Artist Renee Lammers

   Monet found Daisy's empty Frosty Paws doggy icecream cup!  I can tell from his reaction

he will enjoy a few of these in his lifetime.  But not now.  He is just a little too young!

   He rolled around and played with this empty container!

    Monet is enjoying boiled chicken, rice, carrots, peas, and green beans.  Tonight

his little stomach was so full he grunted a few times when he tried to run.

   Monet looks like a haunted puppy tonight for Halloween!  Have a great night!

   Robert came home at 4:00pm.  We put Daisy and Monet in the car.  We drove to

Lake Alamosook.  This was the first time Monet went to the lake.  He loved it!

   He watched Daisy swimming with admiration!

   The water is cold now.  Daisy loves cold water.

   Daisy really enjoyed Monet's company at the lake.  I could tell she was showing him

around.  

  I found him a small stick so he could chew on one too.

   I will be spending many hours at this lake with Monet.  Soon he will be swimming!

But for today he just watched and sniffed.

   Monet dug a hole on the beach.  He watched Daisy chew a stick.  He ran through

the leaves after Daisy!  

   Daisy waited for Monet to catch!  Monet ran full speed!

    Every once in awhile Daisy gets a burst of energy where she wants to play with Monet.

Here you can see one of these energetic moments!  She is very gentle with him.  Mostly

she hops around.  Monet stays still so she doesn't knock him over.  

    Before we left I went to the creek where Duke's ashes were placed last Tuesday.  I

was so upset to see his white ashes still there at the bottom on the creek.  At least he

is in his favorite spot.  He doesn't need to come home with us any longer.  I am sure

he is so pleased Monet is keeping Daisy company.  Daisy is really enjoying Monet.

We all are.

    Robert came home with a giant bag of dog toys from patients.  He took Monet to

work this last Monday.  He is taking Monet to work tomorrow too.  Have a good night!

    I worked on two little 5x7 pen and inks with gouache today.

    I purchased a few fall flowers to work from.  Monet and Daisy

kept me company.  

    Monet is so playful!

   This is a very common scene lately at our house.  Daisy and Monet cuddled up on 

her bed.  She is motherly towards Monet.

   A packaged arrived from a friend and client full of dog toys!  Monet hopped into the box.

Then he played with each of his new toys.  Daisy played too.  Thank you very much!

   He really enjoyed himself.  He played with each toy for hours.

He started to wind down!

   He loves Daisy.

   How cute!

   A half an hour later he is running top speed!

   I went to see golden retriever puppies today.  I was very sad and disappointed in what

I saw.  The mother golden retriever was skin and bones.  There were many adult goldens

there.  One golden retriever looked like she had a eye problem.  The father grabbed hold of my

leg.  The pups were a brownish red color.  They were thin.  None of the pups came over to me.

She put all the adults into a cage in the backyard.  I excused myself.  I stopped at the first

place to wash my hands in hot water.  I took off my sweater.  I changed my jeans.  Luckily

I always carry a spare new pair in my car incase of emergencies.  I know we could have provided

an excellent home for a little female pup.  Monet deserves a healthy mate.  It is so difficult

finding a female puppy!  Someday we will find one.  We aren't in any hurry.  We just know

two goldens have twice the fun.  Have a good night!

    I learned many new things at the Stapleton Kearns painting workshop.  We watched

him paint after breakfast until lunch.  Sometimes it would be sprinkling or hailing.  We

all were bundled up in serious winter gear.  Stape was very knowledgable and professional

at his workshop as well as entertaining.  He talked to me about painting with more neutrals

to allow my saturated colors to sing more.  He hesitated though for me to change my painting

ways because I have been somewhat successful.  I agreed with him to not change my 

painting sizes.  I would like to add a few larger works.  Drawing is so important he stressed

but design is important also in a landscape painting.  I asked him, "How can a painter

become better at designing the landscapes?"  He suggested studying Carlson's landscape

book or study Seago's paintings.  

     He told us he always looks for a lighter subject to put in his landscape when the day is 

very grey.  He selected a large birch tree.  He didn't change the key of his painting when

the sun briefly came out.  He kept his underpaintings very thinned with medium so he

could easily change his design.  Then he used broken color with thicker paint later as he was

developing the painting further.  

   Here is little Monet with his duck.  He is a speedy fella.  He can run really fast for being

so young.  I have never seen a little puppy run like this!  

   Robert took Monet to work today!  Monet came home all fired up!  He charged

around the house at top speed.  Daisy, Robert, and I just watched in amazement!

    Stapleton tells his students to use a large flat brush, about an inch wide or more for all

of the painting except for signing his name with a rigger brush and adding a few small

strokes.  This keeps the painter from getting, "Rigger-mortis"  (what happens to a person 

after death, the body stiffens).  He paints 16x20's or larger paintings.  

   I did not know wasp spray could be used as a weapon to protect

yourself while plein air painting.  A person sprayed with wasp

spray must go to the hospital or be blinded.  Wasp spray might be

very useful in the southern states where crime is higher.  

