Stewie's Sit-Down Strike

I gotta admit, I'm stymied. What dog doesn't love to take a walk? The Lakeland Trail is pretty innocuous -- it's just a long, flat, paved, revamped railroad. I carried Stewie a good distance from the road. Then I set him down on the ground and expected him to follow along. Here's what he did.



I put a leash on him to try to coax him to follow. He simply flattened himself on the ground, with his legs stretched straight out behind so that his body resembled a bear rug. He allowed himself to be dragged along the pavement on his belly.

I ended up carrying him about a mile and a half. Finally on the way back, he decided to come to life. He ran circling around me, barking and yapping, the rest of the way.

I guess I will have to scrap any plans for him carrying a backpack.

Today's Equine Art - Ruffian

I actually had some trouble with this project. I was a huge fan of Ruffian as a kid. I followed her career and kept a scrapbook of her. This is the first time since then that I have tried to do a picture of her. I hadn't looked at pictures of her in years, and when I started going through them, I was weeping! It was like being a kid all over again.

She was a big, colorful character, larger than life. From a distance the painting looks like a black horse, but up close you will see a myriad of colors. I wanted the background colors to look pink, because she was a girl, but if you look closely, you will see that they are not really pink. I decided to paint her in the act of running, because that is how she seemed to thrive. She wanted to keep going even after she broke her leg. What an incredible spirit she was! I wonder now if she is the reason my first horse was a dark bay mare.

Pastel, 8x10".

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180345522445

Stewie *IS* Batman!

Two days ago, I noticed for the first time that Stewie is beginning to make eye contact with me. He was riding in his crate on the seat next to me, looking out as usual, but I noticed that now when I speak to him he looks up into my eyes. He still seems to be extremely nearsighted. I've been trying to orient his gaze more and more, up toward my face. I do this by tempting him with boiled chicken liver. YUM!



He still has the bladder infection so we're continuing antibiotics. Housebreaking remains a challenge.



He's actually running in the pic below, and it shows his odd little head tilt. He sometimes runs or sits holding his head at an angle like this.



Note the priceless expression on Rip's face, below. This is what they do all day long. He usually can spot her -- he must lock in on the black and white blob pretty easily.





I like the picture above because it shows his Batman tag. The back of the tag reads, "I AM BLIND AS A BAT"!

Spring Is Coming. No, Really!

Michigan winter, now into its sixth month, has put up a good fight this year. Yesterday it actually snowed... AGAIN. But the earth is tilting... Right? So it's just a matter of time. I had a few reassuring signs on my walk today, including this flirty swan.



He was quite anxious to show off.



...Also saw these lovely pussy willows in full bloom...



...And of course, the quintessential sign of spring: the crocus!

A Dog's Life

We'd rather be outside.

Today's Project - Italian Greyhound

This is another mini painting; an ACEO size, 2.5 x 3.5". It is rendered in pastel and oil pencil.

It's on eBay at:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&item=180344275652

Today's Equine Art - Barbaro

With Derby Day coming, I am inspired. Today I finished a pastel painting of Barbaro. He's on eBay.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180343625020

Two Stews Forward

So I catch him out of the corner of my eye, heading for the spot where he usually pees. I don't say anything but he suddenly doubles back and comes over to where I am sitting at the table. He does his little alternate sit/down/hop, like he does when he is begging for food.

"Do you want to go outside?"

He starts to spin, wagging his tail and making it clear that yes, that is what he wants. We go to the door and he runs out and immediately squats.

I am ecstatic. "STEWIE! GOOD BOY!!!"

He comes back in and I run to the fridge and get him a big piece of chicken liver. He gulps it down happily. I scritch his belly and hug him and squeal. He wiggles and snorts in appreciation.

After we calm down, I go back to my project. As I cross the room, I step in a puddle of pee.

Today's Equine Art

It's back to basics today; a mini art card size pencil drawing.

He's on eBay:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180342725860