Happy Birthday Black Lab Tallulah

This post is belated due to holiday madness, but we celebrated the big birthday on the actual day.  Dec 5th my "Tallulah Bear", officially Whitsprgs OtterTail Tallulah RE, CD turned 7 years old.  It is hard to believe how fast the years have gone and now she is considered a senior.  Don't tell her though, she still acts like the same crazy kid as always!

The weather was great and we had an extra long walk with a December swim in the pond.  I had to scold the birthday girl for being so wild with the younger dogs that someone might get hurt.  At least in her "old age" she listened.  Then there were special treats with dinner and extra loving all around.

Happy Birthday silly girl - You keep us all on our toes!

Give the Gift of a Memory, Commission a Pet Portrait Painting

Here is my latest dog artwork commission.  This yellow Lab portrait painting has been enthusiastically approved by my collectors and will be heading home in a couple of days to be a surprise birthday gift for her Dog-Mom.  I hope she loves it too!

This sweet yellow girl was caught sunning on the back patio.  Like all good Labradors, she is ready in an instant if there is something to help with or fun to be had.  I cropped and edited the reference photo to exclude distracting details while maintaining the feeling of the moment.  Good quality reference photos lead to good paintings, but they don't have to be perfect in every aspect!

It's not too late to book a special holiday gift for someone you love and give a painting that will last a lifetime.  Our wonderful pets do not stay in our lives long enough - as I am feeling all too keenly having just lost two of my own.  I cherish the portraits I have of my dogs.  It is difficult to put into words how special these paintings have become to me.  I know that is true for many of my collectors as well.  Don't wait for a "better time", treat yourself or someone you love with a portrait painting of your own.  Visit my OtterTail Lab Art website for pet portrait painting information, then email me for details.

Pssst - only a couple of openings left for the holidays, but gift certificates make wonderful presents and allow the recipient to be involved in the process.  Even last minute shoppers can be heros!

Sad Days at OtterTail - Rest In Peace rescue dog Butch

Butch   5/19/02 - 10/28/12

It is with great sadness that we say good-bye to another sweet Labrador so soon after losing OtterTail Eponine.  Black Lab, Butch was the dog I rescued after his owner was in a critical accident.  He loved me, but he chose my husband to be "his man".  After initial resistance on his part they became close buds and Butch will be dearly missed, his absence leaving a void.

I knew he was not a healthy dog when I rescued him.  He had a lot of issues and had lead a complicated first 6 years living with a schizophrenic recluse.  An animal communicator told me Butch had chosen that owner to help him through his confused life and critical accident.  It must have been a difficult job.  She also said Butch was happy with us and that he chose me to teach me about letting go and moving on.  It is still not easy for me, sweet boy.  For you, I will try my best.  Rest In Peace, you deserve it. xo

Oldest Labrador OtterTail Eponine Rest In Peace

It is with a heavy heart that I say good-bye to my beloved OtterTail Eponine after 15 yrs, 3 1/2 months. She was the last puppy from the last litter I bred.  Her passing marks the final end to that period of our lives.  I loved raising puppies, it was letting them go to new homes that was the hard part.  I fell in love with and got attached to all of them! 

Eponine lived 369 days longer than her brother, Marius.  Always special friends, now they are together again.  She also lived longer than my previous oldest Labrador, Dave.  Still it never seems long enough.  She walked slowly to the pond for one short final swim on her last day even though she had trotted down only a few days before.  That was always her favorite time.

I have so many fond memories.  One of my favorite traits of Eponine's was the celebratory "whoo-whoo" she would sing for every joyous event.  Little things make a Lab happy.  Just the morning biscuit after breakfast was enough to get a song and dance as we headed down the hall to the backyard where they got their biscuits from their first puppy days.  I started that when they were young as part of house-training.  Everyone goes out after breakfast.  I can still see her tossing her head in the air, prancing and giving me that special song.  She celebrated every little happiness.  May we all be blessed with such a clear view of life.

Rest In Peace   OtterTail Eponine   12 June 1997 - 2 October 2012

Labrador Dog Training Water Rescue with Newfies

 Three of my OtterTail Labs and I had several fun training sessions this summer working with Newfoundland dogs on their water rescue exercises.  The Newfoundland breed is known for this work and there are titles they can achieve by passing a variety of tests under the guidelines of the national Newfoundland Club.  Unfortunately, Labradors cannot earn these titles, so we went for the fun and learning experience.

