Welcome Winston

This is our new rescued Lab who joined us earlier this month. Winston is a 4 yr old yellow male who landed in a shelter in Kentucky when his family was dealing with over-whelming health issues. Although the shelter run by the Bowling Green Humane Society is over-crowded so that many dogs must be euthanized, Winston won the hearts of the wonderful workers there and they were happy he found a home here with us in New York. Bowling Green Humane Society has an impressive organization of dedicated rescue groups and individuals who make it possible to transport large numbers of cats and dogs to the east coast where there are loving homes waiting to adopt. I was fortunate to only drive 1 1/2 hours to meet Winston after his night-long trek. If anyone is considering adopting a shelter dog I highly recommend you check the list available through BGHS. Visit BGHS Petfinders site.

Winston arrived very over-weight and has been on a serious diet. That along with a lot of exercise is helping his figure, but he has more pounds to lose. Tallulah is helping to get him in shape - they became friends instantly and play all day. At this sad time for us after losing two much-loved dogs it helps to know we were able to save another. I hope everyone had a happy Thanksgiving - I know Winston did.

Good-bye Sweet Gwendolyn

We said good-bye to our sweet Gwendolyn on Friday, Nov. 10th. Based on her progressing symptoms our veterinarian believed she had a brain tumor. It also fit the fact that her symptoms developed slowly over the past 2 months. It is extra hard to have to let her go so soon after losing my Oberon. Again our doctor offered to come to our house on his day off and Gwen left us peacefully. Marius and Eponine howled and cried, knowing why their doctor was here. All of the dogs used to howl together in the yard - our UPS and mail-woman loved to bring us packages - but there has been no howling since Obi died until their sad song for Gwendolyn, their mom.

Gwen was born on 30 May 1995, the only girl in a litter with 4 black boys. Just like her mom, she never went anywhere without at least 2 or 3 nylabones in her mouth. Her father was CH Simerdown's Borador Regent and her mother was my OtterTail Water Pipit, Am/Can CD. I expected black and yellow puppies, but the statistics did not work for me. I had planned to keep the best girl from this litter, so Gwendolyn was in. For some reason I will never understand black boys are the least desired by families looking for puppies. After a lot of prospective calls I thought I found good homes for all 4 boys. At the last minute one buyer backed out after the trainer she worked with told her she could not train a Labrador. It was the dumbest advice I have ever heard from someone who called themself a professional trainer. I had saved the softest, easiest puppy for her and now she did not want him. I kept him myself - that was my Oberon. I silently thanked her for backing out many, many times over the years. Obi and Gwen were both wonderful, sweet, smart and loving Labs. I will miss them more than I can say - but now they are back together and playing again with their mom, Birdie. Don't be too hard on her you kids, you know she is totally indulgent. Good-bye my friends - I love you all.

Labrador Retriever Portrait Painting

Here is my latest Labrador Retriever portrait painting and the reference picture I used to paint it. This is my own Lab, Eponine. She is such a sweetie. I taught her (and Obi) to cock her head on the cue "What do you think?" with clicker training when she was a puppy. She has used it on me to great advantage for years since I find it hard to resist her cute face. She plays every unsuspecting push-over she can when we have company or she is out in public. Eponine is definately a professional begger!

This painting is acrylic on a 16" x 20" stretched canvas. I enjoyed working on this size after doing smaller pictures of dogs recently. Prints and other products with this Lab painting are available through my OtterTail Art for Dog Lovers Shop.

Eponine's mother is my Gwendolyn, who is 11 years old (Obi's sister). Gwen has developed vestibular disease over the past couple of months. Her bloodwork is normal so my vet is suspecting she had some strokes. Unlike vestibular syndrome, vestibular disease comes on gradually and may continue to get worse rather than better. It is a problem with the middle ear which helps us maintain our balance, so dogs with vestibular problems are dizzy. They stagger, circle and pace, and may fall often. Gwen banged her head hard about 20 months ago and it caused nerve damage. That side of her head is sunken in and she required eye surgery in September because of it. I am suspicious that her vestibular disease is related to the injury as well. I would like to ask anyone who reads this to send positive thoughts for my Gwendolyn, that she may get better and enjoy her days again. Thank you for your kindness.

Enjoy your beloved friends everyday. You never know what the future holds or how much time you will have together. Take pictures or paint portraits to help hold them in your eye as well as you hold them in your heart. And give thanks for every day you have to share.

Spooky Ghost Dog!

