Pop Art Pet Unleashed

Archive for September, 2006

Nearly 300 cats and dogs, abandoned by their owners in Lebanon during the 34-day war this summer, were airlifted this week to McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas, then transported to their new (and hopefully temporary) home, Best Friends Animal Society in Kanab, Utah. No passports or visas were required for these four-legged, first-class travelers, however there was lots of red tape for the folks at Best Friends to cut through, only one year after their heroic efforts in the Gulf Coast, taking in hundreds of abandoned animals in the aftermath of Katrina.
A broadcast on ABC here in America featuring a Lebanese animal rights organization, Beirut for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (BETA), prompted Best Friends’ involvement. The story focused on BETA’s campaign for the pets abandoned by owners who evacuated the country during the conflict. Then before Best Friends could mobilize the orphaned animals, the bombing campaign forced BETA to move from its previous shelter to a pig farm in Monteverde. The dogs & cats were moved in cars and one mini-van, three or four at a time. It was quite an ordeal for the animals who became quite stressed. They remained on the pig farm until Israel’s air blockade ended. The 150 dogs and 145 cats then boarded an Emirates cargo plane, made two refueling stops before arriving in Nevada, where they were loaded onto trucks for another three-and-a-half-hour drive to Best Friends. ..I wonder if animals get jet-lag?
For Michael Mountain, Best Friends’ president, the arrival of his Lebanese guests was joyous after weeks of complications and hard work. “It’s been a hectic few days but they’ve done very well,” said Mountain, adding that many pets had broken bones and all still react to loud noises or “anything that sounds like war.”

Best Friends funded the animal airlift, primarily through donations made to its website. The operation is expected to cost more than $250,000 ($200,000 of which has already been contributed). We at Pop Art Pet are long-time supporters of Best Friends and are so happy to once again see our donation dollars at work, rescuing animals in need around the world.

For information on how you can donate or better yet, sponsor or adopt one of these furry refugees, please visit Best Friends’ website today!

Over the years we have worked with some very clever clients including Amy. We first met Amy when she asked us to capture Ruby Tuesday & Jimi the Duece, two of her little fury kids with very original names in one of our classic Warhol-style portraits.

With two such sassy little subjects, we were thrilled! Sometime later, we were flattered when Amy asked if we could do another portrait for her, this time of Chi Chi LaRoo, an adorable Chihuahua-Jack Russell mix!
It wasn’t until a few months ago when Amy contacted us with a special request, that we found out that Amy’s creativity went beyond coming up with clever names for cute little dogs. She called because she needed us to sign a release form so that the portraits we created for her could be included when TV cameras came to her place to interview her and feature her creations! Naturally we said yes and signed the necessary paperwork, then we asked Amy what it was that she does…

Amy created “Pawsh Pets” and designs custom creations for pampered pets! She makes adorable dog coats and accessories, and some very cozy beds! Fortunately she has a house full of models for her designs!

Here’s Chi Chi Laroo showing off a retro raincoat, and Jimi enjoying a custom bed!

Amy was discovered by someone from HGTV and will be featured on an upcoming episode of their show, “That’s Clever” and we couldn’t be happier for her!

In the meantime we are waiting for pictures of a new family member, Oly Stubbs so we can add to Amy’s Pop Art Pet collection. And we just can’t wait to hear what she names the next one!

We just met Marissa, one of our new favorite clients this year, even though she lives right around the corner! Marissa ordered a Traditional Style portrait from us for her brother as a wedding gift.

She had a picture of his dogs, Leia & Lacey, in a meadow that she knew was her brother’s favorite so it was not hard to transform it into a portrait that she knew he would love.

Just a couple months later, Marissa’s best friend, who happened to have four dogs that she adored, was getting married. So Marissa, easily our most generous client ever, had all four of them immortalized in their own portrait.

It was at this point we discovered that Marissa was also an artist – a musical artist! Marissa is one of the founding members and producers of The Dojo, a collective of MCs & DJs; her MC name is “Analog Suspect.” According to Marissa’s bio on the Dojo’s website, “Analog Suspect is a potent lyricist with the skills to hold down a party mixing records or entrancing listeners with deep lyrics and melodies. She also finds herself at home behind the mixing board or computer ensuring a solid sound in the Dojo and goes out of her way at live shows to produce the accurate setting for the lesson about to be learned. She trained as a classical pianist and learned the framework for creating musical soundscapes. Having constantly traveled at a younger age she was exposed to many types of music in different regions that added to her skills of evolving the surreal sound of the Dojo and beyond.The Dojo performs locally here in Denver, they’ve released cd’s, videos, and podcasts, and recently they even became a ringtone! How cool is that? You should check out their website, you can download some of their music and a video. We’re hoping to catch a performance and get a copy of Analog Suspect’s, aka Marissa’s, solo cd due out early next year.

