Not a kind of ice cream

This is Stella. She's not a labradoodle or an overgrown terrier. She's an Italian Spinone, sister to Aggie, and an all around good pup.

Leslie and Matt decided they wanted this breed of dog when they heard that there were NO incidences of dog biting a child with this breed. With two kids, and boof them working very intense jobs, and having very active lives, they wanted a dog with a good track record that could be counted on. (Even as a lover of rescues, this is one argument I understand, especially if you aren't going to devote your entire life to the dog.)

Stella's the only Italian Spinone I've known (although I did see a guy at Greenlake with one), but she's gentle, patient, and good natured.

I used to think that Aggie, a Hungarian Visla, was smarter, but they just have different brains. Aggie learns commands quicker, but will forget them if not reminded. Stella learns slower but once she knows, she never forgets.

Aggie in the summer

I've been walking a friend's two dogs for over a year now, almost two. It is a joy to walk them and an excuse to walk fast. My dog just saunters. These guys you can get going/

Aggie was diagnosed with cancer last year and every time I walk her is still precious. A few weeks ago, my friend called. Aggie hadn't eaten all weekend. It was time to say goodbye.

I sat by her on the floor by the dog bed, told her what a good girl she was, and fed her turkey baby food. By the time her parents came to take her to the vet, she was much better.

In the meantime, I had done this very quick watercolor.

Another poodle

This too, is posted in honor of Chappy, a standard white poodle. This is one of the little portraits painted in watercolor that I did for FidoFest. I believe the size is 3 x5 -- pretty small for someone who likes to paint BIG.

Poodle

This is posted in honor of Chappy, the standard poodle of a friend of mine. I just heard that Chappy died about 6 months ago.

I liked him a lot.

Another french bulldog

One of the most sensible product managers I know has two dogs. This is the smallest one.

He may be small, but he has oodles of personality.

French bulldog

This month, I've switched my painting medium to paint small paintings of the 10 most popular breeds -- and a few oddballs.

I love the oddballs. Anyway, here is another one.

This particular painting is 3.5 x 5. It will be at FidoFest at the UVillage this Sunday.

Brindle Pit

This is Pogo. He is my barista's dog. Doesn't he look sad?

I did another one for her because I thought he looked too sad in this picture.

Is it Penny?

This is the closest thing that I've done to a Penny portrait. Not quite her eyes.

Another watercolor that will be at FidoFest.

Here's looking at you

Here's another watercolor that I did recently. It's going to be at FidoFest, that is if I have a booth. I've been saying I have a booth, but I haven't heard.

Looks like Monty

This little watercolor sold at Pit bulls on parade. The woman who bought it said that it looked like one of her dogs, named Monty.

I can't remember whose dog it was that I took a picture of, but it definitely wasn't Monty! But, as long as she liked it..

Watercolor pencils

At the Othello International Festival last weekend, I dragged out my watercolor pencils for something to do.

I got the great idea of doing a few small watercolors (this one is 3.5 x 5") for the Pitbulls on Parade event this weekend. I'll have a booth there.

I have over a dozen of these cute little items. We'll see whether folks like them as much as my friends say they do..