I dearly love animals, cats, dogs, horses, birds, chickens and wild things...
but they don't mix with quilting, unfortunately.
Only one of you mentioned the distinct smell that animals leave behind when they sleep on a quilt or fabric.
The owner can't smell it anymore because they are used to it. Fortunately the smell will go out when you wash it - usually...
but the smell of a big dog can be quite strong. Or the odor from a litterbox....both can be absorbed by fabric,
In fact sometimes even new fabric has a wierd smoky smell,
which is one reason every quilter is advised to pre-wash it.
If you have pets and are making quilts to be a gift or sold, add an extra row of stitching around the quilt near the binding, and wash it, (maybe even twice) especially if it is meant for a baby, or small child.
Did you know that the reason some animals love to hang around your feet or sleep near them is because they love their smell?
If they fuss, give them an old smelly shoe!
Please don't hate me!
I am one of those (not blessed) that has an unusually strong sense of smell...
I can smell if your cup of coffee has sugar in it or not...or it is pigs, or it is cows that live in that barn over there across the fields I am driving by...
Don't ever wish that dogs ever learn to talk!