By the way, Marissa has finally gotten around to having us do a portrait of her beautiful girl, Chloe! We just completed this custom layout featuring three of Marissa’s favorite photos of Chloe enjoying nature at one of their favorite spots. We think it turned out really amazing, and we were so happy to finally create something for Marissa that she can keep!

Just when you thought your pet couldn’t be pampered any more, along comes a hot tub for dogs.

While many people gladly share a bed with their pet, it’s another thing to share bath water. “Jentle Pet spa for dogs is the first of its kind designed exclusively for dogs,” said Kathy Adams, President of MTI Whirlpools near Atlanta, makers of high-end water spas for humans. “The bath is an innovative vessel that has been thoughtfully and ergonomically designed specifically for canine members of the family, providing a comfortable, therapeutic, and most important, safe environment for dog bathing.”

Besides cleaning and comfort, dog owners are swearing by the spa’s therapeutic benefits. “Our 11-year-old Labrador retriever, Katie, was experiencing tremendous difficulty in her hindquarters when getting up,” says Dawn Van Lanen of Sarasota, Fla. “With the Jentle Pet, we noticed almost immediately that she was benefiting from increased joint flexibility, struggled less to get up, and began trotting on walks again.”

The self-cleaning whirlpool — designed for permanent installation in garages, laundry rooms or mud rooms — comes with a handheld shower and can be equipped with five full-size point-massage whirlpool jets and air volume control. Price: $1,199 for a soaker; up to $2,899 for the whirlpool spa. 1-800-783-8827 or www.mtiwhirlpools.com

Dr. Marty Becker is the resident veterinarian on “Good Morning America” and author of “Why Do Dogs Drink Out of Toilets?” and “Do Cats Always Land on Their Feet?”

Source: Startribune.com

Not so long ago, chinchillas were most popularly known for their beautiful fur rather than as pets. But did you know that chinchillas, these wonderful creatures, have grown increasingly popular as pets.

For those who have not had the pleasure of meeting a chinchilla, they are attractive rodents with fluffy tails — something like a cross between a small rabbit and a squirrel. You’re most likely to see a chinchilla in a shade of silvery gray, but there are now many shades for chinchillas, including white, beige, black and violet (a purplish- gray color). Originally from the South American Andes Mountains, they need fairly low temperatures and humidity. Because they can live from 12 to 20 years, it’s important to plan for a chinchilla’s long-term care if you decide to get one.

Common questions about keeping chinchillas as pets include:

Question: Can I get just one chinchilla or should I think about two?

Answer: Chinchillas can be happy as single pets, especially if you take great care to interact with yours. I personally feel that most animals are happiest with another of their kind, but there are a couple of problems with having two chinchillas.

The first is that finding a vet to spay or neuter the chins can take some time. I’m familiar with some of the chinchillas that have come into Heartland Humane Society in Corvallis — most were altered with no ill effects. However, some resources suggest that chinchillas cannot tolerate anesthesia well. In recent years, advances in anesthesia coupled with a knowledgeable vet mean you should have no problems getting your pets spayed or neutered.

Second, chinchillas must be introduced slowly and carefully. You cannot just put two together — they may fight. It often works well to put a younger chin in with an older one, as the older one is likely to be more relaxed. If you would like two, adopt an already bonded pair or get help from the breeder or rescue you’re getting the chin from.

Q. Do chinchillas make much noise?

A. Chinchillas are very quiet. They can make a low grunting or barking noise, typically only if they are upset or concerned about something.

Chinchillas are nocturnal, meaning that they are most active at night. They may make noise when they play at night, so don’t plan on keeping them in your bedroom unless you are a sound sleeper.

Q. What do chinchillas eat?

A. Chinchillas are herbivores and eat a variety of hay and vegetables. A good quality chinchilla food in a pelleted form is a good way to make sure they get all the nutrients they need. Hay helps keep their teeth worn down and their digestive systems moving. Treats can include dried or fresh fruit in moderation.

