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!