Artist Renee Lammers

 

   Every few days I call Ted to check on him.

 

I think it is a good idea to do this for 70 year old friends.

 

He appreciates this very much.

 

Ted gave me an update on Milo!

 

They were walking in the woods behind Ted's cabin.

 

Milo saw a porcupine, tried to capture the animal, and was attacked with quills.

 

Ted knew what to do.  Right away he pulled 15 quills from his face.

 

He took Milo back to his cabin, used a needle nose pliers, covered Milo's face with a towel,

 

and removed the other quills.  Milo didn't bite Ted.  He was very well behaved during

 

the dreadful experience.  Milo is just learning about the creatures in the woods!

 

Ted said he will start to carry a needle nose pliers with him on their walks.

 

 

 

   Ted took Milo to the beach everyday since he came to live with him.

 

They came upon Gus, a little black pinscher, rescued at least 4 times by different people.

 

When Ted said they visited with Gus, immediately I thought, "Oh No!"

 

Ted said Milo and Gus did great together.

 

I asked, "No fighting?"   He said, "They had a blast!"

 

Wow I thought this was amazing!

 

Then Ted took Milo to a lab named Sarah's house.

 

Inside the house Milo and Sarah played!  

 

They hiked the beach again!

 

No fighting!  In fact Ted reports Milo is a completely different dog

 

since he has been taking antibiotics for Lyme Disease!

 

Milo is feeling better.  He is not huffing and puffing as much when he plays or walks.

 

He is breathing easier.  His eyes are open wider.

 

He is more relaxed!  

 

I was so happy to hear this positive news!

 

 

 

 

   I have taken a week off from painting!

 

I was feeling under the weather.  

 

I had a dog bite on my hand, a tetanus shot that seemed severe, the flu, aches and pains.

 

I seem to be getting back to my normal self!

 

I have been reading the classics.

 

So far I have read, "Dracula", "David Copperfield", "Five Days In A Balloon", and "The Scarlet Letter".

 

I enjoyed Dracula and Five Days in A Balloon best.

 

I might read, "Twenty Thousand Leagues Under The Sea" by Jules Verne.

 

I love science fiction.  I might get back to painting soon.

 

Let's paint!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  This photo pretty much sums up how happy Milo at Ted's house.

 

He is relaxed, spoiled, and loved so much!

 

Ted asked me to puppy sit Milo while he went shopping for 6 hours.

 

Milo is a cuddly dog.

 

He puts his front feet on any person's chest and admires the person.

 

 

  Robert asked me, "What did you do for 6 hours watching Milo?"

 

I told him about how I read Jules Verne, "Five Days in A Balloon".

 

I omitted the part about the elephant.

 

He didn't need to know about that part.

 

This book was written in Victorian times.  

 

He did seem thrilled about the narrative describing the scenery from the balloon.

 

 

   Ted put a lot of Rose Geranium oil on Milo to prevent ticks.

 

I took Milo for long walks in the woods.

 

 

 

You can see the white star Milo has on his chest.

 

 

 Milo stays with his person in the woods.

 

 

   It was super cold today.  20's.

 

Ted came back home with his groceries.

 

He was much more happy than he had been for over a year.

 

He asked how his boy was doing.

 

He wanted to hear about all his adventures.

 

He thanked me over and over again for rescuing Milo.

 

He kissed Milo on the face many times and told him he loved him.

 

Milo buried his face and gave Ted a hug.

 

Everything is going to be fine with Milo and with Ted.

 

They both needed each other.

 

 

   Ted let's Milo sleep right next to him.  Milo brings up all his toys on to the bed.

 

Have a good night.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   Milo and Ted came over to visit!

 

Milo grabbed this dolphin toy he played with at our house.

 

He put the toy inside of Ted's car.

 

Ted said, "Milo are you stealing toys?"

 

I gave Milo a Christmas toy.

 

 

   Milo admired his new toys for a good minute.

 

He sniffed and nibbled on the toy.

 

 

   Milo took both of his toys into the back seat of the car.

