Introducing...B.O.N.E.S. !

Art Helping Animals has a new charity partner...Beagles Of New England States... has joined our list of artist supported charities.

About BONES..."Our mission is to rescue, rehome, spay/neuter and provide necessary medical care to beagles in need in the New England Area. We endeavor to improve the quality of life for beagles in New England through outreach and education programs. BONES was founded in 2003 for the purpose of rescuing beagles and placing them in forever homes. B.O.N.E.S. is registered in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as a nonprofit organization. B.O.N.E.S. is an all volunteer organization, comprised of dedicated people that want what is best for beagles in their area."


One of the features of their informative site is the FAQ page. "Max the Beagle" answers email!
Please visit http://www.bonesbeagles.org/ for more information if you are interested in beagles as a breed that you'd like to know more about, helping beagles...donations are welcome, and giving a beagle a forever home!


Coming Soon!...Original Art offered to help these wonderful dogs that will be available through www.arthelpinganimals.com please visit our site to learn more. The image today is a photo of Rufus from the BONES website.

Keep Cool this Summer

Hot, hot, hot! That's been the average for this summer across the country. California is facing power outages due to the increased use. Here's some tips for keeping your furry friends cool and safe for the summer.
BEAT THE HEAT
* Outside: If your pet is outside a lot, make sure it has a shady area and plenty of cool water.
* Hot Cars: Never leave a pet in a parked car in warm weather. Cats and dogs can quickly get overheated or even get heatstroke and die. Check with your vet for more information on how to avoid heatstroke.
* Cool Walks: Exercise your pet in the early morning or late evening when temperatures are cooler. Hot pavement can burn a pet's feet.
* Beach: If you take your pet to the beach, keep it off the hot sand. Put up an umbrella so it has some shade. And give it lots of fresh water to drink.
* Boats: A life jacket for Fido or Fluffy? Not a bad idea when on a boat. But a better idea is to leave your pet at home. An animal overboard often means an animal drowned.
* Pools: A deep swimming pool can be a problem too. Once in, your pet may not be able to get out. It may also swallow some water, and pool chemicals can be harmful to Fido or Fluffy?
So What to do? Here's some fun ways to keep your pet cool.
* Kiddie pools: A great way to beat the heat. Keep a plastic kiddie pool filled to a few inches deep with cool water and some of your pup's plastic toys. Dogs really love this!
* Ice Cubes: Who doesn't like a cold drink of water on a hot day. Ice cubes also make a fun thing to chase across the floor, too!
* Cold Wet Towels: One way to cool an overheated pet is to place a cool wet towel over him or her.
* The Good Ol' Mister Bottle: A few squirts are sure way to cool a hot dog or kitty. Your kitty may not like it, but it's a good way to bring down the heat.

WARNING: Signs of heat exhaustion include open mouth breathing and lethargy. A dog's normal body temperature is 100 to 102 degrees Fahrenheit. If his rectal temperature starts to go above 105 degrees, he is approaching a danger zone of heat stroke. He will often be panting very hard, his gums may be very dark pink or even reddish, and he may feel quite hot to the touch. If he is in this condition, soak him with cool or cold water immediately and take him promptly to the nearest veterinarian. This is an emergency situation and requires immediate care.

Wildlife Education

One of the charities we support is the Sarvey Wildlife Center in Arlington, Washington. They teach educational Programs about wildlife.
It is difficult if not impossible to care about wildlife if you have absolutely no understanding of their plight. They have found time and time again that their educational programs for children manifest themselves with young adults who take an active part in protecting and encouraging others to protect our wild animals. Education really is the key to finding a balance between our needs and the needs of our local wildlife. In 2005 Sarvey presented 49 off site programs, reaching 13,000 people and gave programs to a wide variety of groups, including schools, scouting groups, Audubon societies, and philanthropic organizations.
This is a truly wonderful charity, please visit their site to learn more and make a donation.
http://www.sarveywildlife.org/Default.aspx

Corgi Love by Sandra Merwin

Corgi Love is a colored pencil drawing soon to be available on ebay to benefit the Old Dog Haven.