Q. What kind of cage do I need for my chinchilla?

A. The best cage is large, allowing lots of room for play, and sturdy. Different levels are nice, as chinchillas like to move from level to level. You can choose to get housing with a wire mesh bottom or a solid bottom — if wire, make sure the chins have areas to sit that are not on the wire, to protect their feet. If a solid bottom is used, a good bedding should be aspen, fir or kiln-dried pine shavings (no cedar as its oils can cause respiratory problems and organ damage), a paper bedding such as Carefresh, or newspapers. In general, chinchillas don’t have much odor, so you should be able to keep them clean with a weekly or twice-weekly cleaning.

Inside the cage, toys are important. Cardboard boxes, PVC drain pipe that’s at least 4 inches and a large, solid wheel to run in can all be part of your chinchilla’s cage furniture. For the wheel, you’ll need to buy one specifically for chinchillas; the larger size and solid construction are less likely to cause injury.

Q. Can my chinchilla be loose in the house?
A. While rabbits and some other rodents can be loose in the house with suitable protection of chewable wires and other items, chinchillas really, really like to chew. They can chew furniture, walls and cords, so if you’re going to have your chinchilla out, supervise it carefully. That said, taking your chinchilla out of its cage can give it good exercise and help it bond to you. Just watch it so it can’t get hurt or damage your possessions. It’s probably best to return your chinchilla to its cage when you’re not watching.

Q. Will my chinchilla need veterinary care?

A. All animals should have a vet in case they become ill. With chins, it’s vital to find a suitable vet early on, before anything goes wrong. Annual checkups are good ideas for small “prey” animals like chinchillas, rabbits and guinea pigs, simply because they are so good at hiding any health problems. (In the wild, a prey animal that shows weakness often becomes a predator’s next meal.)

Malocclusion, or misalignment of the teeth, can be an issue, especially in poorly bred chinchillas. Digestive problems can also plague chins — they have similar issues to rabbits and horses. Heat exhaustion or heat stroke can also plague chinchillas. Any time their environment is over 70 degrees, there could be problems; chins just cannot tolerate anything hotter than 80 degrees for any reason.

Abscesses, heart murmurs and other heart problems, and seizures can also affect chins.

Q. Where can I get more information about a pet chinchilla?

A. Some great online resources exist for potential chinchilla owners.

Look up www.chincare.com for starters. Also, look for a responsible breeder or rescue for these creatures, and rely on help from that person.

Source: Gazette-Times

PS: We can’t wait until we do our first Custom Chinchilla portrait!!

Is your dog a “latch key pup”? That’s a dog that sits home alone, waiting to hear the key turn in the door when you return from a long day at the office? For many dogs, especially younger and/or bigger dogs, this lack of stimulation and socialization often results in bad behavior like shoe-chewing, trash-digging, and worse.

Every city in America, and I suspect most small towns as well, at this point offer a variety of qualified facilities where your furry kid can spend the day exercising and socializing, getting the care and attention he or she deserves. Many even offer you the ability to watch them having a great time on a webcam while you are slaving away at your desk earning the money to pay for it! Finding the right care center for your dog is just as important as researching a playschool for a child. Your best bet is to get personal recommendations from people who take their dog to daycare, but if that isn’t an option you should make a list of all the places in your area and visit each one to compare and ask questions.

Some important things you should learn before deciding on a daycare:

Operating hours – Ideally, the daycare center’s business hours should extend beyond the start and the end of your normal workday so you have time to drop your dog off and fetch them without rushing (Be sure and ask if they charge a late fee when you arrive after the standard closing time). Some centers offer a canine taxi service which can be a great time-saver if you have a hectic schedule.

When you tour the facility (and you must tour the facility), observe how the staff reacts to all the dogs, and more importantly how the dogs react to them.

Ask if and how the dogs are segregated. Your pal may prefer a center where larger breeds are separated from the smaller ones. And the better facilities assess your dog’s social skills as well as his size when determining his appropriate play group.

Make a note of how accessible water is for the dogs and ask how often the water is refreshed. Most establishments require owners to pack their own doggie lunches to avoid any special dietary issues.

Most daycares don’t offer walks outside the facility because the dogs get enough exercise running around with each other all day. But it is important that there are spacious indoor and outdoor play areas as well as a comfy, well ventilated areas for lounging.

Of course your dog will need to have all his or her immunizations up-to-date, but be sure and inquire about all their health requirements.

Naturally you’ll need to find out what it costs and canine enrichment doesn’t come cheap! As with everything else in America, when it comes to doggie daycare, you get what you pay for. But be sure to ask about any reduced rates offered if you pay monthly or if you have multiple dogs.