 

Back there he examined them further.

 

I do not think he wanted me to take them back!

 

I was with Milo in the car while Ted visited my other dogs.

 

 

   Ted told me he took Milo for three long walks in the woods.

 

He took him out at midnight for a walk.  He said he loved that.

 

He took him visiting at friends house.  

 

Then he visited us!  He said he was a good boy.

 

I told him I was there to babysit Milo when he needed me.

 

I will look after Milo on Wednesday so Ted can go shop after Christmas sales.

 

Tonight on Christmas eve, Ted won't be alone, and Milo will have a home!

 

I think this is my favorite Christmas yet!

 

 

Last night Lily was sleeping with her gingerbread girl.

 

 

Monet was using his new bear as a pillow.

 

 

"Keukenof Garden Memory" 20x26 oil on copper 1750$ framed in your choice of frame and includes

 

shipping.

 

 

   I worked until 3:30am on the tulip painting!

 

I was surprisingly very alert at this hour.  Then I noticed the full moon.  Ahh that explains that!

 

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

 

   My Mom asked me who I slept with last night?  

 

We both laughed.

 

I told her I didn't sleep with a human, dog, cat, mouse, or a bat.

 

It kind of had a Christmas rhythm to this statement.

 

We both laughed again!

 

Last night Milo and Monet had another fight.

 

I put my hand out to stop Milo.

 

Of course my hand was bitten!

 

Robert acted so fast.  He had me inside his car, He drove me fast to the ER.

 

I had a tetanus shot.  They don't stitch up animal bites anymore.

 

They think it is best to allow them to drain.

 

They also think it is best to just use soap and water.

 

They have discovered hydrogen peroxide kills the good bacteria, making the healing process

 

take longer.

 

Milo slept in my room last night.

 

He ate his breakfast in my room too.

 

Ted came over this afternoon.

 

He decided to take Milo.  I packed up Milo's medicines, paperwork,

 

and found his favorite ball.  Ted loves Milo.

 

He told me, "Don't go buying anymore dogs!"

 

Milo was eager to get into Ted's truck.

 

I believe Milo will have a very nice life.

 

I still think we did a good thing rescuing Milo, taking him to the vet, getting him medicines.

 

Now another hero has stepped up to the plate!

 

Way to go Ted.  

 

Merry Christmas!

 

This is a 20x26 oil on copper currently on my easel!

 

I saw this scene in Holland at the wonderful Keukenof Gardens.

 

Every year they plant millions of tulips.

 

It is a amazing place to visit.

 

This was one of my favorites.

 

 

Milo has done so well getting along with the dogs at our house these last three days.

 

Today he was doing well.  He has been taking his antibiotics and prozac.

 

Robert came home.  He was outside in the yard playing with all four goldens.

 

Then I was wiping down Monet and Milo with two separate towels.

 

Monet was growling at Milo.  Milo was growling at Monet.  All of a sudden

 

Milo jumped on Monet.  They fought.  I tried to break them up.  Robert came running.

 

He pulled Milo off of Monet.  No blood was drawn.  Monet does have a new scratch on his face.

 

We put Milo in time out.  We are keeping Milo in the kitchen.  

 

I need to find Milo his forever home tomorrow.

 

Milo needs a home without dogs or kids.

 

I have paid 500$ for Milo and 500$ for his vet bills.

 

He just needs time to take his medicines without being around other dogs.

 

Lyme disease can cause serious aggression.

 

It is not Milo's fault.  He just needs a home we can not provide.

 

Good night.

 

   My dogs knew Ted would visit today.  They sounded the alarm 10 times

 

before he did show up!   Ted brought them a rottiserie chicken and a bag of apples!

 

They all climbed into his truck to see what they could find.  Lily came out of his truck with

 

a hat in her mouth growling with happiness!  Milo stood there hoping Ted would pet him.

 

Poppy ambushed Ted over and over trying to nip his neck!  Monet cried for Ted to greet

 

him!  

 

 

It was very nice to see Ted brushing and talking with Milo.