   Sunset Hill Inn in New Hampshire was a beautiful place to stay with

great meals.  We ate at a huge round table in a private room.  All the

painters were sharing information.  I really enjoyed the comraderie.  

I only painted one painting.  The weather was very grey and it was so

cold.  I am deeply grieving for Duke.  I did feel a few moments

of happiness where I may have just been distracted.  I hope I can be

happy and peaceful enough to paint soon.   Thank you for your comments!

Have a good night!

    Robert took Monet and Daisy to Sandy Point, a beach very close to where we live.  Little

Monet cried all the way to the beach in the car.  He is still just a young pup.  Soon he will

be sticking his head out of the car window with a smile.  He watched Daisy go into the 

water.  Monet did get his feet wet.  He preferred to watch Daisy swim.  Everything is so

new to Monet!

    Soon Monet's Father showed up at the beach!  Luke has nice red fur.

   Monet must have been asking Luke, "Are you really my Daddy?"

    How cute!  I am so glad Robert sent me these photos to see.  I am still in New Hampshire

at Stapleton Kearn's painting workshop.  

    Looks like they all had a fun time!

   Monet is going to be a fine looking dog when he grows up.  

    I really like this photo.  Robert takes great photos.  I hope you enjoyed this as much

as I did!  Good night! 

   Here I am with Monet on our first day at home.  I called Robert to get

the lastest Monet news. Robert reported Monet's teeth grew a lot overnight.

He claims Monet's teeth are the size of a wolfs!  He had construction worker

gloves on.  Monet was pulling on them growling loudly.  Daisy woke from

her nap to think she needed to save Robert.  

    Daisy has been allowing Monet to suckle on her

foot.  She gave him a pretty stern tough love today after he was biting on

her lip or mouth area.  Robert rescued Monet quickly.  Monet was a bit upset

and whimpered a moment.  Robert pet Monet and reassured him.  Daisy is

just training Monet to treat her with a Grandmotherly respect.  She is asserting

her boundaries.  They did have a great time today.  Robert takes Daisy out

separately sometimes so she can do her business.  Otherwise Monet is her

shadow.  He also takes Monet out separately so he can focus.  

   Robert told me Monet is all over the place.  He plays with each dog toy one at a time.

He drags my shoes all over the house.  I could tell Robert was really enjoying Monet and

Daisy on his day off.  Robert is building a dog house for them to lounge in out in a fenced 

area behind the house.  This doggy outside area will just allow them to enjoy fresh air

safely without being dog napped or harmed by car traffic.  I doubt we will leave them in 

this fenced yard unattended.  

"Franconia Notch" 5x7 oil on copper.  350$ framed in gold wood.  Shipped free.

    We all watched Stapleton Kearns do his demo outside.  We breaked for a lunch.  Then all

of the students painted.  It was very cold.  I put most of the clothing I brought on.  Luckily

I had most of my snow camp winter gear with me!  I was fairly comfortable.  I learned a

lot today.  I am very grateful.  Have  a good night!  Robert said the dogs were sound asleep!

    Here are Daisy and Monet yesterday.  Daisy was mildly interested at first.   Monet was so

facinated with Daisy!  He would bring her toys.  She would watch.  Occasionally she would

make a low hissing sound like an alligator.  We were close at hand incase Monet needed

to be airlifted out of the snake pit!  Nothing negative ever materialized.  So we waited and 

watched.

    Monet brought his favorite toy, a little elephant, to Daisy.  Then we saw Monet

lick Daisy in between her eyes.  Daisy seemed very fond of this move.  Next we saw

Monet lay right down in Daisy's bed.  She sniffed and licked him back.  She let him lay there.

He took a short nap.  

    Monet ate 8 or 9 times yesterday.  We took him outside 5 times after each time he ate...

so that makes 40 trips outside.  Daisy went outside to watch.  Monet is a very good dog.

He whimpers so we know he would like to visit outside!  

   Robert called me to let me know Daisy was sleeping side by side with Monet.  She was

allowing Monet to mouth her foot.  Apparently Monet is not using his teeth.  Also

while I was talking to Robert on the phone, Monet was tugging quite hard on Daisy's tail.

Daisy was being patient looking at Robert for a compliment on her self control.  I think

Daisy is enjoying Monet very much as we are.  I am so glad.  She didn't sleep much today.

She was watching Monet play.  We only allow Monet to be around Daisy when we are

watching.  If we need to do something we put Monet in our kitchen which has a dutch door

to keep him safe.  It looks like Daisy will be fine.  Never can be sure of animals.  

   I am at a painting workshop in New Hampshire for a few days.  I think it is a good idea

to take workshops.  It is going to be super cold tomorrow here in New Hampshire.  It may 

even snow.  We will be painting outside!  I am prepared.  Have a good night.  More about

Monet tomorrow!

   We picked up our Monet today!  He sure has grown!

