Rohling Studios

Paul and Peter Rabbit

ARRRRGGGGGGGGGG!  I just typed my whole entry and then it disappeared!!!!  So I won't be as wordy this time around....more pics instead...Sunday Paul and Laura and I went to the new Indiana Jones movie.  I loved it!!!!  Laura sat on the edge of her seat most of the movie!  It was as fun to watch her as it was to watch the show.  Afterward we went back to their home and sat on the porch.  It is a second floor porch and Jimmie (seen above being loved on by Paul) thinks it is his MANOR.  There is not a worry that Jimmie will jump up on the railing, bark at anyone or stick his head through the bars.  He is the world's best mannered dog!  Paul is very good with plants so the porch is lovely.  There are hanging pots...

and pots on ledges......

He is very good at mixing flowers that I would never think of mixing together...

It must be the artist in him....

 

He has the green thumb that I don't have!

  (I just love these!)

It is here that Jimmie spends time on his chaise....never jumping up on the railing...never knocking over a pot or disturbing a flower....

It is here that the story changes!!!!

I have a very large maple tree in my yard.  I also have two mischievous dogs...well...one more so than the other!  Because of the shade and the dog activity in my yard I have to reseed a part of it every now and then.  This happens to be another one of those years.  I bought rabbit fencing to keep them out and that worked until Jimmie visited and showed them how to jump the fence.  (Something he would never do at home.)   This year Paul built the rabbit fencing to be two stories tall so that no jumping would happen while the grass is seeding.

Lanterns were hung to make it appear more foreboding and even an orange electric cord was added to  emphasize the danger of jumping the fence.  (Note Gus sniffing the border as if this were the Berlin Wall!)  Below you see Rosie respecting the three week boundary.

And then you see Gus checking to see if I see him....

He decides I cant see him and proceeds to pull a Peter Rabbit stunt....

And under he goes!!!

He pulls his back legs through last; while checking to see if he has been spotted.

Yep!  I caught him!!!  the head goes down...and he acts like he is invisible.  I think of Peter Rabbit and Mr McGregor.  He scampers back to the fence and Rosie lets him know he was busted!

She is really barking at him like she is his mother as he pulls himself through!!!  Both of us lecture her and talk in low firm tones.  He looks very innocent and sorry.  The next day when I catch him...this is his exodus shot!

I again let him know how disappointed I am.  He tells me he is sorry but that he can't guarantee that he will not do it again. 

ooooooooooooOOOOOOOOO  there are some scarey looking clouds coming and the wind has picked up so I'm signing off and getting my dogs away from the electric rods I have as a fence!!!  (As I close there is an ominous roll of thunder and Gus is running for the door!)

Puppy Fun

Holy Smokes this has been a busy place lately!...Lots of people have been in and out this summer and with them have come lots of dogs!  You have already met the all star group...Jimmie, Rosie and Gus.  So Met Neko, a Pembroke Welsh Corgi.  He is my friend Faye's buddy. Corgis are herding dogs so he has made it his job to herd the group when they are running around the yard. It's a big job for the dog with the shortest legs! 

 

Jimmie, is my son Paul's therapy dog.  He is also our boat mascot!  He loves to be in the boat so we have a life vest for him!  He has the cutest little boxer snout!

You can see he is totally undisturbed by the fact that we wanted to take his picture!  Paul's reflection is in the chrome on the left.  I am so in love with this picture of Paul and Laura and Jimmie.....

It was taken on the Milwaukee Riverfront.

And here I am with Jimmie.........I have had a few of you ask me why there are never pictures of me....now you can see why......my eyes and my top lip always disappear.  It's beyond me as to where they go...but get the camera out and......whoosh.......they are gone!  They do return again when the camera goes back into hiding....I don't get it!  We had an opportunity to take the grandkids out when they were home.  Wyatt loved the wake and the spray!  The bigger the wake the better he liked it!  I have been so fortunate to have these times with my kids!  Any time I need to go somewhere happy in my mind it is to the lake with them.  I have been there, in my mind almost every day since getting the boat...The nice thing about my mind is I can go there when there is 3 feet of snow, or I'm trying to fall asleep, or even when I'm getting a shot!  No matter what.......these treasured memories last.