 

Ted will take Milo after he goes to Washington to visit his family in March.

 

He agreed to look after our dogs when we need his help.

 

He said Milo was a very nice good looking dog.  

 

 

   You might be wondering what it is you are looking at in this photo?

 

Ted climbed under our dinner table to visit with Monet.  Monet had barked until

 

Ted climbed under another table to get a ball for him.  Monet knows Ted will search

 

for balls on his hands and knees.  It is funny to watch Ted honoring Monet's need

 

for a ball in off the wall places!  Then he asked Ted to come under the table to pet him.

 

Lily was on my lap watching all of this.  She stole a napkin and shredded it up on my chair.

 

Poppy was hiding.  Milo was marching around not accustomed to a man on the floor making

 

a fuss over dogs!  Milo was wagging his tail.  He knew there was nothing to worry about with Ted.

 

 

Milo even went under the table to see what all the excitement was about!

 

I took Monet to the vet today.  He had his nails trimmed.  The vet has a pop up alert about

 

trimming Monet's nails.  The alerts, many of them, have been written by vet techs and vets,

 

alerting all to muzzle Monet while trimming his nails!  One says, He bites when you trim his nails!

 

Another says, Do not think this dog will not bite you.  He looks very nice. But he bites!  Bites!

 

There are many other notes to warn others.  I thought this was funny but understandable!

 

The vet tech muzzled Monet, bear hugged Monet, and struggled while the Vet trimmed his nails!

 

Then Monet went limp into her arms.  I had them do a large blood panel on Monet.

 

I wanted to check to see if Monet has any tick borne illness.  Monet limps sometimes.

 

Good news is...Monet has lost 20 pounds!  He weighs 82 pounds.  Perfect!  

 

Monet has a bad ear infection as does Lily and Poppy.

 

 

   Milo has a very high level of Lyme Disease in his body.

 

The titter test showed a level of 740! This is the highest level the vet has ever seen.

 

She put Milo on Doxycycline, antibiotic, to help his symptoms.

 

She said this is probably the reason Milo was acting scrappy with the other dogs.

 

Milo has not been feeling well.  Soon he will be all healed up!

 

His kidneys and liver are fine so far.

 

I was relieved to discover the reason!  

 

Good night.

 

 

  I am half way finished with the Kekenhof Garden, Holland, painting!

 

It was a struggle painting the left corner today.  I guess I kept getting lost!

 

I am omitting some flowers.

 

I  added a tulip or two to make a better composition.

 

 

Top left corner.   I like how luminous the white tulip turned out.

 

 

   Center bottom close up!

 

 

Left middle close up.

 

I was painting with two blues this time, Cobalt Blue and Manganese Blue.

 

 

   Milo received another 5 gold stars today for being nice!

 

He was snuggling with Poppy as much as allowed.

 

 

  Monet and Poppy have very severe ear infections.

 

They are having PattOtic in their ear.  

 

Monet did not want his ear medicine.  

 

I tried to coral Monet without any luck!

 

Milo followed us around wondering what I was doing to Monet.

 

This didn't help.  I gave up for a while.  Then when Monet was sleeping, I crept up,

 

pulled up his ear slowly, and administered the medicine!  

 

Poppy allowed me to put medicine in her ear like a champ!

 

Lily has a slight infect in her ear too.  

 

Milo's ears are perfect.

 

 

  Ted came back to Maine a few days ago.  We have not seen him.  He is snow blowing

 

and fixing a water pipe leak.  I suspect he will come to visit in the next day or two.

 

 

We have one spruce tree in our yard.  Good night.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   Milo was in the kitchen for a time out after he growled at Lily tonight.

 

Milo was jealous of Lily getting attention from Robert.

 

Milo is a cute naughty boy.

 

I call him my little Gingerbread Boy!

 

 

 

Monet took the opportunity to lecture Milo behind the dutch door.

 

Lily was not harmed physically but she was frightened.

 

She leaped up high into the air, sprinted to my chair, and leaped into my lap.

 

She was shaking like a leaf!

