps. I so love the captions you give to your photos, Rachel. I’m surprised Butterfly didn’t close the bathroom door on the artwork that was not quite ready for viewing! 🙂
She hasn’t figured out how to close doors, yet. She learns everything at her own pace, so now I’m worried that I will be locked out of the bathroom for hours at a time. Oy.
Oh, I am laughing! I will wait for that post!!
Sounds cool,but I also can’t imagine being locked out of the bathroom! 😀
Thank you so much for writing that beautiful story and making my day, Rachel. It made me feel so happy and enertained,and your doggies are just too adorable! 🙂 Butterfly is so talented! I occassionally see Fufu and Lorie messing around with a towel on the ground in our house…I never saw it as art until now! 😀 Again,thank you!
They just need the right materials to express themselves. It takes a while to figure out what works for each individual dog, though. Cricket likes to be the artwork herself. She poses all day long.
This is so beautifully written, Rachel. Perfect!
Thank you so much!
😀
Another great post! My dog Danny is jealous.
I’m thinking of getting Butterfly a new bathmat to work with. What color would Danny suggest?
How about cream to blend in? Neutral is a powerful color.
Our Chicki is yet to discover Bathmat Art, though she is certainly into Bedspread Art. 🙂 Another wonderful post! 🙂
Cricket believes in lifting up the bedspread, tunneling under, and scratching the sheet until holes appear. She makes this horrifying screeching noise while she does it. Butterfly finds this upsetting.
Sweet, and I have a question not related to the bathmat art, “Can
you really take chocolate into an MRI or was it for beforehand?”
The chocolate was safely consumed both before and after the MRI. In fact, I found a piece of chocolate cake with lots of chocolate frosting at the supermarket up the street. Not as good as it looked, but better than being stuck in a dark tunnel for forty five minutes.
Chocolate is such a reliever.
We have lots of doggy mat action at our place too, although sometimes the Newfs prefer the cold tile floors in the kitchen.
Butterfly often likes the hard wood floor best of all. I’ve never understood that.
I love your writing. Your powers of observation and attention to detail are wonderful. I think you should write a mystery/detective book starring you, Cricket and Butterfly. I hope everything went well with your MRI.
Thank you so much! Cricket would LOVE to be a detective. I think she might even tolerate my presence as her secretary.
I rearrange everything to my taste. It’s called landscaping and if humans can mold their environment, why can’t I?? As for cosmic significance about a green thread, I can send you a LOT of significance (that got me into hot water and it is called mailing the evidence away). How about the fact that Cricket and Butterfly love you and that’s what is in their power and exactly what you need? Give them (and yourself) a hug from me.
Big hugs to you Kyla!
I loved this one.
Finding love and comfort in a little piece of green yarn.
And what better love and comfort than doggie love and comfort.
My cousin used to have a Yorkie that would wait until company came and drag his favorite bathmat to the middle of the living room, roll it up in a little ball and start humping it.
I’d prefer Bathmat Art to Bathmat Porn any day.
Bathmat art is a beautiful thing. I love that Butterfly has taken on the creative/crafting bug from her grandma. But I think she’d be too shy to do her crafting in front of company.
“… do her crafting …”
A euphemism I will proudly start putting to use.
Thanks Rachel.
LOL!
I’m so glad that you had a piece of bathmat art with you especially since it was accidental, the universe was reminding you that you have Butterfly watching over you. I have had my fair share of closed MRI”s so I know from experience how difficult it is for someone with claustophobia. Our dogs are such lifesavers. 🙂
Butterfly brings so much magic with her. The best thing is, I think she knows it. She’s very happy with herself, and very generous with her magic.
😀
It would be awesome if you could catch Butterfly in her art creation 🙂
She’s so secretive about it. If she heard me walking nearby, she’d stop what she was doing and pretend the bathmat shaped itself.
How delightful. My cats have fun with my bath mats. Have a great evening and Sunday.
I wonder if Butterfly and the cats could work together on their bathmat art!
Love the bathmat art, Rachel — and love this post! I agree with you totally about coincidences not always being just coincidences. Your girls were with you that day at the hospital, definitely.