Mother's Day Weekend

What a great weekend this was!  Friday I got some of my CEU's out of the way for relicensing.  I need to get in 30 every two years.  When I got home Paul and Laura had dropped off Jimmie!!!  I love this dog!

He has the sweetest demeanor and loves to come and play with Gus and Rosie.  I love it when he comes to visit.  Be sure to read all about his story and what makes him so special at Petlover Art.  Saturday I went to the stage play, "Chicago" (in Milwaukee) with my friends Gig, Jeremy, Michelle and Tina.  I always have a wonderful time with them.  They are really like family to me!  The funny part is that I am far older than any of them but they don't make me feel that way.  I was kidding with them that folks might have thought I was their mother and they were "The kids" taking "Mom" out to the play.  Jeremy and Tina both are fair and blue-eyed so I called them the twins all afternoon. Laughter is so good for the spirit! Afterward we went to the Five O' Clock Club for dinner and then home. 

On Mother's Day I got video calls from Jen, Jake and the kids and from Ben and Sibylle.  I love it that we can connect with each other like that.  I couldn't bare it if they were so far away without the technology that we now have.  At noon Paul and Laura came over with bagels and flowers and veggies to plant.  They worked their little butts off in the yard for me.  It is so nice to have the gardens weeded, trimmed and planted.   Later that evening I got a phone call from Paul.  Unfortunately he lost his wedding ring somewhere in the yard.  I checked the gloves he wore and around some of the lighted areas we were in but it was too dark to find anything.  The next morning he and I combed the yard...checked the gardens and finally went out and rented a metal detector all to no avail!  Sadly I think his wedding ring has gone the way of lost wedding rings.  I like to think that the fairies have found it and have blessed their marriage a hundred fold in exchange for it! .....me in my little world of magical thinking!

Illustration Friday ~ Portrait

For this week's Illustration Friday I decided to submit my portrait of my  very first dog of my very own...this was Boo Boo.  I loved this big old bear of a dog!  He had a heart bigger than any dog I have had.  My sons said he reminded them of Homer Simpson!  He'd beg when anyone cracked open a beer!  Boo learned at a very young age to fetch anything you needed fetching.  He was the true slipper fetcher.  He loved bringing me my slippers when I would come home.  I usually didn't even ask.  I'd come home from work, sit down in my chair and up he would be looking for my slippers...up the stairs he'd go and come down with one of two slippers and then run up to get the other one.  He loved bringing us things.  We'd be watching T.V and he would open the pantry door and bring us a bag of Chips, a light bulb, or a bag of flour....whatever he could find.  He was so proud of his talent to fetch STUFF!  We'd look at each other and hold our breath to see what he'd come up with!...Socks, underwear, homework....whatever it was...he found it...he'd bring it to us.  Boo was bought from a pet store.  I didn't know anything about puppy mills and the things they did before I had Boo.  When I brought him home he had never seen grass.  He jumped through it like a bunny! He had never drank water from a bowl...only from a bottle attached to his cage.   He  sat at the puppy store for 3 weeks before we bought him.  He had severe joint problems and needed surgery shortly after getting him.   If we hadn't gotten him, his life would have been probably shorter than it was.  He shed at least a carpet of his own everyday.  Bits of Boo Boo are everywhere.  His hair was in my suitcase in Spain, Mexico, New York, Jamaica, the Wild Wild West. It seems to be only fair and fitting that he is Worldwide.  Because of the inbreeding that occurs in puppy mills, Boo did not live a long life.  He  was a great dog.  His portrait has been used to benefit other dogs.  Please see his picture on www.petloverart.com to see how his portrait helps other dogs that are homeless.  Have a portrait of your dog done to give as a gift.  Have mugs, tote bags or t-shirts made as well.  Every gift ordered from this site has a built in donation to dogs and cats that need shelter.  Read about Hope Safe House and their fanastic work with animals.

