Art for Animals
Painting a Pretty Picture for Unwanted Pets
January 8, 2006 : 12:00 AM
As a dog mom to a 17 year old terrier mix who is the love of my life, I am heartsick whenever I hear about an older dog, cat, or any animal who has been living at a shelter for several years simply because they are "too old," or may have special needs requiring extra care.
Thank God for places like Best Friends where senior animals can live out their days surrounded by love and good care, but it would be wonderful if many of these special animals could find a loving home to live out the rest of their days.
To help make that dream come true, I plan to paint portraits of a few special animals that have been waiting much to long for the loving home they so deserve.
I am calling for submissions of photos and stories about adoptable animals who have been at a shelter for 2 years or longer. Perhaps the animal has special needs (i.e. blind, deaf, etc), or it may be (for reasons unknown) that they are less attractive to potential adopters.
I believe that "beauty is more than fur-deep," which I plan to illlustrate by painting the "true colors" of these special animals. Upon completion, the paintings will be posted on my website, as well as the site of the affiliated shelter or rescue group. Prints of the paintings will be available for purchase, with 25% of proceeds benefitting the affiliated organization.
Please email good quality photos and stories to me at Karen@painting4paws.com. The animal must be residing at a shelter, not at a foster home.
Painting4Paws—Art with a Cause
http://www.painting4paws.comArtwork benefitting animal welfare & rescue groups
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Comments
January 10, 2006 at 1:01 AM
posted by: cyrusm
Karen, what a great project! Every revolution in history has had it's art, and the Kindness Revolution will be no different! Your work is beautiful and also packs a real revolutionary punch!
January 11, 2006 at 7:26 PM
posted by: kycady
I love your post. In fact, one idea we have for our next film is about the fate of older animals. I've been hearing so many horror stories of people turning in the senior companions for euthanasia. I am always shocked at the lack of compassion some humans have. But, then reassured by people like you and the communities at Best Friends. Kim C. New Humane Movement
January 21, 2006 at 1:34 PM
posted by: randilee
Karen I am so incredibly touched by your work. You are fulfilling a dream of mine. For the longest time I have wanted to help animals that most people would consider unadoptable. I was especially touched by the painting of the very happy looking dogs in wheelchairs. I found my baby Oreo-Cookie when he was already an older boy. As the years went on he lost the use of his back legs. We took him for acupuncture and had him fitted with a wheelchair. He was able to stand in the chair but he could not walk very well. I am extremely sensitive to the plight of these animals. I am appalled that any animal could be put down due to his or her age or disability.
God Bless you for using your amazing talent to help these angelic creatures
February 1, 2006 at 12:14 AM
posted by: painting4paws
Thanks everyone for your kind comments about my work, and for sharing my love and compassion for older, and often overlooked, animals.
I'm sorry for not replying to these posts sooner, but I don't know of a way to set alerts for when there are posts.
Thanks again!
Karen Derrico