Through countless stitches, Denese Coster has created thousands of knits that have kept lost, abandoned and neglected dogs warm during the coldest of days.
For almost two decades, the 76-year-old has been making jumpers for furry friends in need, driving bags of her handmade winter warmers to The Lost Dogs’ Home each month.
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Denese loves knitting for dogs in need
(Image: Phillip Castleton)“I was at the home one day and saw a lady walking out with a little dog with a jacket on, so I asked the girls in the office if they had a pattern, which they were only too willing to give me,” says Denese, who lives in Burnside, Victoria.
Rarely without a ball of wool at her feet and knitting needles in her hands, Denese, who lives with multiple sclerosis, tells Woman’s Day she fell in love with knitting as a young girl when her grandmother and mother first taught her how to cast on – and she’s been knitting ever since.
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Denese’s dog Lucky models her beautiful coats
(Image: Phillip Castleton)“I’ve knitted a lot over the years, first with jumpers for the children. But I figure humans can mostly help themselves, but animals rely on us,” she smiles as her own rescue pup, Maltese shih tzu Lucky, curls up at her feet.
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The winter woollies are keeping pooches warm this winter
(Supplied: Lost Dogs Home)Delighted to be helping as many four-legged friends as she can, Denese has no plans to put down her knitting needles anytime soon.
“Seeing some of the adopted animals with the coats on gives me a great feeling of satisfaction knowing I’m helping make their life a little better,” she says.
“I’ll knit while I still can!”
How YOU can help!
Donate yarn to Woman’s Day, 54 Park St, Sydney, NSW 2000.
Send your knitted items to The Lost Dogs’ Home, 2 Gracie Street, North Melbourne, Victoria, 3161