The Rewards of Adopting an Older Pet

Adopting an older pet can be very rewarding. Not only would you be saving an older pet's life , you will be adding a wonderful addition to your family. An older pet knows the ropes and is quite settled into things, while still being full of life and fun to be around. Not that there won't be challenges. But those challenges are fewer to deal with. Just recently, our neighbor's young puppy escaped from his yard. I watched him until his owners came home from work. Although he was quite cute, it made me realize how lucky I was to have adopted an older dog. I got my Maggie when she was 6 1/2 years old. She came house broke and leash trained. She didn't chew a thing. She fit quite comfortabley into my family's life. She is now nearly 12 years old and has been a real joy to be around and a wonderful family member. She's my girl! So if your looking for a new pet for your home, please don't pass up the senior pet for the puppy or kitten. If your not looking, please support such wonderful rescues such as Old Dog Haven.
Thanks, Robin Andreae

Sweet Pea- Helping Dachshund Dogs in Need

Sweet Pea is one lucky girl.

She was a family pet who suffered abuse and ended up with severe trauma.


Her family determined that it would be too involved to treat her so
they took her to a vet to be destroyed.

The Veterinarian contacted rescue and a guardian angel human
interviened- paying Sweet Pea's passage to a waiting home many states away and paying for further treatment for her injuries.

Sadly the home did not work out and Sweet Pea did not benefit from the funds provided with intent to treat her. Again her angel interviened- this time calling and finding a Cairn Terrier Rescue who would at the very least pick up the poor Dachshund and house her until a local Dachshund rescue- DARE http://www.daretorescue.com/
was able to pick her up.

DARE volunteers immediately began treatment on her injuries and gave her love and attention which she basked in.

Sweet Pea is at Dare Rescue hoping for a forever home! Please help her!

Oh! That Face! ...introducing..."DAISY"

Sometimes you look at a face and your heart melts. Well that happened today when Stella put the word out that we needed to help Daisy by painting her portrait and to show her beautiful face.
She is in a full shelter and her time may be limited! The Volunteers from MALIBU Pet Companions ...that is http://malibupetcompanions.org ...love this girl and are doing all they can to help her.
This is a painting that is offered to buy her some time. http://cgi.ebay.com/Shelter-Dog-Original-oil-by-CHRETIEN-for-MPC-charity_W0QQitemZ7410385508QQcategoryZ20158QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Daisy is a mix of American Staffordshire and Pointer. She loves everyone.
Please Help! Visit Art Helping Animals to see all the good work being done by the charities.

California Sea Lions

I had the wonderful pleasure of seeing two large groups of California Sea Lions on a recent trip to Newport, Oregon. They were in the bay near old town were tourists shop and eat at local restaurants. It was fun seeing and hearing the Sea Lions barking, swimming and amusing the tourists. I think the best part of seeing them was watching the looks on all the children's faces when the Sea Lions would bark!-Melinda Dalke

California Sea Lions can be found all along the west coast of North America, from British Columbia to Mexico. They are very social, vocal and love to play.

The Marine Mammal Care Center at Fort MacArthur is a hospital for ill, injured and orphaned marine mammals. They treat and release rescued California Sea Lions, Northern Elephant Seals, Harbor Seals and Northern Fur Seals. Please visit there site http://www.mar3ine.org/aboutmmcc.htm

Springtime in the Rockies

It's finally springtime in the Rockies. On a recent trip to the Beartooth Mountain range, I saw new born lambs, tiny calves and colts managing on long legs. Spring is a good time to remember the animals. Puppies are wonderful AND they take an enormous amount of attention and training. Puppies learn through rewards and repetition. Family members will also need to be trained. A family member who encourages negative puppy behaviors can cause confusion for the puppy as he tries to understand how to be a member of your pack.

Please remember, before geting a new puppy that there are many rescue dogs who are looking for forever homes... and they are waiting for you.

Here's a painting of my Welsh Terrier. He is nine years old and still acts like a puppy. This little colored pencil Welsh is available on Art By Us as a charity auction.

Thanks for all you do to help the animals.
Sandra Merwin

Earth Day is Tomorrow! It's Not Too Late To Help!