 

Robert put Milo in time out.  Then he came over to give Lily a few hugs.

 

She was fine.  Monet was really mad at Milo. 

 

I guess doggy Father's stick up for their Daughters.

 

 

  While I was at the vet for Poppy's ear infection, the vet told me Milo's blood results

 

showed positive for Lyme Disease.  She said the titer results will be in their office within a 

 

few days.  She wants to see how high of an infection he has before giving him antibiotics.

 

She said he had very high neutrophils, a white blood cell, 76.7 instead of a range between 4.9-17.6.

 

His potassium was dangerously low, only 3.5 instead of 4.0-5.4.  I gave Milo a banana later.

 

His kidneys and liver are working well.  

 

Having Lyme Disease could make Milo feel very sick..a possible cause of the growling.

 

 

   The little town of Orland looked pretty yesterday.

 

 

  The view of my backyard.

 

 

   I worked on the Keukenof Garden painting!  

 

The background should be easier to paint!

 

I am looking forward to seeing this painting completed.  

 

Good night!

 

 

 

   I was able to paint 1/4 of this new Keukenof Garden painting today.

 

This one will be a 20x26 oil on copper.

 

 

Here are a few photos of the process.

 

 

  I like to work on one small area at a time.

 

 

  When I start an area, I paint the darks first, using Cobalt Blue and Cadmium Red Light.

 

I like to paint a few dark warms in the darks too.

 

 

   Monet growled at Milo last night.  Monet did not want Milo to sleep next to him on two new dog beds.

 

Milo looked at me very disappointed.  He likes to sleep with Monet.

 

 

Today Lily gave Milo a few licks on his head today as they laid here.

 

I noticed Monet also gave Milo a few kisses on his nose.

 

 

Milo slept in my room last night.

 

It was an impromptu sleep over.  I thought he would sleep with Monet downstairs.

 

After being rejected, I told Milo, come with me Milo!  He followed wagging his tail.

 

I put down a clean sheet and a pillow on the floor.  He curled up happily.

 

Then I turned the light on a few hours later to adjust the heater.  He thought I 

 

wanted him off the sheet, so he got up and laid on the wood floor.  I felt really

 

bad.  I couldn't get him back where he was sleeping on the sheet.  

 

I notice Milo will not step on furniture either..not even a car seat!

 

I was trying to see if Milo would climb into my lap last night.

 

Robert was smiling watching from across the room.

 

Milo wagged his tail but he decided not to climb into my lap.

 

He has seen Monet and Lily do this.

 

He had a very shocked look on his face.  I think his mouth was open!

 

 

   Robert pets more than one dog at a time.   Monet and Milo want the most 

 

attention.  We played outside in the snow.  Milo minds great.  He comes running

 

when I call his name.  Someone spent time training him.  

 

Milo did great today.  No signs of any anger.  He only showed happiness and love today!

 

I played John Mayer's CD today.  Milo loved the music.  

 

He is not use to being inside the house at all.  Any new noise makes him curious.

 

The timer went off, Milo came running over, and put his nose to the timer.

 

Robert said Milo loves a ball but doesn't really know how to play with it.

 

He has discovered if he lets Robert have the ball back, Robert will throw it for him, and then

 

he can run after it!  He loves this game.

 

Prozac has been a miracle cure for Milo so far.

 

Thank heavens!

 

Good night.

 

 

 

 

   Milo did fantastic today!

 

I am giving Milo 5 gold stars.

 

I stayed home to keep an eye on all four golden retrievers.

 

Milo is a good dog. 

 

We just need to be patient, not get Milo stressed, and give him massages.

 

 

Milo does love other dog's company.

 

If he didn't then he would not choose to lay down or sleep near one.

 

He does love Monet.

 

Monet is a gracious dog.  He seems to forgive Milo's bouts of anger.

 

Today Milo was anger free!

 

 

He wants to cuddle up with Monet.  Milo used Monet's foot as a pillow.

 

He seems starved for companionship..canine..and human.

