Dog gone it! What's everybody been doing?

It's past time I check in - doggone it, time flies! It has been a busy summer and I am currently wrapped up in totally rebuilding my OtterTail Lab Art website and changing servers. I hope to get this well along before the end of the month and get back to making art! Please check back and better yet, check in on my website regularly to see and test the changes. I appreaciate any and all comments. As I get the new pages posted please let me know if you have any problems with it loading or not looking right or links not working. Right now I am making minor changes that you can see, but behind the scenes everything is in a wild jumble - like my two youngest Labs bouncing off the walls, careening around the corners and using the couch as a launching pad, I hope it will look good and behave well when the dust clears! Check back soon.

Labrador Dogs follow a good Pack Leader

Labrador Retrievers, like all dogs, love a good pack leader. Here is a new design featuring black Labs, yellow Labs and chocolate Labs. Similar Pack Leader Labrador designs are available with black and chocolate Labs or black and yellow Labradors in my OtterTail Art for Dog Lovers Shop on t-shirts and other fun clothing, stickers, hats, mugs and lots of great products. Even if you only have one dog, you should be a strong, kind and inspiring pack leader for your canine friend. I am a fan of Cesar Millan, the Dog Whisperer, and his message to dog owners to be calm, assertive pack leaders by providing exercise, discipline, and affection, so my design shows the results. Three Labs walk calmly and happily and enjoy following their leader. I use some different tactics to address my dogs and the dogs that I rescue (I use clicker training primarily), but I am inspired by Cesar's energy and I can adapt my techniques to Cesar's ideas or follow his example with rescues and foster dogs who arrive with issues. Be inspired yourself, inspire you dogs by your nurturing guidance and proudly let everyone know you are the Pack Leader!

Labrador Retriever Rescue - Help When You Can

Sometimes in life you have to do what you can when you can. That is how this 7-yr old black boy came to join our pack. His name is Butch and his solitary owner was involved in a serious accident, leaving him in extended IC and possibly paralyzed for life. Butch was lucky to have an "uncle" who drove over twice daily to care for him following the tragedy, but that could not go on. Even a Lab used to living a reclusive life needs more attention in the long term. The loving uncle contacted Butch's vet, who made other contacts and a plea went out over the rescue network. I forwarded it to the group I volunteer with and several others, but everyone is full this year. Poor Butch had no where to go. So - I brought him here. I am fortunate to be in the position to help him right now. I don't want to count how many times over the years I have shuddered to think what would happen to all of my dogs if tragedy stuck my husband and me. I offered my home to Butch wishing that all dogs in such situations could have someone willing to take them in and give them a new loving home. I can only imagine what it feels like from the dog's point of view -- one day your beloved person just does not come home and you never seen them again. For so many dogs this ends up with a trip to a shelter and, especially for older, large, black dogs - who are the most difficult to place - it often means an unhappy end. But not Butch!! I am happy to say he is settling in. He enjoys my 4 other Labs and is fine with our cat. He is a gentleman in the house and really lights up when we go for our daily walks and swims in the pond. It warms my heart to see him becoming more comfortable every day. We wish for a miracle recovery by his "Dad" and, if that happens, I will happily give Butch back. I know how I would feel!!! Until that time Butch can live happily ever after here with us and we give thanks for being in a position to help when we can. Please consider offering your love and home to a dog in need. They ask for so little and you can truly save a life.

New Labrador Retriever T-Shirt Designs

I have 3 new funny Labrador T-shirt designs available in my OtterTail Art for Dog Lovers Shop just in time for spring. You can see my new chocolate Lab puppy is already working by posing for the fun dog picture shown here. And I promise you, you do NOT want to underestimate the power of such a cute, sweet Labrador puppy!! The other 2 designs feature powerful black Labs. My old, gray woman wears the expression of "Been There, Done That" and Tallulah shows her attitude of "Don't Question My Authority!" I have a list of funny sayings that come to mind when I look at my dogs' expressions, so if you like these 3 designs there will be more. Have fun wearing your attitude or let your dog speak through you. These and many more Labrador Retriever t-shirts featuring my original Labrador paintings and photographs are ready for you to purchase in a wide choice of styles and colors with a click of your mouse. Satisfaction guaranteed! Have Fun Shopping Now!

