To Honor Taffy's Life, We Rescued Kiah

Our little gift from God. . .meet Kiah: (youtube video)

A Gift from God. . .

It's truly amazing how God works in our lives. Just last week I started to think of what breeds would be similar to our beloved Taffy who was a New Zealand Huntaway/Kelpie & I thought of an Australian Cattle Dog. Well within the hour, out of the blue! a facebook friend posted on my wall asking if I would be interested in an Australian Cattle Dog puppy! I had not mentioned to ANYONE that I had been even thinking about getting another dog, much less a Cattle Dog! As it turns out, the puppy was due to go to a family in Portland, but the plans fell through. We weren't planning on getting another dog for some time, but felt this was really meant to be, and then looking at the photo above we were certain. The little puppy, who we have already named Kiah (an Aboriginal name meaning 'the beautiful place') has a rainbow leash in the photo, to us a sure sign from God & Taffy who is waiting at the 'Rainbow Bridge' for us, that this pup is meant to be ours. We are still grieving for Taffy, but before he passed away I told him in honor of his life we would rescue another dog, just like how we rescued him...and now Kiah is on her way to us this Tuesday! We will never, ever forget Taffy & have several photos and the painting I did of him all hanging up in our living room, but we know Kiah will help to mend our broken hearts and provide companionship for Jedha as well. So grateful to God for his compassion & love...we don't always understand why our loved ones are taken from us, but we have to believe there is a reason for everything and one day we will know.

Close to Home...Forever in Our Hearts

(*print available to help pay off 
our remaining bill for 

Taffy's medical expenses 
incurred while fighting his cancer)

Beyond heartbroken as we lost Taffy this Wednesday...his body just could not take the chemo and the bone cancer had spread into his mouth. We brought him home & buried him at the back of my parent's property by the woods he loved so much...they are only 3 doors down from us. So thankful we are nearby & can even see his grave from our back door. Not sure how we will get thru this as the grief at times is more than we can bear, but it helps to know he is out of pain & running free in Heaven where we will be reunited someday. Thank you all for your prayers, kind words, & support...it has made all the difference! God bless you!

He is gone. . .

And THIS is Why We Fight...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=umaICKpN2Xo

Devastating News...

 (Jedha giving kisses to Taffy as he underwent chemo)

Went to the vet today & Taffy's tumor has grown & is now inside his mouth as well as his face. He was given a super strong chemo drug today & we will know this week if it works. If it does he will have 6 treatments in hopes that it saves his life...this is his last chance. Please pray for God's mercy. I haven't prayed harder for anything in my entire life.

Pet Portraits in OIL by Lara Harris: 4 Boston Terriers (Painting in Progress)

I've been busy most of the summer working on various commissions. This is a portrait I am working on of 4 Boston Terriers for a client in Chicago. The 1st & 2nd pup are pretty much completed and I am now working on the 3rd. I'm really happy with how the piece is coming together! Stay tuned for the grande finale! If you are interested in having a portrait done of your precious pup, feel free to contact me and/or visit my site at Studio Lara.com.