Use BFF hair for awesome knitting

A recent study published in the Journal of Anthropological Archaeology reinforces the accounts of traditional histories regarding special wool dogs in northwest America.

Dogs were the only domesticated animal when the first peoples crossed from Siberia to North America 17,000 years ago. Early dogs were used for hunting, pulling sleds, and wool.

By examining 16,000 bone specimens, researchers were able to pinpoint two types of dogs that predate the arrival of Europeans. The first variety was a tall, rangy canine used for hunting and hauling. The second more common variety was a smaller, shaggy spitz-like dog. Sheared like sheep, the wool used for blankets, robes, and belts.

An 1828 journal entry from a Hudson’s Bay Co. trading post in British Columbia describes members of the Cowichan tribe traveling with dogs resembling Cheviot lambs shorn of their wool. In economies based on hunting, fishing, and gathering, textiles and blankets were their wealth and currency. Dog wool blankets and the dogs were very valuable. Biologists say the breed of “Salish Wool Dogs” went extinct after dog wool became obsolete caused by the flood of textiles from Europe in the 19th century.

Chiengora is the correct term for dog wool, and it is now enjoying a renaissance by contemporary weavers. Jeannie Sanke, the owner of Knit Your Dog, has a two-year waiting list for chiengora products.

Jeannie describes dog hair as wonderful material that is natural, clean, odor-free, and humanely harvested. The hair must come from the dog’s undercoat, not the glossy overcoat. She uses a brush, comb, or rake to harvest the hair.

The longer the undercoat is, the better it spins. Longhaired undercoat breeds like Chow Chows, Samoyeds, Golden Retrievers, and Collies have ideal spinning hair. Washing the hair multiple times gets rid of the wet dog smell. Hair is then carded, spun into yarn, and knitted or crocheted into a design. This gives new meaning to the saying, “hair of the dog.”

CAPS is closed to the public until Dec. 13, due to COVID concerns.

IN NEED OF

Folks who have run out of gift ideas for Christmas. Make this a Hairy Merry Christmas for our guests by donating to CAPS in someone’s name.

Aluminum cans. If you have cans to pick up, give us a call (775-423-7500) and we will come get them. You can also drop them off at CAPS.

Folks to sign up for AmazonSmile program before Christmas the details are below.

SHOUT OUT TO

The folks that gave donations in remembrance of Dr. Gary Ridenour. Kindness never fails!

COME SEE US

CAPS is closed until Dec. 13. We can’t accept volunteers until further notice. Call 775-423-7500.

DON’T FORGET

December Pet Holiday: National Dog Cookie Day is Dec. 8. Give your BFF a treat!

Register in the AmazonSmile program, a website operated by Amazon. Customers enjoy the same selection of products, low prices, and shopping features as on Amazon.com. The only difference is that when you shop on AmazonSmile (smile.amazon.com), the AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the price of eligible purchases to the charitable organization selected by you.

You can donate directly to CAPS on Facebook by just hitting the donate button. You are our guardian angels, and we thank you for your support!

CONTACT CAPS

CAPS’ mailing address is P.O. Box 5128, Fallon, NV 89407. CAPS’ phone number is 775-423-7500. CAPS’ email address is caps@cccomm.net. Please visit the CAPS website (www.capsnevada.com) and Facebook page (Churchill Animal Protection Society). Be sure to “Like” CAPS on Facebook because we are likeable.

Kathleen Williams-Miller is a CAPS volunteer. Contact me at jkwmil@outlook.com.