I painted this piece to show the beauty and grace of dolphins and their environment. I wanted it to look as if you were diving amongst these playful, inquisitive creatures. On the edges I painted a bright coral reef, as you could see diving in the Great Barrier Reef.
Now, imagine you are on a beautiful tropical island on the Great Barrier Reef. You put on your mask, fins and snorkel and jump into the water. But instead of the famous brightly colored coral, brittle white branches spread as far as the eye can see. The coral is dead.
As the world's oceans become warmer, this scenario is taking place more frequently, on the Great Barrier Reef and on coral reefs all over the
world. Coral reefs are sensitive to environmental change. Recently, the frequency and distribution of coral bleaching have increased, and in 2002 the Great Barrier Reef experienced its worst case of coral bleaching on record.
Corals bleach in response to prolonged temperature change and not due to rapidly fluctuating temperatures. Coral reefs frequently experience some bleaching and most often rebound from minor bleaching events. But in the case of mass bleaching events, it is much harder to rebound and takes much longer. Coral reefs are an important nursery and feeding ground for most of the world’s fishes. Please do what you can to help halt global warming before we reach the point of no return.
This piece has sold and a donation was made to the Marine Mammal Care Center. I am pleased to say that it will further benefit marine mammals. The client who purchased this painting has generously donated it to the Sea Shepard Society for its silent auction on June 4th. So you may still have the opportunity to purchase it to help animals! Also please check for our other listings benefitting the animals! ~ Robin Andreae

Celebrate National Pet Week! 4/29 - 5/7

How can you honor your own pets, past and present? Make a donation to your own favorite animal charity!
In a recent local newspaper edition there was an ad asking people to memorialize or honor a pet by placing an add in the paper. The fees were pretty hefty. It is nice to see your pet's pic in the paper but wouldn't it be even BETTER to honor them by helping a less fortunate pet?
There are so many who need help.
Spring is such a nice time to open our windows, and our hearts! Breathe in the fresh spring air and CELEBRATE your PET with a thoughtful donation in their name.
They so so much to grace our lives...what a nice way to say thank you.
Pictured here are Emmi and Lizzie...visit Art Helping Animals for some charities & giving ideas.

Don't Be Caught Sleeping!

There are so many ways to help animals and supporting your favorite ANIMAL CHARITY & RESCUE is one way to do it. Professional Animal Artists are painting their little (and BIG!)brushes off painting for the neediest animals. Helping animals with art is one of the most rewarding ways to help. Not only does the generosity of the supporters of animals gain by their gifts of giving but they receive a wonderful remembrance of their gift...WONDERFUL ART to share or treasure!
GIFTS that just keep on giving. Mother's Day and Father's Day is fast approaching...do your parents share your own love of animals and helping animals?
Visit the auctions at ART HELPING ANIMALS and give the gift of life to the neediest animals.
Thanks so much for all your past support! Thanks in advance for all the help your generosity will bring to these creatures that grace our lives..."All Creatures, great and Small"....

Feral Cat Coalition of Oregon

The Feral Cat Coalition of Oregon is a trap-neuter-return (TNR) program for feral and stray cats living in Oregon. The goal of the program is to reduce suffering for existing feral cats and prevent the births and suffering of future generations. The program's services are targeted for feral cats who have caregivers feeding them. The caregivers trap the cats, bring them to a clinic, and return the cats to where they are being fed with a commitment to feed the cat(s) on a permanent basis.To view more art at auction for this cause please search FCCO on ArtByUs.com and eBay.com.

Sex, Chocolate or a Puppy?

Did you know that looking at a warm, fuzzy baby animal can give you a buzz?

Stephan Hamann, Ph.D at Emory University discovered that looking at baby animals can give you a pleasure response that's similar to chocolate, drugs and sex!

When he showed pictures of puppies and baby seals to people, their brain scans showed increased activity in the brain areas that are responsible for pleasure. So what would you rather have a chocolate bar or a puppy?

Here's a puppy sure to trigger your pleasure centers. It's available on ebay.