Have you ever wondered how many tears are shed for our pet companions. Recently a dear friend's dog died suddenly. She asked the question: How can it hurt so much to say good bye to a dog? Truthfully, tears reveal the depth of the relationship a dog can bring into our lives. The relationship with a dog is unusual. Who else sleeps on the end of your bed? Who else licks your face? Who else waits by the window for you when you leave?

Perhaps author James Thurber said it best: "If I have any beliefs about immortality, it is that certain dogs I have known will go to heaven, and very, very few persons."

Let it Snow!

Save the Dalmatians.org continues to provide help and support and hopefully homes for Senior Dalmatians. They rely on the support of volunteers and people like YOU to help keep the donations coming.
Some of these dalmatians require vet care when first rescued. The expenses mount quickly. As artists providing art for charity we hope to give a win-win situation to these projects. YOU get a wonderful piece of original art or fine art prints or even cards....the CHARITY gets a donation to keep their good work going forward.
Personally, I am not able to foster or adopt an animal in need at this time, my own spoiled pets wouldn't allow it. I feel they are so fortunate that my way to help is to write a check, promote the charity, do the artwork and hopefully make a connection with the work, an art lover, the charity and the animal in need.
YOU can always go directly to the charity and make a donation, then call it a job well done! OR...you could go to the charity or ART HELPING ANIMALS website and find a great piece of art AND a donation will be sent from your purchase.
Summer is not a great time for charities who need your help...we are out and busy and enjoying the weather...but take a moment to support your favorite animal charity...the animals really depend on us all.
Visit: www.arthelpinganimals.com
thanks! Carol Chretien...the picture above is a Christmas card listed on Artbyus.com to support Save the Dals. "Gathered All Together"http://www.artbyus.com/auctions.php?a=2&b=79035

Antifreeze Poisoning

Summer is here and it's one of the hottest on record. Cars cooling systems are under great strain and may boil over with deadly antifreeze. Every year over 10, 000 cats and dogs die from accidental antifreeze poisoning. A pet doesn't have to drink a lot of antifreeze to be poisoned. Most brands of commercial antifreeze consist of 95 percent ethylene glycol, an extremely toxic chemical. Even a few licks of this sweet-tasting liquid can be fatal to a cat or dog. (Ethylene- glycol-based antifreeze is also extremely hazardous to children. A few ounces are lethal.) Antifreeze poisoning commonly occurs in spring and fall when car owners replace the old antifreeze with fresh antifreeze in their car radiators. However, poisoning can happen anytime, particularly when a car boils over or when a hose leaks, releasing the antifreeze. Antifreeze poisoning happens often to animals who are allowed to roam freely in their neighborhoods, but another high risk group are those dogs who are confined in garages and who may not always be provided with adequate fresh drinking water. These dogs may gain access to improperly or inadequately stored antifreeze or lick spilled or leaked antifreeze off the garage floor. If it is necessary to confine your pet(s) to your garage, make sure antifreeze containers are well secured and your animal has plenty of fresh water.
Another source of antifreeze are the decorative "snow globes" glassware. The liquid in the these displays contain 2% antifreeze and are very toxic.
Both cats and dog are attracted to the smell and taste of ethylene glycol. Therefore, when you or a member of your household changes antifreeze in the driveway, be sure to collect all of the waste coolant and properly dispose of it. And never leave a bucket of ethylene-glycol coolant unattended - even for a moment. Also remember that your car can leak coolant at any time. If you see a puddle of greenish-colored liquid in your driveway, flush the area with plenty of water and don't delay locating and fixing the leak. Another method of quick clean-up is to spread cat litter on the spill, clean up with rags (which are bagged immediately) and then rinse. Antifreeze will biodegrade in the environment, but it takes weeks or months to do so, so removing the spill is absolutely essential.

Symptoms
Antifreeze poisoning occurs in two stages: In the first stage, the ethylene glycol in the antifreeze causes a drunken appearance in the animal within about 30 minutes which may continue for several hours. After passing through stage 1, the animal appears to recover. Stage 2 begins when the dog's liver begins metabolizing the ethylene glycol, changing it into more toxic substances. Within 12 to 36 hours of ingestion, these metabolites have reached such a level that the dog's kidneys stop functioning, and the animal slips into a coma.
Getting the dog to a veterinarian is critical within the first 9-12 hours following ingestion. After that length of time, the liver will have already begun metabolizing the ethylene glycol into substances that cause kidney failure and ultimately death. The faster your pet is treated by a veterinarian the better the chances of recovery. Again, this poison is extremely toxic.