What’s the latest trend in Doggie Daycare? If you and your dog live in an “up-scale” community, your local doggie daycare facilities may now be calling themselves “canine enrichment centers.” They are more like doggie day spas, offering a variety of other services, such as grooming, and massage therapy. Some even have a pool for supervised swimming, nature trails, and a rec room with giant TV screens playing dog-orientated programs. They offer activities for pet parents as well, like “Doga” (the doggie version of yoga) and paw painting classes.

We actually have some great clients, turned affiliates, who own and operate some really fantastic doggie daycare facilities. Downtown Hound, home of handsome Pop Art Pet subject, Cruiser, is the perfect place for dogs in Boise, Idaho to spend their days maxin’ and relaxin’!

Judging by the pictures and the webcam on their website, the party never stops – except when it’s naptime of course. If you’re in the Boise area, check them out and tell Tracy we said hello!

Downtown Dog Lounge was voted the Best Doggie Daycare in Seattle this year! Gunner & Lily, who we have also had the pleasure of immortalizing in Pop Art Pet portraits, help their mom, Elise, run two metro locations.

Downtown Dog Lounge, DTDL for short, offers their clients in-house grooming services as well as a “Pooch Nanny” for pups with special needs like post-surgical pooches, seizure prone dogs, and puppies & senior dogs who might need a little help getting around. If you are looking for doggie daycare in Seattle, please give them a call!

There are benefits to doggie daycare for you as well, like you won’t have to worry about what your friend is up to at home unsupervised. Then, at the end of a long day at work when all you want to do is relax on the couch, so will your dog. He won’t be begging to go on a long walk, or keep bringing you that tennis ball. He’ll be well-exercised and tired, so you won’t have to feel guilty for not indulging him. But don’t worry, the two of you can still go nuts together on the weekends!

Every day more people are taking their pets along when they travel, but traveling can be highly stressful, both for you and the four-legged members of your family. But with thoughtful preparation, you can ensure a safe and comfortable trip for everyone.

The ASPCA urges pet owners to think twice about flying their pets on commercial airlines, especially if they plan on checking them in as cargo.

“Unless your animal is small enough to fit under your seat and you can bring him or her in the cabin, the ASPCA recommends pet owners to not fly their animal,” says Lisa Weisberg, ASPCA Senior Vice President of Government Affairs and Public Policy. If pet owners have already committed to transporting their pets on commercial airlines, the ASPCA is offering the following top ten tips for safe air travel with your pet:

1. Make an appointment with your pet’s veterinarian for a check-up, and make sure all vaccinations are up-to-date. Obtain a health certificate from your veterinarian dated within 10 days of departure.

2. Make sure your pet is wearing a collar and an identification tag. Breakaway collars are best for cats. The collar should also include destination information in case your pet escapes.

3. Book a direct flight whenever possible. This will decrease the chances that your pet is left on the tarmac during extreme weather conditions or mishandled by baggage personnel.

4. Purchase a USDA-approved shipping crate that is large enough for your pet to stand, sit and turn around in comfortably. Shipping crates can be purchased from many pet supply stores and airlines.

5. Write the words “Live Animal” in letters at least one inch tall on top of and at least one side of the crate. Use arrows to prominently indicate the upright position of the crate. On the top of the crate, write the name, address and telephone number of your pet’s destination point, and whether you will be accompanying him or if someone else is picking him up. Make sure that the door is securely closed, but not locked, so that airline personnel can open it in case of an emergency. Line the crate bottom with some type of bedding—shredded paper or towels— to absorb accidents.

6. Affix a current photograph of your pet to the top of the crate for identification purposes. Should your pet escape from the carrier, this could be a lifesaver. You should also carry a photograph of your pet.

7. The night before you leave, make sure you’ve frozen a small dish or tray of water for your pet. This way, it can’t spill during loading, and will melt by the time he’s thirsty. Tape a small pouch, preferably cloth, of dried food outside the crate. Airline personnel will be able to feed your pet in case he gets hungry on long-distance flights or a layover.

8. Tranquilizing your pet is generally not recommended, as it could hamper his breathing. Check with your veterinarian first.

9. Tell every airline employee you encounter, on the ground and in the air, that you are traveling with a pet in the cargo hold. This way, they’ll be ready if any additional considerations or attention is needed.

10. If the plane is delayed, or if you have any concerns about the welfare of your pet, insist that airline personnel check the animal whenever feasible. In certain situations, removing the animal from the cargo hold and deplaneing may be warranted.

Source: ASPCA.org

Because we’re always interested in original animal art we wanted to share what we found in the current issue of Bark Magazine. Scott Fife, is a well-known sculptor in the Pacific Northwest, famous for larger than life busts of famous figures. Well Scott has now added a gi-nourmous sculpture of his own dear dog, LeRoy a big gangly Coon Hound puppy! (by “gi-nourmous” i mean almost 10 feet tall!)