   What a pretty boy Monet is!  He is happy to see Daisy.  Daisy is curious.  She

was happy to see him.  

   Lots of tail wagging!  

   We assured Daisy she was the prettiest dog.  We are so happy

to have Monet home!  They are both sound asleep.  Have a good

night!

   The blueberry bushes in Maine are very short to the ground.  They turn red when the

season is done.

   More blueberry fields.

   Here is Daisy laying by our apple tree.  She is enjoying our

crisp weather.  

   Daisy enjoyed a Frosty paws doggy ice cream.  Her left eye is not infectious.

Daisy has Hornes disease, common in golden retrievers.  It can be caused

by a variety of things.  It may correct itself within 6 months.  She can see fine.

We requested a full blood profile and thyroid level test too.

We are putting 10 hour eyedrops in that one eye so no infections occur.  She

still enjoyed her treat.  We are trying to keep her busy.  We are driving to Waldoboro

to pick up Monet, our new little puppy tomorrow morning!  Will post plenty

of photos tomorrow.  Exciting!

   The Allegiant Air flight from Florida to Maine was 2 hours and 40 minutes!  My

Dad took me to the airport at 4:45am.  Mom woke up early to say goodbye.  Robert

and Daisy met me at the airport.  Daisy stuck her head into my bag searching for presents.

She always finds them!  She ate a special milk bone with green cake icing.  Then she

found a furry ball.  Arriving home was difficult.  Lots of tears.  Lynne and Carol sent me

yellow roses.  Thank you.  Very touching.  Robert, Daisy, and I went to the lake.  That

was difficult too.  I was thankful to have Robert and Daisy.  

    Beautiful day.  We stayed at the lake for hours. We

went to both Lake Alamoosook and Craig Pond.

   I decided to try to be present.  I can't live in the past dreaming

of stories of Duke.  I owe it to Daisy to be with her.  I can tell

she is mourning too.  She is very serious and melancholy.  I am

taking Daisy to the vet tomorrow.  She has either an eye injury or

infection.  Hopefully some medicine can fix her up so she won't 

look like a doggy pirate!  I will try to paint tomorrow too.  

"Teddy Bear Please" 10x10 oil on copper.  Sold.  Thank you!

   For two weeks in October these yellow flowers grow along Lake Jessup in Sanford, Florida.

   I was driving on highway 408 when I saw this scene.  It is too dangerous to paint 

along this highway and probably illegal.  

   Often my brother Jim and I would cruise along this lake in his boat.  There were many

alligators lining the shorelines.  Jim knew how to navigate these narrow and sometimes

shallow passageways to very remote places far out away from civilization.  It was fun.

   Yesterday I missed my Allegiant Air flight back home.  I thought the flight

was on Oct 19.  Wrong.  So now I am scheduled to fly home Sunday, Oct 20th 

instead.  Robert was disappointed.  I was completely shocked I had done this.

I am looking forward to coming home.  I bought Daisy and dog toy.  She always

goes through my bag to find a present.  She will be pleased!  Good night!

   My friend Kathleen took this photo in Tostahatchee State Preserve.  We drove all over

this park looking for something to paint.   There were many beautiful places to paint.

   We saw many hunters.  So I preferred to stay in the car.

   There are a few lakes there.  This one is Lake Charles.

      Robert told me Daisy is doing really great.  She is hopping around, playful, and energetic.

He took her to the lake after work.  They walked all along the shore.  She swam.  Robert

told me he can see Duke in the house.  He said he can feel him there too.  I asked for 

an explanation and he said I would see when I came home.  He also told me our vet sent

a condolence card with Duke's inked paw print.  I lost it and so did Robert.  Robert told me

he is very excited about my coming home.  He said he can hardly wait.  That was nice.

     I am very nervous but happy to come home on Saturday morning.  I had a

really bad anxiety attack. This was a first. Luckily I didn't need to go to the hospital.  I was looking

at a photo of Duke and I when my stomach started to hurt.  My chest tightened up.

 I felt extreme pain. (almost too much pain to handle)  It was hard to breath.

 Could not talk much. I was sweating all over.  I laid down and chewed a tums.

 I thought it was food poisoning or a heart attack.   I was nausea for a minute.  I calmed

myself down.  The pain went away.  Thank heavens it stopped.  What a dreadful feeling.  I hope I 

don't ever have that happen again.  Grief is a difficult thing.  It makes sense that experiencing grief

is not easy.  Experiencing love is easy and wonderful.  Grief is the exact opposite.  Grief needs to

happen.  

   Here is a photo of my family.  My brother, Jim, is on the left.  My Mom and then my Dad

are in the center.  I am on the right. We enjoyed a light lunch at Chamberlain's Health Food

store the other day.  My brother really loves this place for lunch.  We enjoyed having a green

harvest juice drink.  

   Here is my Mom and her two young yorkshire terriers, Coco and Channel.

We enjoyed a short walk.  Coco stops and lays down when she doesn't get to

go where she wants to go.  Mom picks her up and carries her for awhile.  Then

Coco will walk again!

