Forever In My Heart- Our Collaboration

I'm so excited about this project! In the past, I've done some 'Heart Dog' paintings, donating them to animal charities such as Pets Are Wonderful Support for silent auctions. People really dug them, and I got the idea to start making them with the help of my dog. I wanted to use his actual paw print for that part of the design, thus adding his energy to the mix, and making them more unique and authentic.  A true collaboration between two partners!

The Animal Healing Center, where we get bi-weekly acupuncture and massage treatments for Borias, agreed to display one, along with an info sheet about the paintings, and how they can help with his treatments. So I got to work on my first one with him, a 12"X12" canvas with acrylics. I spread paint on the pad of Borias' front foot, and placed it at the right spot. It looked so cool, with  some of his fur making a mark, along with his unique shape. 

The painting was up just a few days, when some orders started coming in. It goes right on our tab there, to help fund his treatments. And now I'm working on some larger ones, to put in a local pet boutique, and hopefully a few other venues.  I wrote a press release, polished with the help of a great writer friend, and have sent some out to local news sources. 

Hopefully this is something that could take off...I so want to be able to have this collaboration help other animals, too. A portion of all sales going to various charities.  I definitely want to keep helping PAWS San Diego. There's a new organization called FACE, that helps people who can't afford it with emergency vet bills, who might otherwise have to put their beloved pets to sleep. And a rescue group would be awesome. There's so many, I have yet to decide.  

I must say, though, I'm partial to one that's not local to me, A Place to Bark, in Tennessee. Bernie Berlin is a wonder woman of dog rescuers! I recently did an art piece for a booklet that's being sold to benefit this wonderful place. I got to meet Bernie and go out to dinner with some fellow pet photographers, and got to know more about her work. Very worthy organization. Check it out!

So, the details...these paintings come in sizes from 12"x12", to 3'X3', and are done with acrylics, finished with a glossy varnish. The colors can vary somewhat, but are done in shades of green, yellow and red. Some I make more earthy, some more bright and vibrant. The paw print is bright true blue. Prices start at $75.  Orders are usually finished within a week. 

Email me at tamandborias@cox.net to make an order, or if you have any questions.

Here's the sizes/prices

12X12 $75

18X18 $125

20X20 $175

24X24 $200

30X30 $250

36X36 $300

Grand Ol' Dam

A few days ago, I finally got to do something I've been wanting to do for some time; a photo session with Borias' wonderful mother. She's going to be SIXTEEN in October!! Unbelievable, huh? And for her age, she's really going pretty strong! Her back legs wobble, but she's still mobile. Inside, she's in good shape. She's on Adequan just like Borias, which helps her with arthritis. 

So Borias' breeder was coming down from Ventura county for a doctor's appt., and brought Rhena with her, so we could meet up at a park for the shoot. It was quite interesting that as we approached, and Rhena was being helped out of her crate to the ground, Borias started pulling me hard to get to her. He sniffed her intently, and I wondered if he remembered her. After all, he remembers his breeder quite well, and is always overjoyed to be reunited with her. I didn't let him get too friendly, however, so he wouldn't inadvertently hurt her. 

Actually, he seemed quite respectful of her personal space after that initial sniff. I tried to get him to lay next to her for a few photos, and he didn't want to be that close. Even at her age, she's still got a presence, and perhaps intimidated him a bit! I laughed when Kathy, his breeder, told Rhena to "platz", and she went halfway, still resistant, and having a mind of her own. Now there my boy is a lot like her. But when it comes to toughness, he didn't inherit that quality. He's kind of a ninny ; )

 

Rhena came to be Kathy's at 6 years old, after being with 5 other owners. She had had a hard life in that time, too, with some heavy-handed training. It was another one of those 'meant to be' stories. A beloved dog of Kathy's passed on, and there was room for another dog. Rhena had just been passed on to a new Schutzhund competitor, and he called Kathy, asking if she still wanted her. (She was available awhile before, but Kathy didn't have the room). She jumped at the chance, and brought Rhena home, promising her that she would be there the rest of her life. She turned out to be her dream dog. 

I'm so grateful that she gave birth to my heart dog. That her blood passes through his veins. Such a noble, beautiful girl, full of such grace at her advanced age. She was a great working dog, possessing a toughness usually only seen in males. In fact, she still marks like a male! 

And my Borias pees like a girl, and is a drama queen ROFL! 

I love how they have such individual personalities. Rhena has amazing character. Here's hoping that she makes it to 16, and I'm there to take more photographs at her celebration of life!

Aly, Kathy's daughter, Kathy, and Rhena.

