I love dogs! I always have and now that our nest is empty, Coach and I have become quite attached to a couple of minature schnauzers, named Abby and Mitzi. I like the way they get so excited everytime you walk through the door! Even if it 's only been 10 minutes since you last saw them. Dogs make the nicest companions! I've often thought we humans could learn a thing or two from our four legged friends. For dogs live simply, love generously, care deeply and speak kindly (accept when the neighborhood cat's come over our fence). If a dog was the teacher you would learn things like:When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.
Enjoy the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face.
Take naps.
Stretch before rising.
Run, romp, and play daily.
Thrive on attention and let people touch you.
Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.
On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.
On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.
When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.
Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.
Be loyal.
Never pretend to be something you're not.
If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.
When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by, and nuzzle them gently.
I had so much fun painting this pooch, that today I decided to have a PET PORTRAIT GIVE-A-WAY!
So starting right now, anyone who would like to have a 8 x 10 oil painting of their favorite pet, simply leave a comment. Please tell me a little about your special critter! Feel free to tell your family or friends that might be interested too. DEADLINE for entries will be this Sunday, June 21 @ 12:00 PST
The WINNER will be announced the following day!
If you win, I will need you to mail/email a 'good, close-up, color photo' of your pet's face.
So you might want to snap a few shot's this weekend, just in case!
Can't wait to read your pet stories......
Hi Roxanne
ReplyDeleteOooh it would be so neat to have a portrait of my little Lola girl! She is very dear to my heart and so loyal to me....she is a small yorkie and is full of energy but also takes many naps during the day. She is a "purse" puppy and has travelled many places with me - Las Vegas, Nova Scotia, PEI, Oregon, San Diego, etc. You don't even know she is there because she doesn't make a peep - and she prefers to lay inside her purse while in the car with me as it is her "security" place. So, I hope that I am picked because I have many pictures to choose from - it is going to be hard to pick just one!
Thanks for the give -a-way!! :)
By the way, great portrait of your daughter's dog!
XOXO
Rochelle
Hi Roxanne,
ReplyDeleteI've been following your blog (and amazing creativity) when I learned about you from my husband's aunt Debbie who lives in Midland. Anyway, I am the lucky mama of a golden retriever named Maggie. One of my very favorite things on this earth is when her tail begins to wag happily the second I walk towards her for a hug. :) Such a simple pleasure that always puts a smile on my face. More times than not, I feel that Maggie takes care of me, rather than the other way around. My hubby is in the Air Force, and when he's gone, she's always here to greet me when I come home. She was born in Omaha, is now a Sacramento dog and in July will become a Hawaii dog. I can't wait to watch her run on the beach! Anyway, I love her to pieces, and our life definitely would not be the same without her! Thanks also for sharing your creativity on your blog!
Kristin W.
Hi, Roxanne,
ReplyDeleteI love your blog, you are so talented. I would love to have a portrait of our Long-haired minature Dachsund named Dixie. My oldest daughter (who just graduated from high school and leaving for A & M in the fall) got her for her 11th birthday. This crazy dog has become such a part of our lives. She is spoiled rotten and has the whole family wrapped around her paw. She has honestly been one of the best dogs we have ever had....she plays, begs, and makes the best leg warmer.
Please enter me in the give-away.
Thanks,
Dawn
Oh what a wonderful portrait! I would love to have one of my sweet Jules. She is the sweetest cuddly dog that thinks she is a lap dog but really weighs 45 lbs. I let her sit with me anyway. She fun, energetic dog with lots of love to give. We love having her in our house and couldn't live without her.
ReplyDeleteLOVE It! Yeah for Griffin! The wonder-dog. I tried to get her to look at the computer to see her picture but her head is being very resistant to the bending... so maybe she can see it later, when it's on the wall.It will be nice for her to have someone to talk to while I'm gone.
ReplyDeleteI did tell her about the portrait and she said she hopes you don't paint all the wrinkles in her face, she just wants to look youthful, you know? silly doggy.
Thanks Mamma
Our big man, Harley, has been so left out since we had our first child and with the second on the way who knows how his going to feel. He was a pride and joy and the baby until Malachi came along. He has so much personality that you just have to love him. It would be a blast to have a beautiful portrait of the old man.
ReplyDeleteHi Roxanne,
ReplyDeleteThis is Lucy Spurlock...the cutest little ShihTzu in the whole world! I am brown and white and have the longest lashes you have ever seen. Today I am at the spa (Diamonds in the Ruff) getting groomed and pretty. If I win your portrait giveaway, I will have mommy take a picture of me with my pearls around my neck! Mommy bought me on her 50th birthday because she told daddy she was going to buy "anything she wanted" on that particular birthday! Anyway, I am the sweetest and cutest thing you have ever seen and I would be honored to have you do my potrait! Mommy said she would throw in a lasagna diiner for two if you just happen to choose me! I love you Roxy!!
This has got to be the best giveaway ever! I cannot tell you how much I'd enjoy a painting of my sweet little guy Jake!