   Here are a few sunrises I saw at New Smyrna Beach this last week.  

    Robert took Daisy for a long car ride when he came home.  She seems to be doing ok.

Robert is hanging in there.  I do alright during the day probably because my family here

in Florida are a great distraction.  At night I sleep for 4 hours.  I wake up at 1am and stay awake till

5am remembering Duke.  I can go back to sleep for a few more hours.  Sleeplessness is

apart of the grieving process...I guess.  At least I can remember fun times now.  I will be

a wreck when I go home to Maine.  Have a great night.  

   Here is a better picture of Monet's Mother, who is 5 years old.  She had 12 puppies so

I am sure she is a tired lady.  I love the color of her hair.  She looks very femine..which

is a good sign.  Here little puppy by her side is Monet's sister.  Very cute!

   Here is Daisy walking by the puppy pile.  She somehow had her leash wrapped around

one...but no puppies were injured!  How rolly polly the puppies are!

   Here is another photo of Monet, our new puppy, who is only

5 weeks old.  He looks very sweet.  Look at that little paw!

The lady is his first master.

   Robert is completely exhausted today.  The last few days have

been so stressful for him.  Now he is just spent.  When he came home

Daisy was more hyper and playful than normal.  She rolled around

in the mud and fallen leaves...so she was a mess.  Then she bit off

a lot of green tomatoes trying to find a ripe one.  She followed Robert

all over the yard and house.  Robert has planted over 200 white daffodils

in memory of Duke.  I purchased them when Duke was alive.  I felt

so badly about Robert having to work so hard putting in the bulbs.

But now I think it has kept him busy.  We will have a beautiful

white daffodil garden to remember my Duke each Spring!   Robert purchased

a raw hide bone to keep Daisy busy.  I kept recalling wonderful memories of

Duke all day.  I was able to tell a few stories without crying.

I am trying to be strong and remember. I hope Robert gets a good

night sleep.  I hope he can relax.  I sugguested a strong drink.

Have a good night!

   Meet Monet.  He is only 5 weeks old.  

   Robert took Daisy to Sandy Point Beach today.  They were slowly walking

along the beach .  Off in the distance a man appeared with a golden

retriever.  Robert said he saw the golden and felt a lump in his throat.  He

looked for a place to hide Daisy so she wouldn't have to see him.  Daisy 

has great eye sight.  She saw the golden and wanted to meet him.  So Robert

let her.  Daisy hopped with joy.  She played with this golden.  The man

said his dog had just sired a litter.  Robert took the phone number.

   Monet is the lighter blonde on top.  Isn't he cute!  So Robert and I talked.  We decided

that he should go visit these puppies.  There were only three available out of 12 pups...all

that were available were males.  I asked Robert to find a lighter blonde with big round

eyes.  

   Daisy allowed Robert to brush her for 20 minutes!  She must have known this would

be a special day.  Here is Daisy in the background.  Monet in on top with the black string

around his neck.

   Monet's Mom(five years old) is in the back and Daisy is walking by.  Daisy

did very well.  She was gentle and didn't bark.  Robert was proud

of Daisy.  

   When Robert arrived to visit the puppies he found this little fella

at his feet.  Monet chose Robert!  What a nice way for Robert to 

celebrate his birthday!  Happy Birthday Robert.  Thank you for 

picking out Monet.  He will bring us much happiness.

    Robert and I are very nurturing people.   Duke would not want us to be sad.

Duke would be pleased about the puppy.  Daisy will have a friend.   I talked to Robert after

he returned home.   He seemed very hopeful and happy.  

He went through a lot bringing Duke to the vet.  He was all by himself with Daisy.

Now we both have a puppy to look forwards to!  Duke was a very special dog.  Nothing

can replace him.  But we are happiest when we have golden retrievers to walk and care

for.  I am looking forwards to coming home...now.

   Monet is sniffing Daisy!  I hope he likes his new grandmother.

   Daisy and Monet's Mom are about the same size.  Monet's Father is considerably 

larger.  Robert and I hoped for a larger golden.  Wow!  How exciting.  We can pick

up Monet October 24.

     We are still grieving so much for Duke.  We cry.  Then we

try to be active to keep our minds busy.  Then memories make us cry for a long time.

I don't have much interesting in eating or painting.  I just need some time.  A wonderful

dog like Duke was a blessing.  Have a good night.  

   Here is Duke with a fish he caught in a creek by Alamoosook Lake.  This creek was his

favorite place to fish.  We spent an hour there most days.  He always fished while

Daisy swam and walked.  I was so surprised that day when he caught this fish.  

 He carried the fish around and then ate it in the car.  Daisy and I watched

in amazement.  He was feeling fine here.  June or July.

   Here we are on Monhegan Island 2007.  We had just moved to Maine.  We were

staying in the airstream in Southwest Harbor campground.  Duke is the one in the back.