(Nissa, Harvey and Pop pose together on the rowboat platform)

Some of the exercises include retrieving a life vest or cushion that is dropped from a passing boat, taking a life preserver and swimming out to a person who needs help then towing them to shore, swimming out to a boat and towing it to shore, jumping off a boat to retrieve a lost paddle and swimming out to a person then towing them to shore as they hold onto the dog's body.  This is just a sample of the tasks they learn.  We had a blast!

(Tallulah retrieves a cushion dropped from a passing boat)

(Tallulah and Tonto both enjoyed pulling the boat to shore (so did Nissa, no pic))

(Newfie "rescues" his owner Jackie and tows her to shore as she holds on to his pantaloons)

There will definitely be some Labrador paintings coming from our days swimming and training on the lake with our friends.  I hope you all enjoyed your summer.  Have lots of fun training your dogs! 

Dog Portrait Painting - German Shepherd Rescue Dog

Recently finished this commissioned portrait painting of a german shepherd dog.  She has the most wonderful big ears!  As always, it is rewarding that her family is thrilled with the painting.

This sweet girl was added to her family as a rescued dog.  She had been abused and was afraid of many things.  She latched on to her new "Dad" and has been his girl ever since.  Her whole family has worked hard to help her overcome many of  her fears.  Sadly, some lessons learned when young have a long lasting effect on the soul and she still has security issues.  She is much loved and receives all the patience she needs.  She is a very lucky dog now!

It was an honor to paint her and get to know her a little bit.  I always try to make a connection with the animals I paint.  I admit she was harder than others.  I did not know as much about her past until I sent the final proof.  Now that I know I think she was keeping her defenses up with me too.  I hope she likes this tribute to her and will lower her guard just a little bit more to let the love in.

Please visit my OtterTail Labrador and Dog Art website for information and contact me to commission a dog portrait painting of your own or as a fantastic gift for someone you love.  Now is the time to book your order for the holidays!

Happy First Birthday to my Black Labrador Puppy

Moonlit OtterTail Kemosahbee, aka Tonto, is one year old already!  Still very much a puppy at heart, he is a wonderful little man who is very well-behaved.  He looks pretty serious in this picture, but that's only because he was trying hard to pose for the photographer.

Tonto is growing up to be a handsome dog with lots of potential for a rewarding conformation show career.  Meanwhile he continues to learn and prefect his obedience exercises as well as fun tricks. Watch his birthday activities at Labrador Dogs on YouTube (that's me!)

Sharing happy birthday wishes with his littermates Moonlit's King of the Night, aka Dracula and Moonlit's Queen of the Night, aka Vampire who are doing well in dog shows now while Tonto is home waiting to grow his new coat.  Drac and Vamp were both here for training last winter so it's fun to read and hear about their successes in the ring already.

All three of these pups have wonderful Labrador temperament to match their good looks.  I am blessed to have Tonto in our family and love him to pieces!  Happy Birthday Kemosahbee!!

My Oldest Labrador Celebrates Birthday 15

Beautiful, old OtterTail Labrador Retriever Eponine celebrated her 15th birthday on June 12, 2012.  It was a cool, rainy day except for one cloudy break.  Unfortunately I had to be out for the afternoon and snapped this picture before I left.

Eponine was standing out in the rain waiting impatiently for me to take her for her daily walk and swim in the pond.  She was hard to resist (and pretty annoyed when I did not go on schedule)!  Luckily Jim was able to take her while I was gone.  She had a fun swim despite the weather, then was dried and bundled up in a blanket on the couch where I found her snoozing when I got home.  She has a selective appetite these days, but enjoyed a hard-cooked egg and some liver for her special birthday dinner.

Old senior dogs are so precious and have a great deal to teach us in the way they handle aging and daily living.  I am blessed to have this wonderful "old woman" in my life!!  Although Eponine and her brother, yellow Labrador Marius (RIP 6/12/97-9/28/11), were named for characters from Les Miserables, they both brought joy beyond measure to our family for many years.  Happy Birthday my sweet!

Yellow Labrador Painting - Portrait of a famous dog

This yellow Lab painting is a tribute to a special girl who has had a fine show career. Her name is CH Lobuff's Turtle Dove, bred and owned by Lisa Weiss, Lobuff Labradors. Dove was Best of Breed at the Labrador Retriever National Specialty in 2002 and the very prestigious Labrador Retriever Club of the Potomac in 2003. She was also first in the brood bitch class at LRCP 3 years in a row. 

