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"Kitty Baroo," 6" x 8", tortoiseshell tabby cat portrait, featuring a cat from the Oakland Pet Adoption Center, acrylic on board, $199 to the first buyer. $38 from the sale of this painting will be donated to the Oakland Pet Fund (http://www.oaklandpetfund.org/) in support of their efforts to make Oakland County Michigan a no-more-homeless-pets community by 2010. Inquiries may come to me at ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com .
SOLD.

This beautiful cat was in a crate with what I presumed to be her daughter, a slender, younger and careful shadow. Entranced by their matching markings, I aimed my camera. At the first click of the shutter, the older cat twisted her head around sideways, doing a perfect Baroo. She held her head at this ridiculous angle and then squinted her eyes down and smiled (no joke, I have the photos to prove it!). She kept leaning over, further and further, until she flopped on her side, stretching her front paws out towards me. She eagerly batted at the camera strap and told me the story of her life while the younger cat began purring behind her.

I was asked yesterday how I can go into the shelter regularly. It is so difficult, I don't want to undermine that aspect. You look into these animals eyes and you see they are lost, some are hurt, there is confusion. But I also see resiliance, determination, and forgiveness. Readiness to start again, a clean slate. Having a second chance isn't so bad. Yes, there are those who's second chance doesn't come, and for them my heart cries. It makes me want to work a little harder, share my resources a little better, and hope that things will be different one day. So I'll continue to go into the shelter, and I'll continue to paint in support of animal welfare and rescues. And I'll also remain grateful to all of you, the dog-a-day community, for your generous support of the project.

On that note, a very warm thank you to new collectors Ellen Gray and Rhodora Black for their purchases of "Tickhound" and "Hope," respectively.

Thanks as always for your time. Your notes make my day, and I love that the Painting a Dog a Day project has resonated with so many of you. Please continue to share the paintings and stories with your friends and family, and together we'll be able to make a few more tails wag!

Talk to you tomorrow!
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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