The Puppy That Started the adoption Gallery

I never meant to start the Adoption Gallery. But then again, I never meant to fall in love with my foster dog Olive either, and I wouldn't trade that mistake for anything.

I had one week of free time before starting my new job, so I spent it at the shelter doing laundry, walking dogs, and playing with the cats. It was just another normal Friday when I was making my rounds, handing out morning treats, and I saw an older puppy cowering and shaking in the corner of her kennel. She had a runny nose and eyes that made me feel like I could read her mind. She was scared. Her brother had just been adopted, she didn't feel well, and there were noises coming from every direction. When I picked her up out of the kennel, she curled into my arms and I felt her body relax. I instantly knew she was coming home with me for the weekend. Funny enough, my building's strict no visiting dogs policy and 25 pound weight limit conveniently slipped my mind.

I brought her home without telling a soul. My friends were caught completely off guard when a little black puppy greeted them at the door. But, by Sunday, she'd stolen all our hearts, especially mine.

So on Sunday morning, with olive curled up at my feet, I painted a watercolor portrait of her, along with a long list of reasons she deserved a forever home. Sunday afternoon, I brought Olive back in tears, along with her portrait and her favorite duck toy. I told myself if she wasn't adopted within three days, I'd go get her and figure the rest out later.

About an hour and a half after I dropped her off, I got an email from Anti-Cruelty. She'd already been adopted, by a fellow artist. Sometime in the moment of happy and sad tears, I realized this painting had given me a way to stay connected to her, and it gave adopters the chance to see her personality outside of a metal cage. That's where the idea for the Adoption Gallery started.

Since then, painting shelter dogs has become one of my favorite things I do. Every piece in the Adoption Gallery features a real animal from the Anti-Cruelty Society of Chicago, dogs I've met, painted, and in some cases, fallen for completely. 

So here's to all the dogs I've painted along the way. You're the reason this exists.

made with love,
P.H.