Mi Choyce

He is my very best friend. My inspiration. Muse. Mentor. My heart.

Mi Choyce. Handsome. Bud. Many of you will recognize him as he is most often referred to, The Love of My Life.

Today, we celebrate 30 years together.

There are far too many pictures and memories for one post to do justice, so I've created a page to share some of my favorites.

CAG "Puppies!" Online Exhibit

"Caleb", one of my two pieces in the Puppies! Exhibit

The last Canine Art Guild online exhibition showcased our old friends. This time around we are celebrating puppies! After all, aren't they old friends in the making? Full of promise, with wrinkled skin and clumsy, clunky paws - they represent the future; one full of wagging butts, sloppy kisses and the knowing weight of an old friend's head on your knee. They test our patience to the limit with an occassional chewed shoe or puddle on the floor - yet warm our hearts with their antics and can draw a smile from even the sternest individual.

Visit the Canine Art Guild to view the entire online exhibit which includes forty nine heartwarming works from a talented array of the guild's members. Be sure to pick your favorite and cast your vote for the People's Choice Award!

Featured Art

"Thanks, Bud"

On Tuesday, July 10, 2012, I will be celebrating 30 years with my very best friend, Mi Choyce. I wrote this blog post several years ago, and while trying to decide on this months featured art I felt this image summed up simply what all of us horse crazy kids know to be true, so I'm sharing it with you again:

Of little girls and horses...

This piece is quite possibly the one of greatest sentimental value to me. A tender moment is exchanged between my then two year old daughter Michaela and my beloved horse, Mi Choyce.

In appreciation of her ride, Michaela marched directly into the hay room, came back with an armload of hay - which she stuffed in his feed bucket - and patted him gently on the head.

That inexplicable connection between little girls and horses, captured in this heartwarming moment. An enduring reminder of one of the simplest joys: friendship.

Open edition. Unstretched canvas print, lustre finish. Image size: 24" x 16", $225.00. To purchase, click here.

Brush stroke finish, Gallery and Museum wrap also available. Additional sizes, papers and frame options on request.

Image also available as a large magnet and single or boxed notecards.

Featured Artist @ Imagekind

Thank you Imagekind for selecting me as one of your Featured Artists of the day! :)

Visit http://solacepointe.imagekind.com/store to view available work and purchase prints.

SPBR Transport - Mimi

Image courtesy of Smilin' Pit Bull Rescue

Early tomorrow morning I'll be on my way to St. Louis, Missouri, transporting Smilin' Pit Bull Rescue's Mimi from Buffalo, NY to her adopter Samantha.

Mimi's journey with SPBR started in a kill pound in West Virginia, where she and her five newborn puppies were slated for euthanasia unless a rescue stepped in - which is exactly what SPBR did.

They found a foster and fundraised for her flight to New York, where Mimi would stay until the pups were old enough to be adopted. Samantha learned about Mimi's story, and offered to open her heart and her home to this precious girl.

When coordinator Kristy posted on Facebook asking for volunteers to transport Mimi to St. Louis, I looked at her proposed route in hopes I could volunteer to drive a leg of it. And then it hit me: this dog needs to go to Missouri. Well, that was that. My mind was already sorting out the details of how I could make my plan work as I contacted Kristy to tell her I'd drive Mimi the whole way.

A momentary sense of craziness was followed by excitement.

My daughter Allanah moved to Missouri last fall and her pup Paul Anka was left with us until she got settled. Mimi wouldn't be the only one going home...

The past two weeks have been spent coordinating schedules and sorting out details. With the efforts of a lot of wonderful people (thank you!) tomorrow morning Paul Anka and I will embark on what may be our last adventure together as we drive Mimi to her new home.

A bittersweet journey for all of us, to be certain.

I'll share my weekend adventure with the pups on Monday. Until then, read Mimi's whole story here.