Sadie Girl...Golden Retriever Painting in OIL by LARA

("Sadie Girl," 8"x 10", 

oil on canvas, available, 

10% will be donated to
Almost Heaven Golden Retriever Rescue)

I've been busy the past few months with a number of commissions but am going to try and get back to my Painting a Pup a Day project as best as I can this summer! This piece may already be spoken for, but if not, it will be available in my store on etsy...it is of a sweet Golden girl, named Sadie. Everytime I paint a Golden it makes me miss our precious Cassie, and Sassy who passed away some years ago, but I still enjoy painting them!...there is truly nothing like a Golden! If you are interested in having a pet portrait done of your precious pup, feel free to contact me!

(*photo used with permission: flickr id TammyTalking)

"Chip," Chocolate Labrador Retriever Painting in OIL by Lara Harris

"Chip" 5"x 7", oil on canvas
(SOLD, thank you!)
10% donated to
Almost Heaven Golden Retriever Rescue

This is 'Chip,' a beloved Chocolate Lab owned by Janet Hug. I will be adding his story once I hear back from Janet :o)
(Update: Here is what Janet had to say about her beloved 'Chip'...)


Lara, I can't thank you enough for the beautiful painting of my treasured and much beloved Chocolate Labrador, Chip. He was my faithful and devoted companion through many boat rides, walks, evenings laying at my feet, observing simple chores around the house, countless meals in the kitchen and rides in the car. He touched my heart and soul and knew exactly how I was feeling at every moment. He was that special dog that everyone wishes they had forever. I was blessed to have him by my side for 10 glorious years.

Thank you, Janet Hug

"Sammy," Golden Retriever Portrait Painting...and Sweet Story

Sammy, 5"x 7", oil on canvas panel,
10% to Almost Heaven Golden Retriever Rescue
(SOLD, thank you!)

Can I just say that one of the best things about painting other people's dogs, besides the actual painting itself, is in getting to know a little bit about their precious pups. I would like to share the sweet story of 'Sammy,' a Golden Retriever much loved(and missed) by his family in Canada :

Sam was given to us when he was four years old. According to his French previous owner, he was restless, scared of loud noises, chewed everything in sight, was untrainable and oh yeah - he may have been hit by a truck sometime in the past so he's scared of the road. The previous owner had to get rid of Sam because he actually belong to his sister, who was getting divorced, moving to an apartment, and could not reclaim her dog. For Sam that meant going to a shelter or find a new owner that didn't' mind his bad habits.

When we first went to look at Sam, he squirmed out of the house, ran up to us and jumped up on me covering me with mud. He was a big happy puppy as far as I knew, and we agreed to take him right away. Then we were told about the habits mentioned above. I didn't believe a word of it. And when we got him home, we didn't see any signs of misbehaving.

What we did see was a big gentle dog, that loved to play, swim in the river, tease the kittens, carry as many tennis balls as possible in his mouth (three), and chew the caps off of two-liter bottles. Sam seemed to know every trick before we taught them to him... we just had to find the French command words.

My favorite images of Sammy are:

• The black and white female cat Oreo, holding his head in a vise like grip and licking him clean, He would try to move but she would reel him back in.
• Our youngest daughter sitting with Sammy by the back door, her little arm over his big head, just chilling... he didn't move because he knew she would fall over if he did.
• Holding him tight at the Canada Day fireworks. It was true that he was scared of loud noises, thunder, big trucks and fireworks, so I would hold him tight at fireworks. If I just held his leash he would drag me across the grass. The only way I could subdue him was to get all four of his feet off of the ground, and hold him there. I can't imagine what he could do if he was terrified or angry. After the fireworks I was a sweaty quivering wreck.

We miss Sammy. He was our home alarm, winter blanket, backyard friend. He died at 112 (in human years).
(*Photo used with permission, flickr id: Omega Man)

Golden Retriever Painting in Oil by Lara Harris

4"x6" oil on primed canvas, 

(flickr id:Diana&Gogo,with permission)

Proceeds to benefit Almost Heaven Golden Retriever Rescue

This is a small piece I finished of an adorable Golden named Gogo. I'm finding it a challenge to get enough detail into smaller pieces, this being 4"x6", but I'm hoping that I achieved at least a good likeness to Gogo. This is what Diana wrote about her beloved Gogo:

"I'm Diana. I live at Medan, Indonesia. I have one golden retriever name Gogo. He will be 6 years old at July 2009. I love him so much... he has bring so much joy to my family!"

If you would like to have your dog become part of my Painting a Pup a Day project, drop me an email!

Radio, 4 Month Old (Blind) Golden Retriever Puppy Doing GRREAT!

Just received a final update on little Radio, the 4 month old (blind) Golden Retriever Puppy who fought and won! his battle against the deadly Parvo virus! I think the photo above says it all, but here is a snipet from Carol at Almost Heaven Golden Retriever Rescue...

Just a quick note to let you all know that Radio is thriving

with Bill and AnnMarie. He's acting like a normal, happy puppy

and now has a bright, healthy future!

Thank you everyone for your kind wishes,

prayers, and financial support.
Have a great weekend!

