Canine Culture

Going Purple for Epilepsy

Canine Culture

Hi everyone, CEO Olivia reporting. Today I’ve sniffed out pictures of buildings that have been lit up in purple for epilepsy awareness. From Sidney, Australia to Istanbul, Turkey to Toronto, Canada & all places in between, people are raising awareness.

 

How beautiful. I think maybe I’ll ask huMom to put purple lights on our home.

Have a pawsome weekend.

CEO Olivia ❤

Artist Carol Gillan

Canine Culture

Hi everyone, CEO Oliva here, today I’ve sniffed out the works of English artist Carol Gillan. After working as an illustrator she decided to devote herself to a career as a full time fine artist. Now based in Surrey she paints from a studio in her home & specializes in dramatic & sometimes humorous animal portraits.

Carol travels to County fairs for inspiration & will approach dog walkers when she sees a dog that she would like to paint.  She makes extensive use of photographs that she feels best capture the individual identity of the animal in question.

Working in oil on canvas adds depth to each image, enabling Gillan to portray the texture of an animal’s coat, the shadows of its muscle tone & its personality which she believes can be conveyed through the expression in its eyes.

In 2006 she was awarded first prize in the prestigious DeMontfort New Artist competition.

Have a wooftastic weekend.

CEO Olivia ❤

Music for Shelter Dogs

Canine Culture

Hi everyone, CEO Olivia here. Today I’ve sniffed out something wooftastic. Martin Agee, is a violinist who has played for over 40 Broadway cast albums including “Fiddler on the Roof,” “The Color Purple,” & the upcoming revival of “West Side Story.” He is also a volunteer with the ASPCA. When he’s not busy rehearsing or performing, he plays soothing classical music for dogs recovering from abuse.

While training at the ASPCA Animal Recovery Center, Mr. Agee learned about a program where people could read to dogs recovering from abuse, he thought playing music for them could also help.

The response from the dogs has been very positive. Often, within seconds dogs will curl up on their beds or in front of the doors, & quietly listen or watch Mr. Agee play. Some hounds have even helped by singing along.

Mr. Agee sticks to soothing classical pieces by Bach, Handel & Mozart. The result is an overall calmness that not only the dogs appreciate but the staff as well. What a pawsome thing to do.

Check out this short video of Mr. Agee at a shelter. We at Knotty Toys for Good Dogs bark out a big “Thank You” to Martin Agee.

CEO Olivia ❤

Reminder – November is Epilepsy Awareness Month. This year I’m asking all my fellow Epilepsy Warriors & wagnificent supporters to help me raise Canine Epilepsy awareness globally. Here’s what I want you to do. Get your human to take your picture with a sign showing your “Bark Out” or motto against this horrible disease. Then send it to me by messaging my Facebook page, “Oh, the Life of Olivia“.

Once November arrives I will begin posting the pictures I’ve received. Let’s show the world how strong The Canine Epilepsy Community is.