"A Loving Worker"

I would like to introduce all of you to Bailey, an Australian Shepherd.  I met Bailey, and her owner, Bridget, at our local library, a year ago, and instantly fell in love with Bailey (please don't tell Fancy, my border collie!).  Bridget gave me permission to take some photos (glad I had my iPhone), and Bailey enjoyed every minute of it.  Every time I would see the photos on my computer, I always thought to myself--you've got to paint this dog!!  Finally, I did.  The whole time I was working on the painting, I remembered that day at the library--there was a smile on my face every minute.  Knowing your subject first hand does make a difference when you go to paint it.

Bridget and Bailey are members and workers of Pet Partners, a service program of the Delta Society.  Registered Pet Partners bring the physical and emotional benefits of human-animal interaction to people in a variety of settings.  Delta Society's mission is to improve human health through service and therapy animals.  You can find out more information and view a wonderful video of their work at:  www.petpartners.org.  Bailey's resume is quite impressive (wish mine looked that good).  She has completed several obedience programs and has completed her AKC Canine Good Citizen program.  Besides being involved in various special school classrooms, such as Life Skills, Alternative Behaviour, Autistic and Severely Emotionally Disturbed students, she has worked with brain injured adults at the Texas Learning Center in Galveston, TX..  She has also assisted in several suicide interventions with great success.  Bailey currently volunteers as a Reading Dog at our local Tye Preston Memorial Library.  TALK ABOUT A V.I.P. (Very Important Partner)!!

As you can probably conclude--all of this was made possible by the love and training of owner, Bridget.  She is a retired Special Education Teacher and Counselor, of 34 years.  She now volunteers in the schools, etc., with Bailey, to enhance positive awareness of the human animal involvement.

After I finished "A Loving Worker", I sent Bridget a preview of it.  Bridget replied with "Wow, your painting of Bailey brought tears to my eyes.  You captured that look that she gives me when we are working, that says, "I'm ready to work, where are my kiddos!".
P.S.  Bridget bought the painting!!  I was going to enter it in a show, but am much more happy it is hanging in the home of Bailey's loving owner.

  "A Loving Worker", Pastel, 10" x 8"