Happy Halloween! The scarey date is fast approaching. Here is my spooky Halloween Ghost Dog design to help celebrate the holiday. Well, maybe this yellow Labrador Retriever is not really a spooky ghost, but you know he means business when he asks for a pumpkin full of treats! I created this fun picture as an original watercolor painting. Now it is available on greeting cards, shirts, tote bags to hold tons of treats, mugs for sipping gruel and lots of other fun products through my OtterTail Art for Dog Lovers Shop. Click here for spooky Labrador Halloween fun!

This is what the OtterTail Labrador Retrievers really love about Halloween. They are not allowed to have candy, but each dog gets their own pumpkin to "carve". In this photo our Brutus chose a particularly large pumpkin when no on was looking, but I caught him "red pawed" and here's the photo evidence to prove it. Most years I grow the miniature pumpkins in my garden so there are plenty of small tasty ones to go around.

Labrador Retriever Holidays

While I am never one to be ready for Christmas early, many of my customers are. I start selling Christmas cards in July when I am still painting summer scenes. This year I got a couple of new designs up early. Here is one of them. This silly black Labrador is stealing Santa's hat. It won't get him on the "good dog gift list", but Santa has a sense of humor and knows Labs just like to have fun. The verse inside reads: Enjoy the Moment, Happy Holidays. Of course, it is available with Chocolate and Yellow Labradors since they can be badies too. See all of my OtterTail Lab Art Labrador Retriever and dog Christmas and Holiday Cards. Many designs are also avaiable on shirts and gift items in my OtterTail Art for Dog Lovers Shop.

My own Labs don't steal, but enjoy a fast and fun "go dog go" (aka tuck your butt and run wild and crazy) with toys or just when the mood strikes them. I took in a Lab that was a thief though and had been for 8 1/2 years before he came to live with us. It was a hard habit to break! But we had success with perseverence and great rewards the moment he made the right choices. I still remember the first time he voluntarily turned toward me with his stolen goods (usually socks from the laundry basket). I dropped to the floor and started praising him like mad and he couldn't resist but come all the way in to collect his lovin'. It was a big turning point for him. I made sure stealing was not fun, but bringing things to me always was rewarded. Now that he understands the rules he can once again enjoy happy chase games, but ONLY when he has a legal toy in his mouth. It's a win-win situation - my favorite outcome for all dog training.

Supporting Labs In Need

I have created several designs for the Labrador Retriever rescue group called LABMED. They are an internet-based, non-profit group who raise and distribute money to aid sick and injured Labs, many of whom are found lost or abandoned and need to be adopted by new homes upon recovery. LABMED has been helping Labradors in need for 10 years, but in this milestone year they need your help more than ever to raise funds. I am donating all of my LABMED designs and on-line store services as well as 100% of profits from products sold with these custom designs to this worthy group. Please help by purchasing fun products with designs featuring Buddy, the Labrador Retriever who started it all.

There are currently 3 designs available and more are coming. Visit my shop to purchase great gifts for dog lovers and support LABMED.

To learn more about LABMED visit their website. Visit LABMED

New Labrador Puppy Painting

Here is my newest Labrador Retriever painting. It is entitled: "Top Salesman" and is the first in my Fort Labrador series. Fort Labrador was something I built for each litter of Lab puppies I raised. We used whatever scrap lumber we had and created fun and educational forts that included a couple of steps to a raised platform, a tunnel, an under "cave" and a ramp. The pups had wonderful times playing in their forts and learned about going up and down steps and ramps, under and through the various spots. I had a grand time watching them play, invent fort games and gain confidence as they mastered the stairs and ramps. I painted silly things on the different forts, including this sign for selling bones, a "barkaton" window, "enter", "exit" "up" and "down" with arrows. A visiting breeder who knew I loved to train my young puppies once asked me if now I was teaching them to read (haha).
This picture is based on a photo I shot of this 6-week-old puppy waiting for someone to come and play. It looked like he was waiting for a customer. I was amazed as I watched a scene unfold, snapping pictures as it happened. A black Lab pup came up outside the step as if to buy a bone. They had some silly puppy exchanges through the opening and then the yellow pup walked outside of the fort, picked up a little chunk of wood and went back under the fort and laid it on the step for the black puppy. It was as if he said "Sorry Miss, we are all out of bones. Would you like this wood instead?" I will be painting more of these wonderful memories and call it my Fort Labrador series. Some of the forts had flags, or painted duck cutouts, or low teeter-totters. All of them had a sign saying "Bad Dogs Keep Out!" It worked. All of my puppies were good dogs.

What are we up to?

