Missy and her 6th Anniversary!

The 18th March 2006 was the day we adopted our darling Missy from Battersea Dogs and Cats Home.
She was approximately 8 years old at the time.

A great day for all of us.

Here she is, the gorgeous Missy

and we had to buy a couple of toys and some chewy shoeys, didn't we?

Let me at him!

Straight for the jugular!

enjoying the shoe chew :)

Happy Adoption Day, our darling girl. :)
You've brought so much joy, laughter and love into our lives.

Thank you, Battersea, for keeping Missy safe in your love for two whole years, while she waited for us. We can't thank you enough.

xx

And something for Missy

Yesterday, you saw me swap a painting for a book, to help the dogs at Battersea.

Today, I want to show you what arrived in the post for Missy.
Sharon had two of my pen and ink drawings and in gratitude, she sent some toys for Missy - and some chocolate for me!

for me?

I'm not going to show you photos of me eating chocolate - but you can see some of Missy - my Battersea girl - enjoying her toys.

where to start?

the squeaker gets it

followed by the Flea

why did you train me to wait for treats?

A Home of Their Own

Anybody who knows me, knows how much I love dogs.
I am delighted whenever a rescue dog gets a chance of a new home.
I am a proud supporter of the work of Battersea Dogs and Cats Home.

Recently a friend fell in love with this painting and asked if she could buy it:


so I asked her if she would mind buying this book for me and we would swap..


This book tells all about Battersea's 150 year history, from its humble beginnings in Holloway, through the diabolical way society treated animals at the time of Charles Dickens - and how Dickens visit and support helped turn the tide in favour of the Home.

Its a heart warming read - and best of all, all royalties go to Battersea to help further their work on behalf of homeless dogs.
Click here to buy - shop for book



And here, for those who love her, is my own Battersea girl, Missy.



Two years safe in Battersea waiting for us, they kept her that long, trying to find her a home.
Four and a half years, safe in our love.


To see Battersea's site, read their current news and see dogs available for adoption, please click the link on the right under Favourite Sites.

In honour of Bill Tomei

In honour of Bill Tomei - and to bring comfort to his wife, Amy.

I need to tell you a story.....
recently Bill passed away and I made a blog post about losing a good friend who loved dogs.
Many people from many countries searched the internet when Bill passed and many came across my blog post. One in particular - Noel , who worked with Bill - was moved to leave a comment.

Noel left the blog via my gallery site and fell in love with two paintings, which he asked to buy.
I promised him that all proceeds would be used to sponsor a rescue kennel in memory of Bill, to honour his life and friendship.

Here are the paintings that Noel has had framed, and are now hanging in his house, across the ocean.



The monies were enough to sponsor a kennel and a half.
And this is where Marie comes in. Marie is a good friend, who I met through Bill because of our mutual love of dogs.

I explained to Marie what a wondrous thing had come to pass because of the blog post and as quick as you please, Marie offered to make up the cost of the second kennel, so we could sponsor it for Amy.


For love of Bill and Amy Tomei, some dogs in Battersea Dogs & Cats Home are now warm and safe - which I know will give them both great pleasure.
Why Battersea and not a US rescue? My dog came from Battersea . Bill and Amy both adored her - and any shelter which kept a dog for two years whilst it waited for a new home was a good shelter in their book!

In Noel's own words, re: Bill, Amy, the paintings and the rescue kennels : I think it’s a beautiful story. I tell everyone I know; feel free to pass it on.

It is a beautiful story - its the story of love.
Love.
Pass it on.
Just like Bill did. :)

Mia

Mia, gorgeous girlie - she's the first to be painted.

Mia was in a pound in Ireland that puts dogs to sleep after 5 days! That's all - just 5 days! You can read her story here

My Missy wouldn't have stood a chance - she was in Battersea for 2 years whilst they looked for a home for her. You can read her story here

God speed the day we humans stop seeing dogs as money makers and disposables - and in the meantime, thank Heaven for people like Pam who take on a rescue!

Kindly.. the drawing

Kindly..

was a Japanese Chin, greatly loved and sorely missed.

Kindly's owner worked in Battersea in the Veterinary department.
She was there when my Missy was resident, and had her in her care.

A small world that we should both meet on an online dog forum.

This painting is my thanks - in a small way - to the sterling job that Kindly's mum did for my Missy - and no doubt - for many other dogs.

Walking with the Chief

Missy has a second name, MissyChief.
That's because a little while after we adopted her, when she'd settled in, we saw the twinkle of mischief come back into her eye - which as terrier lovers delighted us.


We walk frequently and today we had a lovely experience. We met someone who Missy adores and this lady adores Missy.
Today, as usual she made a fuss of MissyChief then she said to me "Do you know, I hate jack russells!"
She went on to say "But I adore Missy. Jacks are usually so yappy and snappy, but not your girl. I love Missy. If she was the only jack I knew, I would have one.. She's a real credit to you"

She's come a long way from the girl we adopted from Battersea - but we always thought she had it in her.
Thank God they kept her for 2 years, whilst she waited for us.

Walking with the Chief, heads held high.
Now there's a painting I should make!

Whistle Stop Cafe - the Finished Painting

Here it is, the finished painting!
The letters are painted in green, outlined in gold and there are a few lines added to the window to give the illusion of glass.

I thoroughly enjoyed making this painting - but by far the best thing of all was that I put it in an auction of my art work to benefit Battersea Dogs & Cats Home.

In total that auction made £447 - which all went to help the dogs in their rehabilitation unit.

Dogs like my Missy - who did have behaviour issues - who, with some love and guidance is now the best little terrier in the world.