Dove passed on her wonderful attributes to numerous kids and grand-kids who, themselves, have passed on quality to many more.  Her daughter CH Lobuff's Puffin at Hollyridge is the top winning Lab bitch in the US history of the breed and another daughter CH Lobuff Hollyridge Kisskadee was Best of Breed at Westminster in 2008.  There are numerous other specialty winning and great producing Labs to her credit.

I took the reference photo candidly last year when Dove was 12 years old, so the portrait was a surprise for Lisa this spring

A portrait painting is a wonderful way to commemorate a special pet and makes a treasured life-long gift for any dog lover.  If you would like to commission a dog portrait painting of your own click Here to visit my OtterTail Labrador Art website to read the basics, then contact me to start your special project.  You will be glad you did!

OtterTail Labradors Proud at LRCP 2012

Once again I am proud of my OtterTail Labradors as another Labrador Retriever Club of the Potomac Specialty show becomes a memory.  The largest collection of fine quality Labs in the world came together for four days and nights of showing and fun Lab related activities.  My charming chocolate girl Lobuff OtterTail Noble Nissa, RE CD came in 3rd place in the American Bred class, proving she has beauty as well as brains.

Thank you Hallie Sherck for this photo of us in the ring!


My young boy Moonlit OtterTail Kemosahbee, aka Tonto, made his show debut competing in a class of 20 entries.  He was a bit too excited by the whole ordeal yet managed to show pretty well for his first time out and earned 4th place in the 9-12 month puppy dog class.  Later we had the opportunity to be presented with his sire and litter sister in the huge and prestigious stud dog class.  Here is a picture snapped from ringside.

Thank you Jill Mahoney for this fun  photo!


Once again I got my eyes filled with the images of many beautiful Labradors, got to see old friends and made some new ones, ate good crab cakes, and wore every piece of clothing I brought (sometimes all at once!  It was cold. LOL!) All in all we had a lot of fun!  There's no show like Potomac!

Yellow Labrador Portrait Painting - Memorial to a special dog

If paintings are like children (and dogs), then I should not haves favorites. Luckily I think it's ok to be bias with paintings and I am especially fond of this one.

Wallace was a special show dog who was much loved by his family in the Netherlands. He was taken too young by a sudden illness. This Labrador portrait painting was commissioned as a surprise gift from one family member to another. We had to be sneaky for quite some time from photo selection, painting, shipping overseas and then he had a long nap in the back room of the customs office. It was worth it in the end! His family was moved to tears and delighted to have this memory of his presence back in their home.

I had a beautiful reference photo of Wallace that was taken while attending the prestigious Crufts dog show, which made my job easier. While I never had the pleasure of meeting this boy in person (in dog - ?), it was a joy to get to know him on my easel. I like to paint the eyes early in the process because I feel the dogs help me to capture the rest of their likeness after that. It also gives me someone to talk to as the painting progresses, especially during the rough spots.

If you would like to commission a Lab painting or other Labrador artwork of your own, please visit my OtterTail Lab Art website and contact me.

Puppy Dog Training for the Conformation Show Ring

I offer exclusive training to a few lucky dog students. I particularly enjoy training puppies and mostly I am asked to help get youngsters ready for their conformation show ring career. Enjoy this video of yellow Labrador puppy "Google" who was my latest student. It was taken after my typical 2-week training course for conformation showing. Moonlits Hot On The Search aka Google is 5 1/2 months old.

I don't take them to a perfect "finished product" in 2 weeks, I get them started well while they have fun working and their little minds become engaged with the process. Each puppy is invited one at a time and lives in our home as one of the family. This means they learn the rules of proper house manners (at least as they exist in my house), they learn to wait politely for meals, eat side by side with my dogs, meet and be nice to the cat and don't steal her food even if she doesn't finish. They learn about manners at the door and the gate, what is and is not a toy, and a host of other everyday useful behaviors.

For breed ring training each puppy learns to free-stack themselves, or at least get started by learning to move their feet on cue. They are taught to back up on cue. No physical manipulation necessary which I think presents a much nicer picture in the ring. I get eye contact on cue, mouth handling for showing teeth, body handling as a judge will do, they accept being stacked for those times it may be needed and I always want to see a wagging tail. These are Labradors after all!! They learn to stay a nice distance away from me and "be beautiful" for increasing periods of time. Gaiting is important and I teach them the whole package. Position consistent by my left side, even trotting gait, look straight ahead with your head up, turn when I turn and resume trotting, then end in a 4-square stack, wag and smile!

