Blanky and Amanda, 7 I like my Blanky cold. Once it was sunny and hot, so I put him under the cushions of the chair. But I forgot. He was gone for about a month. I looked under the bed - he wasn't there. Then I heard him calling, "Amanda! I'm here, Amanda!"

When Jamie's Mom explained that his relationship with Bubby "was still the most important one in his life," I was intrigued. I couldn't imagine that the pristine teddy bear snuggled next to my 6-month-old son could look like this - or have such significance in his life.

I started seeing "loveys" (as I later learned they were called) everywhere - friends' children, neighbors, even my own nephew had one - and clearly they were "real" to each of them.

Originally, I thought these bits of worn cloth and fur would make beautiful photographs. I told my sister. "You ought to put them together in a book," she suggested. And an idea was born.

I didn't know photographer Betty Udesen at the time, but I remembered her work in The Seattle Times and felt she had a way of perceiving the extraordinary in the everyday. I inquired: Was she interested in such a project? She accepted, and we were off on this unusual search.

As word got out about what we were doing, adult friends began to take me aside and confess, "I have one, too." Betty and I were amazed to see how blankets and doggies and bears could be transformed over time simply by being loved. We discovered, too, how deeply connected these tattered little things were to the most intimate aspects of people's lives. We feel privileged to share their stories.

Chickey and Chris, 35 It was Easter when my brother got Chucky and I got Chickey - two rabbits wearing hats and bow ties. I can't remember why I named an earless rabbit Chickey, but now he's a fixture in my recording - making sure I'm keeping in touch with my roots. — Chris Ballew of the band The Presidents of the United States of America.

Blanky and Emma, 8 I love to sniff Blanky. I've spilled all my favorite goodies on her. When I get really sad, I come up to my bed and just lie down and smell her. Then I feel better.

Blankie and John Patrick, 9 Blankie's really fuzzy stuff - a bunch of string. I feel for just the right spot. I call it The Good Spot. About every week when my little brother wets our bed, I ask Momma to wash Blankie.

Purple Blankie and Keiko, 3 From the time she was about six months old Keiko would stick her finger inside the label on a piece of clothing and stroke her cheek with the silky fabric. One night, in a sleepy stupor, when I couldn't find anything else with a label on it, I gave her the nightgown I was wearing. She hasn't let go of it since.     — Keiko's mom
Asi and Miles, 12 I don't know how Miles got the name Asi out of "Blankie," but he did. It was quite innocent: a toddler trying to say his first words and the name just stuck, much to the amusement of all of us. — Miles' mom		Binky and Zoe, 7 Her American parents adopted Zoe from China when she was a baby. For awhile, I didn't know my mommy. Then she came. She didn't know what to do with me. She didn't know our language. She wrapped me in the blanket and walked me around. Wherever I went, it went. Binky makes everyone feel good. I wish it were bigger so more of us could share it.

Black Sweater and Amelia Rose, 9 My Mommy's love is in Black Sweater. I think that because when my parents were splitting up, it was winter, and my Mom wore it a lot. I'm sure I'll always have it. If I tore it or something, I would unravel it and make it into a blanket or something like that. I'd sew it into a quilt.

Doggie and Shane, 9 Shane was undergoing chemotherapy treatments when he was interviewed. I bring Doggie to every hospital visit. When I'm not feeling good, I rub my face next to his. When they put me to sleep, I lie on him and when I wake up, there he is. I sew him up whenever I find holes. I ask my Mom if I can get the sew box, and she starts me out and I sew him up. He reminds me of my Mom; that's the best thing about Doggie.

Beary and Kayode, 12 It's kind of cool to have something you've had most of your life - being 12 years old and still having Beary. He's not like any other bear because, like I pierced his ear and got him a Michael Jordan hat. Beary doesn't seem like he's a stuffed animal. He seems real to me. My brothers remind me that he's not. When I get really old, I'll give him to my grandson. But I'm not planning on getting rid of him anytime soon. I'm kinda ... sorta ... attached to him.

Jim Bob Jim Bob and Tim, 8 His first name is Jim and his middle name is Bob and his last name is Jim Bob. My sister says it's confusing. I would be sad if I lost him. I'll always have him. I'll always bring him around with me.

Doggie and Betty I got Doggie on my third birthday as a gift from my brother. Soft and friendly-faced, he became my immediate pal. I remember laundry days, the sight of Doggie pinned by his ears on my grandmother's clothesline. He's a wonderful reminder of my childhood. Suzie Doll and Barbara Santa brought me Suzie when I was 5. My Mom sewed all of Suzie's clothes, which is remarkable when I realize that there were four of "us girls" under the age of 7. Now my nieces and nephews are playing with her but I still remind them that "Suzie's mine!"

HARLEY SOLTES / THE SEATTLE TIMES

Photos from "Creature Comforts" by Barbara Collopy O'Halloran and Betty Udesen (at left) are on display at the Benham Gallery, 1216 First Ave., Seattle, today through April 27.

Barbara Collopy O'Halloran is a mom, writer and producer of film and video programs. She lives in Seattle. Betty Udesen, a photojournalist for 25 years, is an award-winning staff photographer for The Seattle Times.