Draw The Dog- A Must See

Check out this website called Draw The Dog- an artists drawings of dogs, with a twist-the cartoons appear from scratch to finish, all before your very eyes! It’s so cool.

Most Current Cartoon is Dog’s Heaven#364

Pet Fashion Show Organized By Local Teens

You’re never too young to make a positive impact on the lives of our animal friends.

I was impressed and inspired by six animal welfare activists between the ages of eight and twelve years old whom collaborated to host a fundraiser fashion show for dogs to benefit the Scituate Animal Shelter.  The fashion show team Mikaela Kelly, Morgan Tedeschi, Madison Muha, Brooke Dubois and Sam and Megan Pender relied on their friends and family to participate with their dogs for a five-dollar donation.

The event was held September 1st at 1:30pm in the Walnut Tree Hill neighborhood in Scituate and drew a crowd of more than one hundred people. To raise additional funds the team also set up face painting, paint your own dog biscuit, a bake sale and sold tickets for twenty-five cents to take a turn on the zip line set up in their yard.  “I liked the face painting the best,” said three-year old fashion show participant and budding philanthropist Lexi Washburn.

The fashion show featured twenty-four dogs across various breeds.  Some of the contestants dressed as famous athletes, hula dancers, ladybugs and cheerleaders.  The categories included Small Dog, Medium/Large Dog and Best in Show. The winners included Sammi the Corgi, Sonny the Chocolate Labrador Retriever and Mia the Shia Poo, respectively.  Each winner received a generous gift bag and a Golden Sneaker trophy.

When asked what inspired them to hold a fundraiser Mikaela Kelly explained, “I went to the animal shelter to volunteer but I am not old enough. They gave me a list of ideas to help them and we have been planning this event since June.”

The even was a tremendous success raising $550 for the Scituate Animal Shelter.

Eyes That Speak Concert For Animals

Concert! *Eye’s That Speak~ Benefit ~ New England Wildlife

This musical group performs and donates all the money to help animal groups-Great for kids and Adults of all ages.

Paintings by Michael Flaherty

This week I stumbled upon an art exhibit at the Pembroke Library-it had a variety of unique paintings in a style I have never seen before, and to my excitement I found some animal paintings-some pigs and some dogs-they were cute! If you like art and you’d like to view the assortment of work-stop by the Pembroke Library Gallery hours are Mon –Thurs. 10-8, Fri & Sat. 10-5 and Sunday 12-4 (when room not in program use.)

From the library: “Michael says it will be a “poor man’s art show”. Michael who was a long time resident of Pembroke, moved to Hawaii for six months last year and dispersed all his art supplies and artwork. But now he is back and working mostly in acrylics because they are fun and he likes lots of color. He will be showing six paintings done while in the islands where he became known as “Hayolee Mike”. Stop by in July to see Mike’s colorful character paintings.”

Spotlight On Animal Artist-Andrea Zimon

By Tonia Evans:

Andrea Zimon has a passion for animals; horses especially. She expresses that passion in her paintings of vibrant colors, textures and designs. It’s Andreas special connection with horses that adds the spark in her art-because she’s so in tune with their spirits. “My favorite subjects are the creatures of nature-especially horses and dogs.” shares Andrea.

She grew up around horses since she was a child, spending time with them at summer camp, taking riding lessons, and in high school she focused on horses and art. She went on to attend the Rhode Island School of Design, and her art started to gravitate toward horses, dogs and other animals.

I visited Andrea in her studio, located among other artists and small businesses, at the Trackside Building at 2 Canton St, Stoughton,MA - a quiet little hole in the wall that she’s had since 2002, a place where she can spread out and create her art in peace -paintings of acrylics, water colors, and textures. When I arrived she was working on a piece she called “Alchemy”, which means; changing something to gold. The painting is a beautiful, brightly colored acrylic of two horses. “Actually-it’s the same horse, just painted differently, side by side.” She said.

At her Norton home, she shares her life with her husband, two retired Greyhounds that inspire her canine art and two horses that board at the Fox Merle Farm. She also supports Greyhound Pets of America as a long-time member, and by donating some of her designs of Greyhounds to be sold at fundraising events.

Andrea is available for commission work, and appointments can be made to see the art she has for sale. Open Studios begin in December, when she sells cards, magnets, and smaller pieces that make great holiday gifts. For more information go to her website at www.andreazart.com or call 508-285-4132.

Please leave comments below!

MassArt Students’ Artwork Shines At NEAFA Gallery Opening

By Tonia Evans

The New England Arts For Animals kicked off another art exhibition in Weymouth on Sunday, this time to reveal the selected artwork for the 2010 Calendar -which will go to print this summer. The gallery opening was held at the New England Wildlife Center in the Catbird Cafe, from 4-7pm, and consisted of a casual mingling of supporters and artists alike.

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Music To Many Ears

By Tracy Woodman

“A monthly column sniffing out trendiest pet pampering products and services.”

Music definitely has a therapeutic component to it. I’ve been a faithful user of a series of music cd’s produced by through a Dog’s Ear. These cds are the product of bioacoustic research, which is the study of sound frequency, harmonic patterns and their effects on heart rate. During the day while I’m at work I leave the radio on at a very low volume for my dogs however, at night when it’s bedtime I switch to through a Dog’s ear specifically!

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Sneeze-Free Sanctuary

By Tonia Evans

The Sneeze-Free Cat Owner

Diane Morgan

Spring has sprung and Spring cleaning has begun, and it brings along with it the dust and allergies that were trapped by the winter lock up. My cats and I are sneezing because I’ve been stirring things up when I clean. Suddenly, I remembered a helpful book I had called The Sneeze-Free Cat Owner, by Diane Morgan. I wanted to be sneeze free and my cats said it was the purrfect time to brush up on my allergy management.

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Paws In Print

By Tonia Evans

Pet Food Politics

The Chihuahua In The Coal Mine

Marion Nestle 2008

Pet lovers- do you feed your dog or cat manufactured pet food? Then you won’t want to miss reading the book Pet Food Politics-The Chihuahua In The Coal Mine, written by Marion Nestle. It gives a comprehensive account of how the pet food recall came about in 2007. It sheds light on what was secretly happening within the pet food companies-lots of details they wouldn’t want you or your favorite pet to know about! Read more

2009 NEAFA Calendars Make Great Gifts

By Tonia Evans
2009 NEAFA (New England Arts for Animals) Calendars Are now available just in time for holiday gift giving! This gift keeps on giving all year around and the proceeds go help artists, writers and their supporters fund therapy, companion and service animals, the people that need them and the programs that support them.
$19.95ea + $1.00 tax = $20.95
Calendars can be purchased online at:
CLICK HERE: stores.lulu.com/neartsforanimals <http://stores.lulu.com/neartsforanimals>

New England Arts For Animals Exhibit

By Tonia Evans

New England Arts For Animals

“Gallery Art. Photo By Karen McCarthy”

Over one hundred people attended the first gallery opening for the New England Arts for Animals at the South Shore Natural Science Center in Norwell on Saturday September 6th. NEAFA, a non-profit group of artists and animal lovers, displayed and donated a portion of the sales of their work to support organizations that train assistance and therapy animals.[ By Artist Donna Ingemanson, Photography By: Karen McCarthy"] Read more