Symptoms of antifreeze poisoning include a drunken appearance including staggering, lack of coordination, and apparent disorientation and vomiting. The animal may appear listless and depressed. Because early signs of antifreeze poisoning often mimic signs of other illness, neither you or your veterinarian may suspect antifreeze poisoning until it is too late. Fortunately, in house lab tests performed by your veterinarian may assist in the diagnosis of antifreeze toxicity.
Prevention
One step owners can take to prevent a potential tragedy from befalling their pets is to use a less-toxic propylene-glycol-based antifreeze in the car. Propylene glycol, on the other hand - although not entirely nontoxic - is considerably less toxic than ethylene glycol. These products do provide an added margin of safety in the event of accidental ingestion. However, it still can cause death if a large amount is ingested. In addition, the metals in your cooling system that corrode or dissolve into your antifreeze can also be harmful. For this reason, motorists should always exercise caution when using any type of antifreeze product.
If your standard practice is to take your car to a mechanic for its winter preparations, be sure to ask specifically for a propylene-glycol-based antifreeze. (But be prepared to pay a little more.)
There are several nationally available propylene- glycol antifreezes on the market, including:
Sierra (Safe Brands Corp., 1-800-289-7234)
Sta-Clean (Sta-Clean Products, 1-800-825-3464
Prestone LowTox® Antifreeze/Coolant-available at most automotive stores and departments.

Spay and Neuter your Cats

"Jewel Rose"
Original Acrylic painting
by Melinda Dalke
Click on painting to view

Its warm outside, the perfect time for cats to breed. Please help control the cat population by getting your cats spayed or neutered. Did you know that one cat and her kittens can produce over 400,000 cats in about seven years. Thats a lot of hungry mouths to feed, a large majority of these cats end up in shelters or wandering our streets. Our cities and towns spend thousands of dollars trying to control unwanted and feral cats. Please remember to have your special cat spayed or neutered soon.
If you would like to learn about a very special charity, The Feral Cat Coalition of Oregon, that spays and neuters Feral cats in Oregon, please visit there site and donate to their worthy cause http://www.feralcats.com/

To view the painting above, click on the painting or click here
-http://cgi.ebay.com/Shabby-Tabby-Cat-Original-Folk-Art-Painting-Dalke-FCCO_W0QQitemZ7421657412QQihZ016QQcategoryZ20158QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem

Helping Protect K-9 Police dogs-

Last year a police dog in Long Beach, CA was killed in the line of duty. Police dogs are wonderful creatures who serve the public and deserve to be protected if possible.

Lately there have been efforts to provide these loyal companions with bullet proof vests. The Vests are expensive and fundraisers are being launched.

One of the more interesting fundraisers will be taking place next month in Visalia, California where the 3rd Annual Thunder in the Valley Hawgs for Dawgs Poker Run will take place.

The event will be on August 20th and is open to riders who want to help.
You can also make a donation to the cause if you are unable to attend!

As an artist who loves animals and was devistated at the loss of Bosco the police dog I wish to thank the Harley Riders for having this incredible event!
THANK YOU!




I will add the official announcement below:

3rd Annual Thunder In The Valley Hawgs For Dawgs Poker Run
Sponsored by Visalia Harley Davidson & Visalia Harley Owner's Group
Registration is from 9:00am to 10:30am on Sunday, August 20, 2006 at Visalia Harley-Davidson, located at 30681 Highway 99 in Visalia.

Kickstands up at 10:30am. The cost is $25.00 per participant. Run packet includes a T-shirt and run pin to the first 500. You also receive a lunch ticket, a grand prize ticket & a poker card. There will be live music, a bike show, raffles, 50/50 and more. Visalia Harley-Davidson will donate $5 for each paid registrant.