A bunch of stuff! Summer is in full swing and so are our many projects. One new job I am working on is a commissioned picture that will be liscensed for a book cover. It's about Labs, of course. It should be a fun read entitled "Cook's Book of Recipies for Canine Fun" - as told by a Labrador Retriever to her transcriber, Ken Smith. The cover will feature a photo of a black Lab wearing a chef's hat and holding a wooden spoon. Here is a picture of Tallulah auditioning for the part. All of my dogs want to try out since they have so much fun learning new things through Clicker Training. Don't tell the others, but I think Tallulah will get the honors - she's pretty cute, don't you think? Still, Eponine can give her stiff competition as she is the real beauty in our house.

Coincidentally, the chef's hat idea was the next design I planned to make for my "hat dogs" since I love to cook. The hat dogs are featured in my Cafe Shop and are digital manipulations of an original silk painting. If you are looking for a silly yellow dog for fun birthday, graduation, Christmas, and other holidays, occasions and occupations on cards and gifts visit my dog lovers gift shop.

Rest in Peace

We said good-bye to our beautiful OtterTail Oberon on May 19th. My vet was kind enough to come to our house on his day off and Obi left me in my arms in the comfort of the Reilly bed. He was brave and strong and maintained his happy spirit until the end. Today would have been his 11th birthday. His sister, Gwendolyn, will celebrate without him. We will all go to the pond this afternoon and play his favorite game in memory of our Obi and the joy he brought us. That is what he would have wanted to do today.

Run free of pain and play, Big Ob. You were so special to me.


Away from my side
You will always be with me
Here you will stay forever
Woven into the fabric of my heart.

Spring and New Designs

We have been having a nice, long spring here. The bulbs and early flowers are lasting a long time. Here is a picture of my favorite daffodils called Pipits. My black girl, Birdie, was registered as OtterTail Water Pipit, so when I saw the name of these flowers I had to have them. It was after they grew that I found they are my favorites. They are about 16+" tall, multi-flowered and beautifully fragrant. Wonderful, just like my Birdie.

Birdie was Obi's mom. Obi is still here. We have been having cold rainy weather again for a week with another week of it forecasted. It is harder on him. We continue to evaluate each day one at a time.

I added one new flower picture to my Cafe Shop designs in honor of spring. It's another daffodil called Thalia. It is a lovely thing too. Click to see this white daffodil that floats like fairies. And with June around the corner I created a design appropriate for a wedding or just for fun as my black and yellow Labradors tie the knot. It is a digital adaptation of my original silk painting called Labs Like to Share. That picture was inspired by Obi and Marius, who really do like to drink from the hose together - the bowl too.

May You Be Blessed

A good friend sent me the link to this beautiful online poem movie the other day. It touches me in many ways. Here it is to share with everyone: We Send You Our Blessings

I know I have many blessings; not the least of which is the opportunity to have known and loved so many wonderful dogs. Thank you, Kate Nowak, for creating this lovely poem and movie and sharing it with all of us.

Obi has been enjoying the beautiful weather we have had the past few days. Last week was cold and rainy and I thought he would not make it to the weekend. Once the weather turned warm and we got back outside his spirits rebounded and his whole demeanor brightened. And for each day I get to share with him seeing him smiling and happy with simple pleasure, I am blessed.

A Chill in Spring

Time is slipping away. My Oberon is still here, now 8 weeks since his bone cancer diagnosis. We nearly said good-bye 10 days ago. On April 10th I thought it was time to move up to the next level of pain medication. We had gotten the Metacam + Sucralfate combination figured out and I had slowly increased the Metacam to a 75lb dose, but the pain was increasing. Since the plan from the start was to up the pain medication as needed, I thought I shouldn't wait. My vet thought the best next thing to try was Tylenol with codeine. I was afraid to start it because I know Obi is sensitive to drugs, so I stalled until mid-day on the 11th. Knowing his history we opted to start him with a dose lower than usually used for his size and to give it only 3 times a day (4-6 times is the recommendation). So Tuesday he got 2 pills, Wednesday he got 3 pills. I could see he was having some side effects, but there did not seem to be an increase in pain relief. Afraid that I had asked for too low a dose to help him, on Thursday I gave him 4 pills, 6 hour apart. His spirits sank as each day passed. At times his eyes would dialate and he would growl at things he did not seem to recognize. He was definately not himself. By Friday night he could not walk at all, his rear legs were cramped under him as we tried to help him go out to relieve himself - something he had not done in 12 hours or so by then. We helped him back to his couch and made plans to euthanize him on Saturday. He had 3 pills on Friday and late in the night I stood in the dark with pills in hand wondering if one more would help his pain. It was 2:00 in the morning. I stared at the bottle wanting to help my boy; not knowing what was right. I decided not to give it. THANK GOD!