We had climbed all over Monhegan.  Some places Robert had to pull or push to get them

up steep mountainous terrain.  They went where most dogs couldnt' go!  

   Duke loved his big black bear.  He would carry this bear around for

hours.  He would even sleep with his bear.  I would buy him new bears

because they needed to be replaced.  He would be so excited to have

a new bear.  

   Here is Duke looking for a fish.  This was about a year ago.  He was not easy to get

back into the car.  He just loved it there. 

   Here we are in my backyard.  I returned from a month long painting trip.  He missed

me so much.  I could have sat there forever with him.  I loved Duke so much.  I was always

petting him, talking with him, playing with him.  Daisy seemed to hang with Robert.  Duke

liked to sit next to me.  

   Here are Daisy and Duke three or four years ago.  They were always together.  They

were not comfortable being away from each other.  I tried taking them on separate trips

just incase one day they were separated.  It never went well.  Duke seemed to have the

most difficult time.  He would be so nervous.  Daisy would search for a minute and get

back to business.  Today she spent her day with Robert.  He said he thought she was searching

for something in the morning.  I wonder if she was looking for his food bowl.  She liked to

clean his food bowl or check it out.  Robert was going to take her to Sears Island.

Good to keep her busy...but not too busy as she is 13 years and 8 months old.  

   Here is how I will most remember Duke sitting by my chair

hoping to get petted.  He was so full of love and liked to show it.

   Duke on top and Daisy getting biten.  They had a ritual of wrestling each morning after

breakfast for a long while.  That slowed down.  This last year I could tell 

Daisy would initiate this play and Duke would start to play but back off.  I bet he didn't want

to get bumped..too painful for him.  Bone cancer is very painful.

   Robert and I are heavy hearted today.  I think yesterday we were both in denial or just stressed.

Today reality has hit.  We cried on the phone trying to console each other.

( A friend brought me a phone charger. ) It is difficult to do anything.  Walking helps.  I had to

go to the hair salon to have my hair washed and styled for the gala tonight.  I was too nervous and

sad to do this for myself.  Now I need to get through the gala and then the event will be done.  I did

hand out pamplets about the event to restaurants, Beals (they agreed to put them in bags), and many

other places.  Norwoods restaurant agreed to hand them out as they sat people.  The Italian place did

the same thing.  This saved me a lot of work!  I even found a place for the other artist's artwork

after the event (so they might still sell them).  I tried to keep busy.  I couldn't paint.

 Have a good night.  Pray for Daisy.  I hope she can adjust. Update:  Daisy did fine today.

   I made it through the gala thanks to friends as well as clients who drove all the

way from Brandon.  They sat with me the whole time.  We told stories, ate, and

tried to have fun.  Thank you Deborah and Steve.  I could not have done it without

your help.

(Duke when we first moved to Maine.  We were living in the Airstream.  This is his first experience with snow.  Robert took this

photo.  He looked so beautiful in the sun.) Duke was 13 years and 4 months old when he died this morning.

     Last night was a difficult night.  I was here in New Smryna Beach, Florida.  Robert was at our home in Maine with our dogs.  My cellphone's battery was dead.  I had forgotten the charger at my Mom's house.  So I couldn't talk to Robert long as the cellphone was going dead.  So this is why we had to resort to email.  I found a lot of comfort in Robert's emails to me.  This is the email he sent me last night.  

     Robert writes:  They just had a frosty paw, his stomach is quite upset still but I figured it would be alright. I was contemplating giving them all to them just because. But I fear this might make not feel good all night. He was not doing well at all the night before. Could not walk and hardly stand only with a lot of help. The next morning I called the doctor and told them what was happening. So I requested more prednisone, he had finished that just a few days before. So the Dr. ok'd that. I drove home in the middle of the day(he was at work) just to get the med in him, so I did. After I got home that day he was perked up some and able to walk out side to go to the bathroom. But now he had diarrhea. I had already made an appointment with the Dr. earlier since I figured he might need one if the meds didn't take. The earliest they could see him was today at 3:15. He barely made it to the car. We had to cary him on a stretcher in. As they took him in for the xray on the stretcher he had another bout of diarrhea. I did not see this but was later told this most mostly blood. As I was waiting in the waiting room the door opened and Duke came walking out on his own, straight to me, he wanted to see me so bad.  Than I had a long talk with the Dr. in the back. (Vet said he could see spots on Duke's ribs on the xray.  He saw the throat bones was not in the normal spot.  He could see the heart was enlarged.  His stomach extended.  Bone Cancer was his diagnosis.)
 
this is when you called.
 
Duke is sleeping now. 
 
So we talked about the Xray. He mentioned a biopsy but I declined that. That involves to much, I don't think Duke would make it through, and a cure at his age with all his other medical problems. Is just not realistic. So I 100% agree with you we are doing the right  thing for Duke himself.
 
