Growing up I loved to read about animals as did I enjoy movies about animals (bet you could have guessed that one ). Having been raised in Brooklyn NY…the zoo was my closest experience to wild life. Early teens the family moved to LI….more land, better air…I was never really much of an out doorsy kind of gal…lots of allergies and I hate bugs.

In my mid twenties I relocated to Atlanta….been in the very same house ever since. Here there is abundant wild birds and ever since I can remember we have shared our yard with a few raccoons. We get along…they will forage in the area that we feed the birds. They have not ever bothered us, but then again we do not leave anything out for them to get into.

Raccoons live in the wild about 8 years or so….longer in captivity. Our area is the perfect location for raccoons for there is a creek in the wooded area. At night If the light comes on or they hear the clicking of the back door….they zip over the fence for they know the dogs are coming out for a potty run. They are actually pretty darn smart in knowing our daily and nightly habits

Once the spring time arrives we notice the raccoons more and more, especially during the day. This year is no different. We seem to have a female hanging around….last few days she is visiting us more and more throughout the day. I cannot tell if she has had babies, or is going to have babies. She is sooooo hungry. Now, as cute as raccoons may seem, they are wild, and you do not want your dogs to get into a fight with one….raccoons can be so very nasty. Yes, they do at times have rabies as well. So as of late I find myself watching for changes in their behavior. They can be extremity protective of their babies, as can I be extremely protective of my dogs

While I have always allowed them to feed (no choice if feeding birds) this one however is not moving when she sees me. She has gotten to accustomed to me…mine and the dogs daily outings in the yard… she does not realize she is tress passing. A free meal can be had over the fence, they are such opportunist feeders. So, it looks like for her safety, and that of my dogs and myself I will be bringing the bird feeder in at night and just allow them to forage on the seeds on the ground….as will I be chasing her more during those times I see her during the day.

This is what our students are learning to paint this week….class starts up again in a few short weeks. Interested, visit our Paw Prints Store to save your place in class.

Here kitty, kitty!!! Created by Deb Carter.

Cloudy, overcast and the occasional storm passing through Atlanta this afternoon. After a few hours of painting I decided it was time for a walk and play. Get the dogs….who when it rains are so lazy, out we go. It did not take long for them to get in the mood for a little romping. Several “fresh” sticks had fallen last night, something new to sniff and chew on. A few games of kick ball, fetch the stick, fetch the ball and of course fetch the Frisbee. We then took some time to do a little bird watching…lot’s of them visiting the feeder this spring. I then noticed the raccoon looking down upon us….through the leaves. So, I decided it was time to head inside and let her eat a few of the seeds before having to chase her away. So, for the reminder of our Sunday I think we will curl up on the sofa and read, nap before our next big adventure out and about.

The above lovely portrait is what our students are learning to paint this week…interested? Class starts again in May. Visit our Paw Prints Studio Store to reserve your place in our on line class.

The other day was bath day….always fun. Once the warmer weather arrives bath time can occur outdoors…saves my poor aching back. The doggie tub (yep, they have their very own tub which is raised up off the ground and therefore I do not have to bend) was dragged out of the garage….hose was run from inside out the window so I could use luke warm water. Poor Niki had a few fleas….a true sign sprig has arrived.

After re-introducing the “evil” tub to the dogs….all are little skittish and since they have not seen the tub since last summer I thought it best if they practiced getting in and out….for treats of course. Bath time should be relaxing to a dog….it should not have to be a struggle….nor should grooming. Niki was first….brushing/comb and bath/ towel dry….then a nap in the sun. Gemma was up next….brushing/ comb, towel dry….then run around crazy until she too takes up next to Niki in the sun for a nice nap. Last….Rocky….brushing/ comb bath. Then he is force dried (doggie drier) for he has so much fur his under coat would never dry. I tend to brush my dogs almost on a daily basis. On those days I skip a day or two I reallllly kick myself for they mat very quickly….especially Rocky and Niki. Gemma is a low maintenance dog, however since the other two are getting attention she wants her fair share and will actually wait her turn. In other words….she wants to be groomed.

Niki, the smallest is actually the most work. She was before her accident and after now requires special handling. She is very sensitive to touch all along her spine (overly sensitive reflexes). After her spinal injury it seems the nerve endings are crossed wrong now. Her coat must be kept short due to sanitary reasons. She can at times drop her hind end, tail into her urine when she relieves herself….as do we still have to help her completely empty her bladder. Shaving her is also a bit tricky. Just running the clipper down her spine causes her to twitch, pull her hind legs up…I must be very careful. Because of this it can take me days….or weeks to fully groom her. We will do a little and then go back a few days later….poor thing, while she dislikes the process….when it is over she does strut her stuff. Yep, she is indeed a “hot dog!!!!

The photographs were taken early evening…all smelling so very clean….nice shiny coats. Soon after Rocky went and rolled in the red clay….yep, you gotta love a Golden! Be on the look out for those nasty critters….fleas and ticks. Images taken with a Nikon d300.

Would it not be sad if one day we were telling our children stories of what once was.We really have sooo much to loose.

Earth Day 2008, get involved,

Crying Out into the Night…

I turn and find I am alone…
Isolated, trapped….
Each day passes by..
I wonder just how I have gotten to this place…

Sadness, sadness surrounds me…
like the darkness that is wrapped around me.
I look in the mirror and wonder just who is looking
back at me…No longer a familiar face…

How are you feeling “they” say…
I reply with a smile “Wonderful”…
but “they” too see an unfamiliar face, they see
the pain in my eyes….they turn away and say
“She used to be so pretty” and they do not
look back…

They say time heals….but time is the enemy.
Wasted time, wasted space…
Like the lone wolf crying out in the night…
looking, searching I make my way….alone.

My hopes, dreams and passions are not for a cure…
but rather the strength to go on….
For my body is aching, tired…
Exhaustion covers me like a blanket.

Another day and I turn and find I am alone…
Isolated, trapped….
Each day passes by..
I wonder just how I have gotten to this place!

Artist: Dee

All paintings and poems found on this site are the property of Paw Prints Studio.Over 1.5 million Americans have a form of Lupus. While This disease can effect both men and women, 90 % of those diagnosed with this illness are woman. If you would like mofre information on Lupus visit: Lupus

Fun, silly, loving and playful!!!

The third and final version….I of course can continue with this for there are sooo many ways to paint a subject…but time to move on to other paintings. This style is of course, to me anyway, the most fun to work on. The wonderful textures you can add….both in digital form and once printed….also, so many choices in printing, transferring, adding more color, splats of paint….the possibilities are really endless.

A second version, cropped, looser brushstrokes and a slightly different expression.

Just a quick painting created In Corel Painter for our Digitally Painting Animals On-line Course. Next week we should have a few versions of this to post when students submit their assignments. If interested in upcoming classes please visit: On-Line Courses. 

The original photograph that I used for this painting was taken using a wide angle lens on a Nikon d300. ..I was just a few inches from Rocky….I at least think he is adorable and so very serious at times.

The above is a quick 10 minute doodle created yesterday for a forum I am a member of. I fell in love with the thought of a boy and his dog fishing I have started working on a piece that I hope conveys the wonderful friendship between a boy and his dog.