Dog Blog

Tuesday, October 28, 2014

BARK FOR ART!








I'm all set to lay down some colors on canvas in my new art studio with my best buddy, Beau.  He wasn't too sure about stepping inside, but a couple of treats changed his mind.  Next thing I knew he was lying on the new bed I bought for him to keep me good company while I paint.  Peaches may eventually set foot inside, but it will take her a long time to adjust to this new fixture in her environment.  She doesn't accept change well.  Finally, I have a space of my own to paint that's protected from the elements and where I can splash some paint around.  The paints are squeezed out on the palette, and I'm ready to try out some Daniel Smith water-soluble oils, which aren't as odiferous as regular oil paints.  Can't wait to get started!      

Monday, October 27, 2014

IT'S A WRAP!


Me with my painting, "Visitation," at the delightful artist's reception, It's a Wrap!, held at Rancho Cordova City Hall on October 21.  The art will be on display through January 9, 2015. 

My pastel was part of the exhibit of art done by Sacramento Plein Air Painters at Historic Kilgore Cemetery (Est. 1874).  Our models for the artwork were live ones.   
Happy Halloween!  

Saturday, October 25, 2014

FIGHTIN' WORDS


My copy of "Fightin' Words: 25 Years of Provocative Poetry and Prose from 'The Blue-Collar' PEN" arrived in the mail yesterday afternoon. I can't wait to delve into the book on this lovely rainy Sacramento morning. I'm honored to be published in this "crucible of California's most passionate writers," among the works of notable authors Norman Mailer, Kitty Kelley, Paul Krassner and over 100 others. Copies can now be ordered from Heyday Books. I hope you'll get yours, too!

Friday, October 17, 2014

HAPPY GOTCHA DAY, BEAU!


A blythe spirit--this is the same happy face I saw smiling at me through the chain link cage at the shelter on 10/17/2009 


Today is my basset Beau's 5th "Gotcha Day." Five years ago today I found the most wonderful dog in the world at a high-kill animal shelter in a neighboring town, where his prospects for adoption were slim. He was five years old and on his third strike as a stray. I always like to think he kept escaping his home because he was looking for a better one. His former owners wouldn't post his bail. I gave him his Get Out of Jail Free card; well, he wasn't exactly free. I paid $250 to adopt him. It was a lot of money for an older dog with a leg injury, and more vet bills followed, but I've never been sorry that I adopted him. He's the light of my life. 


Your new best friend is waiting for his (or her) forever home at a shelter. This weekend, you can adopt any pet for only $20 at any Sacramento animal shelter. Adopt two! Let's get out there and empty those shelters! But please remember that adopting a pet is a commitment to provide that pet the best life for the rest of its life. After what many of them have been through before ending up in a shelter, they deserve no less!

Thursday, October 16, 2014

DOG PARK BULLIES


I've said it before, and I'll say it again: I don't like dog parks. That was especially true after my sweet Beau got beat up by a couple of dog park bullies.  Two Australian cattle dogs jumped Beau when they perceived his happy, belly-up grass roll as a signal to attack him. Their owner was oblivious to what happened or just didn't care.  He kept on reading his book and made no attempt to control his dogs.  

I'm not going to take my gentle dogs into a canine coliseum for bloodsport; however, there aren't any other places in the city where you can let your dog enjoy a little off-leash outing without fear of a hefty fine.  Here's some advice from Modern Dog on how to spot and handle dog park bullies. 

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

IT'S A WRAP! FALL SHOW ARTIST'S RECEPTION


 
 
"Visitation"

Last Sunday I participated in a plein air gathering with other artists at the Historic Matthew Kilgore Cemetery, which was established in 1874.  Perhaps only pastellists could have appreciated the 30 mph wind that day, which blew the pastel dust away and just about everything else.  I attempted to capture the effect of the wind among the branches of the grand old eucalyptus tree.  It was a pleasant and, of course, very peaceful way to spend a Sunday afternoon.  I hope to join in some other outings with the Sacramento Plein Air Painters.  I love painting outdoors in nature's beauty.  Our artwork will be exhibited on the second floor of Rancho Cordova City Hall from October to January.  
 
ARTIST RECEPTION
5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 21
Rancho Cordova City Hall
FREE ADMISSION 

Music by:
Rancho Cordova Civic Light Orchestra

Rancho Cordova City Hall, 2729 Prospect Park Drive
Rancho Cordova, CA

EMPTY OUR SHELTERS THIS WEEKEND!


Happy Tails, along with the other local shelters are calling on the Sacramento community to once again #EmptySacShelters this Friday, October 17 to Sunday, October 19, 2014. Be sure to share with friends, family, coworkers, neighbors, and more! Together we can help hundreds of pets find their way into loving homes this weekend! 

The Empty Our Shelters Project will provide individuals and families the opportunity to
be a part of something BIG by helping to end homelessness for animals found in shelters. This weekend, participating local animal shelters will allow Sacramentans to adopt any animal from any shelter for just $20!

As part of the ASPCA Mega Match-a-thon, presented by Subaru, shelters from around the country will collaboratively attempt to place thousands of homeless animals into new homes over the course of just one weekend for the #ASPCAMegaMatch initiative. 

Adoptions will be held Friday - Sunday from Noon - 6pm at the Adoption Center located at 6001 Folsom Blvd as well as Saturday - Sunday from 10am - 4pm at PetSmart on the corner of Watt & Arden.  

For more information on #EmptySacShelters and for an up-to-date count of the number of animals adopted throughout the weekend, please visit SactoPet.net.

Tuesday, October 14, 2014

TOP 3 BENEFITS OF PUMPKIN FOR DOGS


Every Halloween, I used to carve a Jack o' Lantern for my dogs.  The tradition began with our first basset hound, Butterscotch, who just loved eating the pumpkin "innards." So did bassets 2 & 3, Dolly and Patti.  It was a tradition I looked forward to each year.  Turns out that pumpkin is good for dogs. Though it's not recommended letting them eat raw pumpkin, my dogs never had any problems with it.

Friday, October 10, 2014

DOLLY, THE DOG I'LL NEVER FORGET


On October 10, 1995, I lost my dear basset hound, Dolly, unexpectedly at the young age of six to Thrombopathia, a  hereditary bleeding disorder no one knew about at the time. Seeing the spark of life extinguished in those beautiful cinnamon eyes, like someone turned out a bright light in a room, affirmed to me the existence of her soul. Our time together was far too brief, but her memory and her influence in my life endure. If tears could build a stairway and memories a lane, I’d walk right up to Heaven and bring her home again.     

Thursday, October 09, 2014

TREAT RECALL ALERT!


Simply Nourish biscotti dog treats sold at PetSmart are on the recall hit list.

Tuesday, October 07, 2014

BASSETS IN NEED OF A NEW HOME


Please Help These 2 Dogs Who Lost Their Owner Find a New Home!
Emma-Jean is an older Basset Hound.  She is loving and likes to be indoors.  
Linda-Lou is a Beagle, with a bit of a thyroid issue.  She is very fat but also very loving and cute. 
These two dogs belonged to an acquaintance of ours who rescued Basset Hounds and has recently died.
Out of the 9 dogs he had, these are the only two that the SPCA would not be able to find homes for. 
If you or someone you know needs a companion, these two dogs would sure love to be that for someone.
Contact: Sandra Moylen
916-626-5238

Monday, October 06, 2014

THE BEST DAY OF MY LIFE


The star of this video is a bulldog, but I like to think that my basset hound, Beau, was thinking this on the October day five years ago when I adopted him at the shelter.  It was the best day of his life, and mine, too!