I feel it is probably the best you are not here with him these last moments. But I want you to know, he is peacefully laying here now just sleeping. He had a rather powerful pain killer earlier which helped him to get home and to the bathroom. I  Have been telling him. Mommy loves him, daddy loves him, it's going to be ok, he is a good boy. He likes it.
 
I will do tomorrow what I have to. I know it only it the right thing for Duke. I am glad to do this for you, so you don't have to. Now that I have had some time to think over it. I don't feel this so much as a burden anymore. 
 
I will make sure he is going to be comfortable and at peace. 
 
So very sad, but so much joy Duke has brought to me since I met him. It struck me when Daisy and I and Duke where sitting in the front room earlier tonight. This is how we first bonded in your back yard. (Robert came an hour early on our second date in 2005.  I came home to find him in the backyard sitting with Daisy and Duke with a dog toy he brought them).
 
I love you and Duke and Daisy more than you will ever know Renee.
 
Pray to God,

Then Robert took Duke to the vet at 8:00am.  I called him to ask if Daisy could be brought into see Duke

once he was passed.  I had heard it was good for her to know so she wouldn't be waiting for him.  I didn't talk

to him long because of the cellphone battery....

Robert writes this email to me after Duke's passing: 

Renee, I can't imagine how heartbroken you must be, I feel so sorry for you. 
 
Duke past a little past 9 after we  spoke on the phone. He simple went asleep in my arms. 

 
      This morning he had and 2 big servings of the rice with the extra chicken. Than we sat on the floor petting both of them. Then we finished the last box of frosty paws.  I brushed him a little and we just "talked" and sat until it was time to go. I let him sit in the front seat. Daisy in the back. Once inside he was just Duke. He went to greet everybody inside, limping from one person to the next. Making friends, showing them his sore foot. He got lots of sympathy and encouragement from staff and people waiting.  Once in the room he settled down, he was tired, quiet and at peace. He was happy to lay down for a bit after he made that last round of spreading his love to people. 
 
He never felt a thing or knew what was coming. Just faded into a deep sleep. Peaceful, happy, content.
 
He will be cremated next Tuesday. The following Tuesday we can pick up his ashes at the vet. They will call us.
 
I talked at great length to the vet about Daisy. He is very familiar with the theory of them parting as you suggested. But he strongly recommended against it. He said that in over 30 years of being a vet he has never seen any benefit in it. Not on his own dogs either. It is not that he wouldn't let me bring her in. But what they have seen in all cases in their clinic is usually very disappointing. And strongly advised against it.  I am sorry for that too. Me too had thought there to be some kind of "goodbye" might be good for her.  And in the dogs way of grieving their is no difference in the end whether they get to see the departed body or not. Daisy will go through her grieving process in her own way. We just need to keep treating her the same as always. Routine is important to her right now.  So we went afterwards to the lake. She swam, played, sniffed around as usual. Took our slow ride. I will be with her all day, I will keep her busy some. So far she is ok.
 
Be strong please. He lived a better life than any of us can ever hope for. This was the right decision. 
 
Love Robert

   It was a difficult morning.  I was up at 5:00am waiting for any sign from Robert by email.  I watched the sun come up.  Finally I called

him and he was at the vet!  Gee bad timing and so difficult.  Later at about 9:00am I had an idea to walk on the beach.  I walked

for an hour or so.  I felt better considering.  I imagined he might be walking next to me in spirit.  I am thankful Robert did this.  Now

I will try to remember all the good times with Duke.  He was a good boy.  He is not in pain anymore.  I hope he is fishing.  

    When I left Maine I kissed Duke on the face and nose so many times.  I hugged him.  He

didn't look up into my eyes.  I don't think he could bear it.  Since June Duke has been swimming in the

creek so we couldn't see him.  I felt like I was at the lake with only Daisy.

I called Robert to ask how Duke was.  He told me he had to take Duke to the vet.  Duke was

having a hard time breathing. He was in great pain.  He could bearly walk.

The vet said Duke had bone cancer.  He gave Duke a shot so he could be

painfree for a few more hours.  I asked Robert to take off work tomorrow

to put Duke asleep.  It is the most humane thing

to do.

    Duke deserves to have the best possible quality of life. I know I will see him in

heaven.  He has been my very best friend.  I have loved Duke so much.  I know I gave

him the best life.  Robert will stay with him until the end.  I couldn't have done this.  Robert

promised he would do this for me.  I can't even begin to comprehend my life without my

beautiful loving Duke.  He has lived such a long life for a Golden Retriever.  He was

born on Valentine's Day.   He was all about love.  I wish I was there but maybe it is best

I am not.  This is going to be very very difficult for us.  But know Duke has had the best life.

   Here is my favorite picture taken this Summer.  He wasn't limping then.  He was feeling

great.  I want to remember these moments.  I am very glad he wasn't sick for very long.

He had a great quality of life for so many years.  He was rarely ever sick.  I was so happy

to have him.  Pray for Duke and Daisy please.  I have blogged about their happy moments.

