Sad Farewell

Snickers King
1995-2009

This morning I discovered my beloved in the back yard under a pond liner I had propped up in the back corner. He looked like he was sleeping, but he was gone. He passed away sometime in the early morning.
I could go into more detail about how he was in his final moments, but I think that's not what he wanted. He was with me when I had to put to sleep my 2 cats of 18 years, and I'm sure he knew what a strain that put on me. Snickers always had a way of doing whatever he wanted, from his sneaking food, kisses or even sneaking out. This was just another thing he wanted to do himself.
In the end he just looked like he was sleeping, a pastime he loved best.
I guess I never really realized until now how old he really was. When I told people Wicket, my Pomeranian, and his age, people just didn't believe me. They thought Snickers was the puppy. But that's how he lived his life, in the moment having fun and bringing joy.
Nobody who ever met him didn't love him. He was often the brightest moment in my day, and in my life. I KNOW I will see him again, and I truly hope he will bless me with a sign that he's ok.
Until then I will try to remember him with love.



Rainbow Bridge
Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...

Garbage Truck

Received this as an email today and it was so good I had to share it!

One day I hopped in a taxi and we took off for the airport. We were driving in the right lane when suddenly a black car jumped out of a parking space right in front of us.

My taxi driver slammed on his brakes, skidded, and missed the other car by just inches! The driver of the other car whipped his head around and started yelling at us. My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy. And I mean, he was really friendly.

So I asked, "Why did you just do that? That guy almost ruined your car and sent us to the hospital!"

This is when my taxi driver taught me what I now call, "The Law of the Garbage Truck."

He explained that many people are like garbage trucks. They run around full of garbage -- frustration, anger, disappointment. As their garbage piles up, they need a place to dump it and sometimes they'll dump it on you.

Don't take it personally. Just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on.

Don't take their garbage and spread it to other people at work, at home, or on the streets.

The bottom line is that successful people do not let garbage trucks take over their day. Love the people who treat you right. Pray for the ones who don't.

Life is ten percent what you make it and ninety percent how you take it!

Always be yourself because the people that matter don't mind, and the ones who mind, don't matter.

Tuesday's Drama

This last Tuesday, my two dogs decided that having the run of the house and the back yard wasn't good enough and made their escape.

I work until midnight on Tuesdays in Boise and I live in Caldwell. That is about 30 miles away. Suffice it to say, I couldn't leave. I receive a phone call at 7pm from my neighbor saying someone had Snickers, my eldest. My immediate concern was for Wicket, the pomeranian. There have been many thefts of dogs lately and I first thought that this was the case.
NOPE.
Wicket dug a hole under my gate (under close supervision of Snickers I'm sure).
Both were apprehended two streets away.
Case closed, right?
NOPE.
I have a security system and when my neighbors graciously went into my house to check on Wicket. I gave them the code for the alarm but missed an important step, to hit the button labeled "off". The alarm went off and the police were dispatched. Luckily the cops believed my neighbors and no one was arrested.
When I arrived home after work to find my criminals no guilt was shown. I told them if they can remember where my parents lived (The street they were on when caught) they knew they were guilty.
KIDS!

People Portraits

Here are a few portraits I have completed.
My people portraits are created on 16x20 / 20x16 illustration board in Prismacolor pencil and sometimes airbrush.

"The Potters"- a recent wedding portrait done as a gift.

"X-Posed" - David Duchovny, Gillian Anderson & Chris Carter from the "X-Files"


"Silvia's Girl"

Pet Portraits

Here are a few pet portraits I have done.
Many are for friends and family who have recently lost their beloved friend and want something more than a photo to remember them by.
I too have found this to be true when Meriah, my kitty of 15 years, passed away.
These portraits are created on 16x20 canvas in acrylic paint.

Mojo


Mikey


Snickers


Meriah