Chocolate Lab Puppy Joins OtterTail Labradors

Introducing our wonderful new addition!! I have not posted in a while and she is why. I am thrilled to announce the arrival of Lobuff OtterTail Noble Nissa to our happy OtterTail Labrador home. Thank you Lisa Weiss for giving me the opportunity to have such a wonderful girl! Nissa was born on the 20th anniversary of my own very first litter, making her special indeed. My last litter was nearly 11 years ago, so this new Lab puppy brings great joy. It is also very nice to have a chocolate Labrador Retriever in our family again. My very first Lab (first purebred dog) was a chocolate Lab named Holly - she changed my life and was the instigator of all the rest of my involvement with Labs, inclucing my OtterTail Lab Art. Nissa is a beautiful girl who's name means "a sign", which is in keeping with her special birth date. It is also the name of a character from Dr. Who back in the 1980's who was pretty, sweet and very smart. As a side note for Whovarians - I have also had a Leela and a Tegan - 2 very wonderful yellow Lab girls! And my Leela was just as gung-ho as the doctor's!! I will surely have to write about both of them in the future. They are over Rainbow Bridge now, but many fond memories remain. Check back to see my wonderful Nissa as she grows!

Lab Rescue leads to Happy Labrador Adoption

Our sweet foster rescue Lab puppy, Eli, was happily adopted 3 weeks ago and is adjusting well. How could you not love that adorable yellow Labrador Retriever face? Eli came such a long way in the time he spent with us, it is wonderful to see him move on to his forever home and continue to grow and learn. I joked that he made it "from barn to bed" in one week, and his progress grew from there! He learned to walk nicely on a loose leash, even sitting whenever I stopped, he learned to sit, down, and come on cue, to make eye contact and give kisses. There were SO MANY new things - stairs, crates, car rides - it was a joy to watch him blossom. He even learned to voluntarily jump into the dog shower for a bath after our daily muddy walks and stand quietly for washing. He especially loved being dried - it was like having a massage! I think he is a hose dog in the making - I admit I have a soft spot for hose dogs! Eli is still a bit shy of strangers, but he is responding well to all of the new challenges. He has a dog loving family and we know he will have a very happy life. We do look forward to visits from Eli and his new "pack" in the future! I also plan to make some of my pictures of this sweet yellow Lab available on products with 100% of profits going to support Labrador Retriever rescue. Look for news about shopping at OtterTail Lab Art to donate to Lab rescue this spring and visit my OtterTail Art for Dog Lovers Shop for Labrador Retriever t-shirts and other fun clothing, gifts, prints, and products. Support Labrador rescue for a rewarding experience and give a gift to the sweet Lab souls who are so full of love.

Yellow Labrador Retriever Portrait Painting

This smiling yellow Labrador Retriever was a fun portrait to paint. Her name is Chamois and she travels internationally with her family. That is an exciting lifestyle for a rescue dog! Chamois has what is known as "dudley" pigment - her nose and eye rims are pink rather than the desired black. But she is still a cutie and a wonderful Lab. Who could resist that big, silly smile?! This custom dog portrait painting is done in my simplified, abstract style. It is an original acrylic on canvas, an exciting size at 24" x 30". The background colors and style were selected to match the client's requests. I will be making prints of this yellow Lab painting available with a portion of profits donated to support Lab rescue. I will also put this funny dog portrait on greeting cards and gifts in my OtterTail Art for Dog Lovers Shop. To see other original Labrador paintings plus fun paintings of other animals visit my OtterTail Lab Art website. Click on this link for examples and prints of some of my other custom dog portraits and Lab paintings.

Labrador Retriever Rescue Dogs Need Your Love

Meet our newest foster dog. He is a 5 month old yellow Lab we are calling Eli (to commemorate the NY football Giant's superbowl win). I am fostering him for Rudy's Rescue, a non-profit group based in Rochester, NY. Eli came from a puppy mill where he lived in a barn with lots of other dogs and little human interaction. When I picked him up he was terrified of everything, but after a warm bath and yummy meal you could almost see his little mind opening. This is only his 4th day with us, but he is coming out of his shell and progressing quickly. Eli is a sweet guy with lots of potential. He enjoys playing with toys and the 3 other Labrador Retrievers who live here now. They set excellent examples for any Labrador puppy to follow and learn. It is rewarding to help Labs in need through fostering dogs, donating my Labrador Retriever artwork and designs and a portion of profits from my Lab paintings and photographs which I sell as prints and on clothing and other products. You can support Lab rescue by bidding on wonderful dog gifts available right now at the Labrador Life Line auction online. Or help save the rest of the dogs at Eli's puppy mill by purchasing my designated OtterTail Lab Art t-shirts, home products and gifts for dog lovers.