Cricket really wanted to be there with me, so she could stop in at all of the restaurants along the way to the hospital. She would have gladly been eating dumplings while i was in the MRI.
Creative little devils they are. You must support their art. Too cute.
…and intuitive. When I was sick a few years ago, Buddy, who we had only adopted one year before, sat at my bedside every minute, refusing to leave except to go outside to relieve himself or to eat. When I had to go to the hospital, he always sent along one of his handkerchiefs that were tied around his neck from a visit to the groomer as well as one of his favorite stuffed animals…Ginger sent hers too but did not stay as loyally by my bed side (which does not mean her love for me is less, just different). The love of a dog, I fully believe, is a connection, an honor and has purpose.
Little miss Butterfly believes that if she presses her tushy against my shoulder, all of my pain will be relieved.
well said
Thank you!
Love it! She’s an artistic genius! I bow down before greatness. 🙂
She does have that special something, doesn’t she?
That’s great, Butterfly! Please send me a first row ticket when you have your first vernissage :o)
The question is, where do you put on a show of bathmat art?
vegas? or St. Ba(r)th?
Ha!
you look like a bath matt you are so cute woof
Butterfly actually IS quite absorbent!
how have you been feeling lately? Better I hope
Blogging makes me feel better, especially because it involves a lot of sitting down.
I love your post! My Banjo does this on the beds. It has never occurred to me to think of it as art! He goes to a lot of trouble to create his “bundles of art”; sometimes it looks like there is a person lying there,under the covers. I always have to laugh at the “creation” because of how hard he must have worked on it. Thank you for this new insight!
I’ve tried to take pictures of Cricket’s version of bedspread art, but it ends up looking like that picture from the Little Prince of a snake eating an elephant. Cricket is more about process, and Butterfly is more about result.
I never really thought about it like this before. Not that we have actual bathmats, it’s more on the lines of bedding that gets rearranged into various more comfy mounds for Maggie to settle herself in or prop herself against. She’s broody at the moment so all babies have their own little cocooned area.
I love the bathmat art pics, especially the tunnel and bridge!
It’s amazing how instinctively these doggies know how to comfort themselves. I’m always tempted to make myself an indoor tent, but I never follow through.
Lovely post!
Thank you!
Aw butterfly the artist! Lovely post. Poppy is a big fan of paper art also, she has a particular love of tissue art. She is advancing onto using my suede and leather coasters as media but I discourage that!
Leather work is very advanced! Butterfly has been keeping her eyes on the piles of fabric in Mom’s quilting closet. It’s getting dangerous around here.
Haha! Yes, the trails and tribulations of a teething puppy!
As a fellow claustrophobe I really loved this story – AND your girls’ ART!
I spent a lot of time in the MRI imagining foods I might eat afterwards, and Cricket and Butterfly kept running into the imaginary scenes and stealing my food!
Hope you’re ok… Those MRIs are awful!
I survived the MRI better than I expected to, but it didn’t clarify things for the doctor. The girls are making sure I get enough exercise, though, so I’m good.
Super cute and exactly how I would perceive the yarn while you were waiting! Yay for bathmat art and the love from our furry friends.
Thank you! Seeing that little piece of yarn was so wonderful. The only thing better would have been if Butterfly and Cricket came running into the room right after that.
I love your story! and yes, messages from the universe exist : )
Thank you! And, thank you!
Fabulous post! She is a true artist 🙂
Thank you! Butterfly is getting her brochure ready for the show.
Hi Rachel – Charmingly written (and illustrated.) I think your little Butterfly was with you in that scarey hospital space. I also think that some dogs do create art and that Butterfly has quite the future in front of her — as a dog, and as a dog who makes art. Good luck with the medical testing. Hope you’re feeling 100% very soon.
Thank you so much!
I can so identify. We have all kinds of doggie art. The paper art is a fav here. Luke, Daisy Mae and Trooper like to bring us “notes.”
Aww. I wonder if Butterfly has been trying to send us messages all this time!
That’s lovely. My little dog also likes sleeping on the bathmat, although so far she hasn’t displayed the artistic tendencies of Butterfly….. And she loves ripping up paper and cardboard packaging, which makes a terrible mess but seems to keep her happy.
