Friday, November 06, 2009

Mixed Emotions



Nigel is blushing today. OK, that's pushing it. I don't think he is capable. But if I could make him understand this he would be flattered. Kathleen Coy from Earth and Sky contacted me in October with what sounded like a great idea. She wanted to paint Nigel, and auction the painting to raise funds for A Place to Bark. I thought it would be weeks before I would hear from her again, but Kathleen really knocked herself out, and I am absolutely thrilled with her work.


Please share if you feel inclined - this is for a great cause. Kathleen, my deepest thanks - this was a wonderful gesture on your part, and I'm hoping it brings a few extra dollars to APTB. You made my week.

Of course, I would be remiss if I did not mention the tragedy that has occurred in Texas. Those brave souls who found themselves in the line of fire today must be remembered. They signed up for the ultimate duty, and in doing so accepted the possibility that they would be asked to lay down their lives. The fact that they fell at the hands of a deranged fellow soldier is irrelevant. They deserve our utmost respect for serving our country, and today we set aside our usual antics to remember those who will not be here tomorrow to see another sunrise, hug a family member, love a dog, or go about the business of protecting our great nation.



 

Photobucket

41 comments:

  1. Congratulations to Nigel for the honor. We are sure the fundraising will be going crazy.

    Our thoughts are with the soldiers but here and abroad today.

    ReplyDelete
  2. sheesh! talk about an emotional see saw! Nigel's portrait is just gorgeous. It appears the artist really caught his essence.

    My heart and prayers go out to the military personel, everywhere, and their families. to put your life on the line, for our personal freedoms and to have it taken so senselessly, by one of your own. How do you make sense of that?

    ReplyDelete
  3. Nigel I believe the artist captured you LICKness perfectly.

    We are very sad about what happened in Texas also. I think the world has gone mad.

    ReplyDelete
  4. What a wonderful painting and for such a wonderful cause! I placed my bid. I hope I don't win though. What I mean is that I hope the painting fetches much more than I can afford. :)

    My heart goes out to all involved with or touched by tragedy that took place at Ft. Hood. Just terrible.

    ReplyDelete
  5. The painting is beautiful. I hope it sells for lot's of money. It was up to $56 when I looked.

    The horror of yesterday is just the beginning for the families and friends involved. They will live with it forever. Our prayers are with them.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thank you so much Niel and Nigel. Like I said, it was so much fun to paint Nigel, and I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to help A Place to Bark. Bernie is so inspiring with her tireless love and dedication to dog rescue.

    In this uncertain world, there is one certainty - that there will always be people full of love and kindness.

    Much love,
    Kathleen

    ReplyDelete
  7. The painting is absolutely beautiful and the generosity of both the artist and Nigel's two-legger is touching.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Anonymous10:39 AM

    OH what a beautiful painting of Nigel!! Awesome work for a wonderful cause.

    It just broke my heart when I heard what had happend at Ft Hood. What a terrible loss. Candle lit and prayers on the way for all the military and their families!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Wonderful painting, and I like what Kathleen said. There is a lot of bad in this world, but there is a lot of good as well.

    ReplyDelete
  10. What a great likeness of Nigel!

    The events at Fort Hood were terrible. :-(

    ReplyDelete
  11. A great painting for a great cause!!! Kathleen did a FANTASTIC job!

    Woofs and Kisses!
    Cheryl, Indiana, Shingo and Molly

    ReplyDelete
  12. What an awesome picture!!

    Living in Central Texas, although disturbed by the events, our thoughts and prayers are with the injured and the families of those who perished in this tragedy!

    ReplyDelete
  13. The painting is perfect... although I don't know Nigel well, it sure looks like she captured his personality. I love the pose, his expression, his feet... it's just great.

    Thank you for bringing our attention to the tragedy in Texas. My heart and prayers are with the families and friends affected by this horrible act.

    Glogirly

    ReplyDelete
  14. Oh my golly - that painting of you is just gorgeous, Nigel - disarmingly beautiful and sweet - just love it. We are still shocked by the tragic shooting at Ft. Hill - Sometimes the horror of such a senseless act leaves me literally reeling, like an earthquake makes you feel. It's a mental stumbling around, in an effort to understand, when one can't. These soldiers and their families are in our prayers as well.
    With Hugs xo
    Sammie and family

    ReplyDelete
  15. Neil, I am in awe of Kathleen's painting... she is one immensely talented lady, I really love her style. Nigel is absolutely stunning in that painting. (I want to bid on it!!) It's already up to $108 with 9 days to go; Nigel is going to make a very nice contribution to A Place to Bark.

    I'll be sure to check out Kathleen's page and A Place to Bark more this weekend.

