Alex Vom Haus Chavez

His call name is "Max". His immediate ancestors hail from Germany, where the German Shepherd Dog originated and is still bred best. He lives on a ranch in the stunning southwestern region of NM, near the town of Magdalena, just west of Socorro. His kingdom consists of vast acreage to oversee, beautiful vistas to admire, and a pack of seven, including sons and daughters from his mate, Catey.
He is Hunter's father, and it's quite obvious that my wonderful young "acorn" didn't fall far from this strong and magnificent "tree".
I painted Max on commission from his owners, Bill and Sherry, who obviously adore this handsome fellow.
It's on their gate that I first saw the sign, along with the image of a German Shepherd Dog, warning potential trespassers: "I can get to the gate in 3 seconds: Can you?" Having met Max and spent some time with him, I can attest to the fact that, yes, he can, and no, you don't want to challenge him to a race to the gate! No better companion, protector and watch dog could ever be found! Max, you sweetheart, thanks so much for the fantastic genes you passed on to my Hunter!
Oil on linen covered board
16 x 20
By Commission
www.katywidger.com

Morning Owl

Today is the 4th anniversary of the death of Mychal Angelo, my beautiful Standard Poodle. It also marks the first anniversary of his death that I have felt "whole" again. There is still, indeed, a big hole in my heart, but healing has taken place this past year and I am, along with my pack of four wonderful dogs, in a "good place", now. Since Mychal has left us, owls have become a part of our life, in many ways, offering omens, strange visitations and encounters both physical and in the realm of dreams.

This morning, when Ken went out to do the chores, he discovered a young male owl in the hen house. He had killed and partially consumed a hen (ironically, one that was not doing well and Ken had planned on dispatching today or tomorrow). The two roosters, Rudy and Ralph, had him cornered and kept him from leaving the hen house after his dinner. Ken ushered him out, expecting that he'd immediately fly away. But, instead, he ran over to the fence and climbed up to this post. Ken came in and got me and the camera. After a bit, he tried to fly away, but couldn't. His right wing was injured, probably in the altercation with the roosters in the hen house. Ravens began circling, and within what seemed like mere seconds, the sky was full of them, diving on him, full of murderous intent. Ken ran and got a dog carrier and some welding gloves, but we were amazed as the owl almost walked into the carrier without much fuss. It seemed he preferred the safety of the carrier to the impending rendevous with the ravens.

A few phone calls later, we drove him into town to meet a rep from the Wildlife Rescue group. He'll get some attention today, and when he's ready, they'll bring him back out here to release.

We don't begrudge him his dinner; the little chicken was the weakest of our flock and hen-pecked to the point her life was pretty miserable. As Nature intended, that is the hen the owl took. And besides, it's up to us to provide protection for our chickens; we failed to close the chicken door; he merely walked in and ordered up his "chicken in the box" dinner!

We're both very relieved that he wasn't seriously hurt and hope that he'll be back in his home territory soon.

Mychal calls to me once again: life goes on, all is as is should be, God's providence assures soft landings in hard places.

My Body Guard

A young dog in training. He is focused, alert, intense, powerful, loyal and devoted and gentle as a lamb with his little pack mates and other critters. A sign on the gate bears the outline of a German Shepherd Dog and says, "I can make it to the gate in 3 seconds; can you?" Makes me sleep a lot better a night these days!

16" x 20" oil on gallery wrapped canvas

Inquiries welcome at

www.katywidger.com

Backporch Color Fun!

These are little 5 x 7's painted yesterday on the back porch. It was a glorious summer day, and I couldn't stand to be indoors, so I took some paints and a small paint box out on the shady porch, along with a few sweet little photos of the Apsos.

So, here are Zeke, as a puppy, Wyatt in the sunshine, and Miss Sadie Wonder relaxed and comfy on the big dog bed.

My very simple palette included purple, phalo green, yellow ochre and a bit of crinacridone magenta, and white, of course.

Oil on linen or canvas covered board

5" x 7"

$75 each, while supplies last!

Contact me if interested.

I'd be delighted to paint a colorful backporch painting of your favorite pooch (or other critter)!

www.katywidger.com

Taz and Cosmo

I was tempted to call this little painting "Cosmo's Third Eye", as he sits here in his lion pose, meditating next to his best friend, Taz, who has only one eye. He lost the other in an accident involving a car, but hasn't seemed to mind so much, now that he and Cosmo have found their forever home with Chris. Profound serenity visits Cosmo, and Taz basks in the glow, sharing his own inner frivolity with his BFF.

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5x7 oil on raw silk covered board.

Painted as a commission: $100.

I'm delighted to paint an everlasting memory of your BFF.

Details on my website:

www.katywidger.com

Sadie Blue Jeans

It's hard to describe that feeling of mutual adoration that so many of us who love dogs almost take for granted. It's a symbiotic relationship of mutual neediness. Those who love and respect dogs as fellow created beings know exactly what I mean, and I need no words to describe it. Sadly, for those whom dogs are just another soulless species of animal life there are not enough words to convey the emotion. It can only be experienced . This little dog, lying at my feet, looks up at me with love and adoration, and I return the gaze. We sigh, content with the unspoken satisfaction that only trust in the faithfulness of love can bring.

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Oil on linen covered board 8" x 10"

Inquiries invited: katy@katywidger.com

Dog portraits on commission http://www.katywidger.com/

Apso Gaze

Zeke spends as much time as we allow, sitting on a couple of pillows at the end of the couch, looking out the window. He takes note of every car and truck and school bus that drives down his road. Every raven and hawk that flys by gets a bark, as does every person walking their dog or riding a bike. But he saves his most energetic and ferocious barking for the bunny who lives under the tree just to the right of his window. Sometimes he just can't contain himself, and off he races, out his Apso door, around the corner of the house to the little screened-in "window" my husband cut into the fence for them. He tells that bunny "what for", then races back into the house to see if he listened!
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Panchen, that Champ of a dog now buried in Susan's garden, here sits on Susan's porch, enjoying the Northern California sunlight on a proper spring morning. How delicious must the warm sun feel to a blind dog! What does he "see" as he sits there? Can he feel the daffodils blooming? What does the morning sun smell like? Rest easy, Champ, the daffodils are blooming again.

Both paintings are oil on deep gallery wrapped canvas,
5" x 5" square.
Dog portraits by commission
www.katywidger.com