Great Pet Net

The Arte Laguna organization has the pleasure to announce the 30 finalist artists of the Third International Art Prize Arte Laguna

• Baldini Manuel - Italy
Title: Senza Titolo

• Barazzutti Alberto - Italy
Title: EVOLUZIONISMO

• Bidoli Luca - Italy
Title: Straziami ma di baci saziami (n.6)

• Bettega Marta - Italy
Title: La messa della domenica

• Bolcato Stefano - Italy
Title: Un posto sicuro

• Chambers Cholla - United States
Title: The Big Red Buck…

Chambers Cholla is a horse!

via Renee Chambers at the Artist is a Horse website

The Sun newspaper reports that a greyhound and an owl have formed a bizarre friendship at an animal centre.

Six-month-old pup Torque adopted tiny baby owl Shrek when she was taken from her mother for her own protection aged just three days.

Keepers feared Shrek’s mum would eat her first offspring if she became stressed.

Adoptive dad Torque is now guarding the rare long-eared owl at the home of head falconer John Picton.

Buddies … Torque and Shrek

Shrek is free to roam the lounge as she strengthens her legs and often snuggles up to Torque on the sofa.

John said: “Their relationship is so unusual but also rather sweet.

“Torque seems to have adopted Shrek as his daughter and is now very protective. He follows her around at home and keeps his eye on her.

“They play with each other in the evenings while I’m watching television and it is an opportunity for Shrek to wander and strengthen her legs.”

Outdoors at the Ringwood Raptor and Reptile Centre in Hampshire’s New Forest, they often sit together, with the greyhound guarding his feathered friend.

Their friendship started slowly as John introduced the unlikely pair gradually – first by feeding three-inch-high Shrek her meals of marsh rats and quail in the same room, and then holding them close so Torque could smell her.

A PET’S TEN COMMANDMENTS

1. My life span may be 10 - 15 years. Any of that time away from you is likely to be painful.

2. Give me time to understand what you want of me.

3. Place your trust in me. It is crucial for my well-being.

4. Don’t be angry with me for long and don’t lock me up as punishment. You have your work, your friends, your entertainment, but I have only you.

5. Talk to me. Even if I don’t understand your words, I do understand your voice when speaking to me.

6. Be aware that however you treat me, I will never forget it.

7. Before you hit me, before you strike me, remember that I could hurt you, and yet, I choose not to bite you.

8. Before you scold me for being lazy or uncooperative, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I am not getting the right food, I have been in the sun too long, or my heart might be getting old or weak.

9. Please take care of me when I grow old. You, too, will grow old.

10. On the ultimate difficult journey, go with me please. Never say you can’t bear to watch. Don’t make me face this alone. Everything is easier for me if you are there because I love you so. ALWAYS!

Enjoy and take good care of your pets.

Life would be a much duller, less joyful experience without them.

We do not have to wait for Heaven to be surrounded by hope, love and joyfulness. It is here on earth, and has four legs!

Author Unknown

From the Terrific Sphynx site on Flickr.

Whoever tossed this cat into the pool made a big mistake!

From Headlines on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Officers received a report of a dog running loose, but were unable to locate it. The went to the…

Molly is a gray speckled pony who was abandoned by her owners when Katrina hit southern Louisiana, USA . She spent weeks on her own before finally being rescued and taken to a farm where abandoned animals were stockpiled. While there, she was attacked by a pit bull terrier, and almost died. Her gnawed right front leg became infected and her vet went to LSU for help. But LSU was overwhelmed, and this pony was a welfare case. You know how that goes.

But after surgeon Rustin Moore met Molly, he changed his mind. He saw how the pony was careful to lie down on different sides so she didn’t seem to get sores, and how she allowed people to handle her. She protected her injured leg. She constantly shifted her weight, and didn’t overload her good leg. She was a smart pony with a serious survival ethic.

Moore agreed to remove her leg below the knee and a temporary artificial limb was built. Molly walked out of the clinic and her story really begins there. (more…)

The WVSA ARTiculate Gallery has an Opening on June 12th 2008. The third annual “Every Dog has Its Day: Celebrating our Canine Companions” exhibition features commissioned pet portraits from all around the country.

Now you have a chance to order a commissioned painting. Come to our gallery opening to meet our artists and experience first hand how your commissioned portrait is created and how your efforts support our artists and organization.

This is a chance for the public to help young people with special needs by immortalizing their pets.

How to commission a portrait? Easy! Visitors can go the website and choose the size and artistic style. Upload or email a favorite pet photograph to our Artist Apprentices; they then transform the photograph into a one-of-a-kind work of art that will change their room and warm their heart. Last year over 250 pet portraits were commissioned. Prices range from $100-$500 depending on size (11×14 – 30×30) and style (Abstract or Realistic). Commissioners can pay online, by check, or in person. Rush service, domestic and international shipping is also available to all pet lovers living anywhere in the world. Businesses are also encouraged to get involved through many available sponsorship options available that support the program.

Commission NOW!