Update on Radio, 4 Month Old (Blind) Golden Retriever...

Quick update on little Radio, the Golden pup who has been in a battle for his life against the Parvo Virus! GRREAT news!It looks like he has won the battle!! Here is an email from Carol at Almost Heaven Golden Retriever Rescue:

Just a quick update - our little Radio did leave the hospital today and is now living in his foster home (thanks Bill and AnnMarie).
I am happy to report that he was doing well on his trip home, and I look forward to sharing updates with you.
Thank you - everyone - for the prayers and financial support.

Thank you to everyone for your prayers & support, they truly made all the difference!

Some Good News to Report on Radio!

Just wanted to share an email from the director of Almost Heaven Golden Retriever Rescue concerning Radio, the little 4 month old Golden pup fighting for his life battling the parvo virus:

Hi Everyone:
I've got good news! Radio's condition has improved. He is actually eating - small amounts of special food - and keeping it down. And, today, he is acting more like a puppy - - - - - has some of his energy back.
He's not out of the woods - but his prognosis is much improved from last night.
Thank you for the prayers and support. Please don't stop now.
The earliest we will pick him up to come home will be after the weekend. He has a foster home waiting for him - - - - - I will keep everyone updated - - - - - - - - - - -
THANK YOU - all of you (Carol)- - - - - - (And, Radio thanks you, too)

Urgent Request for Prayers & Assistance for Radio (Golden Retriever born blind)

Just received this email from the director at Almost Heaven Golden Retriever Rescue about 'Radio,' a little 4 month old puppy they are currently caring for who is blind and now in the fight of his life:

This is a very special update - because it involves a very special puppy, Radio. Radio was born blind, and with a stubby little crooked tail. His owner held him until he was 13 weeks old, then sent him to us. He is one of the sweetest puppies on this earth - - - - - - - -

Within 2 days, it was obvious that something was wrong with Radio. He was still a boundless ball of energy, but he was slow to eat and his stools were not "normal". Last Sunday night, he refused his dinner until very late. Monday, I was on the road to our veterinarian's hospital with him - at 6 am - and I left him there for the doctor's to observe and treat his loss of appetite.

Monday evening, he took a downward turn, that has not stopped. He has lapsed into what the doctor's think is now severe parvovirus - and he is fighting for his life. We have no idea how or where he contracted it - - - or if it is secondary to an unknown medical condition. We do know, he was exposed and came to us after exposure - - -

Everyone, please take a few minutes today to send prayers for Radio. I'm not usually an outwardly religious person, but this poor puppy needs your good thoughts and prayers - - - - - - - I plan to ask the doctor's to continue treatment until he either improves - or his chances of recovery become hopeless.

I don't even want to think what his hospital bill will be - either way. If you have a few dollars to spare, we sure could use them now. I will not stop fighting for this puppy's life - - - - - - - I can't. Please help us to help him - - - - - - -

If there is anything you can do to help this situation please do not hesitate to contact Almost Heaven Golden Retriever Rescue...and if nothing else, please keep this little guy in your prayers!

4 Month Old Blind Golden Retriever Puppy in Need of a Good Home...

I just received an email from Almost Heaven Golden Retriever Rescue, and they have an adorable 4 month old Golden Retriever Puppy in need of a home...his name is Radio, and he was born blind. This is what the director wrote:

"Radio - Can you say "cute"? This little 4 month old puppy was born blind and with a stub tail. His owners just didn't have the time for him - and so he came to us. The vets say he is completely healthy other than the loss of his sight - which is not reversible. Blind dogs are easy to live with, once they learn where things are - they are truly remarkable - - - - we've had several people adopt blind dogs in the past - - - - - - and I'm sure they would be more than happy to offer any help needed in transitioning this sweet puppy into a home. We would prefer that he go to a home without a lot of small children or rough playing dogs."

If you think you can help, or are interested in adopting a Golden in need of a forever home, please visit Almost Heaven Golden Retriever Rescue!

Painting 8, "Mosby," the Golden Retriever Painting in Oil by Lara Harris

Painting 8,"Mosby," 11"x 14"

oil on stretched canvas (nfs)

This is my 8th painting for my Painting a Pup a Day project of a beloved Golden Retriever named Mosby. He was a young Golden, despite the fact that he had the white coloring around his eyes and mouth, more typically found in older Goldens. He was one of the many Golden Retrievers taken care of by Carol and Skip Free of Almost Heaven Golden Retriever Rescue, a sanctuary for older Goldens and other dogs who have been abandoned, abused, or neglected. Golden Retrievers have a special place in my heart as we have had the pleasure of having two Goldens in our family throughout the years. Sassy was our first Golden who died of cancer at only 5 years of age, and Cassie, our second Golden, who had to be put to sleep at only 11 due to horrible arthritis (among other health ailments). If you would like to make a donation to Almost Heaven Golden Retriever Rescue click on their name or on their logo to the right. With the way the economy has been, many, many dogs have been abandoned or surrendered to such rescue groups , and more than ever these groups need your help! It costs hundreds of dollars each week simply to feed the dogs under their care. Every little bit counts, so if you can help them out in anyway please do so today!