"Thank You (Poncho)," 4" x 6", cattle dog pet portrait, acrylic on canvasboard, not for sale.
Poncho is an extremely special dog, with an equally amazing story. Of course his life intersected with Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, where he received expert care for numerous injuries. One of those injuries required multiple surgeries followed up with quiet recouperative care.
Those of you who know cattle dogs know that they do not do anything quietly. Yet the staff at BFAS were able to limit Poncho's activity levels without the little guy going insane from lack of exercise. The story of his recouperation was highly entertaining - the things he would try as an outlet for his energy and the counter-actions the staff used to help curb his behavior made for great reading (although I perhaps enjoyed it more so because I have a cattle dog of my own).
What warmed me the most about Poncho's story, though, was how he made it to the sanctuary in the first place. Poncho was literally collected off the streets, seriously injured and near death, by a couple who spared no expense in getting him immediate and proper veterinary care. They fell in love with him, but also realized that they were not in a position to meet the dog's needs from an activity standpoint. Being as Poncho needed continued long term care to repair his injuries, they were able to get him into Best Friends.
The staff at Best Friends say that there was not a dry eye when the couple left Poncho at the sanctuary. Even the dog howled pathetically as they left.
Poncho has since healed beautifully and found a forever home.
But I often wondered about the couple who cared enough to pull over on a dark night and welcome a stray dog into their lives, no questions asked. I decided to paint Poncho, as a small token of appreciation for their kindness. The staff at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary will forward the painting onto Poncho's original rescuers on my behalf.
There needs to be more folks like these in the world. Lord knows, there are far too many dogs like Poncho.
Thanks, as always, for looking.
And for forwarding these stories and paintings to your friends and family,
Kim
PS Credit is due to Molly Wald, staff photographer at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, again for sharing her photos and granting permission for me to paint from them.
Kimberly Kelly Santini
http://www.turtledovedesigns.com/
distinctive pet portraits
& 4-legged paintings
http://www.paintingadogaday.com/
come. sit. stay.
enjoy the art.
Founding member of the Canine Art Guild
http://www.canineartguild.com/
the gateway to canine art on the web
Poncho is an extremely special dog, with an equally amazing story. Of course his life intersected with Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, where he received expert care for numerous injuries. One of those injuries required multiple surgeries followed up with quiet recouperative care.
Those of you who know cattle dogs know that they do not do anything quietly. Yet the staff at BFAS were able to limit Poncho's activity levels without the little guy going insane from lack of exercise. The story of his recouperation was highly entertaining - the things he would try as an outlet for his energy and the counter-actions the staff used to help curb his behavior made for great reading (although I perhaps enjoyed it more so because I have a cattle dog of my own).
What warmed me the most about Poncho's story, though, was how he made it to the sanctuary in the first place. Poncho was literally collected off the streets, seriously injured and near death, by a couple who spared no expense in getting him immediate and proper veterinary care. They fell in love with him, but also realized that they were not in a position to meet the dog's needs from an activity standpoint. Being as Poncho needed continued long term care to repair his injuries, they were able to get him into Best Friends.
The staff at Best Friends say that there was not a dry eye when the couple left Poncho at the sanctuary. Even the dog howled pathetically as they left.
Poncho has since healed beautifully and found a forever home.
But I often wondered about the couple who cared enough to pull over on a dark night and welcome a stray dog into their lives, no questions asked. I decided to paint Poncho, as a small token of appreciation for their kindness. The staff at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary will forward the painting onto Poncho's original rescuers on my behalf.
There needs to be more folks like these in the world. Lord knows, there are far too many dogs like Poncho.
Thanks, as always, for looking.
And for forwarding these stories and paintings to your friends and family,
Kim
PS Credit is due to Molly Wald, staff photographer at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, again for sharing her photos and granting permission for me to paint from them.
Kimberly Kelly Santini
http://www.turtledovedesigns.com/
distinctive pet portraits
& 4-legged paintings
http://www.paintingadogaday.com/
come. sit. stay.
enjoy the art.
Founding member of the Canine Art Guild
http://www.canineartguild.com/
the gateway to canine art on the web
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