Dog Tired by Anne Zoutsos

Dog Tired by Anne Zoutsos - 5" x 7" (approx) oil on hardboard/masonite

I think there can be few creatures in this world who live life to the full as much as dogs! They seem to wake up full of optimism and ready to laugh with joy at the slightest prompting - when I say laugh, I am sure dog owners will know what I mean. They need so little to make them happy. Yet, they are also ever ready with solicitude when an owner is sad; instantly prepared to give up their games in order to give comfort. How fortunate we are who own dogs - lucky us!

Perhaps then we should repay some of the happiness given to us so freely, by helping dogs whose owners haven't been able or willing to give even the little that dogs need. This painting has been created with the intention of raising funds for charity and 10% of the purchase price will be donated to Old Dog Haven who do such a wonderful job helping senior dogs enjoy the lives they deserve. If you don't wish to purchase a painting at the moment, perhaps you could spare the time and just a little money to visit their site and make a donation - I know it will be very welcome.

SOLD

This painting is straight off the easel and will need to dry for a few days before shipping

My thanks to ricardo-pereira at Flickr who provided the photograph on which this painting is loosely based

Spotted! by Anne Zoutsos

Spotted! by Anne Zoutsos - 5" x 7" (approx) oil on hardboard/masonite

Spotted indeed! Not only in appearance but also having been caught coming down the stairs from having a sleep on my bed! She shares a sofa with her mother Hazel but it seems that sometimes she finds that it isn't soft enough for her and so takes herself upstairs to stretch out in comfort on the duvet. Oh well, I don't really mind. My dogs are loved - unlike some others. The donation from this painting will be going to Save The Dalmatians to help in a small way in their constant efforts to help members of this loving and sensitive breed in need. If you click on the link it will take you to their website and if you're not really looking for a painting at the moment, maybe you could spare a donation direct to them.

SOLD

This painting is straight off the easel and will need to dry for several days before it can be shipped.

Thank you for looking

Little Friend With Bells On by Anne Zoutsos

Little Friend With Bells On by Anne Zoutsos - 5" x 7" (aprox) oil on hardboard/masonite

I saw the little spotted toy in the painting several years ago and of course immediately bought it! When you press its paws, its ears rotate, jingling the bells tied on them, and it plays Christmas tunes - it has a small selection of them which I can't remember off-hand although I know 'Jingle Bells' is one of them. I love this little ornament/toy - well not so little really as can be seen - but Angel isn't quite sure about it when its ears move around and I don't leave it for her to play with as if I did, I don't think I would have my lovely little Christmas companion for very long!

10% donation to Save The Dalmatians once sold

SOLD

This painting is straight off the easel and will need to dry for several days before it can be shipped

If you're not looking to buy art at the moment, perhaps you could spare the time to visit Save the Dalmatians and maybe make a donation to them direct? Every dollar counts.

Thank you for looking

Parson Jack Russell Terrier by Anne Zoutsos

Parson Jack Russell Terrier by Anne Zoutsos - 5" x 7" (approx) oil on hardboard/masonite

This is my second painting featuring the little Parson Jack Russell, Ditto. This time I have altered the photographs kindly sent to me by Anne Stark of the Pipers Whippets and Dachshunds by changing the lighting and background - and adding a little bit of the terrier's head which had been cut off in the photo. I find it a very interesting exercise to change the lighting in a painting to see what differences it can make to the whole atmosphere of the finished work. I think this is something I shall explore in different ways in the future and in fact already have plans for a very unusually lit painting - watch this space!

I find the atmosphere in the painting reflects warmth and contented alertness.

A donation of 10% will be made to Old Dog Haven once this painting is sold - a charity giving comfort to homeless dogs in their senior years. Please consider giving this very worthwhile charity a donation direct to them at their website.

SOLD

This painting is straight off the easel and will need to dry for several days before it can be shipped

Pretty Bubbles In The Air by Anne Zoutsos

Pretty Bubbles In The Air - 5" x 7" (approx) oil on hardboard/masonite

I find that a great many dog paintings and drawings are not quite to my taste, being somewhat overly cute. I must admit that occasionally I am in a particularly sugary mood and may paint one myself (!), but generally prefer to paint different aspects of dogs. I particularly like to portray the relationship between human and dog but I also sometimes enjoy painting something which is just unusual. The painting above depicts of course a chocolate labrador, but the addition of the bubbles blown into the painting, add visual interest and I can't help wondering what the lab is going to do next...

Once this painting is sold a donation of 10% from the profits of this painting will be made to Malibu Pet Companions. This charity funds medical care for homeless sick and/or injured pets.

SOLD

This painting is straight off the easel and will need to dry for several days before it can be shipped


My thanks to Geoff Steams at Flickr for the reference photo of the labrador used in this painting

The Power of the Dog

I was just sending a message to someone who has recently lost her dog and I thought of this poem - it's a poem I often think of, albeit usually just the first verse. I thought you might enjoy reading it again - as I am sure you all know it well. I cannot myself read it without tears!

The Power of the Dog

>> Rudyard Kipling <<

There is sorrow enough in the natural way
From men and women to fill our day;
And when we are certain of sorrow in store,
Why do we always arrange for more?
Brothers and Sisters, I bid you beware
Of giving your heart to a dog to tear.

Buy a pup and your money will buy
Love unflinching that cannot lie --
Perfect passion and worship fed
By a kick in the ribs or a pat on the head.
Nevertheless it is hardly fair
To risk your heart for a dog to tear.

When the fourteen years which Nature permits
Are closing in asthma, or tumour, or fits,
And the vet's unspoken prescription runs
To lethal chambers or loaded guns,
Then you will find -- it's your own affair --
But . . . you've given your heart to a dog to tear.

When the body that lived at your single will,
With its whimper of welcome, is stilled (how still!)
When the spirit hat answered your every mood
Is gone -- wherever it goes -- for good,
You will discover how much you care,
And will give your heart to a dog to tear.

We've sorrow enough in the natural way,
When it comes to burying Christian clay.
Our loves are not given, but only lent,
At compound interest of cent per cent.
Though it is not always the case, I believe,
That the longer we've kept'em, the more do we grieve;

For, when debts are payable, right or wrong,
A short-time loan is as bad as a long --
So why in -- Heaven (before we are there)
Should we give our hearts to a dog to tear?

Well, I must say I sometimes wonder at the foolishness of loving a soul whose lifespan is so short. I suppose it is only the reasonable price to pay for a love which is so freely given.

On a less somber note - happy 4th July to all my friends in the US !!!