Repeat - Let's Talk About the Cats

This post is a repeat from last year BUT I think it is so important, I hope that you will share the information with everyone you know.


Last year in Maricopa County (Arizona) 12, 719 cats were turned into the county shelter.



The GOOD news is that 4,401 were adopted or fostered into new homes.



The BAD news is that 8,141 were euthanized despite the best efforts of the staff and volunteers to find them homes.



Even more heartbreaking - only 165 were reclaimed/returned to their owners.
That's only 1% of all the cats there - made their way back to their original homes.





Buy a collar and id tag for your cat and leave them on her at all times - you never know when she may get out.

Consider getting a microchip for your cat - if he does get out - his collar may get caught on something and break loose.



Please take just a minute and look back over all of these pictures.
There are 100 cats in this post. Statistically - only 36% made it out.
Only 1 out of 100 went back to it's original home!!!




Every single one of these cats was loving, affectionate and intelligent. They were used to people - they belonged somewhere. Please spay and neuter your pets.

If you have the time - please volunteer at your local animal shelter. Please consider adoption over purchasing from a pet store and please - spread the word.

Cats, cats, cats

Dogs come when they're called; cats take a message and get back to you later.” - Mary Bly


Paw Prints Project
The title of this print: "Handful of Love"

Great Works for Great Causes

I am delighted to be included in an Etsy treasury today. Etsy treasuries are collections of handmade items and artwork selected by fellow Etsy shop owners.

I love this particular collection as it is all related to dog rescue.
To find additional items that support this cause - please check out
this link ETSY and search for the words: dog, rescue, charity...

Tracy: An Etsy Artist & Her Tale from the Pound

I'd like to introduce you to Tracy of Artgirlx. She has opened her home and her heart to 3 beautiful rescue cats. In addition to being the "Patron Saint of Cats" - Tracy is also an extremely talented artist.

She has graciously allowed me to share her rescue story and some of her amazing artwork on this blog.


"All 3 of my cats were rescues. 2 of them (pretty, fluffy brothers that look like they are part Maine Coon) were from a litter that was thrown in a dumpster. The guy that found them didn't want to keep the remaining kittens any more and I was worried they wouldn't find good homes. The actual rescue was very convoluted and involved a covert meeting in a parking lot!


And our latest furry rescue was found at a campground we were visiting last winter. Apparently some people think it's ok to dispose of their pets out in the wilderness. This was also a very complicated rescue involving adoption and ferry rides and a final meeting in a parking lot to claim our latest fur baby! They are all very happy and healthy and the brothers accepted their new stripey brother without incident. I have long considered myself the Patron Saint of Abandoned Kitties and would love to have a rescue home some day in the future.


Anyway, since we have moved into this new house they love to hang with me in the studio as it has a great corner window for them to perch and see all the goings-on. That's great and all but what comes with this companionship are; hairs everywhere (landing in the paint), an errant tail knocking something over and constant jumping on and jumping off of my work area. Regardless, home wouldn't be home without one of these fur boys around and under foot.


And now, a Public Service Announcement: Please rescue strays, you can take them to a NO-KILL shelter until they are adopted out, or take one in yourself, you won't regret it. END PSA." - Tracy -

Please check out her wonderful blog at http://smashart.blogspot.com

Then enjoy a look at her online Etsy shop - Artgirlx The shop is filled with very unique handcrafted pendants, orginal artwork and more.

I've fallen in love with her "Home" series. Just click here to view her etsy shop - Artgirlx

"These paintings are part of a body of work that deals with 'Home' and what it means to others.For some, home is a sanctuary, for others home symbolizes something completely different. What does home mean to you?" - Artgirlx

Thanks Tracy -for sharing your love for animals and your amazing artwork.

Quote of the Week

"Thousands of years ago - cats were worshipped as gods.
Cats have never forgotten this!" - anonymous -



The title of this print is: "Are You Talking To Me!"
It's available now in our etsy shop - Paw Prints Project

Tomorrow - I will be posting new "tales from the pound" from an amazing etsy shop owner - will be featuring her beautiful shop as well.

A Guy & His Dog

I recently finished this commission for the son of some great friends.
It was an absolute pleasure to work on this. This little dog was not treated well at her former home and just showed up on their doorstep one day.