Black Lab Painting with Wine and Friends

It has been way too long since my last post, but at least it is because I have been happily busy. The holidays and new year were celebrated and enjoyed, custom Lab Art commissions continue to entertain and challenge me, and I have added new experiences to my daily routine - most notably, playing along with Namaste Yoga on FitTv every morning. I love it! My OtterTail dogs are all well and we are on the downhill side of winter. The year is fresh with great new adventures.
Between custom portraits and art projects I did squeeze in one painting just for fun. This latest version of "Wine is Best Shared with Friends" is a black Lab painting (or any black dog) done in my most simple style. It is acrylic on watercolor paper and has been donated to Labrador Life Line for the annual Labor of Love Auction. This is an on-line auction fund-raising event that I hope will draw many generous bidders. Your shopping for Lab-related items will donate money for Labrador Retrievers in need. The auction runs Feb. 8th through the 23rd, 2008. I have also donated a fine art giclee print of my yellow Lab painting titled "A Head Pillow is Nice". Giclee Prints of these and more of my Labrador Retriever paintings are available at my ImageKind gallery. The original yellow Labrador painting of my wine drinking dog is available directly from me. It is acrylic on canvas board.
Thanks for stopping by to read what's new. I resolve to update more often! Best wishes for a great new year to everyone.

Yellow Labrador Hunting Dog Painting

Here is one of my most recent Labrador Retriever paintings. If you have been reading along you may recognize this as our oldest yellow Lab, Dave (aka "Pumpkin Dave") who crossed Rainbow Bridge in August. Shhhh, it's a Christmas present for my husband. I wanted to capture Dave's big smile and happy Labrador spirit in bold colors and a fun, impressionistic painting style. He was a happy dog. Jim missed him at camp this season and ended up wearing Dave's camo bandana himself - for luck. Even macho guys can have a soft spot for a Labrador. I hope he likes his Christmas painting!

I know I have been lax about writing in my blog. I want to draw interest to my dog paintings and Labrador art and then I get busy and don't make time to write. I will have to do better in 2008! Right now I am working on a custom order for a January wedding as well as finishing a quilted table runner as a Christmas gift for friends. I am also starting an exciting commission of a yellow Labrador Retriever portrait that is requested to be bright and silly in a more abstract painting style. Other projects for early 2008 include illustrations for a stream guide and portraits of 2 Golden Retrievers. Sounds like a great way to start the year!

For fine art prints of this or a selection of my other paintings please visit my Dog Painting and Flower Photography Gallery at ImageKind. For posters, t-shirts and other products with my dog paintings and designs visit my OtterTail Art for Dog Lovers Shop or my poster galleries at Art.com and Artist Rising.

Happy Holidays to All!

Happy Thanksgiving Dogs and Cat

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving! Here is a picture of me with my 2 black Labs (Eponine and Tallulah), my yellow Labrador (Marius) and our calico cat (Helen) during a break in cooking on Thanksgiving Day. We all ate well, drank good wine, watched football and gave thanks for our many blessings. Helen is a rescue cat who turned up under a box on the porch at Jim's camp 5 years ago. She mostly tolerates us and conspires to make us wait on her every whim, but I know deep down she is thankful to live here. We try to get her to earn her keep by posing for and inspiring designs in her own on-line store called Dame Helen's Cat Shop. (Her full title is Dame Helen of Hector.) The dogs, on the other hand, are always full of cheer and happy to help in creating fun Labrador Retriever and dog art on t-shirts, greeting cards, and gifts for your dog loving friends and family. Shop now through Nov. 28th and save $15 on your purchase of $50 or more! Use coupon code: FRFAM2007

For truly unique gifts shop my original Lab paintings, sculpture and art. You will also find designs on silk scarves for wine and flower lovers and custom ideas for that special someone.

Black Lab, Yellow Lab & Chocolate Lab Christmas Cards

Start your holiday season's greetings with fun black, yellow or chocolate Labrador Retriever Christmas cards! Here is a sample of my chocolate Lab stealing Santa's Hat. You will also find yellow Labs ice skating, and black Labs sledding fast downhill. Don't worry, there are black, yellow and chocolate Labs doing all 3, as well as other funny and more traditional cards in my OtterTail Art for Dog Lovers Shop. In addition to cards I have many silly and sincere Labrador Retriever art designs on products from t-shirts to mugs, ornaments to framed prints. All will make great gifts for dog people of every age on your shopping list. If you are looking for fine art giclee prints of Labrador Retriever paintings, please visit my print-on-demand Labrador dogs and flowers gallery. You can choose from a variety of paper types and sizes or canvas and you can select to have your artwork matted and framed before it is shipped. Best of all, visit my website for original OtterTail Labrador Retriever Art.

Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Greeting Cards

Here is a new dog design for Christmas and winter holiday greetings. This fun Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever art was created by special request. Tollers are cute red dogs with some long hair feathering and white chest, paws, blaze and perhaps a tip on the tail. Tell you Toller lover friends to visit my shop for Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever cards and gifts along with Labrador Retriever art, gifts and cards. It's getting to be that busy, festive time of year. Enjoy your holiday shopping in comfort while finding unique, original art for dog lovers by shopping online and ordering directly from the artist.

Fishing Labrador Retriever Design in Wood

We have been cutting my OtterTail Lab Art designs in wood items since 1987. This is my Fishing Dog design. Others include Diving Dog, Dog in Cattails which features birds in flight, Pheasant in the Corn, Swimming Dog, and Friends. You can see some examples of our Labrador dogs in wood on my OtterTail Labrador Art website. We use only quality hardwoods - primarily cherry, maple and black walnut, finished with a hand-rubbed oil to bring out the natural beauty of the wood. Every design is hand drawn and individually cut with a scroll saw, so we can take into account the unique grain on each piece of wood and easily customize pieces for special gifts for dog lovers. This picture shows a cherry peg rack which will be a trophy at the up-coming Labrador Retriever Club of the Potomac Bare Bones Specialty 2007. Other trophies for this year's show include a black walnut peg rack with my Diving Dog design and cherry and black walnut cork boards with my 3 Friends design. These are in addition to the custom dog design tile keepsake boxes featured in this blog last month. Other wood items we make include shelves, serving trays, and our very popular picture frames.

We are happy to create custom OtterTail Lab Art pieces for gifts, trophies or your own home decorating. Please allow plenty of time when ordering as all of our dog artwork is made by hand with love and care.

Adopt a Rescue Labrador Retriever - or foster one!

Meet Jake - our current foster dogs. He is a purebred black Labrador Retriever who was saved from a kill-shelter in Kentucky. Jake is 6 years old and the poor guy was surrendered by his elderly owner who felt they could no longer take care of him. It's a shame, because that owner had obviously been doing a good job. Unlike most shelter dogs, Jake came to us in excellent shape. He is very fit, has clean teeth and ears and a shiny coat. Jake is a gentle sweetheart and I hate to think he might have been killed for lack of another home. He gets along well with our other dogs and cat. He is house trained and crate trained, and not at all destructive. Unfortunately, large black dogs are the least likely to be adopted, so we may be fostering Jake for some time to come. Jake is a neutered male, up to date on vaccinations and heartworm preventative, and lovable in many ways! We are volunteering for a Lab rescue group based in Rochester, NY called Rudy's Rescue for Labrador Retrievers. The area we cover is quite large, although we do require home checks for all potential foster homes and adopters. But we also work with other rescue groups who can do home checks for people out of our immediate area. If you are interested in helping these wonderful dogs in need, please contact Rudy's Rescue through our web site or any of the many other rescue groups working to save homeless dogs all across the country.

Another great way to help rescued dogs is with your donation or by shopping for Labrador Retriever t-shirts, home decorative items, art and gifts in the designated sections of my shop (including one for which 100% of profits are dedicated to LabMed) or visit Rudy's Rescue Store, which I maintain. I have also donated most of the designs. There are many ways dog lovers can help and every bit, no matter how small, is greatly appreciated.

Dog Show Trophies and Custom Gifts

I have been providing custom pieces for dog show trophies, judges gifts, and awards for about 20 years. This example is a tile-topped wood box created for the Labrador Retriever Club of the Potomac Bare Bones Specialty Show coming up in October. These boxes are provided by and tiles printed by my professional print-on-demand company. In this case I supply the custom artwork to be applied to a wide variety of products. To see more of the products and gift items available visit my OtterTail Art for Dog Lovers Shop.
Most of the Labrador and dog show trophies we have created over the years have been original pieces made by my husband and me - particularly our wood OtterTail Lab Art items. In addition to conformation trophies, we have made many obedience trophies, hunting test and field trial awards, club awards for outstanding members and versatile Labradors, and judges gifts. Of course, we are also happy to make special pieces for any Labrador lovers' Christmas, holiday or special occasion gifts. And, we're not just for Labs - we have designs to delight dog lovers of all types. Here is an example of a general dog design. Since this is also a trophy for the LRCP Bare Bones show (all-breed obedience is being offered), I created a unique design that features bones!