ReplyDeleteJake is the best dog ever, the dog we got from the pound 3 years ago, and the namesake of my blog...Lindanjake.
Last October Jake ruptured a disc (while we were out of town and he was being boarded at the vet) and required immediate attention by a specialist. We rushed 3 hours away to a neuro specialist who confirmed that Jake was now paralyzed in his hind legs and 1) we could pay big $ for surgery that probably wouldn't work or 2) we could put him to sleep, which was their recommendation by the way. Long story short, we could no way put him to sleep and we did go ahead and pay the big $ for the surgery. The surgery didn't help and he is paralyzed but we had to give him the chance.
Jake can no longer walk, cannot go to the bathroom on his own (I have to express his bladder throughout the day), but he's loved and he's a happy dog.
Jake is a tremendous amount of work as it's like we have a newborn, not a dog, but we are committed to him and we are the ones that chose this life for him by not putting him to sleep. We figured he'd tell us if we did the right thing by him...and he tells us everyday...with his kisses!!
Hey gurl, going through the death of my Mom was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do. Many a day, one of the poor cats subbed for a tissue, as I wept into his or her fur. But, they responded (as they most always do) by leaning into me and purring gently. They often sought me out, as I roamed the house or curled into a chair, and they were the soft, quiet company that I needed those many days, as I worked through my grief. My B & P (cats) provide my hubby and I with laughs and love. Pets do bring such a joy to our lives. What a wonderful contest, would be fun to win. Thanks
ReplyDelete-c
yappingcat
Hey Roxanne, I just love your spirit and joy for life! Hello to Mary too. I was in Carol Marine's class in Salado. Was so glad to hear that it took you a while to paint again too. That's all I want to do but, alas, work! So glad to have met you. I think you're so talented. Mary Sue
ReplyDeleteI can't begin to explain how much I would love an oil painting of my English spaniel, Spencer. Though no longer living Spencer will always live in my memories! Being single with no children, Spencer was my family. I have many beautiful photos that would work perfectly! If I don't win I will gladly pay you to paint his portrait. It would me the world to me.
ReplyDeleteThanks,
Debra Crawford
Wow Roxanne! What a give-a-way! You're going to have people fighting for this one!
ReplyDeleteYou did a great job on Griffin and I can't wait to see the results of this.
Miss you!
My dog Simba is seriously the cutest dog with the best personality you'll ever meet! People are always amazed by her everywhere we go. Simba is 14 years old but still acts very young (except for all her many naps). She's just a mutt who looks like a combination of a terrier, lhaso apso, etc. She LOVES everyone she meets and is super smart. Her trademark is that she loves to give hugs for attention. Being as old as she is, we know she probably doesn't have too many more years, so we would love to have a beautiful painting to always remember her by and what joy she always brings.
ReplyDeleteOh no! I have two babies! An almost eight year old chihuahua, Kinny Wayne and a five year old peakapoo, Chandler Bing. Maybe any mini miny moe will work? Both babies are addicted to green beans, popcorn, vanilla wafers (reduced fat, of course), chesse and snausages. Kinny can usually be found napping while Chandler stares out the window barking at rabbits.
ReplyDeleteWe'll be keeping our paws crossed!!
Hi, Roxanne! It's Sara from "The Football Wife". My nutty Maltese Toby would love to have his portrait painted! It is hard to sum up Toby in just a few lines -- he is clever, devours pencils, barks incessantly, will do anything for a belly rub, snuggles like an infant, and is afraid of water. He loves going for walks, sits at the piano bench when I give lessons, and has recently learned that if he sits on his back legs with his front paws in the air that the baby will feed him crackers from her highchair. Hope he wins!
ReplyDeleteMy Golden Retriever Mylie is truly mine and my husbands pride and joy! She is so beautiful, kind, friendly, and hilarious! She smiles 24/7 which is why we call her Smiley Mylie :o) Everyone who meets Mylie just falls in love with her! I can't look at her without getting a huge smile on my face! We are moving into our first home next weekend, and I can't tell you how much I would LOVE to have a beautiful portrait of Mylie to hang above our new mantle! You really are very talented, I love the portrait of the Boston Terrier! Too cute!
ReplyDeleteHi Roxanne,
ReplyDeleteI found your blog via a friend-of-a-friend. What a fantastic giveaway! Our 2 ½ year old chocolae lab mix is our "baby" and spoiled rotten! It would be so wonderful to have a portrait and forever keepsake of our Dakota. We adopted her at 8 weeks old from the Enid SPCA when we were stationed in Oklahoma (my hubby is in the Air Force) and she has since traveled with us to Alabama, New Mexico, and Washington. She certainly keeps me sane when the hubby is away and I can't imagine life wihout her sunny personality and sweet disposition. If/when we do have children someday Dakota will always be our "first child". :)
Roxanne!
