OtterTail Labrador Earns His Companion Dog Title

Congratulation to Tonto!  My little boy completed the requirements for his AKC Companion Dog (CD) title in 3 straight days at the Wine Country Circuit dog shows in NY.  We were thrilled to have glorious weather all 3 days and the Sampson Park show site is always one of my favorites.

 Our classes ranged from 6 to 14 dogs and we were combined with the Novice A dogs for stays on the first 2 days.  Many dogs broke their sit and down stays, so I was proud of Tonto for taking those jobs so seriously.  He tried very hard on that part!  He is still a bit immature mentally (he turned 2 yrs old at the end of June) and he had a couple of lapses in concentration which lead to him not doing his very best heeling.  Nonetheless, he placed 2nd in the class each day.  Tonto becomes my 11th Labrador to earn a CD, all earning at least one class placement on their way to the title.

Good job, baby boy!  Tonto is now officially - Moonlit OtterTail Kemosahbee, RN CD.

Yellow Lab Puppy and Girl Share Ice Cream Painting

I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream!  Does anybody say that anymore?  This painting brings back fond memories for me.  I did not have Labs when I was young, but I had mutts that I loved and I was happy to share my treats.  The truth is, I may still be caught sharing.

The title of this acrylic on canvas panel is "Double Dip - Ice Cream for Two".  This is my first real attempt at painting a person, so I consider it an experimental piece and it is priced as such.  Make it yours for a mere $188.00 (plus shipping).  It is 9 x 12", unframed.

Contact me to purchase this original painting.  You can pay by sending a check or through PayPal.  It's the perfect picture for these hot summer days!  Perhaps you will want to rotate it with one of my other Labrador paintings during the winter.  Now that's a fun and simple seasonal decorating idea!

Not ready to splurge on an original painting? Prints are available in many sizes and you can have them matted and framed so they arrive ready to hang.  That makes unique art affordable to everyone!  Visit my OtterTail Dog Art Print Gallery to shop for "Double Dip" and other dog painting prints which are also available on stretched canvas, metal and acrylic.  Choose the surface to fit your own style!

Yellow Lab Puppy Painting

This one was fun! Cute little Tater has grown up some since the reference photo was taken. This yellow Labrador portrait painting will help keep the lasting memory of her puppy days.  I am often commissioned to paint portraits of elderly pets or those that have already crossed over the bridge.  It was loads of fun to work on this girl with all of her puppy wrinkles!

I couldn't resist adding a little excitement to the background since she is such a fun, up-beat girl.  My collector gave me free rein to choose the background and loved the result.  (I did show her a preview early in the process in case she had a different idea.)

So why not send me your photos and preserve those silly puppy days, kitten antics, or foal follies?  You don't need to wait until your best bud is a sophisticated senior to capture a memory.  Portrait commissions start at $275 and it's a fun process - I promise :-).  For more information check out my OtterTail Dog Art Portrait Painting page.

 Thanks again Tammy and Tater!! May you enjoy many happy years together.

Shepherd mix dog portrait painting

Here is one of my latest dog portrait paintings.  This girl was very lucky.  Her mom was adopted from a shelter with no knowledge that she was pregnant at the time.  A month or so later she surprised her new owner with a litter of multi-mix puppies.  Being kind-hearted, she raised the babies and found them all good homes.  This girl went to some close relatives who are also real dog lovers.  She has had a great life!  All dogs who start out with rough beginnings should be so lucky.

They tell me Griffin is the smartest dog ever - and usually in control of every situation!  I hope she likes this painting I did to honor her.  I admit that all the different colors of hair that appear on her face were a challenge for me to capture and retain my abstract style.  It was a good learning experience!

The background colors were chosen to coordinate with the owners' home and other artwork.  I am happy to make a background to fit someone's needs or you can leave me to my own intuition and I'll choose a background the subject suggests to me.  Yes, I talk to all of them -- and my fairies that come in the night to add their magic touches to the work I have done during the day!  I am ok with the idea that people want art to match their decor, so don't be shy - contact me to design a pet portrait painting of your own.

Custom Dog Urn with Yellow Labrador Print

It is always sad to say good-bye to beloved pet friends.  We have a collection of Labrador designs for urns that we create out of natural hardwoods.  The designs are backed with a contrasting type of wood.  In this case my collector asked for a custom urn that would hold a print of one of my yellow Labrador paintings.  She thought it looked so much like her boy who had crossed the bridge that she wanted this special print to honor her Lab.

