Feast your eyes:
Our first baby. Winston.
He left us at the very young age of eight years old. Too soon and devastatingly so.
Right after Don and I moved in together in San Diego, we repaired the fence so we could adopt a dog. Within a week of moving in, we were at the Humane Society. The very first dog we saw was scared, bewildered and broke our hearts. As we read his tag, we learned his name was Winston and, at the age of eighteen months, he had been given up by his family due to ‘allergies.’ (We won’t go into how I feel about that.) We thought he was beautiful. He was listed as an Aussie Shepherd Mix.
But we made ourself look at many other dogs that day. The trouble was, we kept circling back to Winston. He had stolen our hearts. So we made our desire to spend some time with him known to the volunteers and they took us to a special enclosure where we could get to know each other. Winston and Don and I went inside. I set my handbag down. Whereupon Winston promptly lifted his leg and peed in it.
He had indeed claimed us. In the end, we had to wait a few days because they needed to do a fecal test. But he wouldn’t poop. I kept calling them, anxious to bring him home. Finally, they gave up on the fecal test and our new family member came to our house. We parked in the garage and escorted him to the back yard. Whereupon he promptly pooped.
That boy was all about marking his territory.
If you’ve seen his picture on my sidebar, you’ve noticed the pink ball. I asked Shanna to put the ball in the portrait. Winston was the only one of our dogs who always had a favorite toy and took it from room to room. If I went back to the den from the living room, he would pick that ball up in his mouth, walk to the den, and drop it at my feet. He loved his toys. One Christmas Eve, he sat facing the fireplace for hours (I have a picture) staring at his stocking. He wouldn’t move. Why? Because that boy smelled the vinyl toys.
A few years later, he became very ill, vomiting and losing weight. We went through all kinds of tests before we had a diagnosis. His pancreas no longer functioned. We had to give him a powdered supplement with his food from that day on so he could digest it and get the sorely needed nutrients. Until the day we discovered that he had a tumor on his heart, a year after we had moved East, he was happy and healthy and everything we had dreamed of in a companion.
Oh, he was a wonderful boy. He welcomed Scout into our home, after making clear who was boss. They were great companions. (And Scout welcomed Riley into our home, after making clear who was boss, as well!)
So, I wanted that ball in the painting. I also wanted him on the porch, even though he never lived here in the cottage. I like to think he made the move with us, unseen. And both Shanna and I had the same idea; to paint this one horizontally on the paper, rather than vertically.
The photos I submitted to Shanna were taken long ago, with a not so great camera and the dark background of our Craftsman home in San Diego. And Winston was black, which made it even harder to see details. Somehow she has managed to capture him beautifully. She is masterful with the eyes, isn’t she?
I can’t believe how accurate this is. This is the boy we have been mourning for 14 years. And now he is with his sister and his brother.
Someday I’ll show you the view from Don’s chair, but this is the view from where I often sit. As Don said this morning while he was sipping on his coffee and looking at the paintings, “Our kids.”
I can never express in words how seeing these paintings, along with the sketch of Scout (also by Shanna) and my photograph of Riley and Scout – all of them together in their own special place – makes me feel. I can only say that it just feels right. They are our children, forever, and they’re still with us.
Thank you, Shanna.
Happy Saturday.
Beautiful portrait of Winston. We had a dog with the same kind of eyes, so full of expression of love! We will always miss our babies.
Always, Doris. Always.
It is wonderful and the wall of your children is just so sweet! Shanna is so talented and now I’m waiting for my ‘Charlie’ so I can frame it and hang it. Thank you for sharing Shanna’s talents with us. I loved the story of how you found Winston!
hugs,
Linda
I got a sneak peek of Charlie’s portrait, Linda. It’s beautiful!
Thanks, Linda. Charlie is now on his way to you.
I loved hearing your Winston story. It’s wonderful that you now have a wall devoted to the kids. David and I have had three Yorkies and our babies have each had a distinctive and charming personality. Our first Yorkie, Bitterman, had a large pink ball that my Mom gave him. Bitterman played with that ball constantly. His favorite thing to do was to wedge the ball between a piece of furniture and the wall. Then he would look at us and bark until we applauded his accomplishment. When he died, David built a box for him and we placed him inside with his favorite blanket and the pink ball. I didn’t want him to be without it.