In his interview with the Bark, Scott said, “First of all, having a show at the Tacoma Art Museum gave me an opportunity to do a really large piece, And during the time I was preparing for the show, my wife and I got LeRoy and another Coon Hound from a rescue group. Of course puppies are charming and fun, playful, and take up lots of your time as well. I had him in my studio and did drawings of him. I pretty much thought I would try to do this piece of him as a puppy, a really oversized piece that would reference his vision of himself – bigger than the center of the world.”
The sculpture weighs about 500 pounds and is constructed as one solid piece. Wait… did I mention that Scott Fife’s medium of choice is cardboard?! Specifically, archival cardboard, held together with glue and screws. LeRoy was by far his biggest undertaking however, “the scale was new to me, but I was really physically engaged in it – I would press my whole body against a sheet of cardboard so I could screw it down. Even though the busts that I’d done previously are bigger than life-size, I could hold the pieces I used to shape them with my hand or a clamp. But this required me to use my whole body as a weight, which struck me as quite appropriate.”
When asked how he got started working with cardboard, Scott explained, “Part of it was the inexpensiveness of the material. I mean, I would just go out and find boxes in alleyways. But I began to realize that the high acid content meant that the lifespan of the piece could be limited – cardboard is intended to be disposable, after all. Then I discovered archival cardboard, which I found I liked working with. I liked using paper, so I didn’t think it would be that great of a leap. At first glance, the viewer has no idea what the material is; then the corrugation is recognized and it’s commonplace again. I also like the color. It has a coolness to it. It’s not intended to be dark and macabre, but I suppose there’s that element in it as well, a coolness going to coldness. But it has a really classic sort of nature about it, I think.”
Right now you can see an exhibition of Scott Fife’s work at Chicago’s Bodybuilder & Sportsman Gallery, and he is represented by Platform Gallery in Seattle.

A spokesperson for the RSPCA, which is the UK’s version of the SPCA (the R stands for “Royal”) said in an article recently that people with pets were happier, healthier and more likely to meet the man or woman of their dreams. This is based on the countless love stories they hear from happy couples who met at the dog park or the vet. The theory is that people who own pets love to talk about their pets with other people who have and appreciate pets so there’s a built-in ice-breaker.

For example, a doctor named Kate said she met her husband of three years, while walking her golden retrievers at the local dog park. The 37-year-old said she was playing with dogs Chester and Jackson when she met the man of her dreams. “My husband Paul was walking his cattle dog Lex and came up to ask me about my dog’s names,” Ms Howson said. “We started talking every time we met at the park, then he asked me out and three years later we were married!”

It is apparently not uncommon for people to find love while holding a leash. The beauty of it is you start talking to people you would never normally come across, and people are relaxed and happy when they’re with their pets.

Another story from a young woman named Leonie, who said she met her boyfriend of three months while walking her border collie Jasper. “I was in a park and my dog recognized my boyfriend who I’d met years before but only known for a couple of weeks,” she said. “He was walking his boxer and we wouldn’t have met again if it wasn’t for the dogs.”

Online dating agencies are catching on to the trend. Love Me Love My Pets has hundreds of photos of people with their animals and profiles of single animal lovers, and so does Date My Pet which offers you to find a mate for yourself or just a playmate for your pet.

They were running neck-and-neck – 14 finalists looking for fame and fortune in one of the world’s most prestigious beauty competitions: the annual Ugly Dog Contest at the Sonoma-Marin County Fair. Then, after weeks of online polling and jockeying for position, leading to the final judging, the championship was hit by a massive vote-tampering scandal.

First, the unseen hacker went after Victoria, whose thousands of precious votes disappeared overnight from the contest’s official website. The italian greyhound, sporting a deformed face, amputated tail, arched back, gamy let and goofy walk, had been the front runner. Could Pee Wee Martini, with his naked body, sloppy tongue, punk-rock mohawk, and horror-movie toenails, now vault into first place?
Pee Wee Martini

Frankly, he couldn’t vault anywhere. But, in any case, two days later, his votes all vanished too. Munchkin and Rascal, two delightfully hideous contestants, were the next to find themselves vote-violated. Suspicion began to center on Lucille Bald, who had been rescued from a Florida puppy mill that was shut down by the police. (Except that her person, a military mom, didn’t look much like a hacker nerd.)

Lucille Bald

Archie the Winner

Source: Best Friends Magazine