Rainbow; the one eyed dog
Meet Rainbow, the one eyed dog. A few days ago, I blogged about my good friend Rock n’ Roll Al having a birthday, and I have been dying to tell you what I got him for his present!
He has had his dog Rainbow for 15-years now. She is a black shepherd lab mix, maybe a little bit of wolf, and”a little bit of crazy” in her (that’s what Al says) Rainbow lost her left eye in 2004 when she had glaucoma and a cataract at the same time. It was removed, sewn up, and she’s been winking at people ever since!
Rock n’ Roll Al ADORES this dog, and I wanted to do something special involving her for his gift. I was surfing the net a few months ago, and came upon an artist named Elizabeth Fraser in Portland, Maine who specializes in pet portraits, and once I clicked on the link, I couldn’t believe how great her paintings were! www.paintsquared.com
I started emailing back and forth with Elizabeth, to try to get her the very best picture of Rainbow so she could work her magic – the problem is, Rainbow doesn’t like to have her picture taken, so there are only a few in existence, and most are from far away. I told Al I was going to blog about Rainbow and needed some pictures of her (my trick to get some photos) and he sent me some on email, but none were a close up of Rainbow’s face. Then… my amazingly talented boyfriend thought of a way to get the shot.
When we were alone with Rainbow, he took a Starbucks handle bag, cut a hole out in the bottom of it, slipped the camera in it, turned off the flash (that’s what she hates, and is scared of) and then put a treat inside the bag so she would come up close and sniff it. And it worked! We got the shot, Rainbow didn’t get spooked, and a commissioned piece of art was in the works for Rock n’ Roll Al’s birthday.
Here’s the final product…..
Don’t you just love it? Thank you Elizabeth for making such a great likeness of “the girl”!
This rocks!
Laura Ingle has been with FNC since 2005, and was also a
correspondent for FOX’s syndicated news magazine program, “Geraldo
at Large.” Ingle has covered major criminal cases and natural
disasters, including the Scott Peterson and Michael Jackson
trials, wildfires, mudslides, and Hurricane Katrina. She most
recently covered Pope Benedict’s visit to New York and the
Manhattan crane collapse that killed seven. She was formerly a
radio reporter and news anchor with KFI-AM 640 in Los Angeles and
with KFBK-AM 1530 in her hometown of Sacramento. She is currently
based in New York.
Miss you at KFI, but I’m glad you got the Fox
job (Greta greased the wheels, but you most
definately deserved the job!) You and Eric
are the best reporters around.
I think the portrait is as beautiful as the
thoughtfulness that went into the gift. Very
lucky friend.
Terri (obviously in So. Cal.)
I love this!!! Greta
I so love this…..
Is Rainbow smiling? Cool looking dog. A very thoughtful gift that Rock n Roll Al will surely treasure. Great idea!
Laura,
The painting of Rainbow is just wonderful. Al has been talking about it all week.
THANK YOU for letting me paint that sweet pooch–I really fell for Rainbow through the pics you sent & it was a pleasure working with you! And THANK YOU for blogging about the whole pet portrait experience & posting my website–I really appreciate it! Smiles from a snowy Portland, Maine & best wishes to you for a wonderful holiday!
What a GREAT Christmas story! I adored this – as fabulous as Rainbow is, even more wonderful is the caring and love that went into this most special gift… one that will last far after the holiday is over. Thank you, Laura, for sharing this story with us.
Laura,
You just gave me a great idea for my hard to buy for sister – her golden retriever immortalized in a painting. Thanks, and merry Christmas!
What a wonderful gift, Laura…
He’ll cherish it for life.
This is the most amazing gift I have ever received. It is so thoughtful and personal that it moved me beyond words when I open it. It made me think about all that Rainbow and I have been through together and how much I love her!!!
Rainbow comes from very rough beginnings. She was dumped with her siblings at a very early age (4-6 weeks) at wasn’t supposed to live according to the first vet I took her too. 15 years and 10 cities (more than most people) later she is alive and well. Hips aside, she still has the spirit of puppy. Rainbow is the love of my life! I will cherish this art forever!!
Thank you Laura and KK for being so thoughtful and such great friends!!
ROCK!
Al & Rainbow
They say a dog is a man’s best friend, but in this case, you have given ‘Bow a run for her money!…The sweetest gift, Laura, and I know Rock & Roll will cherish it for years to come. Props to your amazingly talented boyfriend as well.
They say a dog is a man’s best friend, but in this case, you have given ‘Bow a run for her money! I know Rock & Roll will cherish this gift for years to come. Props to your amazingly talented boyfriend as well.
Miss Laura I have always known that u were a great and special friend of Rock And Roll Als now i see that you see and feel his heart also. The portrait of the girl as a gift just couldnt be topped. THX it has made sit here crying not just for the portrait but also for heart warming story of a boy who has lost adog named King as the boy who looked very similar to Rainbow.Rock and Roll AL wasnt about to let that happen again. AL THX FOR COMING INTO MY WORLD YOU TRULY ARE ABLESSING I LOVE YOU WITH ALL OF MY HEART HAPPY BIRTHDAY AND SEE YOU SOON FOR CHRISTMAS MUCH LOVE MOMIKIN
Laura, that was so sweet and the painting looks good, you are a good friend….
What a beautiful portrait. Elizabeth Fraser did a great job. I’m a watercolorist and I really do enjoy others work and always grow from seeing a pet through someone elses eyes. Very nice.
If you would like to see some of my work, check our http://www.thefineartcafe.com