    And my heart goes out to these soldiers' families. What a senseless tragedy, at the hand of one of their own. Or was he one of their own? Perhaps not in spirit.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Love the painting! Great Job of posing....<3
    God Bless our Troops and keep them our of harms way Aboard and At Home! Thanks for adding that.
    Licks and Wags, Ariel <3

    ReplyDelete
  17. What a WONDERFUL portrait of the Bugger and a great cause to boot.

    Isn't it just awful what happened in Texas? My thoughts are with all of the people down there.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Sara, Gracie and Tina1:24 PM

    A beautiful painting for a GREYT cause!!!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Don't you just wish sometimes we could make our dogs understand how much they inspire us? He will never know the good deeds he has caused just because he exists. Good ol' Nigel will be content as long as he has his 2 leggers and 4 legger right beside him where they belong and food to fill his belly everyday. We humans should be so content.
    The painting is wonderful and I'm sure whoever gets it will treasure it.
    This is a great post and it does make us realize that we will always have good and bad with us. We just each need to do our part to tip the scales in favor of the good each day.

    Chester's Mom ;0=)

    ReplyDelete
  20. That is fantastic, what a talented lady.
    Wags and kisses, Dinah, Bridget and Elliot xx

    ReplyDelete
  21. I had never seen Kathleen's art before this post, and am truly in awe of her talent. What a wonderful portrait of a very special dog! And what an admirable collaboration it is that has taken place between Kathleen, Mr. A, AND Nigel for such a worthy cause. Kudos to each and every one of you.

    And thank you, Mr. A., for expressing in such an eloquent way, how touched and deeply saddened you and many of us are by the recent tragedy that occurred in Texas.

    ReplyDelete
  22. The painting is wonderful and will go to a grreat cause!...perhaps I will have to try my hand at Nigel at some stage, or it might be more fair to give Sola Fide or Truffles their turn in the spotlight ;o)
    ...and I agree, very sad about the tragedy at Ft.Hood...God bless those who were taken and those left injured, and their families!

    ReplyDelete
  23. That is a really cool painting.

    ReplyDelete
  24. We are still stunned by the shootings.

    Thank you for showing us that wonderful painting to cheer our hearts.

    Slobbers,
    Mango

    ReplyDelete
  25. What a beautiful painting!

    My prayers go out to the victims and families of the senseless shootings at Fort Hood.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Of course Nigel is a work of art! That is a great painting!

    Our prayers go out to the families, too! What a senseless tragedy!

    ReplyDelete
  27. That painting is just beautiful!

    Our hearts go out to all those families who lost loved ones and to the entire Army family.

    Woos, the OP Pack

    ReplyDelete
  28. Congratulations to you and Nigel! What an honor and what a truly worthy cause. The painting is just elegant!!!

    My prayers have been with those involved in the Texas tragedy.

    ReplyDelete
  29. The painting is awesome!
    We heard the news and we are very sad too.
    Take care
    Kisses and hugs
    Lorenza

    ReplyDelete
  30. Congrats Nigel...lookin good
    Benny & Lily

    ReplyDelete
  31. The painting is awsome!

    We too are very saddened by the terrible news in Texas.

    Tweedles

    ReplyDelete
  32. It is khwite the pawesome painting!

    We were furry impressed -

    The shootings still have us shaking our heads and wondering why???

    Hugz&Khysses,
    Khyra

    ReplyDelete
  33. Anonymous1:18 AM

    What a great painting. Nigel is a star! but is he humble? maybe, for about 3 seconds. ;)

    and yes, a big heavy sigh for our military today...

    ReplyDelete
  34. Beautiful painting of a beautiful fellow...

    To those who lost their lives at Ft. Hood-RIP.
    Such a needless tragedy!

    I've missed you guys and can't wait to get back to my blogging routine...
    K (in Northern CA)

    ReplyDelete
  35. Fabulous painting!!! She is an incredible artist! And thank you for your wonderful words for our military today!! God bless you! ~Janine XO

    ReplyDelete
  36. Grats Nigel! Way to go Boy! Also, thanks for mentioning those in Texas. God Bless!

    ReplyDelete
  37. Beautiful portrait Nigel! We wholeheartedly agree about the victims of that shooting. It is sickening that they lost their lives in that way. Heros for sure. :-(

    ReplyDelete
  38. What a great painting of Nigel. Wow.

    I agree about the victims of the shooting in Texas. It's beyond words...

    ReplyDelete
  39. What a fabulous painting of you Nigel....quite handsome! I love the way it looks all textured too. :)

    Nala

    ReplyDelete
  40. Theresa3:02 AM

    What a beautiful painting of Nigel - Kathleen is a wonderful artist (as is Nigel, but in a different way....). We here in Australia send our thoughts to the families of the soldiers in Texas, so very tragic.

    ReplyDelete
  41. Great painting! And you've got a great blog!

    ReplyDelete