My Little Rosie Posie

  This morning I had to drop off my chocolate lab, Rosie at the vet's office.  They are putting her under to do a deep ear wash.  She has had chronic ear infections this winter.  I hate just dropping them off and leaving them there.  And then I return home to a frenetic Gus who is very vocal and running around the house looking for her.  He has never known this house without her. 

   Early this morning my daughter, son-in-law, grandson and grandaughter soon to be left for Arkansas.  He has gotten a tenured track teaching job at the University.  They are so excited.  I try hard to be excited for them but inside I feel like my heart is breaking.  I have loved having them here in town.  Every time I see my grandson  he has grown and learned so much.  He says "Grandma" now.  He runs around showing me his little things in the house.  A friend of mine just had her first grandchild and sent pictures. She emailed me that she "can't stop thinking about him".  There is something about those little ones!  You look forward to their birth but you have no idea until you see them how much your heart can expand.  It is a strange feeling that someone so small can stir up all your feelings.  Little fingers and toes make you want to cry.  They stir memories of my own children.  Their shoes got bigger and bigger.  And then one day they walked out of home, off to their own worlds.  I love them with all my heart but, my heart didn't know all of the things I've learned since they were small.  I know if I am afraid for my Grandchildren.  I don't ever want them to get stitches or lose a great love.  I worry about my precious little family moving away from friends and family.  It feels like they are putting everything in a covered wagon and setting out to the unknown.  Thank goodness today we have unlimited phone priviledges and computers.  I am going to buy a video cam so I can talk to them and they are going to do the same. 

The vet just called to say Rosie is doing fine.  Her ear is worse than she expected.  We will have to do this again.  We  also need to figure out what she is allergic to.  The Vet says labs are prone to ear infections and allergies. 

Tonite I will pick up Rosie.  Tomorrow my daughter may find a new home in Arkansas.  Funny how life works.

Illustration Friday ~ Spotted

 

This week's challenge for Illustration Friday is "Spotted".  Since I have had nothing but my poor little pup on my mind I decided to quickly illustrate his spotted little self....just under the deadline of Friday!  I took him to work with me today.  It's the only way I could keep an eye on him to make sure he didn't take off his bandages!  What a good little boy he was!  He napped most of the time.  He is such a great dog! 

Gus Is Home

He's HOME!  I am so relieved to have him back home.  He does need constant care since he tries to take the bandage off when I am not looking.  I can't wait till he can have it removed!  He looks like that portrait of Van Gogh!  The vet actually did not have to remove much of his ear so it looks worse than it is.  Poor fella!  SO SAD! 

Gus and Rosie

Here they are...the critters of the home and studio!  Rosie is the chocolate lab.  She is almost five years old, a talented retriever of anything you ask her to get, a swimmer extraordinaire, self appointed mother of Gus,  and the protector of the property!  Gus is a year and a half old mix between a bull terrier and a springer spaniel.  He is definitely not a swimmer (I had to buy him a life jacket to go in the water with Rosie), also learning to be a retriever (picks up whatever Rosie drops), and a lover of everyone and anything that moves.

The first picture I ever saw of Gus I knew I had to get him.  His ears looked like the flying nun and I fell in love with him right away.  This picture is of the first day I had him. 

They are very close companions.  If one goes somewhere they both have to go.  Gus is going in for surgery tomorrow.  He has a tumor on one ear that appeared about a month ago and has grown rapidly since it was originally looked at by the vet.  They have to crop a portion of his ear to get all of the growth.  Tonight I am worried about my little Gus.  And I am very saddened by what he has to go through.  So keep him in your thoughts tonight and tomorrow.  Send him some good vibes.  Thank you!  ~ Rosie, Gus and Claudia

Stitch and Bitch And Laura Knits

I have been meeting with a group of friends for over 20 years. We thought we were original when one of our husbands called us the "Stitch and Bitch Group".  We liked the name.  We were so surprised when the Stitch N' Bitch books came out!  We had thought we invented the name!  We still get together for "S & B" once a month, some of us more than others due to working schedules etc.)   It's wonderful to share friendships for so many years!  Funny how something as simple as stitching or knitting brought us together for a few hours in the beginning and now we have laughed and cried together for so long these women are so very important to me I can't imagine them not being in my life! 