 

 

   We put Milo out on the deck while Robert put food in the different dog bowls.

 

Then Milo ate by himself.  We gave Milo two dinners.  I decided he needed to be extra full.

 

I thought this would make him feel less desperate for food.

 

This seemed to work well.  Milo was more relaxed.

 

We also decided to let him carry his ball around.

 

The ball seems to relax Milo.  Our dogs know not to go near the ball.

 

All our dogs walk very slowly and quietly around Milo.

 

 

Robert was trying to remove his glove from Milo's mouth.

 

Milo would not give the glove back.  He carried the glove outside.

 

He dropped the glove later.  Robert said Milo ate 3 fingers off of one glove.

 

Another pair of gloves were destroyed.  This is Roberts third pair of gloves.

 

Milo doesn't destroy anything else except gloves.

 

 

 

Monet and his Daughter Lily cuddling together.  

 

I am so glad today went well!  Milo is a real sweet dog with some PTSD.

 

Dog Prozac is working great.  Low dose!

 

Good night.

 

 

"Our Lady Of Peace" 20x14 oil on copper.  Finished this commission.

 

   This is the Catholic Church on the Island of North Haven, in Maine.

 

The church was build in the early 1900's for a purpose!

 

North Haven needed Irish Immigrants to work for the Summer residents.

 

Irish Catholics required a Catholic Church to live on the island.

 

The church was recently sold in 2015.

 

There were 2-9 people attending Sunday Mass each week.

 

There was a shortage of Priest.  

 

The new owner will use the church to hold his extensive art collection.

 

I did this commission for a prominent couple who live in Maine.

 

He proposed to her on the steps of this church!

 

She wanted to surprise him with this painting for Christmas.

 

This was an exciting painting to complete.

 

 

   Today went so smoothly with Milo.

 

Robert took them all to the beach.

 

Milo did not growl or fight all day long!

 

Then we were all in the tiny kitchen.

 

I was holding three cheese and crackers.

 

They were lined up thinking these crackers were for each dog!

 

Milo went after Poppy.  He made a lot of noise.  He held Poppy down by the head.

 

We all came to Poppy's rescue.

 

Milo doesn't break any skin.   Lots of noise.

 

It makes us all very frightened.  

 

 

   Here are all the dogs today.  They seemed fine.

 

I can't believe how Monet doesn't mind being close to Milo.

 

They were spooning together last night sound asleep!

 

After the kitchen incident, Milo is in a bed under the table hiding his head.

 

Milo must feel terrible.  Robert says Milo is embarrassed by his own behavior.

 

 

 

Lily does like Milo.  

 

She stares at him often.

 

 

Monet still throws himself onto my lap for attention.

 

Milo doesn't seem irritated by this.  

 

He does want to be petted too!

 

I give them all attention!

 

Good night.

 

   All the golden retrievers are finally sleeping.

 

It has been a long day!

 

Milo started taking Prozac today..a low dose.

 

He seemed calmer and less agitated after taking the medicine.

 

In fact he only growled a couple of times today and did not tackle any dogs! 

 

I am hoping he never puts another dog down on the ground to show his strength.

 

My dogs will forgive Milo and forget all about these early days.

 

 

   Milo ran behind Monet when Robert and I were bringing paintings inside from the van.

 

He ran behind Monet when I swept the floor with the broom.

 

He looked frightened.  I reassured him with a few kind words and a few pats.

 

 

   I took Milo to the vet today.

 

The vet owns golden retrievers.  She spent a lot of time with us today.

 

We did large blood work panels so see how organs were doing, check for tick illnesses,

 

SDs from breeding, and alot of other things.

 

Then she gave him a 3 year rabies shot, kennel cough vaccine, and all the other vaccines.

 

I asked about Prozac and the vet said she did think it would help him adjust.

 

A cat meowed.  Milo wagged his tail, he showed interest in the cat, and so the vet brought

 

the cat to Milo!  I was afraid for the cat!   I held on to Milo's chain collar.   Milo continued

 

to wag his tail and wanted to lick the cat!  Now this was such a surprise to me!

