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“Hope (Poncho),” 5x7, red merle cattle dog pet portrait in acrylic on canvasboard, $90. Inquiries to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . Proceeds from the sale of Poncho’s painting will go to the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary.
SOLD.

Poncho’s story warmed my heart from the get go. I stumbled across it (and Best Friends Animal Sanctuary themselves) while googling for training suggestions and tips geared specifically for neurotic cattle dogs (that’s another story altogether!). But back to Poncho - here’s an excerpt from his bio on the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary site:

“Poncho nearly died on his rescuer’s lap!....(he) was found with lots of broken bones, and a rope around his neck that he seemed to have chewed through.
A senior citizen picked up the “stray” and rushed him to the vet, on his lap. But the limp dog kept seeming to die on him. His rescuer was terrified by the time they made it to the vet’s office.
It took more than 5,000 dollars of surgery to put Poncho back together again. His rescuer paid it without flinching. But he was worried. At their age and in their health, could he and his wife look after a one-year-old dog? When it became clear that Poncho was still hurting and still needed more medical work, they asked Best Friends to take him in to the Guardian Angel program…..
Poncho cried when his rescuers walked away. And so did they….”

Never fear though, as there is a Hollywood style ending. A few weeks ago, after another 8 months of rehabilitation, surgery, therapy, and tons of love and attention, Poncho found his new forever home, complete with a 4-legged sister. You can read his entire saga on the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary site at: https://www.bestfriends.org/guardianangel/index.cfm?csid=1636&csii=1638&csit=Set

How can I possibly follow up this story? I simply offer you a sweet little painting, a face of innocence and trust, a symbol that even the deepest hurts eventually dull. Poncho’s story reminds me there is always the chance for a new beginning.

Thanks, as always, for looking.
And for sharing these paintings with your friends and family.
And for caring about our four legged companions,
Kim

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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