So, now we have a new urn design to offer.  Not only can this hold a print of one of my paintings, it can also be sized to hold a photograph of your pet.  There is a glass covering on the opening and the print is securely backed to keep it separated from the bag containing your pet's cremains.

Our urns open at the bottom and are firmly closed with the four inset screws provided.  Our standard size was designed for Labs, so it hold dogs up to about 100 pounds.  Custom sizes can be made upon request.  It is a nice way to honor the loss of a good friend.

By the way, this yellow Labrador painting is entitled "A Head Pillow Is Nice" and is part of my "Let Sleeping Dogs Lie" series.  The original is sold, but you can get a print in a variety of sizes, on a selection of substrates and even have it matted and framed to your specifications if you like.  Visit my OtterTail Dog Art by Amy Reges gallery on Fine Art America to order this or many of my other dog prints.

Moonlit OtterTail Kemosahbee, RN at LRCP 2013

My boy, Tonto, is growing up.  Well, not "up" so much as maturing.  He is a short fellow and will be small for life.  That makes him not the best show dog since all of the boys are bigger than he is now.  I love him anyway!

This picture was taken in April at the fabulous Labrador Retriever Club of the Potomac Specialty Show.  He presented himself very well and I was pleased with that, along with some nice comments he got from breeders and spectators outside the ring (the judge did not care for him).  I will probably only show him a few more times as we are only doing it for fun and it isn't much fun if he doesn't fit in.  He will get another obedience title or two and spend the rest of his life being my little buddy.  It's funny because I particularly told his breeder I was hoping for a smaller dog than my last big boy who needed to be lifted and helped with walking at the end.  (Sweet Marius was a very big boy and I felt sad at the prospect of not being strong enough to ever help him as much as he needed.)  This munchkin is a classic example of "be careful what you wish for"!

Tonto is a lover and a gently sweetie pie.  He moves beautifully, strikes a handsome pose, and looks lovely running around in my yard.  He has an enduring smile, a wagging tail, happily greets everyone, and loves to ask for hugs.  That's the important stuff!

A New Old Dog Joins the Pack

We are happy to be able to welcome old Buddy into our home.  He was my father and step-mother's dog since he was a wee baby adopted from North Shore Animal League.  His "mom" passed away last summer and Dad could not take care of him any longer so Buddy will live out his days with us here at OtterTail Farm.  He is 11 1/2 years old and has been blind for 5 or 6 years.  He seems to have lost most or all of his hearing in one ear, so locating sounds is difficult for him and he ends up circling to find his way.  He has a few health issues we are addressing.

I was worried that such a major move and change of life style might be too much for the old boy, but he is proving to be very adaptable.  Buddy gets more comfortable with our home, yard and schedule every day and is very interested in all the new smells.  He has always been ok with my dogs though not particularly friendly and sometimes annoyed if they came too close, but he is more relaxed with them now too and has initiated a few good sniffs of his own.  The thing that wowed me the most is that after only a few days of being lead on a regular route he managed to find his way from far out in the dog yard back to the stoop and figured out the dog door all by himself!  Way to go Buddy!  We hope he finds happiness here despite missing my Dad.  We are thankful to be in a position to take care of him and offer him peace for the rest of his journey.

Colorful Blue Dog is a Black Labrador Abstract Portrait Painting

On this paintingI had fun experimenting with different colors and getting back to a more abstract style that I enjoy.  I used a very limited palette of blue, purple, red and white in the background and then only blue with the tiniest touch of black mixed in to dull it down, purple, and white for the dog.  Well, the eyes have other colors of course.  The reference photo was over exposed and had been faded by becoming wet, then lying in the sun for months before I used it.  I thought that would still be interesting to use by providing me less information which would keep me from slipping into extra detail or realism.  I guess it worked, though looking at a good version of the photo I may have to do it again.  I am happy with the result.  I feel it is a good departure from the more realistic pet portraits I have been painting lately while still capturing the expression and sentiment.  The model is Tallulah.  I titled it "Need Help With That?" and the truth is I'm sure she thinks she can do it better - whatever it is!

I have a pile of canvas panels to paint and this is one.  That means it can fit many standard ready-made frames if you remove the glass.  Since the painting is varnished it does not need glass and looks better without it (in my opinion).  This Labrador painting is 9" x 12" and is available for $175.00 plus shipping.  Doesn't everyone need a supervisory dog?

You can also buy this sweet mug on canvas prints, paper prints, acrylic prints, metal prints and greeting cards in my Labrador and Dog Art gallery on Fine Art America.  Happy shopping!

