Title:“Happy Abby”

Artist: Evelyn McCorristin Peters

Size: 30″ x  30″

Medium: Oil on gallery wrapped canvas

Price: Inquire

Contact National Purebred Dog Day to inquire about purchasing this piece. 

Painting Details: This is “Happy Abby”, my adopted Boxer. Abby made me smile each time I looked at her. I had just given Abby a Denta-stix through the window of my truck. She was so excited and I was lucky enough to snap the photo I used as a reference for this painting. I wanted everyone to see that joy shining through her eyes that I was lucky enough to receive every day. I wanted to paint her large and in bright strong color with solid brush strokes to convey her energy. Even though Abby isn’t with me anymore every time I look at this painting I never fail to smile. 

Artist’s thoughts: Frank was his name. An incredibly handsome male with a bit of attitude. I found this love a bit late in my life, my first relationship at the age of 39. Frank at times wasn’t easy to love, it was like a good woman loving a bad man, Frank was a bad dog and I loved him with all my heart and he loved me right back. Yes, my first unconditional love was a white Boxer named Frank. I met Frank through my husband. I was thrust into a new world and felt lost in translation but the one constant was Frank and he brought me joy every day and became my loyal companion.

The Boxer is a unique breed and my family often call them the “clowns of the dog world.” Their general expression always makes me smile and I’ve never met a Boxer owner I didn’t like. Boxers can have many challenging health issues but their love makes up for every bit of those difficulties. Frank went to the Rainbow Bridge at the age of nine. I was incredibly heartbroken and my husband claimed I loved Frank more than him. For once in my life I was able to come up with a quick response and said, well if you passed away I wouldn’t be on match.com the next day looking for a husband but I am on the Boxer rescue website looking for a new Boxer…that seemed to appease.

In 2007 I adopted a nine year old Boxer female named Tilly through Florida Boxer Rescue. I wanted to give a senior dog the chance at a happy ending, Tilly was nine when I adopted her. Happy endings are what I have focused on from that point forward. I have become very involved with Boxer rescue and other rescues and shelters as well. I wanted to help Florida Boxer Rescue but realized I would be a “Foster Flunky,” keeping any Boxer in search of a “furever” home, so I decided to help them through my art. I donate my work to rescues and shelters around the country to raise funds that directly help animals in need and their caretakers.

Tilly blessed us with her life for two years. My Marvelous Mystery Mutt Johnny and I then adopted another Boxer named Abby. We love all of our dogs but I believe there is always one that ends up being very special. Abby was my very special dog. Abby passed away on February 28th of this year in my arms. Johnny has been through three Boxers now but Abby was the love of his life and he’s made it very clear he is not interested in replacing her. So for now he is the top dog at our house. I continue to get my Boxer fix by working with Boxer Rescue Angels of Florida at events, donating my art and transporting adopted pups to their forever homes.

My love of dogs has changed my life. The only shortcoming of dogs is they don’t live long enough. Each of them teach us a different life lesson and we as humans must have a lot to learn so we just have to love a lot of dogs.