FOOD AS ART

We're still missing Gypsy like crazy (we looked at her puppy photos last night, which, of course, brought on the waterworks), but it's time to post something new.  I created the images below on Thanksgiving and meant to post them the next day.  More important stuff must have come up.  Anyway, the subject in the first image below inspired a mini project for me that day.  Those are Bluefoot mushrooms, which were selling at Whole Foods for.....(drumroll please)......$35.00 per pound!  Now, before you question my judgment, don't forget that mushrooms are very light and airy and it takes a huge volume of them to make a whole pound.  I think I spent about $2 on a handful of them, and I did toss them into my yummy mushroom gravy (thank you Dad for teaching me the art of gravy-making).  They have a woody, earthy flavor that matches their appearance.  Aren't they so pretty?  Following them are sugar pie pumpkins, Cipollini onions, some kind of Rosé wine and homemade cranberry jelly.  Just a sampling of our Thanksgiving feast this year....

GYPSY REST IN PEACE

GYPSY THREADZ SARANTAKES
1999 - 2010

Dear Gypsy,

Thank you for choosing me that spring day in 1999.

You were the most adorable little thing, with your zest for life and your little heart-shaped patch of white fur on your heinie, and you stole my heart when I spotted you with your litter mates.  The PAWS Shelter was showing you off at Petco, and we'd been talking about getting a companion for Chief.  We wanted a smart, loyal dog that we could walk off-leash, and you, being an Australian Shepherd, fit that description well.  We didn't bring you home right away because Daddy wanted to be sure we were doing the right thing, but after a couple of days, we decided that if you were still available, we would adopt you.  The kind folks at PAWS drove you all the way from Kyle to Round Rock (we were both working at Dell at the time), and thence began a deep human-canine bond that lasted for eleven and a half years.

You were a mess when you were a puppy.  You whined relentlessly at night in your crate, you had repeated accidents in the house, and once, you ran underneath Chief when he was peeing, only to be the recipient of a doggy golden shower.  We discovered early on that broccoli and you did not agree, and sheesh, did you have ENERGY!  We were not quite ready for your exercise requirements and I think we frustrated each other some in the beginning.  Still, you were, and have always been, the sweetest dog I've ever met.  EVER.  You were gentle with every single human being you ever met, including wild children who jumped on you and yanked your ears.  What a divine dog you were.

You were best described as an attention-junkie, and because of this, it was very easy to teach you things.  We'd tell you what we wanted you to do, and you would just do it.  A simple look of approval was all the reinforcement that you needed.  My favorite trick was probably getting you to speak after asking you, "Who let the dogs out?"  Saying, "SQUIRREL!" had the same effect and always made me laugh.  You were a fabulous entertainer.

I am so thankful that you were such a perfect companion for Chief.  The two of you took to each other quickly and you were best buddies for as long as you were alive.  It was so much fun watching you play and wrestle in the front yard.  Like I said, you were a fabulous entertainer.  I wish I could count the number of times you made Matthew and Zach laugh those wonderful, deep belly laughs that only kids can deliver.

I am so sorry that we weren't able to do more to ease your suffering in these last few weeks.  When you lost your exuberance, and your joy was hanging on by a thread, it broke my heart.  I wish I could have seen you do one more of your crazy spins and race around the front yard with Chief and Lucky.  I was sure you'd be with us for at least another year or two, but December 2, 2010 was your day to go to Rainbow Bridge.  Thank you for hanging on until the end of the day so that I could be with you when you crossed the threshold.  Matthew, Zach and I witnessed your last breath, and I felt your last heartbeat.  I hope that you were comforted by all of the love surrounding you.

I miss you already, my sweet Gypsy-girl.  Sleep well, and may you finally catch whatever it is that you were chasing in your dreams......

RAGS 2 WAGS GALA / Austin Pet Photographer

This weekend is the 5th annual Rags2Wags Gala benefiting the Austin Humane Society.  I am making a silent auction donation in honor of my dog, Lucky, whom I adopted  in May from AHS (you can see her on the July 1 post).  The display print, a 20x20 collage featuring 16 canine characters I've photographed over the past few years, just arrived this evening, and once again my lab did a flawless job.  Hopefully this will grab the bidders' attention.............

 Here is the back side of the promo cards......anyone who sees this post and mentions it is eligible for the complimentary 5x7 print when booking a pet portrait session with me.  The 20% donation to AHS applies as well.

On a heavyhearted note, my sweet Australian Shepherd, Gypsy, has been very sick.  Four weeks ago she suddenly collapsed after dashing across our front yard, which began a long and arduous (and expensive) process of trying to get a correct diagnosis.  This is when you really wish dogs could talk!  Long story short, we visited a veterinary cardiologist yesterday, and after an exam, x-rays and an ultrasound, we're certain that she has some sort of lung infection.  I pray that she will respond to the antibiotics and nebulizer treatments.  I've been talking about her non-stop (likely because I've spent so much time caring for her lately) and wanted to show her to my friends and clients.  This dog is the sweetest, most tolerant dog I've ever known.  And it's amazing how smart she is.  These three images are all of Gypsy....she looks way different when she's shaved, huh.  Please send happy thoughts and prayers our way.

Off to bed I am......after I tend to Gypsy that is.  If anyone knows any tricks on getting a sick dog to eat, please share!