Pet Art and Animal Care

The Older Dog

2009-09-04T09:27:00.003-04:00

It is not often that I have the opportunity to create a portrait of an older dog. It was a happy commission because I enjoyed portraying and capturing the wisdom of this wonderful dog. It is possible to see the love of many years reflected in his beautiful eyes and I'm sure that he enjoyed a very happy life.

Full body portraits

2009-08-31T12:12:00.004-04:00

Periodically I am asked if I create "full body" portraits. The answer is yes, of course I do. But most pet guardians request a head view because so much of the personality of the pet is portrayed through the eyes, muzzle, ear set, mouth expression and more. And a head view focuses on those details. And that is why the large majority of my portraits are of the head.

But here is a cat portrait created for the Forer's of Miami. Barbu loved to stretch out on his back on the sofa amid the pillows. This was a very special personality expression that required the full body and I had a great time creating it. Hope that you like it, too.

Notes on Daisy's and Sam's diet

2009-08-30T20:35:00.003-04:00

I got started on the search for better food because my little one, Daisy, a
nine year old Smooth Fox Terrier began having major skin problems. Through the guidance of my vet we tried nearly everything. After some blood work we discovered that she has become allergic to "storge mites". I had never heard of them but, logically, they exist in grain meals....even for humans. I put her on
a frozen "raw" diet from Natures Variety without any grains whatsoever and
her condition began to change almost immediately. I then explored prepared
kibble and began feeding my other dogs, (I have 5 Smooth Fox Terriers, 1 Jack Russell Terrier and 1 Papillion) Solid Gold Holistic. The ingredients
are excellent but they didn't like it very much so I switched to Canine
Caviar....another excellent kibble without corn, wheat, soy, animal
by-products, etc. It is expensive...about $53. a bag but you know how we
feel about our dogs. I have continued my research and have learned that
Chicken Soup for the Dog Lover's Soul Adult Formula (they also have a
Senior) is quite excellent....no corn, no wheat, no soy, made with fresh chicken. salmon and duck and NO animal by-products, meat meal, etc. It is also more reasonable in price and the kids love it. Daisy, by the way, is still on a no-grain/raw diet.

Because my wonderful Sam has been diagnosed with cancer I continued my research for better dog food. With the information I gathered, I developed a home-made diet almost totally free of carbohydrates. In the blender I mix 6 large egg yolks (no whites), fresh broccoli, fresh shredded carrot, yogurt, vitamins, calcium, fish oil, blue-green algae (a major anti-oxidant), colostrum (to enhance the immune system, chlorophyll (builds red blood cells) and fresh Mitake mushrooms. (Mitake mushrooms, aka "Hen of the Woods", among others have been revered in the orient for hundreds of years for their health improving abilities. Mitake mushrooms are believed to fight against or reduce cancer tumors. It is definitely worthy of inclusion in the diet.) I blend them all together into a soup and add it to raw ground turkey in the mixer. After it is all combined, I form the mixture into golf-ball size balls, place them on a cookie sheet (wax paper first) and freeze them. Once frozen they are gathered into a plastic bag for easy accessibility. Then during the day I defrost a portion in the refrigerator and am ready to go for breakfast the next morning. Sam polishes it off. So far we're ahead of the disease. But I'm realistic enough to know that it isn't a cure. I'm hoping that it will help to keep him with me longer. He is the most special dog.

Can a dog's diet lead to cancer?

2009-08-29T20:45:00.000-04:00

Hello Folks,

Some of you might know that my wonderful Sam has developed an aggressive blood and mass tumor cancer. (He is holding his own at the moment and is on a carefully controlled diet.....I'll share that with you in another post if you would like. This photo was taken after his diagnosis). His heart breaking condition prompted me to explore and research dog diets. I can't be certain but it is possible that my Sam's condition could have been exacerbated by the quality of food he received over the years....a well known brand that is easily purchased in grocery stores everywhere. If we want our good friends to live long and healthy lives, stay away from corn, wheat and soy grains, animal by-products, corn gluten, "meat and bone" meals, "natural" flavoring ingredients.....among many others.

Here are two excellent articles that opened my eyes to the truths, myths and lies about dog foods.

The first one is long but well worth reading....please take the time, for your pet's sake.

http://www.dogfoodproject.com/index.php?page=betterproducts

This one is a review of hundreds of pet food products. You can alphabetically look up most products and learn how they meet criteria for healthful food. Note the ratings of "Wellness", "Solid Gold" and "Chicken Soup for the Dog Lover's Soul" products...all excellent. Also, look up some of the well known brands as Pedigree and Purina.

http://hubpages.com/hub/Dog_Food_Review

Here's to the long lives of happy and healthy pets.

Cheers,

Jack

2009-08-28T21:35:00.000-04:00

Welcome to my new blog for pet art and pet health care.
This handsome guy is named Madison and was created for Patricia Kane from Minnesota.

e