They took her in and cared for her until her owners were found. But Pepper knew better.......she just kept coming back and coming back - and the former owners said - She's yours!!! She's been with her new family for a long time and is one happy little dog.

Here's the final version


We'd love to hear your stories of how your pets adopted you - please leave your comments (send pictures too!!!)

and if you'd interested in a custom portrait of your pet, please drop us an email at pawprintsproject@live.com

Please check out our online shop to view our art work. Paw Prints Project

Quote of the Week

"He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion."
-- Unknown



"Looking for Love" 8x10 Limited Edition Print available at Paw Prints Project

They Weren't Too Happy but...

but it had to be done! Both of our cats - Murphy and O'Malley were due for the annual exam at the vet's office. This includes a very long car ride and
much howling!!!!!


They both received clean bills of health along with their shots. Murphy (the tabby) tried to hide in the trash can, hid his head in my arm and was quite a big baby about the whole thing.

After my post about the cats in the shelter (how only 1% are returned to their owners) I decided to make sure that my boys were protected as best as possible.
To my surprise - O'Malley's microchip was out of date - the phone number was wrong.
and Murphy didn't have a chip - so along with his shots - he got an extra injection today. (so do your pets a favor - doublecheck that all their information is current and up to date)

I will be shopping on etsy tonight for new collars and tags for both boys.
They're home now and the whole episode seems to be forgotten!




....Happy Friday!!!!

Let's Talk About The Cats

Last year in Maricopa County (Arizona) 12, 719 cats were turned into the county shelter.



The GOOD news is that 4,401 were adopted or fostered into new homes.



The BAD news is that 8,141 were euthanized despite the best efforts of the staff and volunteers to find them homes.



Even more heartbreaking - only 165 were reclaimed/returned to their owners.
That's only 1% of all the cats there - made their way back to their original homes.





Buy a collar and id tag for your cat and leave them on her at all times - you never know when she may get out.

Consider getting a microchip for your cat - if he does get out - his collar may get caught on something and break loose.



Please take just a minute and look back over all of these pictures.
There are 100 cats in this post. Statistically - only 36% made it out.
Only 1 out of 100 went back to it's original home!!!




Every single one of these cats was loving, affectionate and intelligent. They were used to people - they belonged somewhere. Please spay and neuter your pets.

If you have the time - please volunteer at your local animal shelter. Please consider adoption over purchasing from a pet store and please - spread the word.

June Volunteer of the Month

Wow - I really admire this lady!

May Volunteer of the Month

Good Week - New Prints Available

It's been a busy, busy week - new prints in the shop, setting up a myspace page!! Come and check it out at my space
Here are a couple of the new little darlings available this week.
Come and check out the rest - my etsy shop

New Prints & New Sizes in the Shop

We're changing things up just a little bit! New sizes in the shop. These portraits just really called for a square format and I am really pleased with how they came out. These are open edition prints and are being offered by $15 each.

The little dog in "Can You Feel My Love" really tugged at our heart strings - she was shivering from head to toe - so frightened. We took her out of her kennel at the pound and spent 30 minutes playing with her in the hallway. She was adopted the next day - whoever took her home - received a jewel!

It's Been Awhile!!!

Although I haven't blogged in awhile - it's been on my mind. I guess blogging is going to be a lot like exercising for me. Once I get started - I'm off and running - the hard part is that getting started part!!!!

Matt & I have continued our volunteer work at the animal pound. It is kitten and puppy season and the pound is overflowing!! They are running a really wonderful and incredible promotion - because there are so many older cats & dogs available - they're on sale!!!! Can you imagine it - love truly is for sale!!! Cats older than six months - only $25 with shots, vet check, spay or neuter included, Dogs over 40 pounds - only $60

Last night, we were really happy to see so many of the older dogs & cats had on adoption collars.

So - You CAN buy love!!!

Funny Face

This silly little cat is one of the new residents at the shelter. Even though we live in Arizona, it is still winter here - cold and damp - the shelter continually needs donations of blankets and animal beds to help provide some comfort against the chill. I can only imagine what it must be like in other parts of the country where you are going through snow and ice and wind chill factors that make my teeth chatter.

If you have extra blankets, towels, rugs....... please consider donating them to your local shelters to help the animals through the cold.

If you live in the Mesa,Tempe,Gilbert area - we are accepting donation drop offs at our business - just send me an email for directions.