When I called my vet Saturday morning Obi seemed to be feeling a little better - his eyes were a little brighter. We agreed to stop the Tylenol + codeine and go back to Metacam, waiting to see how things progressed. It was a lovely day. Obi still could not walk, but we carried him outside and lay him on a bed in the sun and cool air. I brushed him and he eventually got comfortable and fell asleep. When he awoke he got up and walked away to pee and poop, then walked back to the bed by himself. What a difference! He stayed outside, sniffing the air, enjoying the sun on his coat and eating treats for the rest of the day. By Sunday he was back to his normal, happy self - the bright light back in his eyes.

On Monday he decided to hobble all the way to our pond where we played his favorite game for an hour! He hadn't been to the pond in over a week and I thought he would never make it there again. I am so thankful for that one last time, for the joy it gave me to see him having fun again, for that beautiful face he shines my way telling me to toss him another piece of dog food. He chose to go there on his own. Perhaps it was his gift to me. Here he is.
That was our last trip. He is weaker now. We won't try any other drugs. Pray I know when he is ready to go. I would do anything to keep him as long as I can, but I never want my dogs to suffer for me. I hope this cold, wet weather passes in time for him to enjoy one more day lying in the sun in the garden.

Lessons: Never underestimate the side effects of drugs. Enjoy simple pleasures. Have fun everyday - Life is short.

More about history

Obi has had his ups and downs. The past week has been pretty good - I think we found a combination of medicines that are helping for now. In case anyone else is looking for possible solutions - Obi's stomach was not tolerating the Metacam as prescribed. After much fiddling it seems if I give him Sucralfate 1 3/4 - 2 hours ahead of his dinner (not 1 hour as directed, that did not work for us - does need to be 2 hours after any previous food too) and then give the Metacam with dinner at a dose meant for a 60-65 lb dog instead of Obi's 85 lbs things are going well. It has been 4 weeks since the bone cancer diagnosis. He still enjoys his walks - though slowly. He loves to go to the pond and now that the weather is warming we can play there. Obi's favorite game has always been to catch things I throw him as he stands in the pond. He's such a beautiful guy and it is an image that will be forever imbedded in my mind. Click to see it on some Black Labrador gifts and shirts. It is a great joy for me to be seeing that pose again this spring.


Here is a picture of another wonderful Lab that has since crossed Rainbow Bridge. This is my Buckaroo, one of Leela's puppies. You can click to see more of my OtterTail Labrador Retriever dog family. We had many wonderful years when all our dogs were young and healthy. The maximum number of adult Labs I ever had was 13. They were all trained, well-behaved and lived in the house as pets. Today we have 6, but sadly we will say good-bye to Oberon all too soon and Dave is nearly 14, so his time is also short. It does not get any easier to say good-bye.

Roo inspired many designs in my Labrador art. He was my model for the swimming dog cut into wood items and one of my first sculptures. He was the model for the diving dog design used on wood and metal. His lovely face graces products in my Cafe Shop as well as his own shop. All Roo products donate 25% of profits to support Lab Rescue. Roo is also a Fairy Dog. Pictures and memories I have of my sweet Buckaroo continue to inspire me today.

A Good Day

Here is my beautiful OtterTail Oberon - King of the Fairy Dogs. He's having a good day today - eating and taking walks and feeling happy. I am playing with the pain medicine (with my vet's consent). I don't know if my changes have helped or it's just coincidence. It's hard to tell, it's been a mixed week. Maybe some days are just better than others.

King of the Fairy Dogs - I named him Oberon because he was such a scaredy-cat baby when he was a pup even though he was a big boy. The only thing he could ever be king over is fairies. He's been my big baby his whole life. The idea of fairy dogs developed into many pictures combining my love of gardening with my love of my dogs and some digital graphics fun. You can see some of my Fairy Dog designs here: OtterTail Labrador Retriever Fairy Dogs as well as some printed on many products here: OtterTail Labrador Art Shop - Fairy Dog shirts and gifts. Sweet Obi inspired the whole Fairy Dog concept. It's interesting how design ideas come about sometimes. I love these Fairy Dog pictures, but the truth is they take a ton of time on the computer to get the details the way I like them. One magical fact is that Fairy Dogs do not cast shadows.

