Thursday, November 18, 2010

Serious Thinking


It seems that when it rains, it pours sometimes and I've just received word that both of my recent commissions have had devastating news concerning pets in their lives.
I'm waiting to hear the outcome of a referral visit to our state vet school where Allee, the little female Coton de Tulears that I just painted was sent after she was found to have a tumor in her mouth.  

And, when I delivered the portrait of Kelly, the Golden Retriever/Great Pyrenees mix, the owner told me that bone cancer had so debilitated one of their dogs that she was going to be euthanized that day.  

I only met both of these ladies recently when they commissioned me to paint their dogs and both have become special to me.  Maybe it's because there's a bond to begin with because of our love of our pets but my heart is breaking for both of them.  It's especially difficult with Allee because I got to meet this little one in person and just fell in love with her and her "brother", Max.  I know how much her owners love her too and that makes it doubly sad.  

However, I'm really trying to stay positive here as I haven't yet heard how the appointment with the specialist at the vet school went.  There's a possibility that the tumor can be treated and that's where I make my mind stay.

And, while Kelly had passed across the bridge some time ago and I didn't know her or her "sister", I still feel the pain of my customer.  It's so difficult to lose one of your fur children and even more so to face the possibility that you might.






5 comments:

Sue Clinker said...

Aww that must put you in an awful situation presenting portraits of their pets at such a traumatic time.

Fingers crossed some of the news will get better. The portraits are lovely but I can see it must be painful for the owners to look at them just now.

Let us know what happens

Jan said...

The news really isn't so bad for Allee, thank God. The vet school oncologist said that the tumor hadn't grown into the bone and surgery was definitely an option. We also have a holistic vet who had done wonders using bloodroot (herb) on some tumors and the customer is going to speak to him.

I'm getting the information second-hand but deliver the portrait tomorrow and will know what the exact situation is then.

I think it would have been very sad tomorrow if the news had been worse. As it is, I think it will be a joyful exchange.

I'll keep you posted.

Unknown said...

I am so pleased Jan , just reading your reply to Sue that surgery can be done to help Allee. Hope all goes well.

I am sorry to hear the sad news of Kelly

readingsully2 said...

Everything you say is true. I just lost my kitty who was 17. I really miss her. I hope all turns out well for your new friends.

Teresa said...

So incredibly difficult to lose a beloved pet... they become more like kids than pets. Glad they have your beautiful artwork as a memory keeper.