Getwell Gifts for Buddy

I have found that many people, not just me, love our dog, Buddy, and are wishing him well and speedy recovery from his surgery. We are receiving 'get well' gifts from the neighbors, left on our doorstep, and from the soccer parents! Makes a mom proud! (Told you he was special.)

Here's the last of my three-part series "Bouquet for a Mom", just in time for Mother's Day. Let me know if you are interested.

colored pencil on MiTeints

9 x 12"

For the Love of Dog

Our dog, Buddy, who is one of the best dogs ever (in our humble opinion), had to have knee surgery last Thursday. As some of you know, I ran my first marathon last fall and Buddy was my short distance (no more than 2 miles) training partner. Well, apparently, you can wear out your dog's knees just as you can your own. So, having had some knee problems myself and knowing how painful one can be, we decided to get Buddy the operation.

Now, I am not a "dog lover". I feel about dogs about the same as I feel about children: I do not automatically love all of them, just my own and a chosen few others. But, working in a home studio every day and being with this wonderful animal everyday has made him very special to me for his unfailing companioship and unconditional love.

That said, I really missed Buddy while he was away at the vets. I worried and thought about him a lot and kept expecting him to be under my feet at any moment. When I finally was able to get him on Friday, he was in a lot of pain even with lots of meds, and I just sat with him all day and all night. He cried constantly; what a helpless feeling.

He has rebounded, though, and by Sunday was trying chase bees and groundhogs in the yard dragging that leg behind him. We have had to restrain him from more of that! So, hopefully, I am through the round-the-clock dog nursing and can get back to making more art.

Here's another "Bouqet for a Mom". Hope you like.

Bouquet for a Mom II

colored pencil on MiTeints

9 x 12"

Buddy post op

Bouquet for a Mom

Here are the last two phases of my work in progress of "Bouquet for a Mom". Initially, I thought I was finished with this piece below. But, after looking at it for a day or two, I decided to darken the background a bit more and now I am satisfied with it. Hope you are, too. Let me know.

A Bird in the Hand

Bouquet for Mom - WIP (2)

colored pencil

Oh, Spring! Warm temperatures and sunshine - finally - here in Columbus. What's not to love. So, yesterday, I flung open the doors and windows (screens aren't it yet because last week it was snowing) and enjoyed the day.

We left for the evening, and on our return discovered there was a small wren flying around the house! Now, normally, not a big deal....unless you have a 95 lb. labrador retriever named Buddy. He did his best to retrieve for us, knocking things over and jumping on any furniture that would hold him. There was much running, screaming and dog retrieving on our part, too.

We were able to get poor Ms. Wren out the door and our dog calmed down. When we awoke the next morning, Ms. Wren was outside our window singing loudly to be let in. Maybe she enjoyed the thrill of the chase as much as Buddy did.