It is only fair to share about Duke.  I am thinking of Daisy and how she will be.  She

has been very healthy and happy.  I am just stunned.  It really hasn't registered yet.  

Very sorry to make you feel sad tonight.  

   Duke ate all of his fish he caught this June.

"Orange Cat" 6x6 oil on copper.  350$ framed in gold.  shipped free.  Gifted to my brother,

Jim, for his birthday.  He use to have a orange and white cat named Tiger.

   This was my first plein air work early this morning on Russ Street in the downtown

New Smyrna Beach.  I framed it and set it in the center console.  Then I started to drive

and placed my elbow in the wet paint.  Ah!  I can fix it tomorrow.  Just some texture.

The orange cat was not there but I felt like he might have been at some point many 

years ago.  

"Hot To Trot" 10x10 oil on copper.  650$ framed in black and gold wood.  shipped.

    Here is the next painting I did today.  I like this old fire station.  I liked the pink

fire truck!  Breast cancer awareness decorated!  

"Ready To Rumble" 5x7 oil on copper 350$ framed in black and gold wood.  Shipped.

    Then I decided to paint just the pink fire truck!  Wow I am wiped out.  

I am painting well...I think!  Hope for sunshine tomorrow!  Have a goodnight!

"Happy Boy" 6x6 oil on copper.  350$ framed in gold wood.  Shipped free. 40% goes to the

childrens activity center in the National Park.  Sold.  Thank you.

    I woke up early to paint the sunrise but there wasn't one.  I drove all over trying to get

inspired by all the grey colors.  Finally I remembered a private marina.  I knew

there would be brown pelicans to paint.  I have been practicing drawing these brown

pelicans so I could produce a few paintings.  Last year I painted turtles in Wekiva.  This

year I decided I would do brown pelicans.  They are a happy fun looking bird.  I drew

several pelicans.  Chose one of the sketches.  Redrew the drawing onto my copper.  I painted

the pelican there on location.  I had to wait several times for a pelican to turn side ways.

It didn't matter if it was to the right or left.  I just needed the colors and highlight areas.

The water was the easiest part.  I wanted the water to look luminous.  I also

made sure there was gradation in the water.  I like this painting.  

"Where Is My Fish?" 6x6 oil on copper.  350$ framed in gold wood. Shipped free.

   This was my first brown pelican painting today.  Somehow I didn't like it and didn't frame

it yet.  The brown pelican looked angry.  Later tonight I looked at it again.  The pelican

didn't look that angry. I think he just looks determined.   Now I like it.

    Here is the view from the condo's balcony at sunrise.  What a great view I have.

I had all my painting equipment ready to go.  I will hope for a sunrise tomorrow 

morning!  

   What a dramatic sky today!  I liked the palms in the distance.  But from experience

I know not to paint something too far away.  Plus there was no foreground.  I know a 

strong landscape needs a foreground (the water is not a foreground),

 middleground(palms here) and a background (none here).  So I moved on.

   At the beach the sky was insane!  I stood there trying to figure out how I could do it.

The wind was moving everything within a few minutes.  Not today.

    I almost painted this scene.  I thought about not painting the water in the foreground

and just painting the land.  I would let the clouds be the center of interest. I am really

not a cloud painter.  I have very little experience with clouds.  I chickened out.

   This looked like a possiblity.  I would have painted one person at a time.  I could

have done this one.  I wasn't feeling overly ambitious this morning.  Probably should

not have gotten up to paint the 'sunrise'.  

   What a fine looking Pigeon!  But I am glad I decided to paint the brown pelican instead.

No paintings have sold yet. I hope people know where to go to view our work.  They had to

change the wet room location.  The sign is tan so not exactly a real eye catcher!  

   I miss my sweet little dogs.  They are doing well.  Robert is spoiling them.  Lucky to

have Robert at home.  Have a good night!  Let's paint!  Suppose to be beautiful day

here in New Smryna Beach tomorrow!  We will be painting in the historic distric.  Come

out to say hello if you are nearby..or far away.  I always like to meet new friends.

"Family Day" 10x10 oil on copper.  650$ framed in black and gold.  Shipped free.

40% goes to the National Park's children's activity center.  (when it reopens). Sold.  Thanks!

    Today I set up on the boardwalk at the end of Flagler Avenue.  It was getting hot outside.

I was worried about getting overheated so I was painting quickly.  I admired the complimentary

colors of the yellow and purple on the water.  I liked the bright umbrellas.  I was going to

paint the people in shadow without any details.  A man came up to see how I was doing.

He told me this family was sleeping in their car waiting for the sun to rise so they could enjoy

the beach.  Sleeping in the car is something I am very familar with.  I started to paint each

family member.  I don't normally paint people often.  But I was trained at Stetson University

to paint and draw people in their fine arts department.  This skill has come in handy.  The

Father dragged the barbeque grill over.  I relocated it in my painting behind the ice chest.