Butterfly’s favorite environment is a floor covered with her paper art. And I do mean covered.
Another wonderful post, Rachel. Butterfly is quite the artist and how great of you to appreciate her art the way you do! I am always so touched by your outlook on life. Your writing gives me a sense of calm and peace. Thank you for that. 🙂
Wow! Calm, me? It’s all Butterfly. She’s the zen puppy. It would be great if it’s wearing off on me.
Coincidence? Probably not. Your Butterfly was hard at work creating her art, sending a little reminder with you for your testing…I will see you real soon Momma! 🙂 Tender post! Hope everything went well with your MRI! 🙂
There’s something really magical about Butterfly. It’s possible that she tucked a piece of yarn into my shoe before i left that morning.
Wouldn’t surprise us one bit!!! Enjoy your day!
Whenever there’s a thunderstorm, Pearl makes herself into a piece of living toilet-mat art by wrapping herself around the pedestal. I think she feels reassured by its cool solidity!
I love the way Butterfly communicated her reassurance to you when you were having your MRI. Dogs are very good at making use of the invisible connection they have with us – no over-thinking to clutter up their intuition.
I often think words do get in our way sometimes. Butterfly communicates so much with her eyes and her body language, and her magical electric currents.
Too perfect.
Thank you!
Wonderful post! And I agree, our animals let us know they are with us in spirit, when they cannot be there in person-I had a foxhound once who would remove the dishes and bowls from the table and carry them to a place in the dining room–he then arranged the bowls and plates in interesting patterns. I had the presence of mind to take some pictures of them-animals are creative beings too and have their own ways of expression just like us-I love Butterfly’s “installation pieces.” 🙂
Working with dishware is a high level of difficulty. The first time a dish fell to the floor, Butterfly would be running into the corner to hide. Bravo!
I have the same exact bathroom mat same color also and my BabyGirl has made her own artwork of this mat. My windows are brand new and it didn’t take long at all for the “girls” to design them with their nose art.
I wonder if there’s something in this particular bath mat, or the color of it, that encourages bathmat art. Maybe I should rethink replacing it just now.
Clever hairy people.
Very clever!
Bathmat art FTW! hurhur
This is a serious category of artwork. I expect it to be included in the MFA curriculum any day now. Just waiting.
Dogs are so special, and between them yours seem to cover every mood. It’s like she sent the bit of bathmat to let you know she was there in spirit if not in body. My dog has a thing for pillows. She usually just pulls the covers down and moves the pillow to the center of the bed, but once she put one in her “dog cave” (the area between the bed and the wall where she likes to sleep in the daytime.) She also arranged three of them into a triangle once and made herself a nest out of a blanket between them. They do get creative sometimes. No bathmat art from her, but the bathmat is her go-to sleeping place when she’s not feeling well.
Dogs are such great teachers about comfort and how to live life on your own terms.
It is great Bathmat Art ! How else could they express the artistic and creative side of their personality ? !!! They are such genius creatures ; my hubby keeps telling them ” I know you are humans others don’t … ” and we strongly believe it ! Have a splendid day, Doda 🙂
I used to worry that the girls weren’t getting enough of a chance to express themselves. No more! Cricket is giving a very articulate speech in favor of going outside every five minutes as I write this.
Good girl !!!! Cricket is a gorgeous hyper-active sweetie !!! Give her a big hug and love for me ~♥~♥~♥~
OH, I love the bathmat art! I hope your dogs are “with you,” at least in spirit, each time you need comfort.
The girls are staring at me right now. they believe breakfast should go on forever. You need a lot of calories to make good bathmat art.
🙂
Great article! I loved it! My dogs too are a fan of bath art 🙂
Thank you!
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Thanks Rachel.
Tweeted this lovely post 🙂
Thank you!
Love your writing and your sweet pups! And thank you for liking my painting of Peanut! If you like my style and ever find yourself wanting a painting of your own cuties, please let me know. I’d be honored. 🙂
Thank you! I’ll definitely keep the painting idea in mind for the future.
I just shared this to Twitter 🙂
Thank you!
And again 🙂
Yay!