 

Milo loves cats!  

 

The vet said Milo probably knew cats who lived in the barn with him.

 

Cats did not require anything of Milo except companionship on cold days.

 

I wonder if Milo cuddled up with cats and goats to keep warm?

 

 

   The vet said one more interesting thing about Milo.  Milo looks directly into the eyes

 

of a person.  Most dogs don't do this.  Dogs will look but turn away.  Direct eye contact can

 

be confrontational.  But Milo stares right into your eyes.  The vet said Milo does this because

 

he is a very dominant dog.  

 

 

Milo likes to hunt.  He is always searching for something to capture.

 

I hope tomorrow is even better for them.  

 

 

   Here is Poppy showing me orange looking mushrooms.  

 

Have a good night.  Pray for Milo to adjust to his new home.  Thank you.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   Robert sent these photos of Lily and Milo playing tug of war with his glove.

 

Neither dog looks like they are giving in.

 

The issue here maybe Lily lives with her Mom and Dad who allow her to have pretty

 

much anything they have.  What Lily wants Lily gets!

 

Milo is not aware of Lily's princess status in the house.

 

 

 

   Monet does not dare to join in.

 

He is smart!  

 

 

   Robert called me today quite worried about Lily and Poppy.

 

Milo was getting aggressive with them.

 

I suggested putting Milo in the kitchen by himself for a while.

 

I know both Lily and Poppy normally go into heat mid December.

 

Time out seemed to be a easy fix.  

 

Perhaps it is a power struggle?

 

I suggested putting up all the toys.

 

Robert reported he took them all to the beach. 

 

They were all tired.  

 

 

 

I have been working on this 14x20 oil on copper painting of a lady pig I met at Sunshine Ranch.

 

I am going to let it dry.  I may want to add more warmth to the shadows.  

 

I have never painted a pig.  The hair was fun to paint.

 

Good night.

 

 

 

  I received a funny email from our dog sitter named Bruce.

 

Here it is:

 

Almost! After letting them all play together in the yard, I opened the van door

 

and all 4 of your dogs jumped in. Ziva is a bit lame so I

 

helped her in. When Katie jumped in Poppy started nipping at her and barking.

 

Katie jumped back out. Milo was in the drivers seat. I

 

closed the sliding door and put Katie in the passenger seat.

 

Poppy wanted her out of the van. I let her out and the rest followed. Poppy just

 

doesn't want to share Milo. She growled at Lily when Milo and Lily were

 

playing with a ball. I refuse to give up on this. Monday I will try

 

again to get them to Sandy Point. Other than that, I brushed then,

 

threw the ball for them, and they all shared a bag of chicken meat I

 

brought. Not a bit of trouble. We couldn't find the balls,

 

then we noticed Monet had 3 in his mouth. He and Milo get along great. Ziva and

 

Katie like him too.(Bruce's golden retrievers are Ziva and Katie)

 

I got this video of them in the field. Ted told me that Poppy runs the circus.

 

Now I'm finding that out. She can be so

 

 

sweet when she is in charge. All this with Katie will be worked out in time,

 

I'm sure. Must be difficult for all of them when a new dog

 

suddenly arrives and Mom is gone as well as Ted.

 

They are saying there's going to be a big storm in the Carolina's.

 

Drive carefully. I know

 

you can do it. It's all the rest of those folks that have no idea

 

how to handle even an inch of snow that scares me..

 

 

 

   I talked to Robert and he emailed me this note:  

 

Milo carries a ball in his mouth most of the time. 

 

He really likes to sleep on the floor.  It must be cooler.

 

 

Monet has used his bed a few times.  Milo is usually going to

 

bed the same time as I do.  (8:30pm)  The girls (Poppy and Lily)

 

 

do not like it.  They may go into the bedroom at the same time.

 

  But they either get intimidated by Milo or he is too restless

 

 

for them, so they leave.  Sometime in the middle of the nigh

 

t the girls come back upstairs to go into their bed.  Monet has

 

 

been sleeping upstairs since you left.  He is going to sleep earlier and earlier upstairs. 

