Champ and Girl: Client Profile

Champ, English Bulldog, 9 yrs old

Girl, English Bulldog, 13 yrs old

Champ and Girl posing with their custom paintings by The Pet Studio!

How did Champ and Girl come into your life?

Both Champ and Girl were adopted through local rescues/shelters. 

Champ was used as a bait dog for fighting in Miami. He eventually made his way to the local shelter where he was finally rescued and rehabilitated. Champ is now a therapy dog and is the spokes dog for Bullies Against Bullying, an anti-bullying campaign. 

Girl was dumped into rescue at the age of 10. She was used likely as a breeding dog and then tossed out when she was too old to produce puppies. Adopting a senior dog is such a wonderful experience. Girl is living out her golden years and being as spoiled as possible.

Champcasso creating a masterpiece. 

 Tell me a little about Champ’s volunteer work and ‘Champcasso’…

Champ is also an active member of Dog Scouts of America. DSA is a national organization with local troops scattered throughout the country. One of the things Champ has learned through DSA is to paint. The badge is called Art of Shaping. He doesn't just press a paw print against the canvas or even use a brush in his mouth. By shaping behavior with positive training (clicker and treats), we've transformed the commands 'shake', 'high five', and 'wave' into "brush strokes" (or should I say 'paw strokes'). Champ picks from a line of colors presented to him and he paints his masterpieces with his own creativity. (For about 6 months he refused to use yellow paint!) I really let him use his own creativity to paint. We've done some specialty paintings- like Team Spirit series (which used sports team colors) and Bullies For Boobies (a series of pink paintings to raise awareness for Breast Cancer research). His paintings are ‘pawdigraphed’ and sold or auctioned off to raise money for a variety of causes, including animal rescue and our anti-bullying campaign, Bullies Against Bullying. He is now known as ‘Champcasso’, the painting bulldog. He's been featured on a local TV show multiple times to showcase his painting. You can even follow Champcasso on facebook!

 How have Champ and Girl changed your life?

Champ has really touched so many lives. His story of survival is an inspiration and proves that anything is possible. He's brought awareness to dog fighting, rescue, puppy mills, and responsible pet ownership.

Girl has shown people that adopting a senior dog can be so rewarding. She sat in rescue for 6 months with no one interested in adopting her. Now she is adored by so many on Facebook.

There are so many wonderful pets out there who just need you to take a chance on them. Even purebred dogs like English Bulldogs are filling up rescues across the country.

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Stephanie Conrad

The Pet Studio | Owner | Artist
www.petstudioart.com

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Tupelo: Client Profile!

Tupelo

• Pit Bull Mix
• 4 Years Old
• Favorite Toys: Stuffed Toys and Sticks

Tupelo posing with his painting by The Pet Studio!

How did Tupelo come into your life?

I found Tupelo as a stray in the lower Ninth Ward of New Orleans. At the time, I was working with a non-profit, rebuilding homes in areas ravaged by Hurricane Katrina. I had just finished a meeting with a homeowner when, out of nowhere, this little black dog runs over and starts jumping all over me. He was a total mess, with a cut on his left ear (you can still see the scar from that wound today), bald patches over half of his body and he was obviously underweight. 

After playing with him for awhile, I got into my car, ready to leave for the day and in hopped this dog, who made himself comfortable on my passenger seat. I felt like I shouldn't leave him, but I was not ready to just take home a dog. I coaxed him out of the car but couldn't get him out of my head as I drove home. I called my wife (well, she was my girlfriend at the time) and told her about him. The next day, we went back and picked him up. I remember holding him in my arms when we picked him up. He was filthy and smelly but at the same time, it felt incredible to be saving this dog life.

Since we rescued him on Tupelo Street, it only seemed right to name him Tupelo right then to start off his new life.

Handsome Tupelo enjoying some sun.

How has Tupelo changed your life?

As it turns out, Tupelo was a very expensive dog! He needed special baths for his mange, he had heartworms and intestinal parasites and also suffers from allergies. We also had him neutered and needed to work with him on his basic behaviors, such as house-training and how to properly go on a walk. The first few walks that I tried to take Tupelo on did not go well. He would just plop on the ground and refuse to move. Thank goodness for my wife, because she was able to show me how to be patient with him and through some work, Tupelo himself has taught me the importance of patience and sacrifice. He brings joy into our lives and we love him dearly. Everybody that meets Tupelo falls in love with him because he is sweet, charming, and sneaky in his own cute way. 

What are Tupelo's funniest quirks?

Tupelo 'talks' in his sleep, which is adorable and keeps us entertained!
We also love his Darth-Vader-like noises that he makes when he wants a taste of our dinner.

Why did you choose The Pet Studio for your custom painting?

I chose The Pet Studio because in addition to the beautiful portraits, a portion of the painting is donated back to Animal Rescue. That means a lot to me. My expectations throughout the entire experience were exceeded by the artist's professionalism, care and talent! 

"Tupelo", original 16in x 20in Painting.

Note: A 10% donation from Tupelo's portrait was donated to Grand-Paws Senior Sanctuary, a non-profit organization working primarily with large-breed senior dogs. Grand Paws rescues senior dogs from high-kill shelters to let them live our their senior years in Santuary or in one of their lovely foster homes; safe, happy and loved! To donate to Grand-Paws yourself, click here.

______________________

Stephanie Conrad
The Pet Studio | Owner | Artist
www.petstudioart.com

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