One Spring Chicken. . . and One not so Spring-ey

This is Reese. She's the Spring Chicken. She's about 13 weeks old, a Chesapeake Bay Retriever, in for her puppy vaccination.


Don't let that picture fool you. She was all excited and wouldn't be still. Most photos looked like this-

So we ask that all too familiar question- "Self, WWCND?"
(What Would Chuck Norris Do?) if you aren't familiar with lazy typing and talking to one's self.

And Chuckie would shoot a quick 8 second video before the camera batteries die. . . . .



and that brings us to the NOT so Spring Chicken.

This is Coaster. She's about 13 1/2 years old, Basset Hound. That's as old as dirt, if you are wondering. About 85 in people years.



I am not certain if her age is correct though- she's been through 2 or 3 families. It might be a guesstimate, could be off a little.




She used to mostly red and white, with a little black. Now, she's almost completely gray. But she's like Timex- she keeps on ticking. She's boarding for a few days. She thinks she's at a Spa.

Beagle, anyone?

This is Stormy. He's a stray that showed up at a client's house Friday. It was storming, hence his name. They already have 3 other dogs, and 4-5 cats, so like the Inn at Bethlehem, they are about full.



They brought him in yesterday to have him checked out, and are going to try and find him a home rather than send him to the pound. I am posting his photos here and there, and on petfinder.

He's approximately a 1 1/2 years old, from looking at his teeth. Not neutered. He doesn't have any intestinal worms and is heartworm free. He got his vaccines while here too.


He gets along well with their other dogs and cats.



If anyone is interested in adopting him, or know someone who might be able to take him in, like a foster situation, let me know.

She Wost Her Widdle Puppy Face

Remember Sasha? You first saw her back in October I think, when she was in for her puppy vaccination. This was her then.


She came in last week to get spayed, and was back today to have her sutures removed. She's gotten a lot bigger since then, and has lost her puppy face. She's still a sweetie though.

Well, I'm back from the Atlanta Gift Show, blah, blah, blah. . .

Back to the old routine. Christmas, New Year's, and the Gift Show all sort of ran together- one weekend to the other to the other.

I did get time today to make some pocket mirrors, and a bottle stopper with the basset hound painting from last week. I think they turned out nice.



While I had out the camera, I though Sunshine was going to commit Harey Karey right out of the chair. But she didn't. She managed to stay in it somehow.


There are more photos of her at Flickr.


PS. Some asked about the Grey Tabby tote bags before the holidays. The few samples that I had made, sold a long time ago, I think I have 2 pillows left.



A company got in touch with me during the Gift Show, and it looks like they might be available in the future. Perhaps with a few other designs as well. This is all new, and I still have to get the agreements and contracts, etc., but if it works out, hopefully they will be available in stores late summer or fall. I don't want to jinx it, but wanted to mention it, since people asked and I didn't have an answer at the time.

It was a Chihuahua Afternoon. . .

These photos didn't turn out very well, so you'll just have to pretend they are perfect, sharp, and clear.

First Tuki came in. 9 weeks old, 2 1/2 lbs., in for her puppy vaccination. Her diamond collar is a little large. Just a tad.



Then it was Peanut's turn. 5 months old.

His right eye is a little red and weepy. He has a tiny ulcer on his cornea. It should heal in a few days with a little ointment.

Basset Hound

Happy New Year, Everybody!!!!

Enjoying this nice summer weather we are having? I think that it is possible to die from suffocation by putting too many blankets, comforters, and down comforters on the bed. And this can happen before getting warm.

I was contacted last week, maybe week before, asking about Basset Hound paintings. It was from a Breed Rescue Group in NY, who is coming to the Atlanta Gift Show this week. So I said, no, but I'll see what I can do- as I need an excuse to paint something. So I went searching for reference photos. Found this one of a basset named Penelope.



So Penelope got yupo-fied in paint.

Portrait of a Basset (varnished watercolor on Yupo board, 5 x 7 inches)
$95 plus $6 domestic priority shipping

I have to say though, that blue background on my monitor looks garish in some areas. I should print the file and see how it compares to the original. The original is a dark blue that looks really nice with her fur.

You'll probably see this on pocket mirrors, coasters and bottle stoppers in the near future, along with a print. If you are interested in purchasing the original, I will be listing it in my Artfire shop.

Merry Christmas Everyone

I am on dog and cat patrol this weekend, but I hope everyone traveling has made it safely to where they were going, whether it be with family, friends, or just home. And if you are traveling tomorrow be careful and stay safe.

Here's wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New Year.

Cricut Machines- How Come Ya'll Never Told

Me about these? Ya'll all have one, don't you? And were keeping the secret to yourself, lol.

If you are clueless, as I was, their website is here.

I am not big into the scrapbooking, so I am a bit behind the times. However, I need to repaint the office sign. The last time, 3 or 4 years ago, I painted it by hand, transferred the letters, used two colors. It took forever. I didn't mind doing it so much, and I saved some money rather than getting a sign shop to do it.

Well, I was looking for a way to cut a stencil or cut vinyl letters for the sign. And for about the price of a sign, I could buy the machine. The cricut expressions cuts 12 inches tall and up to 24 inches wide. So that is perfect.

I can also use it for other things- it will cut shapes laid out with Illustrator for art licensing. Manufacturers can't always imagine 2-D artwork on a 3-D product. So I think it will be helpful.

So I have been playing with it for a few days, along with sure cuts a lot software that runs on my computer. The software keeps me from having to buy all the little cartridges.

Look at the name tags I made for the nieces and nephews' Christmas presents. Wrapped up with brown paper and string. The letters are sort of welded together, both the top layer and the shadow layer underneath. And then glued together.



Pretty neat, huh?

Meet Miley

This is a little stray Beagle that stayed here at the hospital last night. We nicknamed her Miley. She's got what is commonly referred to as "cherry eye". It's a prolapse of the third eyelid. Fairly common in beagles, cocker spaniels. Easy to correct with a laser- just zap off the extra tissue.

Poor Thing. She's very scared and shy.




Another beagle, her brother maybe? , got ran over on the highway.
So she laid beside him, next to the highway, for 2 days. She finally let someone catch her yesterday. And they brought her here until they could figure out what to do with her. Which was a good thing as it was raining cats and dogs last night, the temperature dropped close to freezing, and the wind was blowing like crazy. My neighbor's tree fell on my roof, and damaged part of it, but that is a different post for a another day. *Sigh*

That's about the 3rd one that has fallen and the first one that has really damaged anything.

Someone who has Beagles, as hunting dogs, is supposed to be picking her up this afternoon.

Happy Holidays! Happy Holidays! May the merry bells keep ringing. . . .

Hello everyone.

It's cold and rainy here today. A good "build a fire and drink hot chocolate" day. Or bourbon. Totally your choice.

Got up your Christmas decorations? I put up a wreath in the waiting room and that is about as far as I have gotten. The waiting room is sort of small, so it's hard to fit in a tree. Cats get in it, kids get in it, dogs try to water- you know how it goes. So I try to put up a nice wreath so that it at least smells like Christmas.









My cousin in California has made some glass tile pendants and magnets with my artwork . They are brand new today and are listed in her Etsy shop. My proceeds are donated to the Art Helping Animals charities. So if you still shopping for small gift items, click on the photo below or this link- BGifford.Etsy.com