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July 23, 2024 by

Buddy is finally home!

Sweet Buddy was returned twice to the Humane Society (SPCA) before his present owner came along and adopted him in January 2023. At that time, it was believed that he was two years old.

To the best of everyone’s knowledge, Buddy was an abandoned dog who found himself wandering in different neighbourhoods.

Buddy’s early years during Covid crisis.

Buddy’s owner surmises that he was a Covid dog who was never properly socialized. Remember all the people who bought or adopted pets during the pandemic while they remained in isolation at home?

When these new pet owners returned to work, the dogs they had brought into their lives could not cope with being alone. Some probably became destructive. Others may have barked from anxiety and disturbed the neighbours.

Ultimately, many pets were left in shelters and some, unfortunately, were abandoned on the side of the road. Buddy was probably one of these dogs.

Ongoing training is helping Buddy become the dog he was meant to be.

Buddy’s owner says that he had serious shortcomings to put it mildly. He was frightened of men, of strangers, and especially fearful of new environments and places.

With time, and patience, and much love, Buddy has changed and has blossomed into an affectionate, loyal, and playful pet.

His owner emphasizes that he has greatly enriched her life and his joie de vivre is contagious. She is delighted to have him in her life.

The details of Buddy's custom pet portrait.

I had previously painted another of the client's dogs, a German Shepherd named Louie who had passed away. While the client did give me carte blanche to paint whichever portrait based on several excellent reference photos she provided, I had trouble achieving a pleasing result with the first portrait I painted. Leaving the wood panel aside, I switched over to canvas. The reference photo I chose shows Buddy as though he is staring at the camera. Could there be a treat close by, maybe a special cookie for a good boy?

I finished the portrait on time as Buddy's owner was moving away from the area to another province. Buddy is painted in acrylics on an 8 x 8 gallery wrapped canvas.

 

10 Responses

  • Well done Louise, Buddy’s painting is perfect. We have a similar problem here in Australia with “Covid dogs” being handed in or just abandoned. Interestingly though it is still hard to find a dog that isn’t quite expensive.

  • What heartwarming painting and touching story!!! Thanks dear Louise for sharing it.

    • Birgit, I don’t know if in Germany you have the same problem…many cats and dogs have been abandoned in the last two years and the shelters are full. It’s so sad but every now and then, there are happy stories like Buddy’s who has found his forever home and is much loved. Thanks for leaving a comment!

  • You’ve got a lovely dynamism in this painting, Louise – and you’ve got your likes field back.

    • Graham..yes, I thought of you when I finally was able to find the way to retrieve the likes button once more. Thanks for the kind comment.

      • Thanks Louise. I thought that this message hadn’t been accepted as I got a message to say I had submitted it before – see what happens when I press the post button …

        • Thanks Graham. Your message was waiting for me on the dashboard of my website. One less thing to worry about! Thanks once more.

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