 

He then either squeezes himself

 

 

in between the girls or takes Milo's bed.  They sleep much calmer now.

 

 

 

Meanwhile I heard from Ted who is vacationing in Titusville, Florida.

 

He found a 1950's motel called Comet Motel for 49$ a night.

 

He said they allow dogs.  I asked him how many dogs?  Is there a limit?

 

  He said nope!

 

He sounded very happy.  He was fishing all day.

 

  A shark bit his line.  He could not

 

 

find any sand fleas to use as bait.  He was heading to a

 

shop to buy bait and show them

 

my painting printed on a tshirt.  

 

I finished the grisaille underpainting for the commission of the church.

 

I started another 14x20 of a miniature pig.

 

I will start to drive back to Maine on Tuesday.  Good night.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   I arranged to stay at the Sunshine Ranch in Osteen, Florida 6 months ago.

 

I considered wintering here for 4 months.  They do not accept dogs. 

 

I decided instead to stay one night to check it out. 

 

This is the tiny cottage I stayed in last night.

 

I enjoyed all the animals!

 

 

   This morning a rooster woke me up. 

 

Turkeys were standing on the tiny deck by the front door.

 

They were stomping their feet.

 

  I put a pillow over my head and went back to sleep.

 

 

   They have mini pigs.  I loved them.  Cute!

 

 

   The ranch has a large fence surrounding the farm to protect the animals.

 

There are ducks, peacocks, chickens, guinea hens, goats, horses, and probably more animals

 

that I didn't see.

 

 

   I enjoyed sitting near the animals, watching them, taking photos.

 

It was a relaxing experience.

 

 

   I discovered this place on airbnb.  

 

They gave me a quote of 650$ a month or about 50$ a night.

 

They had a heater, AC unit, common cooking area, bath house, piano, screened porch, and

 

hammocks.   I liked all the subject matter to paint.  The people were nice.

 

New Smyrna Beach is only 20-30 minutes away.  They had bicycles to use. 

 

 

 

   They also sell fresh eggs to cook up. 

 

I am back at my parent's house in Winter Park. 

 

I am working on a commission painting of a church!

 

It is a very intricate church with many arches and curved windows and spires.  

 

I will ask her I can share photos of the process here.

 

 

   Robert emailed me this photo of the dogs this early morning.

 

Looks like they all slept together again.

 

Poppy and Milo's tails were wagging like crazy!

 

Robert told me all is going very well.  

 

Good night.

 

 

 

 

   Milo's new bed arrived today.  He loves his new bed!  Pretty color too!

 

 

   Here is Milo checking out his new bed.

 

He has never slept in a real bed before.

 

Robert says he was moving around a lot..hard to take a photo!

 

The bed looks super comfortable!

 

 

  Robert is modeling his Christmas present from my parents.

 

It is a red plaid wool cap by LLBean.

 

 

   Very nice modeling of LLBean products guys!  Thanks.

 

This photo is super cute.

 

 

 

 

 

    I am staying at a ranch in Osteen, Florida for a day.

 

They have mini pigs, turkeys, ducks, peacocks, guinea hens, horses, goats, and probably

 

more animals!  I loved this little pig.  What a personality!

 

Good night.

 

 

   Bruce, our friend who is letting out all four of our golden retrievers sent me photos

 

and a letter about his visit. 

 

Bruce's Note:

 

Today Poppy wouldn't get in the van. Of course, it was a bit crowded with mine in there too. She hopped in but jumped out and ran up the stairs and barked. I was going to walk them on the trail at the beach. The wind was howling and the windchill is 10 degrees. I thought it would be better in the woods. I'll try again tomorrow. Milo asked to go out just as I was going to leave. He did pee again and ran back up the stairs without being called. He knows where it's warm. Found a dead mouse in the dog's water bowl. They had been chasing one outside. I don't know if it was the same one and they carried it in or it just drowned getting a drink. I think it was the one Monet and Lily had been chasing. All the mice are trying to get inside here now that it is so cold out. Haven't heard from Ted today. He said he was leaving early. Robert must think I have the worst penmanship in the world but its almost impossible to write a note while brushing 4 to 6 dogs with your left hand and having them all trying to kiss and cuddle. Look at Milo's eyes in this photo. He looks into your soul.

