Two by Two Animal Rescue began seven years ago when Sonya Smith began feeding strays in her town, Helena, AL. She noticed another concerned citizen had been leaving food for them too, and left a note in a bowl. The note was found. They met and combined their efforts to rescue the many stray dogs dodging traffic. Their work continues today on a grander scale, striving to save the lives of unwanted, abused, and abandoned animals.
Two by Two is a 501 C (not for profit), all volunteer, no kill organization. Two by Two's goal is to care for these rescues until they find their forever homes, and to educate the public about responsible pet care. Their animals are fully vetted, spayed or neutered and microchipped. They are treated regardless of age, breed or medical cost. Two by Two receives no state funding or government assistance, The organization survives by the donations of caring people, fund raising, and adoption fees. They do not have a facility, the rescues are kept in private foster homes in Birmingham and the surrounding areas where they receive loving care from volunteer families until they are adopted out into a good permanent home.
This month when you purchase ANYTHING from Cathartic Designs, 10% of sales will go to support Two By Two!
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We can learn so much by observing the way our pets rejoice in life's simplest moments. For a dog every morning is Christmas morning. Every walk is the best walk, every meal is the best meal. Take time every day to celebrate the many gifts that are hidden in the ordinary events of your life.
Cesar Millan, The Dog Whisperer
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"Sushi"
Inspiration for my Sushi painting came when I was wandering around a garden shop with my young grandson and the resident garden-shop-cat one day. My grandson was bored with looking at plants, so I suggested that we go look at their Koi tanks. He was fascinated with the beautiful colorful fish and so was the cat. I asked the sales lady how often the cat went fishing. She said the cat watched them but had never tried to catch them. I told her it would have looked like lunch to my cats. Sushi, of course.
Later that day, I was telling my own cats about the Koi (yes, I have conversations with my cats, and no, they don't respond in words but they do listen attentively). Actually, my cat, Lily, can say two words, "now" and "wow", but never "meow", as anyone who has met this cat will verify. Sure enough, as soon as I described the
Koi tank Lily said "wow".
After I painted Sushi, my grandson wanted to turn the painting upside down. I turned it back. He studied it for a moment, and said, "I get it, it's a fra-lection". (He also called the refrigerator a fra-ridgearater.) Once at an art show a lady also turned the print upside down. I told her it was a fra-lection. She looked at me strangely and I quickly corrected it to reflection.
Sushi has been a favorite cat print for collectors. It is great for a kitchen or bathroom.
Ezine special: Save $10 off Sushi when you use coupon code 'christmas' w/o the '.
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"Cat Scan"
After I painted Lab Results, it seemed like a natural follow up to do one called Cat Scan. These cats are scanning a fish tank, although you almost don't notice the worried little fish on this side of the glass. Again, this has been one of the most popular of my cat prints. It makes a great gift for anyone who has multiple cats because it covers all colors of cats. But it is an especially fun gift for anyone in the medical or veterinary field, and is great paired with Lab Results.
Ezine special: Save $10 off Cat Scan when you use coupon code 'christmas' w/o the '.
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For the next time you are on Who Wants to be a Millionaire....
Did You Know...
Ailuroplilia is the love of cats. Ailurophobia is the fear of cats.
A cat's IQ is only surpassed by that of monkeys and chimps in the world of animals.
A single pair of cats and their kittens can produce a mind boggling 420,000 kittens in just 7 years. (All the more important to spay and neuter if your cat goes outside).
Sir Issac Newton is credited with inventing the cat door.
95 % of cat owners admit that they talk to their cats. (I do.) Cats love to hear the sound of their own name and your voice, so talk to them often.
A litter of kittens is called a kindle and a group of cats is called a clowder.
The nose of a cat has a ridged pattern that is as unique as a human's fingerprint. No two are alike.
A cat will almost never meow at another cat. They reserve this sound for humans.
Cats, not Dogs, are the most common pets in America, approximately 66 million cats to 58 million dogs.
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You seem to love all animals. What is your favorite ?
I do love all animals, but that is like asking me what is my favorite color. There is no answer to that. I love them all.
I believe that every one of God's creatures has awareness and a right to a good life. If I could, I would take them all in and protect them from harm. When I read books such as Chosen by a Horse, The Good good Pig, Westley the Owl, A Lion Called Christian, Amazing Gracie (dog), Alex and Me (parrot), Grayson (whale), Modoc (elephant), Dewey (cat), and Merle's Door (dog), then I am convinced that no animals are "dumb".
If it were practical and I had tons of free time I would probably have a house and yard full of animals. I do totally believe that animals enrich our lives in a way that people don't understand unless they have had a close relationship with one. The medical field is just finally understanding the healing abilities of animals and are letting them be brought into some hospitals. I work with a group that takes therapy dogs to veteran's hospitals, nursing homes, psych wards, children's hospitals and detention facilities for troubled teens with amazing results. Even some prisons are finding that prisoners who are entrusted with the care of a pet are able to rehabilitate more quickly and with lasting results.
What's my favorite? I can't even kill a wasp if it gets into the house. I catch it in a jar and take it back outside.
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I just love making people smile. My hope is that my art catches people off guard, and makes them laugh in unexpected, silly ways. Much of my art includes animals, and I think by portraying their beauty and devotion in playful ways, it will bring awareness to the need for all of us to take loving care of all the animals in our beautiful world.
Each month, I will answer a question in the hope that it will encourage you, the reader, to expand your awareness of your own artistic nature. Just play and have fun, like you did when you were a child! I will also reveal the story behind my art. For each featured piece, you will learn how the idea came to me, and see the fun I had creating each piece. And I will offer my suggestions for the perfect place in your home or workplace for that piece of art.
I want to encourage you to have fun, and feel free to be playful in life. I truly believe, when we feel happy, we can reach out and share that happiness with each other and with animals. Good things will naturally happen when happy people open their hearts.
For me it is Merry Christmas, but whatever your faith, may this coming holiday season and the new year bring you peace, love, and contentment.
Cheers,
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Ordinarily, I would never go for something called Whack a Cat, but this is really cute. Enjoy.
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