Dog Sanctuary, Dog Training, Animal Portraits

2007-06-04T06:38:00.000-07:00

Progress is being made on the sanctuary--at a snail's pace but still we're going forward instead of back. Have looked at several properties all in the too's. Too far out, too much money, or too close to other people. Funny how people move to the country and then build right next to someone. We need, because of the barking, to be a good distance from the neighbors.

We are generating a buzz; more and more people are asking about Dog Star, wondering how they can help, referring people and animals to us. The need is so obviously there .

Rescue Print

2007-05-18T19:46:00.000-07:00

I'm a painter and a dog trainer. This is a painting of a rescue of a little dog who has been dumped on a country road to starve but her hunger and fear are about over, altho a storm is coming in she'll spend no more nights out there alone because this kind person has found her and will be taking her home.

The painting pays homage to all those good people that love and rescue animals.

I'm having prints made and will be selling them to raise money for DogStar Animal Sanctuary. It's a new sanctuary started by a small group of dedicated people in the rolling hills of southern Iowa.

It is an 18x24 Giclee Print. It will not be numbered because this will be an unlimited edition. As long as there are people wanting to buy to help not just DogStar but any rescue or humane society we will be selling them. Prints are $175. If you would be interested in selling this print for fundraising contact me at artwarm@sbcglobal.net

The Dog that started it all---Phoenix

2007-05-14T14:22:00.000-07:00

Dog training started for me six years ago when I discovered clicker training. Before that time I had always had dogs and trained them in a haphazard hopeful way because I dislike hurting my dogs, I loved them and didn't want to use a choke chain, besides that kind of training is boring so I didn't give it much thought.

My change came as change frequently does, with a crisis. I helped the local humane society by fostering a dog rescued from horrible conditions of neglect. We bonded while he was weak and recovering from starvation when he got his strength back he turned into the dog from hell! To everybody but me, to me he was a devoted angel. He knew who had rescued him and he gave me his heart and soul.

I couldn't abandon him but he was a law suit waiting to happen. He bit my Dad and had the chilling habit of attacking when you had turned your back to leave. Through constant vigilence and warning I kept everyone safe but didn't know what to do so I did what I frequently do when I'm in a quandry I went online to see what I could find and thankfully it was Karen Pryor's clicker training site.

It was a long,slow process but my sweet Phoenix turned into the dog he was meant to be, underneath all that noise and teeth was a frightened animal that felt he could trust no one. He ended up a therapy dog for Hospice! I ended up in love with dog training all it's possibilities and the wonderful side effect it has of deepening the relationship you have with whatever animal you are training.