Dog Days of Summer

The “dog days of summer” have taken on a whole new meaning, thanks to my friend Judith Gwyn Brown, a renowned New York artist and illustrator. Judith has illustrated more than 40 children's books -- so many she can barely keep them all straight -- and though she absolutely adores what she does, her true love is painting animals (particularly dogs).

Knowing her passion for canines, it doesn't surprise me that Judith has decided to offer a portion of the proceeds of her commissioned pet portraits to P.A.W.S. of the Vineyard, the all-volunteer, not-for-profit Pet Adoption and Welfare Service of Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts.

Not only do pet owners have a chance to have a beautiful portrait of the creature they love that's a work of fine art, they’ll be helping to save the lives of abandoned dogs and cats who might otherwise have suffered a terrible fate. For more than two decades, P.A.W.S. also has offered an Island-wide spay/neuter program with local veterinarians; proceeds from Judith’s pet portraits can be designated to provide coupons to Martha’s Vineyard pet owners to help alleviate the ever-rising cost of spaying or neutering.

I happen to know that Judith was courted by and considered charities that are a lot more high-profile than P.A.W.S. of the Vineyard, but her generosity is not born of vanity. Judith chose P.A.W.S. of the Vineyard in honor of its founder, her dear friend AnnaBell Washburn, an animal activist and one-time "mom" to 26 cats.

I find Judith's loyalty refreshing and incredibly inspiring. I hope her days are filled with opportunities to immortalize many dogs, cats and even horses for their loving families -- so that P.A.W.S. of the Vineyard will remain as vibrant as Judith is.