You may also pre-register by mail or on Saturday, August 19th at Visalia Harley-Davidson from 4pm to 8pm at our Pre-Registration Party. There will be music, BBQ and prizes. You can print a Registration Form/Flyer from our website, www.visaliahog.org.

The money raised from this ride will benefit all of Tulare Counties K-9 units to purchase such items as bullet proof vests for their police dogs or bite suits used in training the dogs. Last years event raised over $30,000 and we hope to raise more money this year. For more information call 559-733-4647 or 559-799-4796, email webmistress@visaliahog.org, or go to http://www.visaliahog.org

Montana Animal Rescue Efforts

Art Helping Animals is concerned about all types of animals rescues. Here is a little drawing of a charming Westie that benefits the Save the Dalmatians Rescue. You can find more auction listings of paintings being sold to help animal rescue efforts at www. arthelpinganimals.com

Rescuing animals in our area is a concern right now. The moon looks red at night because of the fires in Montana. It is over 100 degrees today in the high plains and the fire danger is Extremely high. Two Milliion acres of land in Montana has burned this year. The Northern Rockies Regional Office of the Humane Society has been working to help rescue all kinds of animals. Highways have been closed because of dense smoke making it hard to evacuate people and livestock. Local fairgrounds are set up to house animals until they can be returned home.

The Humane Society of the US is asking all animal owners to make sure they have a disaster plan for their animals. It seems that no matter where you live disasters can strike and we have the responsibility to plan for our animals. So if you have not thought about your disaster plan, please check out www.hsus.org website and read about Disaster Preparedness.

Here are a few questions to get you started.

Can you get all your pets into their pet carriers in time?
If you have large animals, do you have a way to transport them?
Do all your pets have ID tags? Micro chips?
Do you know where you can go in emergencies that are pet friendly places?

While we're on the subject of TBAR, let's talk about Pudding.


Poor Pudding has been at the rescue since she was a puppy, watching other dogs get loved on and taken home. And nobody ever seems to come for her. Does it ever hurt her feelings? It’s hard to know! It’s hard to know whether she realizes what’s going on.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with this girl. Pudding is a friendly and affectionate Staffordshire/Boxer mix. She walks well on a leash and sits when you ask her to. She would be a great indoor pet or outdoor pet. When she is outside she will stay right with you and come when she's called; and she's crate trained. She has been spayed. She’s in perfect health, beautiful, and if someone were to call for her, that person would change her life. To meet Pudding, please call TBAR at 936-878-2349 or email help@t-bar.org. Pudding is dying to hear from you!

TBAR aka True Blue Animal Rescue is located in the beautiful Texas Hill Country near Washington-on-the-Brazos. TBAR was featured on the TV show "Extreme Makeover" and received so much help and fame from that experience, including a new house, new stables, new corrals, new kennels, dog pens and more. The doggies even have their own private fire hydrants. TBAR has a LOT of animals needing forever homes: dogs, cats and horses of all ages. Please look over their website at www.t-bar.org and find an animal you can help through adoption or sponsorship. Alternately, you can purchase a painting through www.ArtHelpingAnimals.com that will directly benefit TBAR by donation of sale proceeds. Create a win-win situation.

Free to Good (?) Home

Free To a Good (?) Home
For those of you needing to place an animal, be advised that offering to give the pet free of charge to someone you don't know is a very bad idea. Unbelievable as it seems, and more often than you would guess, people respond to "free to good home" offers for reasons other than wanting a pet.Some turn right around and sell the animal to research labs; others use young or small animals as "bait" for training dogs for illegal fighting, or even feed them to pet snakes!Sadly, these and other gruesome activities are not at all uncommon nowadays, so please - if you are unable to find the animal a home with someone whom you can be absolutely certain will treat it well, take it to a local animal shelter. Don't take a chance on condemning a helpless creature to possible abuse and torture. It isn't fair, and it isn't necessary.
(article from True Blue Animal Rescue) Please visit TBAR and donate to their charity http://www.t-bar.org/index.html
The above painting
"Got Milk"
by Melinda Dalke
can be purchased at
http://cgi.ebay.com/Charity-Big-Original-Black-Cat-Art-Painting-Dalke-TBAR_W0QQitemZ7424576795QQihZ016QQcategoryZ20158QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Art Helping Animals

