Dogs Saying Grace Before Meals

Enjoy!

Dog Art Sculpture, Hartsfield-Jackson Airport, Atlanta, GA

Here's the dog bathroom area at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta, GA.  It's decorated with this fancy art sculpture so your dog gains culture while visiting!

Doggie Bathroom Area at Hartsfield-Jackson Airport

Spotted Animal with Sun Soldered Pendant

I've been busy in my studio this past week creating soldered pendants. Check this one out:

Soldered Pendant Necklace by Susan Calvert

I really like the cheerfulness of this pendant with it's bright colors and graphic design.  For more details about it, please visit my website. Thank you for your time.

Soldered Cat and Dog Pendants, Part 2

In my previous post, there was a picture of foiled pieces of cat and dog designs ready for soldering. I completed the soldering and below are some the finished pendants:

Polka Dotted Dog Soldered Pendant

These soldered pendants are now up for "adoption" along with others.  They would make a purrfect gift for the pet lover.  (Oh and Mom's Day is coming up soon too!)

Striped Tiger Kitty Cat Soldered Pendant

For additional details including size and purchasing details, please visit my website.

Soldered Cat and Dog Pendants, Part 1

I spent yesterday nipping and foiling china for my next set of soldered jewelry pendants.  I'm creating cat and dog designs for pet lovers out there, like myself.  Woo-hoo!

Nipped and Foiled China

Today, I cleaned my studio  from the excess porcelain china shards and slivers. Ugh!  What artist likes to clean?

Now that I've completed my necessary evil, I will move ahead with the good part--soldering.  Stay tuned to see the finished pendants...

Happy Anniversary, Lucy!

Exactly one year ago today, our Lucy had surgery to remove a hemangiopericytoma cancer.  I'm delighted to report, she is still with us and doing well.  Yippee!

Lucy laying on her stuffed baby

We go for walks and play ball every day.  She never misses a food opportunity either.  We're hoping for 10 more years together.  Go big or go home!

Pet Adoption Event: Rogers, AR

Happiness is...

Lucy:  Happiness is my toy bunny next to me and a ball in my mouth with a tummy rub on the way.
Susan:  Happiness is a really warm puppy.  (Oh Lucy, your tummy is so warm and soft on this chilly day--tickle, tickle.)

Lucy assuming position for a tummy rub

RIP, Bear

Our friend, Bear, went to doggy heaven this week.  She was 13 years old and developed bone cancer. 

I have great memories of Bear.  She would come to visit Lucy and play.  They would just go at it.  Then she would come up and give me a "bear" hug asking to be petted.

I remember another time babysitting her and trying to get her to my house.  We started out for a walk and prior to our driveway, she realized she was going the opposite direction from her home and plopped down in the middle of the road.  I laid down too and sweet talked her into getting up to visit Lucy.  Again, the ladies played together.

Lucy and I paid Bear a visit to say our farewells.  It was heartbreaking...  She will be missed...

Our friend, Bear.  Rest in Peace.

For Bear's family, I give you:

A Dog's Prayer by Beth Norman Harris

Treat me kindly, my beloved master, for no heart in all the world is more grateful for kindness than the loving heart of me.

Do not break my spirit with a stick, for though I should lick your hand between the blows, your patience and understanding will more quickly teach me the things you would have me do.

Speak to me often, for your voice is the world's sweetest music, as you must know by the fierce wagging of my tail when your footstep falls upon my waiting ear.

When it is cold and wet, please take me inside... for I am now a domesticated animal, no longer used to bitter elements... and I ask no greater glory than the privilege of sitting at your feet beside the hearth... though had you no home, I would rather follow you through ice and snow than rest upon the softest pillow in the warmest home in all the land... for you are my god... and I am your devoted worshiper.

Keep my pan filled with fresh water, for although I should not reproach you were it dry, I cannot tell you when I suffer thirst. Feed me clean food, that I may stay well, to romp and play and do your bidding, to walk by your side, and stand ready, willing and able to protect you with my life, should your life be in danger.

And, beloved master, should the Great Master see fit to deprive me of my health or sight, do not turn me away from you. Rather hold me gently in your arms as skilled hands grant me the merciful boon of eternal rest...and I will leave you knowing with the last breath I drew, my fate was ever safest in your hands.

"All Dogs Go To Heaven" handmade tshirt, © Susan Calvert, all rights reserved

I started creating handmade, one-of-a-kind tee shirts like the one shown upon going through my own pet loss.  I truly believe our animal companions go to heaven.  See more of my t-shirts on my website or inquire at Susan@SusanCalvert.com for more info.

How Do I Love Thee

It's Valentine's Day.  For our Lucy with her many pet names such as Lucy Dog, Lovie Dog, Lover Dog, Lil Girl, Sweet Pea, Sweetie, Sweetie Pie and Sugar Plum, it means a new toy.  "Arf", she says with delight!

