By Jeff Barton In loving memory of my "Lilly"
Some fetishes feel cute or clever or beautifully carved.
Then there are the ones that feel personal.
Today’s featured fetish fits into that second category.
This cheerful holiday Dalmatian carving by Zuni artist Cody Nastacio instantly reminds me of the dogs who walk beside us in life, the ones who seem to know our moods before we do, the ones who become part of the family long before we realize it.
For me, that memory belongs to my dog Lilly.
Lilly came into my life around the year 2000. She was soft, sweet, loyal, and smarter than she ever let on. She had that calm, steady presence that only certain dogs seem to have. She was with me through moves, life changes, heartbreaks, and rebuilding. She stayed with me through some of the hardest moments I have ever had.
In 2015 we lost her after our house fire. The smoke was too much. Even now, years later, typing that still hits hard. But her memory has stayed with me. She taught me what loyalty looks like. She taught me what uncomplicated love feels like. Every time I see a dog fetish, especially one like this, I think of her.
This Dalmatian carving captures the best parts of the spirit of the dog.
Loyalty. Devotion. Friendship.
That steady presence. That quiet courage. That sense of being protected and understood without a single word.
Cody Nastacio carved this piece from alabaster and jet, with turquoise eyes and a coral tongue, and with a festive Santa hat that adds a cheerful touch. The look of it makes you smile, but the meaning behind it runs deeper. It feels like a tribute to every good dog that ever curled up by our feet or followed us from room to room just to stay close.
Dogs represent protection and companionship in Zuni tradition. They stand as guardians and guides. They are the faithful ones. The ones who stay.
So today’s featured fetish is not just a holiday piece. It is a reminder of the dogs we have loved, the ones who shaped us, and the ones who left paw prints that stay long after they are gone.
Here is to the little spirits carved in stone and to the bigger spirits that walked beside us in life.
Here is to Lilly.
And to every loyal friend who changed our hearts for the better.
If you want to see the carving for yourself, you can find it here on the site. It is a joyful little piece with a lot of heart behind it.
— Jeff Barton
Founder, Zuni Fetish Market