Since we've been back in Dallas, the HOUNDMADE studio has been bustling. In case you didn't hear, HOUNDMADE products are now for sale at a really cool store here in Dallas, called HOUSE OF DANG!
Jennifer has plans to get some more collars out there in the retail world before the end of the Summer. Right now, however, she's been pretty busy painting portraits and such.
She just sent off Abby and Maya and now she is painting a memorial portrait of a dog named Fidget.
The painting includes the dog's person which is not something Jenn does very often, but I think it's coming along nicely. After Fidget, comes Bebe, then Gwen (the famous House of Dang dog) and then...me??? Come on, mom...I need my portrait!
These two paintings are experimental works using Fimo clay. Jenn often works on these small paintings while she is working on dog portraits as a creative release. Painting portraits requires a lot of focus. She has to get everything just right, or else the portrait will not resemble the person or dog as it needs to. So, these other little paintings give Jenn a few moments of freedom to play.
Matt's been busy reorganizing the garage. He has some plans for some new leash hangers and dog feeders when he is done cleaning.
As for me, I've just been hanging out with Annie and Bubba, and waiting patiently for my next modeling call.
Happy 4th of July!!!
Bark, Bark.
I have been soooo bad about my Etsy Tuesday feature. Well, I have been busy. I went on a road trip and I've been helping move furniture around since we are getting a new floor this week. I'm totally excited about that. No more pee accidents on the carpet for me. yay! Not that I do that anymore.
Anyway...Check this out!
This is a great photograph by Seattle photographer, Zachary Folk called Road trip. Makes me want to pack my bags and head right back out on the road again. I can just feel the wind on my ears now...the fresh air...the mountains...the ocean.
Ahhhh....for now, I guess I'll just admire this photograph.
You can admire it too and many more of Folk's work at his Etsy store, Folk Photography.
He specializes in portraits of animals and 5% of all of his sales goes to animal relief funds. How cool is that? Each card is an original work of art and signed by Folk.
That's it for now.
Bark, Bark.
And now for the good part....The part before College Station. New Mexico!!!
New Mexico is beautiful. I love LOVE the mountains, the dry air, the cool mornings and evenings. There is also this sense of creativity in the air. You just want to sit down in the middle of it all and paint your very own Georgia O'Keeffe. The landscape is really so inspiring. Yes, even to a dog.
Speaking of dogs, Albuquerque is such a dog friendly city too. People and dogs go everywhere together....shopping, eating, hiking, swimming, biking.....and a lot of people have big dogs like me. The people are unpretentious and really nice, which was refreshing. Jenn kept noticing the lack of designer bags, fancy cars, and plastic surgery. I think I heard Jennifer say that she wanted to move there, oh, about a million times a day. I don't blame her. It's a great place.
Another great part of the trip was that Annie and I finally got to meet our cousins, Buckley and Vegas. They live with our Auntie Cathy in Albuquerque. We got to hang out at the park everyday and look at each other. Yeah, that's right. Just look at each other. We were so excited to see each other, that we had to stay on our leashes and keep at least a couple of feet distance between us. I'll have to say, they were pretty cool. Maybe next time we can get a foot closer.
Here is a picture of them sitting in front of a painting that Jennifer did of them a few years ago.
My first road trip was a lot of fun. I can't wait to go on many many more in my doggie lifetime. I won't say much more because I think the pictures we took say the rest.
Thanks, Auntie Cathy for letting us stay with you. We had so much fun!
Bark, Bark.
It's the latest to come out of the HOUNDMADE dog portrait studio.
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So we drive all the way from Albuquerque to College Station and then to the A&M vet school. When we arrived, Matt and Jenn talked with a couple of the vet/students, who reviewed my records and made sure that everything was good to go. Everything was correct as far as my plans, but the price of the surgery had somehow doubled. That's right, it went from $1200 to $2400! Matt and Jenn didn't think they could turn back now, so they signed the papers and paid the deposit. I heard Matt say something about eating canned beans for the next couple of months. They must really love me.
Next thing I knew, some of the vets were poking me and pulling me and making me walk and sit and lay down. I was really scared.I thought I heard one of them say that I seemed to be okay and question why I was there. I didn't want to get my hopes up though. I mean, that first vet lady said that I wouldn't be able to walk within six months. Something like that just doesn't go away. So, they put me back in my little room and even though I was really nervous, I went to sleep.
Next thing I knew, Matt, Jenn and Annie were there to pick me up! I was so confused. Wasn't I supposed to be all loopy and sore? I felt great! I thought maybe they forgot that they were supposed to do surgery on me. I didn't know what was going on.
Matt and Jenn seemed happy to see me, but they also seemed a little irritated. We all went in a room with the three doctors that had been pulling and poking at me earlier. Then, they told us that that first vet that evaluated me was wrong and that even though I definitely have hip displaysia, I wasn't a case for a FHO. In fact, my condition seems to manageable with diet and exercise. The doctor said that she had no idea why the other vet told us that I would be unable to walk in six months and that all of our worrying was for nothing. Conveniently, that vet was long gone and didn't have to face up to her mistakes. What scares me is that she is going to be a practicing vet out there somewhere, someday. I think I smell me some Veterinary Malpractice in that lady's future...and I have a good nose.
In the end, we are all very happy. I've been having fun as usual chasing squirrels in the backyard and going on long walks with Annabelle. Matt and Jenn seem happy too. They went and bought new furniture with all the money they saved. I can't wait to take a long nap on the new couch!
Now that I've told you about the yucky end to our road trip, stay tuned for Road Trip, Part Three, where I will actually tell you all about the fun part of our road trip! Yay!
Bark, Bark.
So, of course we all panicked. I didn't want to end up in one of those doggie-wheel chairs before my 2nd birthday. We even changed our road trip plans around a bit so that we could be down in College Station for the operation.
Turns out that was a silly thing to do....and I'll tell you why in the next post.
For now, I've gotta run...
Bark, Bark.
That's right, folks. HOUNDMADE is now officially for sale at Dallas' #1 indie shop, HOUSE OF DANG!
HOD is located at 4219 Bryan Street in Dallas. They sell men's and women's independently designed and vintage clothing, home accessories, and of course, dog collars! Be sure and stop by when your in the hood.
Well, check this out! Just yesterday, I was blogging about BFFs and then I came across this adorable necklace appropriately named, "My Best Friend".
It is made by a graphic artist named yaelfran, who lives in Buenos Aires . This particular necklace is made from printed shrink plastic. That is super cool!
She also makes mini mini books, buttons and screen printed napkins.
I love her rings too, but I don't think they would fit my little doggie paws. So sad. Maybe I'll buy one for Jenn if she'll let me borrow some cash.
Let me introduce to you my bio-sister, Miss Gracie Ethel. Gracie and I have been together since day one. In fact, she lived with me at Annabelle's house until she was a couple months old. After that, she went to live with my grandma and great-grandma in another part of Dallas. Matt and Jenn thought that four doggies would be too much to handle. Whatever.
Anyway, it's great. I get to have play dates with her. We run around, chew on sticks and basically just have some good-old girl talk.
Speaking of BFFs, look what Jennifer received form her BFF today!
What a surprise! Jennifer was so happy. I think she felt a lot like me when I am getting a belly rub. Anyway, we just love the pretty green colors. So beautiful! Suzie is a good friend.
Thanks Suzie!
Bark, Bark.