One woman was so excited about my painting.  She went over to tell the family about their

"portrait".  They came over to see the painting and liked it very much.  I framed it up and

hung it in the Artists Workshop next to the Marine Discovery Center on Barracuda Drive.

The paintings from all 29 artists will be there until the evening of October 12.  

    I enjoyed a great Italian lunch and a dip in the pool.  I am loving it!  Hopefully the 

sun will come back out so I can paint some more beach scenes!  Have a great night!

"Beach Day!" 7x5 oil on copper.  350$ framed in gold and shipped free.

    I painted today on the beach in New Smyrna.  It was very hot!  Goodness it

was hot!  I soaked in the pool for an hour afterwards.  I am going to get up

very early tomorrow before it gets hot!  That is the plan anyway.

   I love the beach umbrellas here in New Smyrna!  They are so bright and colorful.  

They are vertical providing a nice contrast to the horizontal lines in the sea.  I may 

paint a few beach umbrellas!  They are a universal subject!  

   Robert was painting the last coat of paint on our deck.  He went downstairs to wash

his brush.  Guess who came out on the deck and walked through the wet paint down 

the stairs?  Daisy!  They went to Castine's Wadsworth Cove today with Robert.  He said

they mostly sat near him and wanted to be petted.  It was a good outing for them. 

Have a good night!

    I have been enjoying my parents here in Winter Park, Florida.  My Mom and I went

to Lake Maitland where there was an outdoor art show.  Here are a few photos to paint

if you wish!

    My parents treated me to Little Saigon, a Vietnamese place to eat!  

What a fun time I am having.  Duke and Daisy are doing well at home with Robert.

Tomorrow I will be driving to New Smyrna Beach to start painting for the Cape Canaveral 

Seashore Paintout 2013.  The gala is on Oct 12 at the Artist Workshop located at 540 Barracuda

Blvd in New Smyrna Beach.  Amore is catering this event.  Tickets are 40$ at the door or 30$

if you prepurchase!  The wetroom for the paintings is located there.  During the whole week

starting from Monday Oct 7, at 9am people can visit the wetroom for free each day to view

arriving fresh paintings completed by 29 painters!  40% of the painting purchases

benefits the childrens activity center at the Cape Canaveral National Seashore Park.

I grew up visiting this beach and walking on the turtle mound before the boardwalk

was built.  There was no childrens activity center there.  My parents described the indians

who lived there and told us how the shell mound was created.  This is a great opportunity

to build something great for children to visit at this park!  Have a good night!

"New Smyrna Dunes" 5x7 oil on copper.  350$ framed in gold.  Shipped free.

This was a plein air painting!  I omitted twenty people and their dogs running! All of these

painting and more are available to be purchased above under the heading paintings.  

"Southern Golds" 3x5 oil on copper.  250$ framed in gold and shipped free.

This is another plein air painting done at Seminole Woods, part of the Cape Canaveral Seashore

National Park.

"Pumpkin Patch" 6x6 oil on copper.  350$ framed in black and gold.  Shipped free.

This was a plein air painting done right in the pumpkin patch last years!

"Spruce at White Head" 5x7 oil on copper.  350$ framed in black and gold. Shipped free.

This was one of Robert's favorites from my June Monhegan island trip!

"Chickens of Monhegan" 5x7 oil on copper.  350$ framed in gold and shipped free.

Here is another plein air painting from my two week painting trip in June!

"Wild Rose" 3x5 oil on copper.  250$ framed in gold.  shipped free.

   Robert and I took the pups to the lake at sunset!  We watched them

swim as the sky turned pumpkin colored at the horizon.  Duke slid off

the car seat somehow on the way home.  We had to turn him around so

he could get out of the car.  Robert had to lift him into the car.  He couldn't jump

in like he normally does.  He seems to be doing fine.  He enjoyed the lake.  
Daisy and Duke had a great night getting an hour of back massage each.

Robert doesn't see any disc injured in Duke's back.  Hopefully Duke will

recuperate with time.  Have a good night!  

   Sometimes I get caught up in domestic affairs!  Here the new dog toys lined up

just to see Daisy's reaction when she woke up from a nap.  Robert and I giggled when

she took notice.  She knew we did this.  I think she enjoyed it! 

    I drove Daisy and Duke to Lake Alamoosook.  I was surprised to see

the National Park closed at Craig's Salmon Hatchery.  We hiked

farther to get to the lake.  Luckily Daisy and Duke did well walking. Duke is

limping less.  He seemed happy to be at the lake!  They

wanted to walk around the lake.  So off we went! We walked about a 1/2 mile total.

Not too far for them.

   It was just beautiful today!  What a privilege it is to take them to the lake.  I enjoyed

every minute of their company.

Daisy is the swimmer!

   After we returned home they took a nap.  Then I surpised them with a Frosy Paws

doggy ice cream treat on the back deck!  I am baking a chicken and butternut squash

for dinner! I never knew this would be the last time I would be with Daisy and Duke

at the lake and giving them Frosty Paws.  Rest in Peace my Duke.   Have a good night!