Like a Feather in the Wind (Day 8)

"Yes, you can lose somebody overnight. 

Yes, your whole life can 

be turned upside down. 

Life is short. It can come and go 

like a feather in the wind."

~Shania Twain

~~~~~~~~~~Friendship Feather~~~~~~~~~~

Alcohol Inks and Watercolor on Yupo paper
See painting specifications and price here.

The past month was a tough one for me. I'm not very good at handling loss. On August 8th, I lost my beloved 34 year old horse, Rudy overnight. It was a shock and a relief because I assume he went quickly in the night and I didn't have to see him suffer or make any heart wrenching decisions. He came into my life 33 years ago and was never anything but a wonderful pleasure and an amazing gift. He left this world and my life gracefully and I am so very thankful to God that he went quickly and hopefully painlessly. My grief is finally starting to lessen and the tears are coming on less frequently. The gaping hole in my life and the stronghold he has on my heart will always remain. The way to truly appreciate something is to realize it may be lost, so I'm trying harder everyday to be thankful and appreciate all the wonderful memories we shared and all blessings I have in my daily life.

Rembrandt (aka: Rudy) My Love - 2/19/80- 8/8/14

Thank you for your kindness and friendship.

X ♥  O

Furry Family Member

"The difference between friends and pets

is that friends we allow into our company,

pets we allow into our solitude."

~ Robert Brault

Tan Tan
Commissioned Portrait • SOLD

Some bitter-sweet Christmas gifts were commissioned this year for one dear family

after the sudden premature death of their beloved furry family member,

Tanner Sanchez Heil.

Tanner Sanchez Heil
Commissioned Portrait • SOLD

"Connor loved his picture of Tanner "Sanchez" (lol)

he held back the tears but said inside he was very emotional.

The picture of Tanner "Tan Tan" was very emotional for Sammy when she opened it 

but she was so very excited to have a picture of Tanner for her room.

They both said that it was the best present ever!"

~ Dorrie Crouse-Heil

*****************

Knowing that we will probably

outlive our pets can be a very sad thought.

All too well, we avid animal lovers can relate to

the grief and healing process of losing a beloved furry family member.

I feel fortunate that my art will serve as a

permanent memorial to a unique individual.

I also hope it will provide some joy and comfort along the way.

Thanks for stopping by!

I hope you are enjoying the holidays!

X ♥  O

Princess Crosses The Rainbow Bridge

Princess - 1 - 3 - 2012 - The last time she played with her favorite toy.

Yesterday I took Princess to the vet because she has been failing since February when she was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism. She has been on medication, but improvement has been minimal. She continued to lose weight and only about 50% of her days were good ones recently. After taking an x-ray and finding a mass in her abdomen, I made the very tough decision to have her put to sleep before her condition got worse. I just didn't want to see my precious kitty suffer. She was good the first two times they took her into the back, to get her weight and an x-ray, but when they took her in that last time, after I said my teary goodbyes, she screamed her lungs out.  I could hear her loud vocal cries of distress as I was filling out the final paper work at the front desk, behind a flood of tears. Do you think she knew what was coming?  She had been extremely affectionate to me at the vet's office, very vocal, rubbing on me and purring, the whole half hour or so that we waited in the exam room.

Princess has been somewhat of a celebrity here on the web. Here she is herding her deer.

Always ready for a brushing, a cuddle or a walk about, she was definitely MY CAT and only tolerated everyone else.

Check out her antics with the ten toms last year.

Last June she had her portrait done.

And last but not least, Princess, was my studio cat and the Art Director here at The Sandarosa.

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable
.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together.

~ Author unknown