Obi and Tallulah

Obi and Tallulah had a cuddle a few days ago on "the Reilly bed". Reilly is a lab we took in for a family in NYC who could not keep him due to health problems after 8 1/2 years. He is a wonderful guy who lives with good friends now, but he sent his big bed back to us because all the OtterTail dogs love it so much. Reilly's name is embroidered on the cover. We think of him often.
Today started out like spring. The daffodils and tulips' noses are up. Crocuses are blooming and thousands of geese flew overhead. After a tough morning for Obi we had a slow walk and Obi got to play in the pond - one of his favorite things. I made a new picture of him there and put it on blank cards. You can see them here: Labrador Retriever Greeting Cards. I plan to do more with it; it is so much Obi and one pose that I will always remember of him.
Now we are about to get heavy storms, the thunder is approaching. Then back to winter tomorrow. This storm is looking ominous - heavy winds and hail are expected. Time to huddle up with my Labs and hold them tight.

I woke up this morning...

I woke up this morning and lay looking out the window. I was watching the sky and saw a cloud dog running fast to the north. A few minutes later this appeared. I think perhaps it is Rainbow Bridge -- here for my Oberon.



The day began. The temperature warmed and after the rainbow shower the skies cleared, but the wind began to roar. We went for a walk this afternoon - my husband and I and our dogs we have now - Dave, Obi, Gwendolyn, Marius, Eponine and Tallulah. Obi was having trouble, so Marius, Gwen, Eponine and I walked a short path with him. They all love to go farther and faster with me, so after Obi was finished I took these 3 back out for another loop. The wind battered us as if God was ripping Obi from my arms. I don't want to let him go...

But I'll go back in time now - to Leela. What a joy. A Lab's Lab true and through. Leela got me to meet other breeders and I went to my first Labrador Specialty shows. I was totally smitten. We all had great times together. Leela and Holly adored each other. They inspired my OtterTail Lab*Art design called "Friends". Click here to see one version and their photo: Labrador Retriever Sculptures
I bred Leela once to a wonderful, top-winning stud dog and our family grew. In 1988 I started my OtterTail Lab*Art as a way to help pay for my "dog habit" of going to specialty shows half way around the county with our expanding family and it gave my husband something to do at the shows. I never knew what my art would lead to today and look forward to where it will lead me in the years ahead. I give thanks to all of my dogs who have touched my life and inspired me.

Welcome

This is the first entry in my new blog. I had thought about starting a blog for a few months - I don't know that now is the best time, but it is the time. I thought starting a blog 5 weeks ago when I got a new puppy was a grand idea. We could learn and grow together. I didn't find the time then, but I will find it now. It has turned into a very sad time for me in many ways, but perhaps some of what I share will mean something to others who love their Labradors or any dogs as much as I love mine. And I promise to share the joy too - there is so much of that!

Eleven days ago I found out my sweet Oberon has bone cancer and not long to live. Perhaps sitting here at my computer with Obi and my other Labs by my side (and puppy at my feet) and typing some of my thoughts will ease the sorrow. At least it will let anyone reading this get to know us more.

Where to start? In due respect I will start with Holly - my first Lab and first purebred dog. That's her in the photo with snow on her nose. Holly was truly the instigator of it all. She moved in with us as an 8 week old pup, straight out of someone's backyard on an upstate NY January day in 1985. I didn't know better. All of my dogs had been mixes (mostly from much worse places) before Holly. I learned a lot since then. Holly had poor conformation and a host of health problems, but I wouldn't have given up sharing 14 1/2 years of my life with Holly for the world. So we live and learn.

Holly got me interested in purebred dogs and dog shows. We were living in Fairbanks, Alaska and were "on leave" to NY the winter I got Holly. I didn't know anyone, had no place to go, worked at home and shared one car, so I trained Holly myself and we had a lot of fun taking daily drives. Back in Alaska I decided to take a training class as something fun to do with my pal and we were encouraged to enter AKC obedience competition. Holly was a real star and got me involved in dog shows, which lead to my interest in conformation and showing in the breed ring. I was bitten by the Labrador Love Bug.

Then came Leela - and her story will begin in my next post.

As for today - Obi was responding very well to Metacam and truly enjoying himself last week. I bought a big bottle on Monday ($100) with hopes he would live long enough and well enough to use it all. On Tuesday he got the runs. Wednesday he didn't want to eat. Today, on a diet of ground deer and pasta he is hungry as a Lab should be, but we skipped a dose of Metacam to ease his guts. Nothing is ever easy... I cherish each day, each smile he gives me, each cuddle, the smell of his feet, his beautiful gaze and every nunu we can share.

If you read this - thanks for joining me. Say a prayer for Obi's peace and hug your dogs with thankful hearts.

Amy - OtterTail