 

 

Looks like Monet jumped into the photo.

 

Milo does have very beautiful eyes.

 

I wonder what he was thinking?

 

Bruce was so brave to consider taking 6 golden retrievers for a ride and walk!

 

 

    Monet, Lily, Milo, and Bruce's dog Katie in the background.  Ziva and Poppy must

 

have been inspecting the mouse!  

 

Robert told me Milo seems to be house trained now!

 

He also said this about Milo's newly ordered bed:  Milo deserves a new bed..XL..big boy. New bed

 

will look great with his red fur.  

 

I am working on a 20x26 painting of Marshall Point Lighthouse keeper house, lighthouse, and bell!

 

Good night!

 

 

 

   Robert wrote me, "I bought Milo a new dog bed!"

 

He placed the new bed inside a LLBean dog bed cover.

 

Looks like the bolster cushion is missing.

 

I just don't think this bed is large enough for Milo.

 

Robert had good intentions..but I ordered this LLBean XL bed in blue for Milo!

 

 

I know those who recently purchased paintings would agree Milo deserves this bed!

 

It is important to make Milo feel special.

 

Can't wait to see him in this blue bed!

 

 

   The other photo Robert sent to me shows Monet laying in the nice bed, Milo in the center,

 

and Lily.  Then Poppy is laying on the carpet.  All of them are sleeping in Robert's room!

 

Looks like they are very comfortable now with each other.

 

 

   Oh my goodness how sweet!  Lily is licking Monet, her Father, on the head.

 

Looks like everyone is very comfortable.  Normally Monet sleeps downstairs.

 

He has changed where he sleeps since Milo have come to our house!

 

 

Every dog looks comfortable.  I hope Robert is getting good sleep in his room.

 

I should be driving home December 9th.

 

My plan is to take Milo to the vet when I return home.

 

He will have all his vet needs taken care of.

 

 

I am having new tires installed on the van tomorrow!

 

Goodnight!

 

 

 

   I received a call from our family friend Ted today.

 

He had taken all four goldens to the beach in his Ford Escape!

 

He said it was a bit nerve wracking in the car.

 

All the dogs were well behaved during the short drive.

 

All Ted could say was how much he loved Milo!  

 

He said Milo loved the beach!  He said he didn't want to leave on vacation because he would miss

 

Milo!  He took all the dogs to his friends house afterwards.  They were all running around

 

greeting people.  He said Milo is a really good quality dog!

 

 

   Robert took these photos today and reported on Milo's first trip to the beach.

 

Milo went after birds in the water.  He went in over his head and sank!

 

He managed to make it to this rock.  He was stuck!  Then he managed to make it to another rock!

 

Robert thought he was going to need to rescue Milo in the water.

 

 

   All of our dogs swam out to Milo who was stranded on a rock.

 

They coaxed him into trying to swim.  

 

 

   The water was probably in the 50s or 60s.

 

 

 Milo must have been scared!

 

 

   One of the dogs went out to rescue Milo.

 

 

  Poppy was Milo's rescuer!

 

 

Poppy talked him off the rock and then Lily greeted him!

 

 

   Lily looks very compassionate for Milo.  "You ok Milo?"

 

 

   It looks like Milo really enjoyed his two first visits to the beach today!

 

He will be a very happy dog soon.

 

All these new experiences might be stressful or exciting at first.

 

Ted said Milo just needs a lot of love so he can begin to trust again.

 

I think it is a great sign he will go in Ted's car and Robert's van!

 

 

Here is the boat painting in progress.  14x20 oil on copper.

 

My parents have been keeping me very busy here in Florida.

 

We attended a Christmas party!  Then I went to a Rollins Basketball game with Dad.

 

Have a great night.