You may not notice all of these little lessons as you watch the video (and others on my Labrador Dogs training channel), but I have used many small steps of positive reinforcement to get each puppy to make their job look natural and easy. I put as much on cue as I can in the time they are here so they understand what is expected of them. I believe this will make their first actual shows less stressful and more fun and that sets the stage for a promising career!

Painting In Memory of a Yellow Labrador Rescue Dog

Jade's family adopted her as an adult from a rescue group despite knowing she had numerous health problems. They fell in love with her and gave her all the support she needed. As a memorial to her sweet spirit (and surprise birthday present her "Dad"), I was commissioned to paint this dog portrait.

This painting was a challenge because the reference photo was so small - her head was barely 1" square. She was a very light cream-colored yellow Lab with a full, thick coat; very overweight and sitting in the snow on a bright sunny day in the reference photo (hence her eyes half closed). When I enlarged it the whole thing turned into a white blob. It was hard to find her in there! But it was her family's favorite photo, so how could I refuse? It took a little longer than some, but I am pleased with the end result. More importantly, her family is thrilled. It was my honor to preserve her image for them.

If you would like to commission a dog portrait painting of your own, please visit my OtterTail Lab Art Portrait page for basic information and contact me for details.

Black Lab Painting - A Rescue Dog has a Happy Christmas

This black Labrador portrait painting is a surprise Christmas gift, so if you recognize him - shhhhh! Don't tell! It's funny that I feel pretty safe about posting it because it's for my husband and he does not read my blog. He already knows everything I'm up to. Heh heh, or so he thinks.

This is our rescue dog, Butch. If you've been following along you have probably read Butch's sad story by now. Click on his name here if not. He squeezed his way into my husband's heart despite much resistance and now they are inseparable.

Butch does not swim, but he loves to walk in the water right up to his chin. I think it makes his arthritic hips feel good and I know it strengthens his muscles without abusing his joints, so I'm glad he likes it. The painting is from once such day as Butch stood deep in our muddy pond, sparkling wet in the sun. He has very sweet deep brown eyes. I had to paint this on the sly as hubby came and went. That was quite a feat - I think he will like it though, so it will all be worthwhile.

It is too late to schedule any new dog portrait paintings for Christmas this year, I have 3 more in the works right now. However, if you have a special someone you would like to thrill, we can still arrange a gift certificate and create your own masterpiece in 2012. Check the information on my OtterTail Labrador Art website, then email me (otail@htva.net).

New Labrador and Dog Prints, Lab Christmas Cards, Thank You Cards and more

One of my print shops, Fine Art America, has recently added greeting cards to their offerings and I am excited to say I have uploaded new Labrador and dog images with Christmas designs just in time for holiday cards. You can find great gifts for dog lovers here among the black labrador, yellow lab and chocolate labrador paintings. Choose the ones to match your mood or your friend, from funny to fine art.

Don't forget there are still plenty of great products with my dog designs like Labrador t shirts, bags, mugs, home dec and gift items, as well as Labrador Christmas cards in sets of 10 or 20 in my OtterTail Art for Dog Lovers Shop.

In addition to my own shops you can find lots of other fun labrador paintings at Fine Art America and get them matted and framed so they are ready to hang. Happy shopping!

Dog Portrait Painting, A Memorial Gift to Treasure

Meet Misty, a mixed breed girl who knows her own mind and isn't afraid to ask for what she wants. Can you see that in her eyes? She lives with special collectors of mine plus several other pack members. Eventually I will have the honor to do dog portrait paintings of all of them. So far Misty is the fourth to be memorialized. I often receive commissions to do Labrador paintings and Lab mixes, so getting to paint standing ears was a fun change. Her family requested a vibrant blue background to go with her vibrant personality. Why not commission a pet portrait of your special friend or order one as a grand gift? As a present that's hard to beat and it keeps on giving as the years go by. Visit my OtterTail Lab Art website for more information and to get started. Every dog portrait I paint presents a challenge to capture the true essence of a cherished friend and it is an honor for which I am grateful.

