Dogs . . .

Sunday's Gothic Arches theme was "Dogs", which gave me the inspiration to do something that I have been wanting to do for ages - - a tribute to another wonderful dog that ruled our home in a time now past. 

Meghan was a triple champion basset hound who was retired at age 4 when it was discovered that she could not be bred.  Her owners needed to find a good home, and we just happened to be looking to adopt an adult basset.   There is no way to depict just how gorgeous this dog was, and she was just as loving as she was beautiful.  I will never forget one afternoon when I had heard some sad news.  I was sitting in a chair, tears streaming down my face, and Meghan walked quietly over, stood beside my chair, put her chin in my lap, looked up at me with those liquid eyes, and howled the most mournful howling moan I had ever heard.  She was not merely extending her sympathy, she was participating in my sorrow.

Now that I look back, it seems that all of our animals have been rescues of one sort or another.  We had a poodle when I was growing up that was a gift from a family member of the breeder- -given away because her coloring was a bit off the mark and the kennel thought she might impair the strain.  We rescued her, the dog with the most extroverted personality I have ever known.

Then there was Lucky.  Lucky was a 3 year old retired Greyhound racer.  He was a beautiful brindle and I will never forget the day I accidentally dropped his leash as we were walking down our block.  It is true - - these dogs can clock out at 60 MPH.  I think Lucky was going about 45 when he finally turned around and headed back to me.  I was "lucky".  The former racers don't mean to run away, but sometimes they get going so fast and run so far that they become lost.  A person on foot could not keep up.  They do come when they're called, but early programmed instincts often set them off running, and when this happens, they don't respond to anything but their internal drive to keep on going.  He did have the open run of our back yard which is oval shaped, and when he'd get going around that oval, it was obvious that in an earlier life, this dog had probably been lucky for a lot of betters at the track!

That's enough talk about pet history.  It's sufficient to know that we've had dogs, cats, geckos. . .you name it.  In addition, over the course of every spring, we usually find a half-dozen birds that have fallen from nests.  They range from featherless newborns to downy little things that haven't yet learned to fly.  We are well known at the veterinarians in our area who accept these birds, rehabilitate them and reintroduce them into the wild.  One time we left a bird alone to see if it would be taken care of by its mother.  It quickly became cat food for a neighbor's outdoor cats, and we learned our lesson.

So it will come as no surprise to you when I end this post with a suggestion to help a fellow artist and animal lover, Bernie Berlin.  Some of you know Bernie.  Most of you know of Bernie, and those who don't, have probably at least seen her book "ATC Workshop", or her artwork in magazines. She's pretty incredible as an artist.  She's just as incredible as an animal lover.  Bernie runs "A Place To Bark", a non-profit, no-kill shelter and rescue for high-risk animals who would otherwise be put down.  Bernie has an opportunity to win a $50,000 grant for her shelter, but time is running out. . .in fact, it's almost over!   For each unique donor who gives $10 by clicking the donation widget on her website, A Place to Bark is one big step closer to the grant.  It is unique donors that are counted, not the total $$ contributions.  Every new donor gets her closer, and she has a very good chance of winning.  January 31 is the deadline, which means that for this to happen, it has to be done now.

There are other websites with A Place To Bark widgets.  Tim Holtz (clicking here will take you to the page where you can enter) is putting the name of everyone who donates to Bernie from the widget on his blog into a drawing.  When this is finished, the winner he draws will receive an incredible work of his art.  If you are interested, please read his blog page for information by clicking on his name (above).

I don't want to know who did, or did not contribute.  This is something that is pretty natural for me to support, and I'm sharing it with you for information, not to "preach".  So do whatever's right for you. 

For me, it's time to take a look at all the other Gothic Arches from Sunday!

Comments

[~*~ Patty]

Wonderful Meghan Doggie Arch!

[Sandy]

Oh my Gosh what a fabulous arch. The image is perfect. Great work.

[Judy]

What a way to honor your beloved dog - so precious!
And what a wonderful arch, too!
Judy NZ

[Hermine]

Beautiful arch.

[Debby]

What a beautiful arch and precious baby. Friends of ours just got a new basset hound puppy and he is just delightful.

Debby

[Kim Gibson]

What a great post, as well as a great arch! All my animals are rescues too, so I definately hear you! Thanks for the nice comment on my arch, too. Kim

[Myriame]

What a wonderful arch and great idea.

[Caryl]

Great arch!

[Eija]

Hello Barbara!
Great and bautiful card. I really like it.

[Filetta]

very beautiful arch and your dog is wonderful

[anne]

Oh Barbara, I read that with liquid eyes myself! My friend has a BH who is just adorable, just like your Meghan! Your arch is perfect, perfect! Your doggie absolutely beautiful, bless her!

Thank You also for your lovely kind comments on my blog - I'm going to check your link out now! ;o) x

[Leonie]

Wonderful arch, very good matching the theme.

[Rosie]

Barbara, what a joy to visit your blog and read - pet stories (MIL had bassets for years too!), your button dolls are really quirky and I love that birdhouse!
You yourself are an inspiration to me!! :)

[Linda M]

Very original! I really like your blue ribbon winning arch! Tee hee! I couldn't resist the pun!

[Linda M]

I love your original idea. It's a blue ribbon winning arch. I couldn't resist the pun. Tee hee!

[Cucu-]

Great arche !
I love basset, I have a dachshund : a sausage dog too ! ;)

[Frieda Oxenham]

Oh, your arch is gorgeous beyond words, Barbara, and I simply loved reading about your dogs, specially the greyhound. My darling Troi is just like that, she loves running huge circles in our field. She's from a rescue centre too. Her mother was a racer taken in by a greyhound charity and then produced 9 pups. Troi is one of them and she is my darling!! Thanks so much for sharing your pet stories!!

[Willy]

Wonderful arch and thanks for the pet history!

[Nancy Maxwell James]

thank you for sharing your pet story and beautiful arch with us! it touched my heart!

[Silvia]

Such a wonderful idea, love your doggy arch.