Why do we want a pet?
I’m not the right person to ask as being allergic to most animals that cause hospitalization when I do come into contact with them. It’s not a situation I would like to create purposely.
Pets to most British people are part of the family, some are
doted on more that others. Earlier on in my life we have
had dogs that I loved to bits.There are many dogs now that are said to be perfect for
asthmatics but that still puts me off, having been really poorly several times
it’s frightening to think what can happen to me, then having to take it back doesn't bear thinking about.
I love animals and if I’d not been allergic to them I would
probably have at least one or two.
These days I think it would probably be nice to have one which would get
me out in the fresh air more often and I’d get more exercise too. But is that a
reason for having a dog? Not to my way of thinking, which brings thoughts of
having to get up earlier to take the poor thing out to relieve itself, for me
in all weathers does not bear thinking about. Do I love them enough to turn our
life around at this stage in our lives?
Going anywhere these days can cause problems as to whether
we can take them with us. I've seen them left in cars, taken to car boot sales
in all weathers getting under other people’s feet, being left tied up outside
supermarkets and shops thinking could do that to mine, but then what do you do
with your pet when you also have to live your life. Leave it at home? I’d worry
if it were crying for me as I've heard a neighbour’s dog do when she pops out
for a little while. I’m a softie at heart.
These days there are holiday places that specifically cater
for people who have dogs, but then I’d run into problems with others that I
would be allergic to. When there is no other choice do you put them in kennels
that I know are expensive and can cost as much as the owners holiday. Many
people have someone to pet sit for families in their own home whilst they are
away, whilst others have friends or family look after them in their own home.
Good idea!
With all this in mind I think I’ll stick to painting them. I
have in the past, done portraits of my friends pets, which I’m told, have
looked exactly like their beloved pet which for me is something. When I decide
I’m going to start a pet portrait I like to have a lot of photographs, that I
hang up around my space for a while, it’s my way of getting to know the animal.
When I feel I’m ready to start I draw the cat or dog straight onto a board or
canvas and live with it for a day or two before applying paint. I start with a
background that I think will show the pet’s personality or finished portrait
best. The eyes show me it’s soul and brings the portrait alive, they are
next. After that it depends on the animal’s fur where I continue. I work in
layers allowing each one to dry before starting the next layer. I continually
look at it to feel the essence of pet in front of me. They are well worth the
effort and time I put into them.
I am at this time starting another portrait to paint in
between the roses, which is drying in readiness of the next stage of its
development. As this also needs time to dry I decided it would provide
stimulation whilst I wait without going away of what I’m doing which has
happened then the painting is never completed. I will take photographs for
later publication.
Alphie belongs to a young lady i worked with at the time. |
Ginger belongs to friends of ours and painted as a Christmas gift and was my first pet portrait.. |
Sasha belongs to one of the bosses I worked with at that time.. |
Belle belongs to a dear friend of mine and was a Christmas gift. |
This cat was painted after it passed away to help a dear friend deal with it's loss. |
Painted for the same dear friends as a gift to a relative who was sick at the time |
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