"Oreo" (oil on linen; 10" x 8") sold

sold

"Pucci" (oil, 8" x 10"; sold)

"Oreo" is for Tammy, who wanted the portrait as the companion piece for "Pucci".  Oreo was Pucci's big brother and passed away several years ago.  Oreo, named for the white stripe that ran from his chin and down his middle to his tail, was Tammy's family's beloved pet for 11 wonderful years.  He was a Schnauzer mix shelter dog.  

Tammy's youngest daughter, Jenny, convinced her to adopt Oreo, but since she was either at school or after-school activities, Oreo soon became Tammy's buddy.  He would often escape and hunt her down in her small town.  A couple of times he went to school looking for Jenny. The whole town knew him.  Neighbors looked out for him and gave him rides back home.

He loved to chase birds.  Tammy and her husband still laugh about him almost doing backward flips, convinced that he could catch a seagull hovering overhead.  He also loved to dig for crabs. Often there were only his hind legs and tail above ground.  

Oreo was a very vocal dog and liked to talk back.  He did not like conflict of any kind and was a terrible car passenger.  And he always knew when Tammy was sad and made sure to snuggle extra close.  I gave his portrait a happy beachy background.  Thank you, Tammy, for sharing the stories about Oreo!