The Tawny Tail

This is probably the very beginning of the Rowdy Gypsy Tails. Well, maybe not the very beginning...

In any case, we had this great little terrier, Tawny. She was a feisty little thing. We got her for free at a yard sale.
Actually, it was a grade school yard sale and we were selling things. Luke was in kindergarten, and Tim was in 5th or 6th grade.
At the end of the day, this lady comes walking by, with this little 5 month old puppy on a leash. The woman is calling out, 'I still need a home for this dog - it's free!" It turns out she had other dogs, and this little one was causing fights.
So, the boys looked at the puppy, and of course fell in love. When Dad came to help load up the sale remains, we asked him about the puppy.
"Well," said Dad, "I guess I'll take trouble if it comes free, but I'm not going to pay for it." So she came home and we named her Tawny, for her color.

Now, who would think a little 5 month old puppy could cause trouble? But, being a terrier, Tawny was feisty, indeed.
So, Mom and Tawny were off to obedience school. Now, this was my first encounter with obedience school. The instructor was a loud, tough acting, biker-type woman, who in the first class told us, 'This is not a fashion show! Wear practical shoes!'
She was a real toughy, who told me I really needed to get Tawny in line. She had me jerking Tawny around, this little 10 lb. ball of terror. Poor thing. But she survived, and we developed a wonderful relationship.
Tawny was a biter, and we even had an episode with Tawny under the desk, defending her space, and me right under there with her, proving 'you're not going to bite me!' Anyway, I'm not proud of it, but we both came out of it okay.
In time, Tawny was a wonderful family member. We had desert tortoises, who we had from hatching, and also a pair of found box turtles, who bred regularly. We would watch to see where the female laid her eggs, and when the little guys would hatch, we would call Tawny over to see the baby turtles, and hold them, and let her sniff, and pet her, and let her know this was a member of the family and not to be touched.
One day I came home from work, and Tawny was in the back yard barking. She usually came in through the doggy door to say 'hi'.
So as I came in the house, I called out 'Hi Tawny! It's me, I'm home!' But Tawny stayed in the back yard, barking, barking, barking!
I went to the back door, and called again. Tawny would not come in. She stood in one spot and kept barking. So I went outside to get her.
There, between Tawny's front legs, was a brand-new turtle hatchling! Tawny was protecting it and barking to alert us to it's presence! She was not going to move until we found the new baby turtle!
And this was a little rescue dog, that someone picked up at the dog pound, and then couldn't keep because she didn't get along with their other dogs.

Why Buy The Work Of Other Artists?

I love to go to art fairs. I love to look at all the works of different artists. Each one has his/her own unique style, media, presentation, and so forth.
I have no desire to copy the work of others. There is no originality in that. But I do find inspiration.
I love to find a work of body art (jewelry or clothing) that is in a media or style previously unknown to me. If an artist can work metal, wire, or other materials into an object that decorates the human form in some way I have not imagined, or outside of my skill realm, I am so impressed.
I realize that person has spent many hours and dollars on: learning their skill, practicing and refining that skill, purchasing and/or creating materials and tools, the final design and fabrication process, and the whole marketing scenario.
To spend $30 or $100 or whatever, for that skilled and talented person's artwork is more than worth it. To wear the work of another artist is a privilege. I take a little piece of that person's life with me, through my life.
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