How many names do you have for your dog? Be honest here. I can't even recall Max's official AKC name. I don't remember if he's Maxwell or Maximilian. But, let's start with Max and the fact that he's a chocolate lab. When he was 8 weeks old, he looked like a little chocolate bear . . . so (how many of you remember Bosco - a chocolate drink syrup much like Hershey's syrup?) he became BoscoBear - later shortened to Bosco and now shortened to Boz and sometimes affectionately Bozzie. For some reason I cannot explain, I have also called every dog I've owned Gus, despite their given names. So, Max is also Gus - very often lengthened to Gustafson. So you get my drift. How many names do you have for your dog? I was messing around with a new app, Adobe Ideas, this afternoon and caught Max - Boz - Gus napping.

In addition to quick sketches, I do portraits of dogs in pencil and in oil. Here is a portrait in pencil of Buddy, commissioned by a long-time customer. Buddy has the most amazing eyes.

So nice to have a 6 day break from academia . . . I'm able to spend some time with my dog sketching at last! This is Portland; an adorable Cocker with the most amazing blue eyes.

Here is what Maxie's breakfast looks like most mornings. He has extensive allergies, therefore he needs prednisone. The prednisone suppresses the thyroid, hence the thyroxin - according to everyone we talk to, an enormous belt of it. Then the goop for his yeasty ears. Whew. Dog.

Life has been hectic getting back into the swing of teaching at two schools. I've not spent much time with my dog sketching lately. I was sitting with Max this morning and he had a wild REM period followed by some restful sleep - I knocked this out just after he quit REMing.

Work Ethic

So we got to the dog park yesterday and we headed to the pond, and I hear all this chuffing, snorting and splashing. I look out and there's a Rottweiler just swimming in circles all by himself - no stick, no ball, no buddies. He was literally swimming in circles as though he was doing laps - all for the sheer love of swimming on a hot day. This is Karl. Done on an iPad with the Paper app.

Dude - I'm Starvin' Here!!

There's no doubt that Max has had acting classes somewhere along the line - he can look so pitiful when he's of a mind to do so. Every once in a while, we have also to question his lineage. He's supposed to be a Lab, but he's as lanky as a Serengeti lion - when the light is right and you see him in silhouette, he looks like the Simpsons' dog.

Takin' Five

Out at the dog park yesterday, caught this guy taking five while I myself was taking five after an exciting but tiring week of meetings and curriculum planning for my drawing courses at NIU this term. I love the way - even though his attention is on another dog to his left - his body and his shadow continue to protect the ball in the downright dog-eat-dog environment of the pond.

My Real Favorite Dog

This cutie was done from a photo sent in by Pamela Richarde. I have a secret and it must not be divulged to Max. My favorite breed is the Beagle. My only Beagle, Elvis, is long gone - however he remains the dog with the most character that I have ever owned. He was epileptic, very fond of my mother-in-law's peds, and generally a pain in the ass. But he was the best - here's to you Elvis, my buddy.

Another Beautiful Swissy

Here is another of Kathleen Borgmeyer's Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs. His name is Robert. What a regal pose! Kathleen breeds Swissys so click on her link here and learn about these fantastic dogs.

Caught Napping

Caught Max napping this morning in a quick sketch. Very often he'll sleep with one of his paws over his snout like this - much to our amusement!

Water dog?

I mentioned earlier that Max (a chocolate Labrador Retriever) doesn't swim; he wades. Well, when he saw Nicole (left) swimming in and out like an otter in pursuit of her ball, he caved in to peer pressure and for the first time in his life went in over his head (right). I was stunned. And, I think . . . . so was he.

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All legs!

Max loves going to the dog park. There is a path of about a quarter mile or so that leads down to the lake. Here, Max is leading D, they are about 20 yards ahead of me. As I watch them, two things strike me; 1) how lanky they both are and 2) check out how taut the leash is! As I said, Max loves going to the dog park. Is it true dogs and their masters resemble each other?  What do you think?

Done with Auryn Ink on an iPad.

Swiss Miss

This beauty belongs to Kathleen Borgmeyer. Her name is Delphine. Isn't she striking?

Thanks to Kathleen for the opportunity to draw Delphine.

So Here's How They Do It

So here's how they do it. They sucker punch us with "cute" and before our heads clear, we've embarked upon indentured servitude for 15 or so years; astronomical vet bills, designer allergen-free food, hair, dander, vomit, chewed trash - and somehow, if we're fortunate, we still manage to hammer out a relationship that works . . . kind of . . .  as long as you don't mind giving, and giving, and giving.

Party, Dawg!

Our friends Amy and Brian own three gorgeous Swiss Mountain Dogs. Each has distinguished itself in the conformance ring, Swissie eventing, or in agility(!). They have so much fun with the girls - and every holiday that comes around, you can expect to see FB photo postings of them in elaborate, flashy costumes! Here is Mardi celebrating her first birthday. Cheers!

What are you thinking?

I think we tend to anthropomorphize our animals to a very great degree. Sure, there are times when the communication is there and it is certain - and there are other times when I'm aware that maybe I'm engaging in a bit of creative interpretation based in my own feelings and mood at the time. This look of Max's is not uncommon and if I resist the temptation to interpret, I have no idea what it means. . . 

Done using the Paper app on an iPad.

Thoughtful

I don't usually think of the words "thoughtful" and Max in the same sentence, however once in a while something out the window will catch his eye and he'll get a very tranquil, watchful look in his eye. Again, using Paper on an iPad.

Water Fun

We took Max to the dog park yesterday - ours has a small lake for the dogs to play in. Max met Nicole, a sweet black lab who was an amazing swimmer/retriever. Her owner said Nicole can go for ninety minutes straight. We also met this yellow lab who alternated his fetching between a stick and a ball. Max is a source of embarrassment for us at the dog park. He's a full blooded retriever, and yet has absolutely no desire to swim - he'll go in ankle deep with a look of deep discomfort on his face. This sketch was done using the Paper app for iPad.

Max and treats

Like many of his ilk, Max is a complete whore for treats. I should say he does not get many treats; he has a suite of allergies that confounds his vets, therefore we only use treats as needed - and then they are organic, grain-free, salmon and sweet potato nuggets. That said, you can see the look in his eyes when a treat is dangled!

Hungry . . . hungry . . . hungry . . .

A quick sketch of Max as he waits for his morning feeding. He sits by the dryer with a view down the hall to the kitchen. He's very patient and really good at sending guilt vibes distances in excess of twenty feet!