Two Weeks...and then...

EMMI

Two weeks have gone by since Emmi crossed the Bridge and it still seems like she will come walking into the room at any moment.

I got some nice cards and emails of condolence...thanks so much.

This past week I got a chance to stop by Bristol Animal Shelter and got a huge reminder of just how adorable kittens are and the temptation was great but with Lizzie being 13 yrs old in a few weeks, it is just not the time to go down that road.

But...the joyfulness of cats and especially kittens...oh my! They have 2 little tigers (and many other wonderful animals for adoption, I might add) that are about the age of when I brought Emmi and Dinah home.

I was in heaven watching them pounce and tumble and play together. Ahhh.

I can't help it but I keep thinking of girl names....hahahaha!

Someday...someday....

I also think about the paintings that will come from that whole experience so I DO look forward to when the time is right.

In the meantime...Lizzie is more precious than ever...and I am so thankful for her generally good health. The age issues are manageable.

Leo and I spend a fair share of time kissing her and showering love and attention, as if she would ever be denied!

I am also looking forward to Fall and returning to the studio with new eyes.

I am hoping that starting out small and testing the waters with some painting time will work well with all this therapy to the right shoulder.

Somethings got to give.

That is the intention I have put out to the universe...so we shall see.

Who knows where it might take me.

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The painting above is one of my personal favorites ...I painted this one many years ago of my Emmi and it was the painting I used to teach myself about painting eyes.

It is 14x18 and it hangs in our living room in the Lizzie and Emmi collection of portraits.

I am very fond of the close-up contemporary composition of this painting.

It is not a large piece but it commands attention on the wall.

Fun to paint with all the color, strokes and details in a small format.

So happy now that I did this piece. She had "the look" and it still gets to me.

~~~

Oscar UPDATE!

Oscar's "mom" Pam reports that her boy is home and trying to run and play "as if nothing happened" to him.

He is doing well as he recovers from surgery at home with his family.

It really is wonderful when you know you can bring them home from the Veterinary hospital and get to enjoy and appreciate every moment of their lives.

What a great thing when you can share GOOD news!

Get Well Oscar!

Oscar recently had emergency surgery this is a shout out to say we wish him a quick recovery.

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I have had the pleasure of using his likeness to create some fun paintings

that have generated funds for helping homeless animals. He is an inspiration and has helped friends in need!

Oscar's images have always been used with permission as with all and any references for paintings.

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We wish our friend Oscar a big

GET WELL SOON!

Dachshund Blues

(model in the painting: Oscar)

The Jimmy Fund ~ Help Make a Difference!

What do you do with negative energy that you feel with personal loss?

I have always turned it around with a focus on CHARITY for others...It is a purely selfish way for me to help me feel better! And it has always worked.

REFOCUS off my own wallowing misery and blast the negativity with POSITIVE energy. Unfortunately there is no lack of need for charity in our world.

One of the threads that runs through my life is Cancer and Cancer Treatment.

My family has had its share just as many other families have. It is a horrible common denominator. One I wish we never shared.

My sister, father-in-law, nephew, cousins, aunts, uncles and dearest friends have been down that road. Almost all have been treated in Boston, Ma. We have been fortunate to be so close to world class care.

Massachusetts has the DANA FARBER CANCER INSTITUTE that treats people from around the world. http://www.dana-farber.org/

My own cousin Pat has been the most current patient in the family who is in a treatment plan at DF that is keeping brain cancer at bay. We are thankful for what they have been doing for her for the last 5 years. It is a miracle of healthcare.

And then there are the Children....

The JIMMY FUND is another part of the cancer care of Dana Farber's outreach.

You can read about them here: http://kids.pmc.org/

Children and Cancer...it's just WRONG.

We need to keep beating the hell out of those cancers with support of funding for treatment and the good work they are doing to keep kids surviving and thriving.

I am supporting the August effort of the PAN MASS CHALLENGE.

If you would like to make a donation to help Children through the Jimmy Fund you can read more here.

http://www.pmc.org/profile/CG0090(our Vet, Dr Cathy Grossi is riding in the challenge and we support her effort.)

THE PAN MASS CHALLENGE

http://www.pmc.org/

I will be posting this on TWITTER and FACEBOOK and if you feel like sharing it with others PLEASE DO! Helping comes in many ways and sometimes it is just to get the word out...you never know on what fertile ground those seeds will fall!

As always...thank you for your support and friendship through the years!

Carol

The Light In The Darkness - Dr Cathy Grossi DMV

I want to say a warm and public Thanks to Dr. Cathy Grossi from Acoaxet Veterinary Clinic in Westport, Ma.

She first saw Emmi in May when I thought that we were going to have her euthanized. Emmi had a sudden respiratory problem that I thought might be her heart and lungs giving in to old age. I was wrong.

Dr. Grossi gave us the option to try an antibiotic and see if it would help...She determined Emmi's heart was strong and her lungs seemed clear...she was so right. Emmi rallied and we were given the gift of time.

Dr. Grossi showed us the most compassion and care that we have ever encountered in first hand Veterinary care. We have had many capable Vets help us but this was the exceptional care you could only wish for in this kind of situation.

Emmi went back in once more with one more attempt to stem the tide and buy a bit more time and once again it was granted. ALWAYS with the idea that ONLY if it was the best thing for Em. We did hospice care this last week. Emmi died at home with us. Peacefully on her terms.

Yesterday I dug out the old photos...pre-digital...and scanned in a few gems of the the "girls" ...those pics did not make me sad at all. They brought back the FUN and light hearted moments of Emmi and Dinah...Leo and I laughed at the memories. We had such good years with them. So Thankful.

Dinah left us much too soon and has never, for a moment, been forgotten.

Em and Di are now reunited I am sure.

Many, many thanks go to Dr. Grossi for her compassionate care of Emmi and of us. There just are not enough words to say what we feel about her. She is gifted in her work. She was the light in our dark time.

Emmi two months after she became ours. Look at that little face!

Emmi and Dinah circa 95

The princess in 97 ...pre-Lizzie.

She never gave up the top spot in the pack order.

LOL!
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RESCUE AND ADOPT!