It is indeed amazing the many little forks in the road and actual road blocks we encounter as the years go by….
I was reminded today of Niki’s injury a few years back as I read about a young dog named Charlie…different circumstances from Niki’s….but well wishes, prayers and a little assistance is very much needed.

Something so very unexpected and out of the ordinary, something you can just not ever plan for…
I remember all too well getting Niki to the emergency clinic, leaving her there….the many phone calls made checking on her. This clinic made one mistake after the next, basically she did no receive their attention, nor the medical attention with winch was necessary for a spinal injury. More importantly, they did ot pick up the phone to inform us of her worsening condition, nor were they forthcoming during the many phone conversations for yes, I was a bit of a pest checking in on her progress. If they had done their job it sooo would have improved her chances at running, jumping, and just having the ability to pee on her own.

Well fast forward a few years and Niki AKA The Little Dog that Could is walking on her own….not perfect and at times a bit unbalanced. Still…we must empty her bladder and at times she will leave a trail of poop as she walks out the door to potty. She is a happy little, fun dog that still must be exercised, daily stretches and PT.

I still sell portraits, prints to help pay for my dogs vet bills. That is how my business  Paw Prints Studio was born….I needed to raise enough money for a pool so that we could do PT. Sadly, I have not yet made enough money for that….still working on it…one day…when the economy is on the up swing no doubt we will get that pool. for now though…
the reason I am sharing this tale is due to another lovely young dog that is indeed in need of a few prayers…Charlie.

At the time when our hearts were so heavy for the cost of Niki’s surgery, the PT, cart needed to help her get around…time and work….oh my, it all was just so overwhelming. The very tough decision of one’s finances vs. the love of a furry friend…medical care is so very expensive for our furry friends, and of course the time factor in which you must make these decisions. Yes, easy to tell me at the time we should have pet insurance….in a multiple dog household, well it can be a bit expensive.

It was then the kindness of a few individuals helped us to get through. With notes of well wishes, lots of prayers and even a few kind individuals sent a few dollars to help with the expenses….one even sent a box of wee wee pads….very thoughtful for when I say over the years we have gone through a good amount of wee wee pads…whew.

The kindness of strangers, helping a little dog in need….well it just simply touched my heart…. for Charlie, paying it forward.

So, while I am not rich and like soooo many the economy has so effected my small little business I will be sending a few dollars….lots of well wishes and of course my prayers. Hopefully little Charlie will fight and like Niki have the chance to be a much loved family companion for years to come.

This weeks “Your Pets Painted Portrait” is Ashie the Golden. I wish I could share a few things about Ashie, other then just how adorable s/he is….but I cannot. Hopefully Ashie’s person will write a little something. For those that would like to see their (just click on the link for more info) Pets Painted Portrait Here.

Life has been very hectic and I have been a bad girl by not posting ;-( Yep…I have an excuse…first I was sick for what seemed like weeks…..PC trouble….big time. So, a new one was purchased and now time must be made to load the software…oh, and I am redoing the office so before the pc can find it’s home on my oh so very crowded desk, painted and new blinds must be installed. Does not sound like much….just needing the time to get it all done. Ohhhh and did I mention the DOGS….very cute but soooo very demanding.

Each week I will be painting a new pets portrait and it will appear here on the Paw Prints Studio web site as well as our Facebook web site. If you would like to see your pets painted portrait just become a fan on our Facebook Paw Prints Studio web site, then post a great image of your beloved furry friend (please post images that are crisp, clear and in focus).

Life with Bailey is going great…almost a full week with us and I swear he has grown.

 He joined our pack one week ago and just fits in. Due to his puppy energy I have been using a puppy pen so that the adult dogs (and me) can have a little break several times through out the day.

When we decided to add to the pack it was done for several reasons…one of them being Rocky so needed a play buddy. The two females do not enjoy tugging, wrestling….romping…he needed another golden

They have made me laugh several times this week during their romps together. Rocky has turned into a great big puppy and is in heaven. Sit back and enjoy the images…I bet one or two of them will just make you smile…for that is what they make me do!!! The relationship is just flourishing. For those of you raising a pup….get your camera out….they grow way too fast!!!

It is indeed funny that in the eyes of our families we really do not change much from the little girl, or little boy we once were…no matter how many years go by…no matter how much gray on our heads….the inner child remains. During those times when we actually allow him or her to come out and just marvel at the most simple things….as simple as a Tea Set…

The Forgotten Tea Set…

When I was a young girl I so loved looking at the tea set my Mother had. My father had purchased it during the early 50’s in Germany when he was in the Army. I had always thought it to be lovely and could imagine that when I was grown it would be on display, and maybe just maybe I would sip a warm cup of tea from it . I am not really sure why I thought it should be mine….I just did.

