Ella's Portrait Ornament

I was really excited to hear from one of the parents at Daily Wag Doggy Daycare. Since I worked there, I know a lot of the dogs, and Ella was one of my favorites. So, I was thrilled to do an ornament for her dad.

Ella gives great hugs.

Indy Final Painting

I've finally finished my commissioned piece of Indy, the goose hunting black lab. It will make a great Christmas present for her dad, and soon I'll be working on her sister, Skye, a yellow lab and pheasant hunter.

I had to teach myself how to paint snow and trees. Backgrounds!

Christmas Rush

I got a couple of custom painting requests through Etsy, and I have to say, I love how the paintings turned out.

I'm obsessed with how cute this pug is. His picture, saucer-eyed and
head tilted, was to die for and what I always hope to work from.

Cricket was photographed in front of Red Canyon in Nevada.

The Indoor Cat Conundrum

"But he wants to go outside." "We live on a very quiet street." "It's cruel to keep her in." These are things said by people who would never dream of opening the door and sending toddlers to wander down the street on their own. - Why All Cats Should Be Indoor Cats

I came across an interesting article on the PETA website. While I'm not always too keen on their fanatically serious take on animal issues, I felt this article was a great policy for any cat owner. It explains the dangers of allowing a cat to go outside, and I couldn't agree more with their view on keeping cats indoors, unless under supervision. Onyx hasn't been outside while I've owned him, and I plan to keep it that way, until I can build him a little kitty enclosure in our future backyard. Or, the day comes that he learns to love the leash I purchased for him while trying to fulfill my desire for a dog.

He does occasionally get to wander into the hallway of our apartment building, but seems pretty relieved to be scooted back inside.

Does this face look like it could handle the great outdoors?

Sidenote: Image Googling "Cat Outdoor Enclosures" comes up with some brilliant, zany, totally over the top enclosures Onyx dreams of in his sleep. Check out some winners here.

A taste of the sweet feline life.