forever in my heart

Gearing up for a challenge is always fun, and the monthly team challenges of Team EFA Etsy for Animals is double fun. First the artist challenged either by concept or technique, then when the submissions are posted on the team blog it's inspiring to see what others have created as well.

Team EFA's February challenge was "Forever In My Heart - for the animals past, present and future that have left an imprint on our hearts." Although I have had many beloved cat friends, one stood out in particular. From the moment I saw Claude at the animal shelter, I knew we were going to be lifelong friends. And we were. Claude passed on in October of 2008; I don't know exactly how old he really was but the vet figured that he was probably at least 18.

Claude was possibly the sweetest cat ever, with the kindest expression and gentle ways. Looking back, he was also the most sickly of my original four cats and I always expected him to be the first to go, but he was the last. He and the others will always be forever in my heart, and as my submission to the team challenge, I created the "Meow-Shaped Heart" pendant with my own original art and soul.

If you're considering a new pet, please please please consider a shelter animal. All of my loving cats were/are either shelter cats or strays, and my Jane the Dog is a wonderful example of a precious furbaby adopted from a pet rescue group. Remember also that the month of February is Spay and Neuter month and the last Tuesday in February is the Humane Society's "Spay Day."

In addition, Team EFA Etsy for Animals is working with World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) and their Haiti Disaster Relief Appeal for animal victims of the earthquake in Haiti. For more information or to donate, click here.

october is national adopt a shelter dog month

Just look at that sweet face and pretty smile! This is our own pound puppy Jane, whom we adopted from a rescue group nearly one year ago. I can't imagine this beautiful, loving creature coming so close to being euthanized just because she was found wandering the streets and no one came to claim her. Fortunately I saw her while designing an advertisement for PAWS to the Rescue and something just clicked; you can see another photo of Jane in the "Success Stories" section of the PAWS site, the photo that I first saw of the precious furbaby with the sad eyes about halfway down the page.

Jane has a wonderful home with us now; a nice big yard in which to run around, a cat friend named Chong (okay, NOT - but he's come a long way since the day we brought Jane home and he tried to scratch off her face with tiny fists of feline fury), and lots of doggie treats, grilled beef bones, and love. This girl adores lots of blankets and ... patchouli. Seriously, she wanted to eat a bar of patchouli soap out of my hand and is obsessed with my socks when I first put them on (because they've been in the drawer with that patchouli soap).

This brings me to the real reason for this blog post: October is National Adopt A Shelter Dog Month. Please join the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in getting out the word about this special event - now and all year long. The sagging economy has made the need for pet adoption even more crucial; one of our area veterinarians frequently remarks about the number of abandoned pets that have been left at his office, presumably because the owners can no longer afford to keep the animal. If you're considering a new pet, please visit your local animal shelter, animal control facility, or contact a breed rescue group. You will be rewarded with the love of a lifetime and will make the world a little better for both yourself and animals in need.

For more ways to help animals, check out the information on the Team EFA - Artists Helping Animals Etsy team site (of which Lonesome Road Studio is a member!)