Cambridge woman bringing woolly warmth to rescued animals

She was meek and underweight. Her fur was thin.

After adopting Jasmine from Helping Paws Rescue in December, Cambridge's Tammarishka Kerman thought her new dog could use some warm woolly sweaters.

She reached out to her local community and asked for gently used or end of the skein left over wool for her beloved 8-pound, four-year-old poodle.

“Miss Jazzi, as she is now called, needed some sweaters. I really believe in buying second hand. I didn't want to pay the crazy prices for pre-made clothes from the pet stores and online,” Kerman said.

“I wanted to re-purpose and use what others were going to toss aside from prior projects. Wool from old sweaters can also be reused. And the price of wool right now is crazy expensive. So, I put it out there, asking for help.”

Kerman said the support received has been overwhelming.

“The response was beyond words. It is so heartwarming. I now have bins and trunks of wool,” Kerman said.

“Not only did I receive end of skeins, but I received bags upon bags of brand new, excellent quality wool, in all kinds of colours.”

So, Kerman decided to pay it forward and has picked up her needles and hooks to support Helping Paws Rescue in Vienna, Ontario.

Helping Paws Rescue is a non-profit, no-kill, 100 per cent volunteer-run animal rescue. Its mission is to rescue homeless and abandoned animals, spay, neuter, and provide medical care, and then place them in foster homes until they are adopted.

The rescue relies on the kindness and generosity of animal lovers who open their hearts and homes to take care of animal orphans that need help.

“People have also offered to knit and crochet, which is really amazing. Right now, I’m making flowers and leaves for dog ears and neck bands as well,” Kerman said.

“I am going to be knitting and crocheting my way through all the wool.”

Kerman is also busy making sweaters, hats, tutus, and ear bows.

“If I receive more wool donations, I may make some little blankets for the ‘little ones’ car beds,” she said.

Kerman said since rescuing Miss Jazzi, she has found her happy place in wearing her fancy new clothes.

“When we got Jazzi, she was traumatized. She is still adjusting, but she has already come a long way. She’s the same dog, but with a new life. She’s a diva. She loves clothes and she loves being brushed,” Kerman said.

Kerman already has a six-year-old Portuguese water dog named Oscar, her companion and service dog.

“I live with invisible disabilities from a previous brain injury, and I have anxiety,” Kerman said.

“Because of my memory issues, sometimes I forget to eat or take my medication, Oscar reminds me. He’s always there, looking after me.”

Kerman said she had her sights on a smaller dog, to be a support along with Oscar.

“There is a difference between physical support and emotional support and Miss Jazzi, she really does provide that emotional support for me. She’s my little lap dog,” Kerman said.

“When I saw Miss Jazzi, I felt a big thank-you. I looked at her, and I knew that we are going to love each other. I just felt her heart, and that was it.”

Today, Miss Jazzi has found her own personal position as ‘stress management junior executive’ while Kerman works from home.

And not only does she snuggle with her big new brother Oscar, but Miss Jazzi continues to learn from him.

“The intention is not to be a service dog. Jazzi will be in school, and she will work with a behavioralist,” Kerman said.

“She has come along way. She is starting to gain weight and the vet is very happy with her overall health.”

After starting her own fundraiser in support of Helping Paws Rescue, Kerman said anyone can donate and help bring some woolly warmth to animals that need it.

“Donate wool or your skills. Even if you want to knit or crochet, I can provide the wool. This rescue is constantly receiving animals and they need our support,” Kerman said.

“Living with what I live with, people gave me another chance and helped me start a new life and that’s what we need to do for these animals. Like many of us, they too, have been through a lot. They need our help, and they deserve to receive love from us.”

Kerman believes that ‘you can’t buy love, but you can rescue it’.

“And I truly believe in rescue,” Kerman said.

“Bringing Miss Jazzi home, I think we rescued each other.”

To donate and to learn more about supporting Helping Paws Rescue, visit here.