We gave her a little pink pig with a squeaker in it.  Squeak, squeak, squeak--all day and throughout the evening.  We are certainly glad she is enjoying it.  It's a little thing that means a bunch to her.  Keeping her mind stimulated, keeps her out of trouble.

Lucy and her new stuffed toy

This picture of Lucy with her tongue out reminds me of a television commercial from my childhood...

How many licks does it take to get to the center of a Charms Blow Pop?

What does that have to do with Lucy, you ask?  For her, the commercial would be...

"How many chews does it take to get the squeaker out of my new toy?"

Lucy unstuffing her toy to get the squeaker

How do I love thee? Let me count thy chews....

Dog Wash: Atlanta, GA

Pet Adoption Event: Cincinnati, OH

RIP, Sweetie

My friend, Joanna, recently lost her rescued kitty cat, Sweetie, of 13 years.  He, yes, "he", was a beloved member of her family and I am so sorry for her loss. With deepest sympathy to you, Joanna, and your family.  RIP, Sweetie.

Sweetie

Pets are innocent beings, each with a spirit of their own.  I refer to them as angels that enrich our lives.  Many are in need of good homes and I believe there is a special place in heaven for animal lovers who adopt them.  Thus, the creation of my cat and dog angel tshirts, like the one shown below, with the saying "Cats will know your name in heaven".

Hand Illustrated Cat Angel Tee Shirt, © Susan Calvert, all rights reserved

These handmade, one-of-a-kind cat and dog angel t-shirts were inspired from the devastating pain of losing my dogs.  Several of my customers experienced the same grief upon the loss of their pet too.

These shirts are a fun-loving, practical way, to remember the joy from our animal companions.  Many pet lovers wear them in public.  Others wear them as pajama or exercise tops.  And some even put them on their dogs to wear.  Woof!  Other designs and colors are available for purchase on my website too.  And if you don't see your size, email me at Susan@SusanCalvert.com.  I usually have extra blanks in stock.

Dog Note Cards, A Few Left

I have filled orders for dog note cards from my website recently and came across a few sets of my very first note card set as shown in the picture below from my original paintings of "Allergy Season", "Dog Breath", "Poppy Garden" and "Joy Ride".

(l-r) "Allergy Season", "Dog Breath", "Poppy Garden", "Joy Ride", © Susan Calvert, all rights reserved

I haven't posted the above on my website as there are only a few sets available.  Three to be exact.  I will not be having them reprinted any time soon .  Here are the details if you are interested in purchasing them:

The set, professionally printed, will arrive with 8 cards, 2 of each of the designs shown, along with color-coordinating envelopes in a clear bag tied with a ribbon at the top.  The cost is $12 (inc s&h).  If you are interested in purchasing a set, please send me an email at Susan@SusanCalvert.com.  I will create a Paypal invoice for payment and they will be on their way.

My other dog note card set which includes "8 Cups per Day", "Shortstop", "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" and "Gimme" from my original paintings as shown below are available for purchase on my website.

(l-r) "8 Cups per Day", "Shortstop", "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds", "Gimme", © Susan Calvert, all rights reserved

And, of course, there are cats note cards on my website too for cat lovers!  And shipping is FREE too!

Happy 2012 from Lucy dog!

Oh my!  It's been a long time since I wrote.  Sorry for the delay.  I've been creating lots of new art in my Imaginary Friends series...

Our beloved, Lucy, is still with us, post cancer, and doing well.  YIPPEE!  She enjoyed the holidays, driving me crazy over her gifts.  Here's how...

You see, prior to her receiving a new "baby" (the word she knows for stuffed toys) or ball, I wash them in the washing machine to get the gunk off of them. It's a two-person job getting toys past her and into the wash machine.  Usually, Steve entertains her while I load up the washer.  Same holds true for drying. She has to be kept out of the laundry room while I put them up or in the dryer. Otherwise, she camps out next to the dryer until I open it.  Upon opening it, she practically jumps in to retrieve her toys.  Does this sound familiar to you?

Here is a picture Lucy's Christmas babies and balls that I placed on top of our hanging clothes rack to dry.  Lucy went bonkers the few days prior to Christmas.  She could smell them and was practically living in the laundry room the entire time.

Lucy's Babies & Balls

On the eve of Christmas Eve, I wrapped her toys in tissue paper while she was sleeping. The balls were wrapped separately from her babies. 

I placed her gifts around the fireplace and, again, Lucy went bonkers.  Her nose got the best of her.  She could not contain herself and dove in grabbing her gift.  She ripped the tissue paper and there they were, her favorites--tennis balls.  She had a chewing frenzy for a while.  Then we played fetch with them.

Christmas Day arrived and she opened up her other gift containing her stuffed babies.  Here she is playing with them.  (We saved the pig in the middle in the above picture for her as a gift for New Year's Day.  She gets a new toy on most holidays to keep her stimulated.)

Lucy playing with her babies

Lucy and I wish to thank all of our readers who follow our blog and post comments.  My New Year's resolutions is to write more this year.  Happy 2012!