Tonto, black Labrador Wins Third Class and Rally Novice Title

Congratulations to my boy, Tonto, for earning his Rally Novice title at the Labrador Retriever Club of the Piedmont specialty show!  He won his class with 99 points out of 100, giving him 3 wins in 3 tries toward completing the requirements for his first obedience title.  This is pretty easy stuff, but what I like is that his foundation for future work is good and I love that he is having a good time.  It is very important to me that my dogs enjoy their work.  I love that wagging tail and happy attitude.  Perfection - at least as much of it that I ever look for in my dogs - will come with experience and maturity.  Tonto is 19 months old in this video.  He is still a distracted teenager.

Good boy Tonto!  Now Moonlit OtterTail Kemosahbee, RN.

I am available for private training lessons for you and your dog in rally, obedience and basic good-dog-behavior as well as specialized in-home training for show puppies.  Contact me for information.

Brittany Spaniel Portrait Painting - 2 red and white dogs.

It was fun to paint dogs of a different color!  These two Brittany Spaniel boys gave me new challenges in several ways.  Aside from not being black, yellow, or chocolate as most of my customers tend to be, the reference photos were from different places, different lighting and very different times.  Now both dogs are older and gray, but their people wanted them painted as they were in their younger days.  Taking out the gray where the white and orange hairs blend proved to be a bit of a guessing game, but eventually I got it right.

The Brittany boy in the bottom front was purchased as a puppy while the upper fellow was rescued as an adult.  Both got lucky to be part of a loving family and it was my honor to paint this lasting tribute to them.  I will be shipping them home shortly and ready to start my next fun project.  Will it be for you?  Treat yourself or someone you love to the special gift of a custom pet portrait.

I will be happy to paint your Brittanies, Labrador portraits, or any other breed or mix-breed dogs as well as cats and horses.  I am open to other challenges too, so if you have an unusual pet contact me and we can plan together to make the perfect painting just for you!  Visit OtterTailArt.com for more information and let's get started.

Happy Birthday to my silly brown tank - Lobuff OtterTail Noble Nissa, RE, CD!  Five years old already, thanks for all the fun!  Nissa is a fine example of what a Labrador should be - inside and out.  It is a joy to share our home with this wonderful girl!

Dog Paintings to benefit shelter rescue dogs

Meet Max!  This adorable pit bull has been in the local shelter for over 2 years - the majority of his life.  He is sweet and would really love to have a home and family of his own.  I have painted this picture of him to donate to the Humane Society of Schuyler County for the auction at the Mardi Gras party they are hosting this Saturday (Feb. 9) from 6-11pm in Watkins Glen, NY.  It will be a fun event with music, food, wine tastings, festivities and great stuff to be auctioned to raise funds for Max, the other shelter dogs, and the much needed new shelter building.  Click to learn more: HSSC Mardi Gras Celebration

Max's painting is 9" x 12" acrylic on canvas panel mounted in a black floater frame.  I fell in love with him while painting his picture and have high hopes that this donation will not only benefit the shelter in a big way but may also help Max find his forever home.  Since he is such a cutie I decided to promote his cause with a second painting which will also raise funds to benefit HSSC.  The second painting, also acrylic on canvas panel, is 8" x 10" in a black frame and is titled:  Make Someone Happy.  As I worked on his beautiful smile I thought about the song - "Make someone happy.  Make just one someone happy.  And you will be happy, too."  Surely that sums up what a dog gives to us when we give him a happy home.  You are repaid 1000 fold.  So this second painting is in honor of Max's happy spirit despite his hard times.  Please help by supporting HSSC.  Max thanks you!

Portrait painting of two black Labrador Dogs

This was my last portrait for 2012, finished in the (Saint) nick of time to be a surprise Christmas present from my collector to her husband.  This is Stella and Gus, sister and brother black Labs.  The reference photos were taken in a hurry and that really does influence the details of the finished painting.  Both of these were taken from above the dogs looking down.  Your angle is one more thing to consider when you take photos whether it is for portrait painting references or your own photo collection.  Try to get down to dog eye level for some shots and see the difference it can make.  Speaking of photos, this is not a very good one of the painting as the light is uneven and color is off.  I had to hurry them off in the mail so no time was left for accurately recording the finished painting - tch tch.

I think you can tell that Stella (on the left) is the boss of the pair.  Gus is a softie.  Sadly Stella's time with her family may be short now due to cancer.  I am happy for them that they got this painting as a lasting tribute to her and her bro.  What will Gus do without her?

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!!