Help A Senior Dog - Support OLD DOG HAVEN

Old Dog Haven: An amazing rescue organization that works to provide loving homes for senior dogs abandoned in their twilight years. These elderly canines generally would have a slim-to-none chance of being adopted in a regular animal shelter situation. Old Dog Haven also provides Hospice care to senior dogs deemed too frail to be subjected to another change in living conditions, too sick to be rehomed, or with very limited time left to live. To learn more visit www.olddoghaven.org

The painting "A Noble Face" is for auction on eBay with a percentage of the sale going to help the seniors at Old Dog Haven.

Images of Easter

Thoughts of life and renewal, resurrection, birth, baby chicks, bunnies, all creatures great and small ... these are my Easter thoughts today. May each of you have a blessed and peaceful Easter weekend.

Spring!

Happy Easter and a Blessed Passover to everyone! I thought I'd post some of my spring stones that I' ve sold for charity in honor of the season, plus a sunrise from the mojave desert.

Also, I'd like to remind folks that Springtime is baby season for Wildlife. There's always more work for the wildlife rehabilitation centers, like Sarvey Wildlife Care Center, in the Spring. And babies sure eat alot!

In addition, we have a new member since I last posted.

Her name is Peggy Henderson and she is a wonderful artist. Please click on her name to learn more about her and see her beautiful artwork.

Helping Dachshunds in Need

This saucy little Dachshund Dog was painted as the last of the paintings of the day to help homeless pets. The project raised over $1000.00 to pay for veterinary care for a variety of animals from rescues such as Old Dog Haven, The Marine Mammal Care Center, Save the Dalmatians, DARE Dachshund Rescue, Dachshund Rescue of North America and PEARL Equine Rescue. To read more about the rescues PLEASE VISIT ART HELPING ANIMALS
This Doxie with Moxie is one of the lucky ones- he has found a loving forever home.
The auction can be accessed here!


We now have the PENNY PROJECT- to help raise funds to pay for surgery for PENNY
Please click here to read more!
Please help homeless pets!

"Girl with Cat 2"
12 x 16 inch acrylic on canvas board
by Melinda Dalke

This beautiful young lady and her precious kitty are painted in acrylics on canvas board.
As a young girl I found my cat to be the best friend I could ever have. Cats have always been a huge part of my life. I wish I could help all cats to be heathly and happy. Click here to view auction. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7407026764
20% of this auction is going to Tabby's Place.
Tabby's Place is a cage-free sanctuary for cats rescued from hopeless situations. This one-of-a-kind facility serves as:
An Adoption Center , finding loving homes for cats;
A Hospital, providing medical and surgical treatment for sick or injured resident cats; and
A Hospice, providing palliative care and a warm, loving environment for chronically or terminally ill cats to live out their lives in comfort.
The majority of the cats at Tabby's Place come from public shelters where they had been scheduled for euthanasia. The sanctuary is home to young and healthy cats as well as cats with special needs.
Tabby's Place:A Cat Sanctuary http://www.tabbysplace.org/

So Many Ways to Help Animals!

So many do so much to help rescue and rehabilitation of animals in need. We salute them all. There are some incredibly giving people I have met doing what little I can to make a difference. Some of us are unable to foster or add new animals to our households, but there are many other ways to help out your local orgs...donate food, blankets, toys or cash! They can usually use every bit given. The artists of Art Helping Animals paint & create with passion and purpose to help the orgs we list on our site and we also help other worthy animal charities when the occassion calls for it. When it comes from the heart is is all good!
This painting entitled "Look Homeward" is offered to Help Penny through Willing Hearts Rescue.
Please visit their site and see what they do!
Auction:
http://www.artbyus.com/auctions.php?a=2&b=60451

Bully For TBAR

"Quiet Repose"



This beautiful original acrylic painting has been lovingly created on 5 x 7 gallery wrapped canvas . I have applied a protective varnish to this piece and all my work comes with a signed certificate of authenticity.


10% of this auction will go to the charity organization
True Blue Animal Rescue.

True Blue Animal Rescue (T-bar) is a non profit organization dedicated to helping all animals in need. It was created in an effort to educate people about caring for animals and to provide alternative care for animals when their owners are no longer able to support them.