I visited my daughter-in-law and my son last weekend.  Laura is knitting!  I admire the way she jumped into it both feet first!  She is already a pro and only started last fall.  She loves the Stitch N' Bitch Books!  They are great books!  She made the skull and crossbones to go on a pillow she designed.  She is so talented!  Here are a few pics of her work and their home for the Corners of My Home group on Flickr.  They are kind enough to let me share them.  I always feel so warm and cozy when I visit them.  So....I am sending you some warm and cozy feelings! 

  This is Laura holding the pillow she designed and the little patch she made to sew onto it.  Isn't it cute? 

Laura's knitting basket...it is my philosophy that an artist can never have too much yarn, material or art supplies....Laura is just beginning! 

  Her father is a very talented woodworker and glass etcher.  He made the lovely piece they have hanging in the living room window.

He also made this beautiful room screen and the plant stand in front of it.  The stand is made of polished marble and a wooden column that he tooled himself.  Isn't it beautiful? 

On a wall shelf they have placed type from an office supply and printing company my father ran with his brother and my grandfather.  I loved going there after school and watching the presses roll.  It seemed like the images were magically appearing on the paper.  It is then and there that I dreamed of becoming an illustrator. 

The two of them collect antique glass.  Some of it is displayed colorfully here in the dining room.   

This little antique paper Danish Elf survived the holidays.  It looks like he was made for this spot doesn't it?

And last but not least...this is the home of Jimmie.  He had surgery 3 weeks ago and is resting and recuperating in front of the fire with his favorite toy. 

Jimmie and Petloverart.com

  I started doing pet portraits after we had fostered dogs that needed homes.  Jimmie is a boxer that seems to touch everyone that has met or heard about him.  I felt it was important to tell his story and to support homeless dogs in some way.  Pet Lover Art is one way I can do that.  A portion of the sales of every product and and pet portrait sold goes to to a wonderful organization in Racine, WI called Hope Safe House .  These people are true HEROS!  I hope you will visit their website.  This is Jimmie's story and these are the pictures I have made of Jimmie. 

                              Jimmie's Story

  An elderly man came into a shelter in Kentucky. His dog Jimmie was at his side.  Tears welled up in the old man's eyes as he stated that he was dying and he needed a good home for his dog.  "He is a good dog," he said, "and he needs a good home...a REALLY good home".  The shelter told him they would look for one.  He had stated he would return soon.  He never left his name.  A few weeks later a boxer was found in the overnight holding pen next to the shelter.  The staff recognized the dog as Jimmie.  He was scared, frightened, and depressed.  Workers from the shelter were concerned about both Jimmie and his owner.  They put out posters asking about the man's welfare.  An anoymous phone caller stated the man had died and they didn't know what to do with Jimmie so they left him in the holding pen.  The shelter workers set about finding Jimmie a home.  Jimmie's picture was put on Petfinder.com with a shourt description about him.  There were too many dogs and not enough people willing to take an older dog.  Jimmie was going to be euthanized in 24 hours.  A rescue program brought Jimmie from Kentucky to a Franksville, WI foster home along with seven other dogs.  Paul Rohling was bathing the first  batch of foster dogs when Jimmie finally made it to the foster home.  The two made a connection immediately.  Jimmie was sick and needed care.  Paul made sure he got it.  Papers were filled out and within days he went to his very own home with Paul.  Jimmie is now well and can't wait to go to work everyday with his buddy, Paul.  He is a therapy dog at the Therapy House in Racine, WI.  He shares his gentleness every day at "work".  Jimmie's eyes are soft brown and he listens to stories as he snuggles at Paul's feet. He wags his tail when he meets the clients and to greet them. And, above all, Jimmie now smiles and he makes others smile too.