FAMILY May 8, 2007

'Family' May 8 - June 3, 2007

The Pet Generation is all about family. Our families come in all forms and shapes and sizes, some members we are born with others we aquire along the way.

I am grateful for all of my family and I can not imagine my life without all of those that I love.
I am going to tell you the story of Buddy's family.


Buddy's 22nd Birthday Party

On April 28, 2007 I attended the 22nd Birthday party of Buddy. Buddy is the fellow in the portrait with the red bow tie. Many years ago Buddy was dropped off at The Guildcrest Cat Hospital -
2452 Kingston Rd. Scarborough, M1N 1V3, 416-267-4697. Buddy was very ill and he had been dropped off to be euthanized.

Dr. Stewart, the owner of the Guildcrest Cat Hospital, runs a program for her patients. When they find cats with no homes, they can drop them off at the hospital for a fee and Dr. Stewart and her staff look after them, give them whatever medical attention is needed and find homes for them. Buddy stayed and became a permanent resident.

There is a fund named in his honour, t is called 'Buddy's buddies' and it is a great big jar that you can throw money into to help the cats get whatever is needed to make them healthy and find them a new home.

Dr. Stewart saw my work at a Starbucks art show and comissioned me to do a portrait of Buddy for his 22nd Birthday. What was so wonderful about Buddy's birthday party is that Dr. Stewart, her staff, her clientelle - human and feline along with the cats in residence are a big happy family .

Buddy spent part of the party sleeping with the little black kitten tucked protectively into his side, who by the way had been adopted that very morning by one of Dr. Stewarts clients. The original portrait comissioned by Dr. Stewart can be viewed at the Guildcrest Cat Hospital. The portrait that you see here is one that I did when I retured home and is part of the Starbucks art show. I felt that 22 year old Buddy sleeping with and taking care of the new baby kitten is really what family is all about.

Love to you and your Families
And Please let all of the dogs know that next month I will tell a story about dogs.

Christine and The Animals

The Pet Generation for People Whose Pets are Family