I'm so glad you found your way to this page! Come on in, sit down and let me tell you about Clyde, the cute little guy in the graphic above.

Clyde belongs to Erin and Eric and I first met Clyde when Erin's mother commissioned me to paint his portrait for Erin and Eric's first wedding anniversary. (In case you didn't know, the first anniversary is symbolized by paper and I thought a portrait was a very clever gift idea!)

I was deeply touched when Erin's mother told me how much Clyde was loved and what a rotten beginning he had. She told me that when Erin first saw Clyde in the animal shelter, he was shaved to the skin. Not only was he shaved to the skin, that skin was covered in scabs where he had scratched himself raw due to a flea allergy. He must have been a sorry looking mess! But, out of all the dogs in that shelter, Erin was drawn to Clyde. She looked past the scabby, hairless exterior to see the gem Clyde would become. Now Clyde is a happy, healthy dog with a full, luxurious coat. They tell me he's as smart and loving as he is beautiful and they wouldn't trade him for anything!

If you're searching for a family pet, please consider your local animal shelter or humane society first. Like Erin and Eric, you may be surprised when what looks like a lump of coal turns out to be a valuable diamond!

If you feel you must have a specific breed and your shelter doesn't have it, please consider a breed rescue organization. So many people buy a purebred dog on impulse then decide they don't want it. There are rescue groups who specialize in fostering specific breeds and they will work diligently to place their rescues in loving homes.

Please think through your decision to get a pet carefully. Consider the time one requires for feeding, grooming and exercise and the expense of veterinary care. Think about where it would stay when you go on vacation, what will happen if you have a new baby, if your job requires you to travel - consider all the elements of your life now and what you think they will be in the future. If you still want a pet, be prepared to honor your committment for the life of the pet.

And please, please have your pet spayed or neutered. You may want to experience the thrill of birth with your pet "just one time", but think where those puppies or kittens could end up. Remember, very few find good "forever" homes and the shelters are overcrowded as it is!


Thank you, Erin and Eric, for being such caring and responsible pet owners and thank you for allowing me to tell Clyde's story.

I would also like to tell you about a friend of mine who volunteers at a shelter. She was called at home one day and told that many of the dogs that she had come to know and love had to be euthanized to make room for a rash of owner-surrendered and stray animals brought into the shelter in one day. Needless to say, she was extremely distraught. I couldn't do what she does but there is an article posted at a dog group that explains how these selfless volunteers and staff keep going despite the emotional upheaval they all experience. Please take a look HERE then give your pet an extra big hug.