Before they became paintings, they were best friends, adventure partners, loyal companions, and cherished family members.
Tim Bit
"As hard as it is to have lost him, I would never trade this grief if it meant I never got to know and love him and I think that probably says it all."
Tim Bit was such a special little dog. I got him as a baby after a bad breakup and when I was living on my own in my early twenties, so for a long time, it was just me and him. I always count myself so lucky that I got to love a dog this much and that he loved me so much in return.
He was so in tune emotionally, and so level and happy himself that I think he couldn't help but bring a smile to everyone's face. It might sound silly, but I truly feel that he understood me in a way that very few people ever have.
Despite being sickly most of his life, he was truly such a light in my life and always so happy. He wanted to love everyoneand had such a gentle spirit. He often won over folks that were nervous around dogs because he was so calm and kind, at times to a fault. I also thikn he had a way of knowing what people needed, from knowing not to rush you at the door and patiently waiting for a snuggle once you put your things down, to showing up seemingly out of nowhere the minute a hard feeling came up, to acting like his goofy self when a laugh was the best medicine, he just always knew.
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I often picture him watching musicals (he loved those), sitting up tall because he knew I loved it, or snuggling up beside me no matter where i was sitting. He was like a little shadow and just always wanted to be near me.
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I think if someone asked me to define love, I would probably just tell them about Tim beause it was the most uncomplicated love I know. I miss him everyday still, despite it being almost two years since he passed. Some dogs are just extra special and he was just my special boy and always will be.
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As hard as it is to have lost him, I would never trade this grief if it meant I never got to know and love him and I think that probably says it all.
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- Hayley
Ottawa, ON
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AJ
"He was purchased for the price of one subway sandwich but is worth his weight in gold."
Aj is one of a kind! An odd (unplanned) mix of German shepherd, lab and whippet. He was purchased for the steep price of one subway sandwich but is worth his weight in gold. He is eager to please and a quick study due to his addiction to anything edible, apart from vegetables. He is so cute and charming he even weasled his way into sleeping in grandma's bed on occasion! There will never be another AJ!
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- Megan
Cardinal, ON
Guinness
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Guinness came into our lives at the very beginning of our story. We were just babies ourselves, learning to navigate the world, and here was this handsome gentleman, demanding all of our love and affection. He quickly became the glue that held us together through so many life events, moving cities, starting our first adult jobs, getting married (he was our unofficial ring bearer!), and beginning our own little family. He may not have wanted a sibling at first, but he eventually relinquished his room to the tiny bundle who would take over the house. Loyal to a fault, he was fiercely protective of his family.
He had two great loves in this world: his Dad and an orange Chuck-It ball. Seriously, that ball was like a soother. Once it was thrown, he was relentless. Anyone who picked it up became his new best friend (like it or not!). Guinness made friends everywhere he went, including cousins at family reunions and grandparents galore.
He was infamous in our family for his quirky antics: hating windshield wipers, rolling in mud puddles, pulling down Grandpa’s pants to get his ball (because Grandpa wasn’t throwing it fast enough!), and climbing ladders onto rooftops just to be near his Dad. Through it all, he brought laughter, love, and endless memories into our lives.
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This picture is one of our favourites. His 'joker' smile never ceased to put a smile on our faces, mostly because it meant we got a break from playing fetch. We are so very excited to have this beautiful memento hanging up in our own home to honour, the man, the myth, the absolute legend, Guinness.
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- Amanda
Red Deer, Alberta
"He had two great loves in this world: his Dad and an orange Chuck-It ball."