As young as I was I realized that I should “stake a claim” to it for I had two older sisters and I really thought something as lovely, well… we all must want it. I was brazen enough to ask for it…over the years on more then one occasion, just so my mother would remember that I am the one that realllly soooo wanted it to one day belong to me. Yes dear, she would reply…..I would sigh with relief each and every time I asked for it….it would one day be mine.

In the 80’s my parents started looking for property in FL. once found they had a house built and put the house in NY up for sale. My one sister and her husband…having fallen in love with FL soon followed. Around the same time I had gotten married and my husband and I were relocating to GA. That left one sister in NY. She was married and had two beautiful children….lots of friends and her husbands family with who she had bonded with.

I remember during that time my mother coming to me, siting me down and explaining we were leaving the one sister behind…she had thought it would be a wonderful, kind thing if she would give her the tea set. My Mother had so hoped I would agree, knowing it was promised to me…..I mean really, what could I do… I remember very clearly the feeling of loss I felt….and just a tad bit hurt. I told my mother I understood. It was her tea set and she could give it to whom ever she wanted. It seemed to please her leaving it with the eldest daughter….of course I would go along with her decision.

Sadly for my mother…she never really heard the end of it from me. I feel bad knowing how all of the years since I brought it up…making her feel bad about her decision. Kids, they never really grow up…and oh can we be such brats!!!

After several years the sister that was left behind relocated to FL. I remember visiting her new home…I looked for the tea set and it was no where on display. I did inquire about it and was told that it was lost during her move. Another time during a conversation she mentioned she still had it….somewhere. She soon sold that home and moved into another. For some reason over the years she stored a few belongings in the attic of my other sister. Several years ago that sister called me to tell me that her husband had been going through some old boxes and guess what they had found…The Tea Set! It seems No one knew it was there….carelessly wrapped in newspaper….forgotten.

I asked my sister if she would send it to me…all right, I sort of begged her to. After we discussed it I told d her I would call my mother and see what she thought. I think she was pretty shocked at what I was trying to get my sister to do…send me something that did not belong to either one of us. So….once again…the tea set remained in the attic…still forgotten.

This year as we traveled to St. Augustine and hosted Thanksgiving dinner my sister brought with her the tea set, and it was given to me…with my Mothers blessing. Not theirs to do so, but I indeed accepted…with a big smile. As I opened the box, my sister had rewrapped each piece in bubble wrap for the journey Home. I peeked inside and it was exactly as I remember….a little more worn from not being properly stored….still so very lovely.

So, after all of these years the Tea Set is where it belongs… no longer forgotten. Thank You Mom…Thank You Donna

So today is the last day here in St. Augutstine. Tomorrow we head home and I must say that I no doubt all of us will miss our daily walks on the beach….oh…and the birds….so many birds to help keep the pups entertained. Some more then others

Like many photographers that I know….I prefer being behind the camera rather then in front….as there are not that many images of me I set the camera up and handed it over to Mike. There is actually a series of these and they are pretty funny for we all seemed to look in different directions each time he actually took our photograph, these are the best of the bunch As I am using the laptop…other then cropping these are right from the camera!!!

For now….Homeward bound.

 A very young Phoenix learning agility….how that face makes me smile.

Lately, on my AOL account they have been sending out these warnings  about discontinuing the AOL Pictures on about a  weekly Basis. Delete, Delete….seems I use my Delete key soooo much….just this morning I took a few mintues and actually read through it. I was thinking I did not have any images stored there and thought it best if I took a moment to check. What a wonderful surprise….lots of old images taken with digital cameras from when digiatl first appeared….as you can see, digital has come a long way

What a wonderful delight to see several of my old furry friends who have since left us due to old age or illness.

Feeding time with a six pack!

Sweet Jasmine, my three legged wonder dog. If I close my eyes…I can almost feel her oh so very soft, fluffy coat!

Phoenix & Montana

Pheinix as a pup…Oh my, how my heart just melt!

 Sooo many wonderful memeories! I am just so happy and Thankful I took the time to check, then download to the pc. I cannot help but smile and think about each of my dogs….I have known such wonderful canines and so very blessed to have had them to come into my life. Each had something different to share with me, and teach me….I am indeed blessed!

The other day when I photographed the pups as a demo for photographing your pets…during the group photo I got the shot I wanted. then I said the magic release word…the one word that my dogs LOVE….it has a different meaning depending on just what we are doing….for the above it meant you can move and TREAT. I “whispered” OK and at the same time pressed the shutter release to see just what I would get…then of course I was attacked by three very happy dogs Amazing how the partially paralyzed dog managed to be the first one in motion!