Training Tips for Labrador Retrievers and other dogs

For years I have been writing training tips in articles, letters and emails. I thought it was about time to make my efforts available to anyone who might just need the tips I have to offer, so here is my first entry. Please note, I am NOT soliciting questions - I volunteer tons of time to a Lab rescue organization adopters, fosters and friends. The tips shared here are free for the taking .. or not - as always, use your own best judgement regarding whether my tips fit your needs and never do anything with your dog that makes you uncomfortable. There are many ways to approach every training situation. Mainly, like my Labs themselves, I like to have fun! There will be no particular order to my training posts. Some will be for puppies and/or first time dog owners and some will be for experienced trainers, dog sport competitors, and rescue dog rehabilitaters. So here we go!

(Names will be changed to protect the guilty :-).)
Problem: Nora is ignoring the chewies and her designated stuff in favor of tearing up pillows, her crate bed, and other soft items. Sometimes she retrieves the items, sometimes she shreds them. We scold her for ripping the pillows, but she still does.

Tip: That's typical for a young Lab. They do have a high need for human attention. If chewing and playing with her own toys gets ignored, but tearing up pillows gets attention - even if negative - then pillows it will be. I suggest you play with the Nora's toys with her, and tell her how wonderful they are and make a fuss when she is doing the "right thing". If she only gets noticed when she is being naughty, then she will be naughty. And it all starts innocently - she rips a pillow as a puppy mistake and it gets lots of attention vs. she bites her bone and no one notices because she is being good and owners don't realize they need to "make note" that she IS being good. Labs are needy. It is important to make a little celebration about all of her good behaviors at first - not just ignore them. Labs love to be praised - that little effort you take to tell them when they are just being good, whether it's being quiet, chewing a bone, sleeping in their crate, whatever - that little positive reinforcement can make all the difference for a Lab - especially a puppy. It takes concerted effort and training for most people because it is so easy to ignore them when they are being good or think "phew, the Lab is finally quiet" and not make note of it to the Lab. But that is what they really need - that is what they thrive on. The "secret" to Labs is that they are needy - pay attention to the behaviors you want to see more of, because you will see more of the behaviors you pay attention to!

Enjoy your dog! Labs just want to have fun - Share the Spirit!

See some of my OtterTail Labs having fun and inspiring my OtterTail Labrador Retriever Art.

New Labrador Retriever Christmas Card

Here is my first new design for 2007 dog holiday cards. This is a digital painting of a black Lab catching snowflakes on her tongue. There are 2 choices of verses inside. One says "Enjoy the Moment. Happy Holidays" and the other says "Share the Wonders of the Holiday Season". Many of my Labrador Christmas cards are now available to purchase individually or in sets of 10 or 20. They are professionally printed on your choice of matte or glossy stock. Please visit my OtterTail Art for Dog Lovers Shop greeting card section to see all of my available Lab and dog holiday designs. More new Lab Christmas cards will be added this season. The black Lab who modeled for this greeting card was my own OtterTail Silky Bonnie Blue. To see more of my Labrador models and dog art please visit OtterTail Lab Art.

Another Wonderful Labrador Crosses Rainbow Bridge

We said good-bye to our oldest dog, Dave, on 17 August after 15 happy years. Pumpkin Dave, as he was affectionately known, is running fast again - his favorite activity - over Rainbow Bridge. This picture was taken during one of his last stays at my husband's hunting camp. He wore his camo dogdanna so he would fit in with the boys. You can see by the Labrador smile on his face that it was a fun time for him, even in his old age. We will miss you Pun'kin Dave, but we know you are happy to be running again. Run like the Wind!!!

Back to School Dog Students

Get ready for another fun year of learning with my new back to school Labrador designs. Labs love to learn, so it's no surprize they are excited about the up-coming start of school. Here is my black Lab on his way to classes with a backpack that says "School is Cool". He joins his chocolate and yellow friends as well as a black Lab, yellow Lab and chocolate Lab wearing book bags that say "Teacher's Pet" - a fun twist on words. Whether you are a student or a teacher or a classroom helper or tutor, these simple dog designs will make lessons more fun for everyone. There are also products to decorate your classroom or for great gifts for teachers, students or anyone who helps someone learn something new. Visit my OtterTail Art for Dog Lovers Shop for your next back to school supplies.

Shop Now!! For a limited time we are offering a sale - buy 3 shirts and get one free!