Art Helping Animals

DARE to CARE

This week we heard about a 16 year old Corgie dumped by the wayside. WHO DOES THIS KIND OF THING? Lucky for the corgie named Patrick he has found angels from OLD DOG HAVEN to help.
It leaves me speechless but always grateful for the kind hearts beating in the volunteers of rescues across this country.
If we don't stand up for these innocent animals who will?
Old Dog Haven is one of ART HELPING ANIMAL's favorite charities to sponsor. We have a whole range of animal charitites listed on our site that deserve attention.
The volunteers are heroes in the lives of so many different animals and we can't say enough for them.
The Painting for today is still on the easel and will be posted to assist DARE doxie rescue when done.
Check out the arthelpinganimals.com site for other work the artists have for sale to help animals...trying hard to save one animal at a time and happy to use art as a means to that end! Thanks for your continued support. Artwork copyright 2006 CAROL CHRETIEN.

Stop the Senseless Slaughter of the Yellowstone Buffalo

During the 2005/2006 winter season over 1000 free roaming buffalo have been slaughtered for leaving the confines of Yellowstone National Park .

Not understanding or knowing what fate awaits them, some of the buffalo leave the park in search of better forage during the harsh winter months. Under a cooperative agreement (Interagency Bison Management Plan ) among federal and state government agencies, the Montana Department of Livestock (MDOL) hazes buffalo and engages in a capture, test, and slaughter program out of the unreasonable fear that the buffalo will transmit brucellosis to domestic cattle, (a disease that causes spontaneous abortion among livestock). It is extremely important to note that there has never been a documented case of a wild buffalo transmitting brucellosis to livestock .

In Grand Teton National Park , where infected buffalo and livestock have co-mingled for more than 45 years, there has not been a single incident of disease transmission. However, the state of Montana on behalf of the livestock industry has killed more than 3200 buffalo since 1985 based on this unsubstantiated fear.

The Yellowstone bison herd is the only continuously wild herd in the United States . It is descended from just 23 wild bison that survived the mass eradication of the 19th century and is the largest remaining single population of genetically pure bison. Yellowstone bison are a unique cultural and biological treasure because they are the last wild bison in America . Please help save them from another senseless slaughter. Please click here for more information on the buffalo and how you may help. - Robin J. Andreae

Wolf Trio

The pen and ink "Wolf Trio" is a charity auction on ebay for the Wild Spirit Wolf Sanctuary.

The Wild Sprit Wolf Sanctuary is a 501 c3 Charity that is working to help the wolves. One of the critical ways to help the wolves is through education. Part of the education about wolves is to ask the public to see the wof as it is, a social animal that does not kill humans and has an important place in our ecosystem. There are no recorded human death from wolf attacks. Although there is recorded human deaths and injuries from owl attacks. Yet, the owl is seen as wise, while the wolf is often seen dangerous. Actually, the wolf is a cautious creature and prefers to avoid mankind. Yet, the wolves in our history have often been an archetype of negative forces. Red Riding Hood, the trickster, and the three little pigs singing "Who's afraid of the Big Bad Wolf". So hat's off to the Wild Spirit Wolf Sanctuary for working for a new understanding of the wolves and their place in our world.

Back to School

"Back to School" - copyright V. Bridges Hoyt 2006

I have just completed an 8"x10" oil painting to be published in the Art Helping Animals 2007 Calendar. More information on the release of the calendar will follow soon. The original painting is available for viewing and/or purchase at Texas Sauce Studio online or through the Art Helping Animals web site Christmas in July sale. Click on the partial image above to see more details. Sale will benefit True Blue Animal Rescue in Brenham, Texas.

Elinor's Bagpipe Band.... Farewell to Walt and Disney

Tribute to Walt and Disney-

By Stella Violano

Today Walt joined his beloved Disney at Rainbow Bridge. Walt and Disney were two senior Dalmatians who were rescued by Save the Dalmatians and Other Canines Rescue

Both were models and inspiration for many of my paintings and I will miss them very much as does Terri their foster mother. They knew love and companionship and enjoyed life thanks to the Senior Rescue Program. It is an expensive program but it gives wonderful lives to happy loving dogs with a lot of life left to live

PLEASE SUPPORT THE SENIOR PROGRAM AT SAVE THE DALS!

