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"

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.

Shop Update on Thursday

These new prints will be available in my etsy shop on Thursday.

Summer Adoption Special

Love for Sale!!!! This is a wonderful opportunity for many people to adopt pets. Please click on the picture to enlarge it - this is a GREAT DEAL!!! Our Phoenix summers are so hot and the kennels are filled to capacity. Animal Care & Control is really working hard to find homes for all these wonderful animals.
Check out their website at Maricopa Animal Care & Control

Big Eyes, Big Ears, Big Heart

This little guy was in the pound last week - so thin, so tiny - how and why do these darlings end up here.

This print is now available in my etsy shop - just go to Big Eyes

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!!!

Hard Night at the Pound

Last night was truly one of the hardest nights that Matt & I have
experienced at the pound.



It was our regular night to go in and take photos of the adoptable animals to post on the shelter website.

Just look at some of these faces.

Everything from little puppies, kittens to 15 year old dogs and cats - plus everything in between.

Each one reached out for love and affection. They know that time is short and they need every chance to connect with someone who will rescue them.

Our county shelters take in an average of 150 animals per day! They say that you can measure a society by how it takes care of its animals. We are falling short of the mark.

Please spread the word to spay or neuter pets. Please microchip them to increase their odds of being returned if they get loose.

And if you're looking for a new pet - please rescue a dog or cat from the pound - they know you've saved them and love you all the more for it.

.....the Rest of the Story

.....and here he is today!

When I was finally able to get close enough to touch him - he absolutely freaked out. I don't think he had ever experienced human touch. He hid behind that dumpster and wouldn't come out for the next couple of days. I just kept on talking away to him when I put out the food (and he kept on eating it after I left!!!!)

But he was a very curious little kitty and pretty soon he was eating out of my hand. We brought him home and it didn't take long for him to fill out. He soon became my shadow and now he follows me from room to room. One of his endearing personality traits - he really studies you - just look into those golden eyes!!!!

Something New to Learn

The last few months have been a whirlwind of activity - learning new things, juggling projects but it is finally all starting to come together. This new blog in another piece of the puzzle and I hope that it will be a good way to help spread the word about our project.

My husband, Matt & I have been volunteering at our local animal shelter - it is the second largest animal shelter in the country. They take in over 50,000 homeless dogs & cats each year. The work is endless, the need for help is tremendous and we applaud the employees there for their dedication and commitment to these animals.

We have been helping by taking pictures of the adoptable cats and dogs. The pictures are then posted on the county website http://maricopa.gov/pets in the hopes of finding homes for them. And yes, it is hard to not take them all home - some of them really touch your heart. Like the little yellow cat that stood up and wrapped his paws around my neck and didn't want to let go. Please take a look - you may just find a special friend there.

These animal portraits were amazing and I began to work with them to turn them into artwork. I use my digital paintbrush to create pop art prints of these shelter animals. In January, Matt & I opened up a shop on http://pawprintsproject.etsy.com/ offering limited edition prints. Etsy is a wonderful website offering artwork and handmade items from artists and craftspeople all over the world. Please take a look at all the incredible work at http://etsy.com/

We named our shop - The Paw Prints Project and are donating 10% of all sales to the Maricopa County Animal Shelter to help provide comfort and support to the homeless animals.

We'd like to share our tales from the pound and hope that you'll check back often. We'll be posting new stories and offering new artwork every week.