Good-bye to my sweet old yellow Lab, Marius

OtterTail Marius 12 June 1997 - 28 September 2011. I have been truly blessed to have spent the last 14 years, 3 1/2 months with this sweet, gentle soul - my beloved boy, Marius. He was beautiful to the end. His soft expression attracted admiration from Labrador lovers everywhere we went his whole life. I spent his last day sitting beside him and feeding him everything he loved until my kind vet came here after work and we said "good-bye". He is over Rainbow Bridge now where he was met by his best friend, Oberon. Obi has been waiting for him and I could see him bouncing with joy at their reunion. Godspeed my Babycake.

A Bridge Called Love - Author Unknown

It takes us back to brighter years,
to happier sunlit days
and to precious moments
that will be with us always.
And these fond recollections
are treasured in the heart
to bring us always close to those
from whom we had to part.
There is a bridge of memories
from earth to Heaven above...
It keeps our dear ones near us
It's the bridge that we call love.

New Black Lab Puppy Joins the OtterTail Pack

I am so pleased to introduce a wonderful new puppy that joined our pack on August 19th. His call name is Tonto, inspired by fond memories I have of watching The Lone Ranger as a kid. I admired the intrepid side kick for his loyalty, crafty skills and keen intuition. Tonto means "wild one" in Potawatomi Indian and kemasahbee means "faithful companion" - both fitting for a wonderful Labrador dog.

My Tonto is a black Labrador Retriever, now 9 weeks old, who has potential to grow into a fine show dog. He was bred by Susan Bennington of Moonlit Labradors. For me that makes "Moondoggie" a ready-made nickname (I was also a fan of Gidgit). I have not decided on his AKC registered name yet.

Tonto is smart and sweet and learning many new things each day. I feel it is of utmost importance to spend time training my puppies, introducing them to new things and establishing our relationship from the first day I get them around 8 weeks old (I started younger when I bred them myself). This is their critical learning period. Those first 4 months of life are the most important for influencing a puppy. Care and training given during the critical learning periods pays off more than any other time in their lives. Tonto is off to a good start. I hope to take videos of his progress. For now, there is an initial movie of his first walk on lead and first swim on my YouTube channel. Visit LabradorDogs to see all of past and future my videos.

Chocolate Labrador Painting - Portrait of a Cute Brown Lab Boy

The problem with dogs is that they touch our hearts, dig deep into the core of our lives, and then, having made us eager to share in their joy and love, leave us all too quickly. Dog should live forever! Well, they do in my heart and in my own little way, they do in my paintings.

My latest portrait is a chocolate Labrador painting of a handsome young boy name Scandal. His registered name is Moonlit's National Inquirer and he is bred and owned by Susan Bennington of Moonlit Labradors. The portrait painting was an experimental shift in style for me, being a bit more detailed and tighter than my usual more abstracted portraits. It is always fun to experiment, especially when the results are rewarding. I gave this painting to Susan as a gift - she loves it too! Scandal is still a young boy who has a life full of show wins and pretty girls ahead of him. I predict the day will come when Susan reflects on this youthful time and is thankful for the memory this painting will bring.

Regular readers may remember Scandal from last December when he was here for Labrador show puppy training. He spent 2 weeks at OtterTail Puppy Camp and was a fabulous student. He left us to begin his show career the next weekend, winning those classes and many more, then on to Lab specialty shows including The Labrador Retriever Club of the Potomac, the biggest Labrador show in the world, where he won both his sweepstakes class and regular class. I know he has a very bright future! You can see a video of Scandal, then a 7 month old Lab puppy after training on my YouTube channel under LabradorDogs.

If you are interested in a custom pet portrait painting of your own beloved companion or training for your show puppy, contact me at otail@htva.net. My dogs are my life and it is my honor to help you fulfill that special spot in your heart and your life you reserve for your dog.

New Agility Dog Design - Special Frame for Your Special Labrador

Here is a new agility dog design for you Labrador lovers who run the obstacle course behind your agile companion. The teeter-tooter with Lab ascending is shown here on our popular wood Combination Frame for picture and title. The bottom opening is sized to fit a standard AKC title or an 8" x 10" photograph. The top opening is for a 3.5" x 5" photo of your star. It's a great way to display your title and commemorate your accomplishments together. The frame shown here is black walnut, this design and others are available in a variety of hardwoods, all naturally finished to show the beauty of the wood. Give one as a thoughtful gift to a dog-lover friend or a fun gift to yourself. You and your Lab partner deserve it! As always, visit OtterTail Lab Art for more choices or contact me for custom inquires. Have fun with your dog!