May you and Disney race across the bridge and play in the sunshine- till we meet again.

Walt and Disney

Here are some of the the paintings they inspired:

Daisy Greeting Walt

God Speed Friends- God Speed...

Holiday Sale!

THE ART HELPING ANIMALS CHRISTMAS AND HOLIDAY SUMMER ART SALE!

Shop Early and Help Animals in Need!

See post below for all the details.

READ ALL ABOUT IT!

The Press Release is out and now that the Forth of July is past (ducking and running for cover. just kidding!)....BUT....it is time to think Christmas Spirit and giving to charity!
Only mention this because support to needy animal charities is down in the summer.
Great art is to be had for the cause and to get things rolling...visit ART HELPING ANIMALS to get started this season...early. Click on the HOLIDAY ART SALE button.
THANKS FOR SUPPORTING RESCUE!

Professional Artists Celebrate "Christmas In July" to Help Homeless Animals

The website Art Helping Animals http://www.arthelpinganimals.com is hosting a summer sale
to advertise the plight of needy animals in pet rescue and animal sanctuaries.

Art helping Animals has raised over 6000.00 in a matter of a few months time. A percentage of the sale of art work provided by this fellowship of professional artists has been donated to these 501 (c)(3) animal charitites highlighted on their website.

These artists have been creating this new work for the summer sale and listing auctions on Ebay and ArtbyUs venues. Biographies about the artists are available through the www.arthelpinganimals.com site. Many excellent examples of their work can also be viewed there.

The charities and their indepth information are listed on the site along with photos of homeless animals who are awaiting adoption.
The Art Helping Animals website has a wealth of useful content to access. There is a daily Blog that is rich with art and information,
a bi-monthly newsletter containing educational and inspirational articles, stories of rescue success, archived library articles and new projects that are regularly announced on the site. The Art Helping Animals website is family friendly and a place that all art and animal lovers will enjoy.

The one goal is to save a life, one animal at a time.

Bookmark the website, there is always something newsworthy being added.

Link*:
http://arthelpinganimals.com

Red Doberman: Hugo

I went to the dog show last week and had a wonderful time seeing all the dog breeds. All the dogs were beautiful. They were being primped and groomed. One dog really stood out. His name was Hugo. He was the red Doberman Pinscher that was totally nonplused by the whole affair. When he saw a long haired dog like his pal the Siberian Husky, he wanted to play. When he saw children he wanted to be petted. When I sat down, he put his head in my lap and just looked at me as if to say, "Well, who are you? Tell me about yourself." When he walked in the ring he appeared to be regal. He ignored the judge and the spectators. He took home the four point major. It was gratifying to see that his excellent breeding included a wonderful temperament.

The above drawing is now on ebay as a charity auction for Malibu Pet Companions.

Raptors

Ki-Red Shouldered Hawk

I recently took a trip down to Eugene, Oregon and visited the Cascades Raptor Center. We met a Great Horned Owl named Lorax, very beautiful and intense, an American Kestrel named Puck, who was quite a character and my favorite Ki-a Red Shouldered Hawk. Ki flapped his wings and held his head proud, he has a magnificent presence.

This is Cascades Raptor Centers story about Ki:

Ki was found as a nestling in June 2003 he was emaciated, weak, with a heavy load of both internal and external parasites, a fungal and bacterial infection, and an injured right eye. The eye had a cataract and ultimately ruptured and collapsed, possibly from a poke by a nest mate competing for food, a crow, or simply a stick in the nest. Diurnal raptors need both eyes to hunt and though a few adults who had already developed their hunting skills might be able to compensate for such a loss, a young bird just learning to hunt would have little chance of survival. The western subspecies of red-shouldered hawk has been expanding its range north from California, first in the winter, and can be found nesting in western Lane County, Oregon.
Melinda Dalke
Please visit the Cascades Raptor Centers Site and donate to their
wonderful cause. http://www.eraptors.org/

Lorax-Great Horned Owl

Puck-American Kestrel