This painting is up for auction on eBay with a starting bid of only $39.00.

Freedoms Spirit by Melinda Dalke

Click here to view the auction

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7405274876

Sanctuary: When Wild Spirit Wolf Sanctuary accepts a wolf or wolf-dog, we are committed to providing the animal with life-time sanctuary. Each of our residents are spayed or neutered, receive regular inoculations, and are provided with impeccable daily care. Animals are placed in compatible pairs into large, wooded enclosures that mirror their natural habitat as closely as possible. While even a good prison is still a prison, our animals are given as much freedom and space as resources provide.

".. we are committed to providing the animal with
life-time sanctuary .."

"Kitty and Yarn" speaks to a simpler time.

I grew up with lots of cats and a grandmother who knitted. Put those two elements together and there is the painting "All Tangled Up".

When I was a young child my grandmother had me wrap the yarn into a ball for her, later she taught me how to knit. I can't tell you how many times the cats got into the yarn. We often didn't know the cats were stalking us while we were knitting. I remember learning to keep track of the knitting by repeating "Knit two, Perl two" and suddenly a cat would pounce. Then I would laugh and be annoyed all at the same time as the cat bounded off.

So, although the cat tangled in the yarn is a trite image, it is trite for a reason. Many of us experienced the joys and frustrations of trying to knit with cats around. Sometimes I wonder if this still happens? Do people still teach little ones to knit? And are the cat's still pouncing on the yarn? Or is the new image a cat pouncing on the computer key board?

Dachshund with a Pearl Necklace

wet paint - just off the easel

"Dachshund with a Pearl Necklace"
(click on cropped image above to see complete painting)

original oil painting on canvas panel
6"x4"
unframed

Dachshund with a Pearl Necklace was inspired by Vermeer's "Girl with a Pearl Earring".

Charity Art Auction -- 20% of Sale will benefit Willing Hearts Rescue

Please Help Penny!

Penny is a homeless Dalmatian Dog with Willing Hearts Rescue.
She is in need of surgery and Willing Hearts needs to raise $2,400 to cover the costs.
She is a loving girl who deserves a chance at a happy pain-free life!
The ArtHelpingAnimals Artists are hoping to raise enough funds to cover the surgery!

Honored to be among a Group of very Fine Artists!

Here is my latest stone that just sold for a donation to Wild Spirit Wolf Sanctuary. I'm currently working on an 8" x 10" canvas of a timber wolf and will keep you posted when I have it finished and up for auction.
I've just been looking at the wonderful work that is being offered on Art by Us and eBay by the other members of our group. I'm just blown away by the beauty and skill shown in each piece. And let me tell you these artists are dedicated. All you have to do is to click on the EBay and Art by Us buttons on our website and you'll see for yourself just how much care and talent is displayed in each and every work. Just last month these amazing people raised $2,438.01 to help animals in need! Each and everyone of these beautiful people donated unselfishly to a variety of animal charities, helping everything from seals, bears and wolves to homeless kitties , doxies and dalmatians among may other needy critters. It is truly an honor and inspiration to be among this group. So here's my tribute to them, Vernita Bridges-Hoyt, Doris Joa, Kimberly Ann Bailey, Tanya Amberson, Carol Chretien, Melinda Dalke, Sandra Merwin, Andy Mathis & Stella Violano. (Please click on their names to visit their websites) Talk to you later, Robin Joy Andreae

Art has been Born!

This magnificent colt was named "ART" by T-Bar rescue in honor
of the fundraising efforts of the Art Helping Animals Artists.

It is a great honor to have such a wonderful colt named after us!
T-Bar is a wonderful rescue- They have pigs, Chickens, Jack Russell Terriers and
even had a LLAMA! They are based in Texas- for more information about them please
see their website at http://www.t-bar.org/

We also paint for many other worthy charities- many of which have direct donation buttons on the Art Helping Animals Website! Please consider supporting these very worthy causes!

Dad's Home!

