Goodbye to My Happy Abby

My artist muse, and very best girlfriend is now at the Rainbow Bridge awaiting my arrival someday. I'm sure she is happy and healthy and playing with Tilly and Frank until I arrive. 

I adopted Abby six years ago and every single day was joy. I promised myself that I would make the most of every day she was with me. I did that and am so glad to say I have no regrets. She passed with me beside her, my hand on her heart in the early morning hours on Sunday. I am so glad that I was with her. 

She is my heart dog. 

Are You Ready For Valentine's Day?

A Custom Pet Portrait Gift Certificate could be just the right gift for your Valentine!

Check out these great portraits below, all done from your photograph!

Visit our studio store to learn more! 

Compassion Fatigue, Happy Abby, Links You Need to See

Compassion Fatigue - Do You Know When to Take a Break?

Cher of Second Chance Boxer Rescue - Cher is looking for her "Furever" home!

This week there was an event in the Tampa area involving a Boxer, her pups, and a two year old child that did not end well for all involved. I am not going to go into all the specific details because this event is not what I want to discuss. I follow many animal rescues, shelters and their caregivers. I see the many animals that need our help. To be clear, I do not directly work with a rescue or shelter although I have rescued two Boxers. I do not know what it is to do this first hand and I am in constant awe of the people who give all their free time to help these animals. 

There are periods of time I try not to dwell on the links on Facebook, but in the one mentioned above the video started playing automatically and I watched and read the events that played out. Who knows why some things touch us more deeply than others but this one got me. And it made me think. Do we know when to step away for a bit so we can care for ourselves? 

"Compassion Fatigue" is a real thing and it's not just about those who sacrifice and care for their fellow human beings. It also effects animal care givers. 

“Compassion fatigue is an occupational hazard of our work with animals, whether you are an animal control officer or kennel attendant in a small town or an internationally recognized veterinarian. Our work requires that we compassionately and effectively respond to the constant demand to be helping to those who are suffering and in need.“ - Jessica Dolce

So I'm wondering. What do you do when you become overwhelmed? Do you unplug so you can take some time to care and reward yourself for all that you do? Because you should. Only when we are at our best can we give our best to others. 

Read more about Compassion Fatigue here: The Fatal Epidemic of Animal Care Workers that No One is Talking About

Links You Need to See

Looking to wallpaper a room? Well I don't think you could go wrong with this lovely paper designed by Julia Rothman. 100% of the proceeds go to help pups in need! And while you're at check out her site, she's done some awesome work!

Dog Park Wallpaper by Julia Rothman

If you are looking for some other creative stuff with the pup theme you would do well to follow my Pinterest board - "Stuff for Cool Dogs and Their Skin Families"

Follow Evelyn McCorristin Peters - Contemporary Art's board Stuff for Cool Dogs and Their Skin Families on Pinterest.

Follow Evelyn McCorristin Peters - Contemporary Art's board Contemporary Pet Portraits by Evelyn McCorristin Peters on Pinterest.

Happy Abby Hits Mains Street

Happy Abby has won third place at the annual Art Uptown Dog Day's of Summer! Join me this Friday August 7th, 6-9Pm for the opening reception!

 

PLEASE SHARE

"White God" Trainer, Art in Embassies Program, Are You Prepared, Links You Need to See

Training Dogs for "White God"

I have a confession. I do not watch movies with dogs or read books about dogs. I have dogs. I help rescues and shelters with my art. I see the good and the bad and when it comes time for a little escape I don't want to see or read about animals, it just gets too emotional. That being said I have heard amazing things about this movie. So if you do watch movies about dogs, you should check it out.

This week Terry Gross of Fresh Air conducted an interview with the woman who trained the dogs, Teresa Ann Miller...

White God is about a dog who is separated from his owner (Zsófia Psotta) when her father forces her to give him up. Teresa Ann Miller worked as a trainer for the Hungarian film.

ArtSnacks

This week I will receive my first box from ArtSnacks! ArtSnacks is a monthly subscriptions service for artists? Interested? Click on the photo for more info. 

A monthly serving of the best art supplies

Do You Have a Plan?

Storm and hurricane season is here. You have a plan for your human family, do you have one for your pets? After hurricane Katrina the government recognized the need for shelters that take pets. There are some available but they are limited and will fill up fast...so what will you do if the time comes? Take the time now to get a plan together. I have emergency kits ready to go and two collapsible crates if we ended up in a pet friendly shelter. Here's a brochure from Ready.gov. 

Would you like to have your art shown in the U.S. Embassy in Paris or Moscow, Ankara or Budapest? 

Since 1963, the U.S. State Department has run a program called Art in Embassies (AIE) that showcases the work of American artists from various media in exhibits all over the world. Interested? Click on the photo above to learn more. 

THANKS AS ALWAYS FOR STOPPING BY AND PLEASE SHARE WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY!

STAY IN TOUCH