ReplyDeleteYou are SO generous! While I would love to have a picture of one of my two dogs I am entering for my Dad. He is single and retired and his German Shepherd, Buck, is his entire world! So much so that all of his travel plans have to revolve around places that are “dog friendly.” Some days I think I would like to trade places with Buck because he has it so good. Buck truly is man’s best friend and I would absolutely LOVE to be able to give my Dad a beautiful painting of his faithful friend.
Blessings,
Kristin
How could I pass up a chance to add "Parker Jones" to your growing list of potential winners! She is a pistol, Mom's best friend and as my friends remind me "I am so out of the will". She gets it all. ;-)
ReplyDeleteShe is a very good "dog" with a daily mission - protect Mom, guard the yard from critters and nap. She is a working dog for sure! To date she has killed a gopher, a opossum, and 1 bird who just didn't get off the ground fast enough. She is full of humor, expression and understands everything. She is of the Jack Russell breed and was lucky enough to be found in a Rescue Shelter by a woman with a loving heart & in need of a companion.
sending hugs/love to all
Nancy
Wow! Another contest..neat-o!
ReplyDeletePenny is my 2-year old, blonder-than-blonde Golden Retriever and those who know me would tell you she's the light of my life. She graces the homepage of my blog with her clownish grin, she speaks a thousand words with her eyes and facial expressions, and she is one of my best friends. I have not seen her soft, sweet face in 10 days because we have been out of town and I'm counting down the hours until we can pick her up and bring her home! I had Penny-withdrawl so bad while we were gone that anytime I spotted anyone with a dog I would beg them to let me pet and love on theirs. When I say I love dogs, it is the understatement of the century.
Penny is special to me since she is my first experience at motherhood. She is the first puppy I ever brought home and had to be responsible for. I had visions of bringing home a sweet puppy and frolicking through a field of flowers. It was quite the opposite. We had no bond, I didn't know what to do, and I felt lost and stressed out. I lost so much sleep at night because she cried in her kennel and I didn't know what to do.
Two years later I look back and realize that that's what being a mother must be like and I got a little taste of it with Penny. After the rough patch at the beginning, I now can't imagine life without her. Somewhere along the way, we bonded and I became the apple of her eye, and she the apple of mine. She wants nothing but approval and love from me and in return, I get a best friend.
Hi Roxanne! I was just introduced to etsy in March and enjoyed looking through all the pet portraits on there! I had hoped to find a print of one similar to my Yorkie but didn't find any Yorkie's at all! This weekend I was introduced to Our Huddle while at a Coaches Time Out conference with my Coach! We got to hear Carolyn and Randy Allen share~ It was wonderful! After 16 years of marriage/coaching, 4 children, Sally - our cat and first baby, Lady - our golden retriever that loved us through the hardest years of coaching/raising babies, and Sparky - our Goldendoodle that needed more time/energy than our coaching family could provide and now enjoys being the love of a mountain community, we have finally found "Cliffriando - Cliff for short" the perfect fit at the perfect time in our family~!! Our 2 year old, 10 lb Cliff is the apple of my 6'2", 270 lb coaches eye! My husband has never had time to discover he really IS a dog guy until Cliff. After 5 years of being a head coach he has finally relaxed into being able to take a little time for himself and to enjoy the comfort that this little guy can provide! Cliff doesn't care how many Championships are won, how many touches our running backs are getting, how many players get D1 scholarships each year, or how much money still needs to be raised!!! He simply loves my Coach like nobody's business. His favorite thing is to go to the fenced in practice field to walk with us where he can run with reckless abandon! He is like a little gift dropped straight from Heaven specifically for our family. He has the spirit of a wolf~our team mascot of course~, the kindness of our golden retriever, but the perfect little size that allows him to use all his energy following me up and down the stairs all day! He loves to play with my 13, 12 and 11 year old boys by literally throwing his whiffle ball all over and beating them to it! He is also the perfect companion for my 8 year old daughter and will oblige her every whim even if it means he is the main guest in a baby doll high chair at her tea parties. My favorite thing is at night after my husband falls asleep, Cliff will take his nose and dig through the covers, get his body tucked in with his head out of the covers and wedge himself right under my Coach's arm! They are two peas in a pod and my husband will finally admit that he is absolutely smitten with our family companion! I would love nothing more than to hang a wonderful, funky little portrait of our spunky little Cliff in our home! What a fun contest! Thanks so much for the opportunity to give Cliff a little recognition as a most valued family member!!!
ReplyDeleteI would love to have a painting of my sweet cat Reagan (he's republican too!). After getting married I really wanted to get a cat, but my husband was dead set against it. I was teaching 1st grade at the time so I decided to teach my students how to write letters, starting by writing one to my husband telling him why I needed a cat! They wrote the best notes, and even included pictures of my "exhilarated" face when I got a cat! He finally gave in, and some of the kids actually cried when I had a picture of the cat in out classroom that Monday morning after bringing him home. 3 years later and they still email to ask about Reagan! Now, Reagan keeps me company in Germany while my husband is TDY or deployed!
ReplyDelete