Comic-Con with a Canine

Last weekend, the freaks, geeks, and superheroes invaded San Diego, in what's known as Comic-Con International. I went with Borias a couple years back, but just for a day, and didn't do all that much. This time, we went from Thursday to Sunday. 

What a madhouse!

I was lured by the panel guests there this year. A few actors and others that I already knew, and wanted to say hi to, if I could. Not always easy with all the security. The panel discussions were a blast regardless. Tim Omundson from Psych was on that panel. I've known him since my last dog, hanging out at the dog park, and his Xena days. Super nice guy. That was the first panel I saw, having missed Tim Burton (where Johnny Depp unexpectedly showed up! Argh!) because parking was a bitch. Towards the end of the panel discussion, Tim spotted me up front, and waved. Got a nice hug as he came out to look for me : ) I love watching him as "Lassie" on Psych. He's a really good actor, to boot!

Then in keeping with the Xena people, Bruce Campbell was on the Burn Notice panel. Wickedly witty, he's extremely entertaining in a panel. Some person yelled out "I love you Bruce!" and he pulled out some cash and walked over and gave it to them! I wish I could have met him again, it's been many moons since I last have. I love guys with a highly developed sense of humor. 

After that, Lucy Lawless and her husband Rob Tapert were on a panel for his new series on Starz, Spartacus, Blood and Sand. Which looks really, really cool! I still have yet to meet Lucy, (though there's been a few chances, I'm not the pushy type. She's got enough pushy fans clamoring), but Rob helped me pick out Borias' name, when I first met him at a Xena con, just days before I picked up my new pup. I had a choice of a few names, and he said he liked Borias, so that's what it was. Plus, he's had a German Shepherd, and seems to be a fan of the breed. Wow, hard to believe that was over 8 years ago already! 

I did get to see Tim Burton on a panel, with Elijah Wood. They have a new film out called 9 which looks really cool. Saw Peter Jackson, with his new alien theme film. I'm a big fan of his, too. Then I found out that Clive Barker was going to be there, and was super excited! I've met him many times through the years, starting back at Fangoria, about 16 years ago or so. (Ouch!) So when we meet, he's always quite effusive and gives me a kiss. I had painted a tshirt for him, with my heart dog design, but just didn't get around to sending it. So I was really happy to find out that he was going to be there the next day, too, signing autographs. I met his summer intern, a real sweetheart college kid, and we watched a Book of Blood film screening together. 

When I brought the shirt to Clive, I went up before he started to sign for people, and unfolded it to show him. I think he's a way better artist than I am, but it's cool to gift something you made to someone who inspires the hell out of you. He was really sweet about it, and gave me three big kisses, and signed several posters and promo cards they had. I think the people waiting in line thought it was pretty cool, too. One guy asked how I got him to kiss me ; ) 

Then I saw the panel for Glee, a new series that I just love. There's a character, a high school student on the glee club, that's in a wheelchair. A Fox exec that I thanked for the show informed me that there was going to be an episode where the cast spends the whole time in a wheelchair. Cool! I can't wait to see it. Glad to see Hollywood doing "normal" portrayals of disability. 

Another favorite show of mine is Weeds. That was the last panel, at night. Hunter Parrish and Justin Kirk were there, along with Jenji Kohan, the producer/creator. I was pleasantly surprised that she was female! Hunter and Justin are such cuties, and were hilariously funny. Of course, there was a lot of talk about, you guessed it, weed. Both guys stayed at the end to sign autographs and chat with people, and it was like a rock concert. Me and Borias were up against the stage, getting squished. The security guard kept yelling to watch out for the Guide Dog ha ha. I had the guys sign my lighter! Apropos, I figured. And Hunter's best buddy who lives with him, has a young German Shepherd, and was excited to meet Borias. LOL Hunter called him "Barrabas". I find it odd that that name is one that he's called mistakenly. Of all names. I wished I could have hung out and partied with them. That would've been a lot of fun, I bet. 

Even more, I would looove to somehow get on Weeds with Borias. Like, have him pulling me super fast through the frame, or have him steal someone's stash first, then take off running with me. Anything. Such a cool show. 

I miss my acting days sometimes. 

I got some fun pics of Borias at Comic-Con, posing with some characters. People cracked up when we passed by a Jar-Jar Binks head on a platter, and he pulled over to it sniffing curiously. Wonder what he thought. This Catwoman was very much in character when she met him, asking if he drooled, and commenting that he has a lot of hair. Very funny. 

It's so dang crowded though, I don't know if I have it in me to do one again. Extremely hard to get through the thick hordes with a big dog and a wheelchair! Plus, the smell of the thick hordes in the showroom....well, just ewww. 

But we had a blast!