"Dad's Home!" is the title of this happy little oil painting that was painted to bring a smile. Our Dalmatian, Lizzie, is the model...she is captured here after flying to the window at the sound of her"Dad" coming home from work. Unfortunately, a lot of other Dals in this world are not as lucky. They are waiting for their forever homes. Save the Dalmatians, org is doing so much good for Dals in need. Especially those homeless Senior Dals who, through one circumstance or another, have found themselves in serious need of loving care. Visit wwwarthelpinganimals.com for charity info and visit Save the Dalmatians!

Art Auction in Support of Tabby's Place

The model for this painting is a special needs cat named Amstel. She was going to be euthanized because of her diabetes, but a kind vet and Tabby's Place cat rescue saved her from that fate. Her diabetes is now under control through diet and medication and she is hoping to be adopted by some kind person soon.


10% of this auction will go to the charity organization
Tabby's Place cat rescue.

eBay auction link:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7404023071&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMESE%3AIT&rd=1


Tabby’s Place is a cage-free sanctuary for cats rescued from hopeless situations. This one-of-a-kind facility serves as:
An Adoption Center, finding loving homes for cats;
A Hospital, providing medical and surgical treatment for sick or injured resident cats; and
A Hospice, providing palliative care and a warm, loving environment for chronically or terminally ill cats to live out their lives in comfort.
The majority of the cats at Tabby’s Place come from public shelters where they had been scheduled for euthanasia. The sanctuary is home to young and healthy cats as well as cats with special needs.

Helping Penny!

Penny is in need of surgery- she is a homeless dalmatian dog and I created a Liver Dalmatian painting bearing an Easter Basket to benefit her surgery fund:
http://www.artbyus.com/auctions.php?a=2&b=59862

I also have a painting of a playful Cat to help Malibu Pet Compantions:





http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7404682018

Thank you for caring about homeless pets!

It's for the Animals

One of the best thing about being an artist in ArtHelpingAnimals is the wonderful, committed people we get to meet. The people we meet are people who make a difference in their corner of the world.

People such as Karen, a first grade school teacher, who purchased the wolf art shown here. It is exciting to hear about her first graders and their enthusiasm for adoping a wolf and creating wolf art. These first graders are learning about wolf pack behaviors along with science and math. Teachers like Karen and first graders like Karen's kids are doing what they can to help wolves. They make a difference.

I can't begin to list all the people I've met in the charities we help. Each of of these people is commiting time and energy to helping all kinds of animals. It is truly heartwarming to see so many working to help the animals. Working with the ArtHelpingAnimals group has been eye opening. All of us together are making a difference in the lives of so many animals. I always remember at the end of the painting day. It's for the animals. When a painting sells, I think, "it's for the animals." There is a quiet connectedness this work brings all of the ArtHelpingAnimals Artists.

HELP PENNY!

This auction is expressly set up by Art Helping Animals to help a Dalmatian named Penny with her next surgery. The auction items can be found on ART BY US and are wonderful. WILLING HEARTS RESCUE is the perfect name for an organization that does such tremendous good for the neediest animals. Visit www.arthelpinganimals.com for Penny's Story. http://www.artbyus.com/auctions.php for the charity auctions by art Helping Animals artists.

A Dalmatian To Help Senior Dalmatians :)

This liver dalmatian is waiting very patiently for the master's return. Painted to benefit the senior Dalmatian project at Save the Dalmatians and Others Canine Rescue.
This painting is on Linen with museum grade oil paint.

Please consider helping the dals!

PLEASE CLICK HERE TO GO TO AUCTION

Starry Dalmatians

Starry Dalmatians by Melinda Dalke
http://www.artbyus.com/auctions.php?a=2&b=59526
This fun folk art has 30% of the donation going
to help Willing Hearts Dalmatian Rescue with Pennys surgery costs:
PENNY NEEDS SURGERY!
Penny the Dalmatian is having trouble with her wrist. The screws holding her wrist together have worked loose and are causing her pain. She is scheduled to have surgery on Thursday 3/30/06 to correct the problem. This surgery will cost $2400. Penny has come so far and is such a sweet girl we can't give up on her. We can't put a price on her love. We pray that this will be the last surgery she needs.