| I know from my experience as a pet | | | | almost as though the animal is waiting |
| portrait artist, that dog portraits are | | | | for the portrait to be completed before |
| truly the best gift! When my phone rings | | | | they pass over. In one case, I arrived |
| and I hear the person at the other end | | | | to take the photo of an aged kitty who |
| of the line describe a relative's or | | | | was over 21 years old. I felt strongly |
| friend's dog, I know that this person | | | | that she would wait only as long as it |
| feels as I do - dogs (and all other pets | | | | took for me to capture her likeness on |
| for that matter) are people too! | | | | canvas before she would cross over the |
| There are many reasons why portraits are | | | | Rainbow Bridge. It wasn't long after her |
| the very best gift. A painting which | | | | guardian received the painting that the |
| captures not only the likeness of a pet, | | | | kitty did, indeed, make her final |
| but also their spiritual nature can help | | | | journey. |
| ease the grief a person feels after | | | | Another reason these paintings are such |
| their beloved companion has crossed the | | | | fabulous gifts is that they are |
| Rainbow Bridge. One thing I cherish | | | | long-lasting. Paintings can last for |
| about my profession as an artist, is | | | | generations and bring to mind fond |
| that I love connecting with the animals' | | | | memories of a life of shared experiences |
| energies as I paint, especially for | | | | and touching moments. |
| animals that have just made their | | | | One of my clients asked me to paint a |
| transition. I sometimes feel that it's | | | | portrait of every animal her family had |
| the animal, themselves, who have brought | | | | ever had and place them on one canvas! |
| a client to me to commission a portrait | | | | The painting consisted of a bird, horse, |
| to help heal their guardian's broken | | | | cats and several dogs. After she |
| heart. | | | | received her portrait, she told me that |
| Here is a quick story to illustrate my | | | | her two daughters wanted it written into |
| point. | | | | the woman's will as to who would receive |
| I was commissioned to paint a memorial | | | | the portrait after she and her husband |
| portrait of Bear, a Kuvasz -a large, | | | | had passed on! It was then I knew, these |
| white breed of dog originally from | | | | are not ordinary gifts. |
| Turkey. I'd never heard of this breed | | | | A third reason why pet portraits are the |
| before and did some research before | | | | best gift is that they chronicle a life |
| starting the painting. As I was waiting | | | | well-lived. Action portraits are one of |
| for my client to come to our respective | | | | my favorites. Who can forget the moment |
| meeting place where I would deliver his | | | | when a horse strides easily over the |
| finished painting, I was thumbing | | | | jump, the agility champion races passed |
| through our local Dog Nose News. Lo and | | | | the weave poles, or the puppy or kitten |
| behold there was an article entitled | | | | is caught tangled endlessly in a ball of |
| "Compelled to Rescue" and that month's | | | | yarn? One client of mine wanted his |
| subject was - you guessed it, the | | | | Schipperke painted with all of her |
| Kuvasz! I excitedly pointed the article | | | | stuffed toys around her. She looked so |
| out to him and sure enough, he contacted | | | | adorable with her black fur against the |
| them later that day and ended up driving | | | | soft pastel colors of a duck, a bird and |
| over 300 miles to rescue a senior | | | | a chicken! |
| Kuvasz. Was it just a coincidence, or | | | | As you can see, there is an alternative |
| did Bear really bring him together with | | | | to another collar, leash or food bowl |
| a new friend? | | | | which is available to dog lovers and pet |
| Sometimes very old and frail animals | | | | lovers everywhere! |
| will have their portrait painted. It's | | | | |