Big Texas Hugs,
Susan and Bentley
I completely understand, Susan. They are individuals with their own personalities. Lovely story!
Claudia, the paintings of your babies look beautiful!! You have grouped them together so nicely!! You only have to glance there to always have them close to you…. Such a nice tribute to your babies!!
It makes us very happy, Francine.
Beautiful memories for you and Don to enjoy every day! xoxo
Thank you, Cathy!
He looks just right in that grouping, doesn’t he? Thanks for the opportunity to paint him, Claudia. I’ve enjoyed painting all of your children. Love that vintage floral on the green chair, too!
He fits perfectly Shanna! Thank you so much!! xo
Shanna did it again! Beautiful! Now the kids are all together….just as they should be. Love the story of how you came to adopt Winston. Enjoy your day! ;)
I’m so happy seeing them all together here in the cottage, Donna!
I loved your Winston story and the painting by Shanna, embodies your loving memory of Winston beautifully!
It really does, Elizabeth!
Your and Don’s love for your dogs/”kids” is lovely, Claudia. Brought sentimental tears to my eyes. I often think of my feline “kids” who are no longer with me. Though I’m not as talented as Shanna, I captured the three on a bookcase I painted to hold my cookbooks
I bet it’s simply lovely, Wendy.
Oh, Claudia, this is a beautiful gallery wall of your babies! And that is why MHC is so homey – it is filled with love on every wall and in every nook and cranny. Shanna, you did an amazing job!
Thank you, Donna.
Ah, thank you, Donna! And Shanna is amazing!
This painting shows that Winston has a beautiful soul.
The picking out or choosing process at the shelters are always interesting to me.
Have a nice weekend.
Peace~
m~
He does, indeed. He was a wonderful boy.
Just perfect!! The circle is now complete. Your four legged kids will always be with you in spirit no matter where you and Don are.
Hugs
I am counting on that, Nancy.
Poor baby had a little anxiety at the shelter.
The gallery wall is perfect, just right. Shanna is quite a gifted artist. Well done!
Can you imagine being abandoned, as so many of those babies are? It breaks my heart.
I truly believe that they find us, not the other way around. All “meant to be”. I think that is the most perfect “Gallery Wall” I have seen. I’m sure each time your eyes raise up to that view, it brings a smile. Shanna’s work is amazing. Those sweet eyes……..
Hope you are enjoying your Saturday. Our weather here has been postcard perfect for the past several days. Hope yours is as well!!
I do, too. And our next child will find us, as well. When it’s time, we’ll know.
Our weather has been extraordinary, Chris!
I agree about the eyes – Shanna has amazing skill and talent. It feels like all of their eyes are actually looking back at you! I felt that was especially so in this painting of Winston. The entire grouping you’ve put together of your kids made me feel emotional, and really makes me miss my little Emma.
We chose this pose because he was looking right at me in the photo. It all makes me very emotional, too, Debbie.
Awwww, sniff. LOVED hearing all about Winston! What a character. Personality with a tail! I’m sure he followed right along from California to New York too, and hovers “in the area” occasionally even. Dogs have that special ability to know when they’re needed the most, and they are ALWAYS there at those times. Whether or not we can actually SEE them is not important to them. In fact, you’ve probably had 3 canine souls curled up at the end of your bed more nights than you know… 🌜
I sure hope so, Janet. That would be wonderful!
Beautiful wall of all of your babies! John had a wall in his office with pictures and paintings of all of our dogs. They are so precious to us, aren’t they?
Have a good weekend.
Judy
They are unbelievably precious, Judy! Love to you, my friend.
Just love the dog corner!
We do, too! Thanks, Nancy!
Lovely, gentle portraits of lovely, gentle friends.
Thank you Nancy.
What a sweet story of Winston..I know how your hearts feel Claudia and Don..I call my kitties my kids also…The ones who are gone have never really left…they are very much alive in my heart and memory…I can’t remember if I told you this before..I have a sweet little wooden sign that I bought at a flea market..it says: “Heaven’s the place where all the cats you’ve ever loved come to greet you”…I’m sure the same is true for dogs…Hugs
Love the sign, Nancy. I truly believe that my dogs are going to greet me someday. They’d better!
Lovely. I love seeing all three kids together in your cottage. Very special
I love it, too, Karen.