Art of the Dog: Dawn Secord: Rusty and Ruby

Monday, November 20, 2023

Rusty and Ruby - Mini painting

This mini painting is of two Irish setters when they were pups. The painting was done last Christmas and for a special touch, a Christmas tree is in the background (gently implied). It always touches my heart to paint dogs when they were puppies. Our puppies come into our lives and we have no idea what our futures with them will hold. When we look back, years gone by, we see those precious little faces and can celebrate our lives together. I always say, when they are pups, we can not wait for them to grow up. Then, in a vapor of time, those pups are veterans and we would give anything for them to be pups again.

From Donna - a little bit about the pups in the painting.

Rusty and Ruby were our foster failures from the humane society. They were our introduction into Irish Setters and the loves of our lives. Rusty was a very sickly puppy but went on to become one of the most titled Irish Setters in history. He excelled at agility and loved his reading to rover role. In his later years, he became well known for his wagon walks where he stole the hearts of everyone that knew him. Rusty left us in September of 2021 at the ripe old age of over 14 1/2.

Ruby was our dog that had it all. Brains, beauty and athlete all in one package. Ruby went on to become the highest achieving MACH Irish Setter by earning 12 MACHs before her life was cut short by Osteosarcoma at the age of 9. She was the most confident dog we have ever loved.

This dynamic duo showed the world what Irish Setters are capable of and we are forever grateful to have had them in our lives. They continue to live on in our hearts and will never be forgotten.

Thank you Dawn for painting this gorgeous portrait of them in their puppyhood. We had no idea at the time what a memorable ride they would take us on❤️.

Thank you to Donna and Jeff - it is always an honor to paint for you.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...: Dawn you’ve captured the essence of the setter spirit. I believe that setters are the greatest gift from God that was ever known to mankind.; November 21, 2023 at 9:17 AM

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