BECAUSE EVERY DOG IS A MASTERPIECE!
MASTERPIECE DOG
TM
MAGAZINE
5 Ways to be the BIGGEST LOSER with Your Dog Affordable Holiday Gifts for Dog Lovers Original Paintings on Canvas
Life Lessons Books
ON THE COVER Jody Wright's original painting on canvas of her rescued dog, Ryan. Ryan was found wandering the streets of a small town in WV. No one ever appeared to claim him and he eventially ended up at a Golden Retriever shelter because the rescuer hated the thought of such a beautiful creature being euthanized. This chocolate lab's original name was "Tater" and that was quickly changed by the artist and her husband to "Ryan"- which translates to "Little King". Today, "his lordship" has his own couch, is well loved, and enjoys running around a small town (hooked to a human, of course!)
Painting Title: "Mirror, Mirror" 24"x30". $1,600. Available at: Buck's County Gallery of Fine Art at: 77 W. Bridge Street New Hope PA 18938 (215) 862-5272
MASTERPIECE DOG
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PUBLISHER: WSG GALLERY EDITOR/ALPHA DOG Jody Wright For inquiries contact: WSG Gallery 330 Winchester Ave. Martinsburg, WV 25401 email: jody@wsggallery.com
1-NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2008
Š Masterpiece Dog 2008. All rights reserved. No part of this publication, including ANY artwork, may be duplicated without express written permission of the publisher. Masterpiece Dog is published bi-monthly. Unsolicited manuscripts, photos, etc. should include a SASE, otherwise they will not be returned. Masterpiece Dog is not responsible for inaccurate information or statements made by contributors or advertisers.
from the
Editor
Jody Wright
Welcome to our premier issue! Welcome to the very first issue of Masterpiece Dog! It's my great pleasure to bring you a magazine that celebrates each dog as a true MASTERPIECE. In this magazine I will share my colorful world of dogs with you, along with helpful articles, quotes, life lessons and some photos of dogs throughout the US. I celebrate all dogs, large and small, purebred or All-American! This magazine is about what is RIGHT with the world! You won't hear negative musings about the plight of the world, joyless sentiments about our economy or its demise. This is about beauty, art, joy and dogs! It's that easy.
So come. Sit. Enjoy.
Jody Wright Master of a Chocolate Lab's Universe
3-NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2008
MASTERPIECE DOG MAGAZINE
One HAPPY DAwG SHOP ALL OCCASION NOTECARDS Heavyweight cards 4 1/4" x 5 1/2". Envelopes included. Packaged in sets of 20. Each set has two different versions of the breed from Jody Wright's paintings. Sets will contain 10 of each version
Price: $24.95. (20 Cards & Envelopes) http://www.wsggallery.com/notecards.htm
These notecards are available for many different breeds.
50 Secrets Humans Should Know by Jody Wright THE PERFECT STOCKING STUFFER Looking for something small that will fit in a holiday stocking? This "charming petite" book is only 3 1/2" x 4" and priced for any budget at just $5.95! http://www.wsggallery.com/book.htm (Also available at major bookstores such as BORDERS, BARNES and NOBLE, and others) MASTERPIECE DOG MAGAZINE
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2008 - 4
ONE HAPPY DAWG SHOP . . . but a few cats came to visit too!
SHOP
page 2
JOURNAL and/or SKETCH BOOK Jody Wright's Blank Journal & Sketch Book is a durable, beautiful little blank journal to keep your nightly dreams in, your day dreams in, and to record your visions for the future. Sized at 5 1/2" x 8 1/2", it fits perfectly into your handbag or briefcase. Each blank journal has pages for you to write or sketch in (why not do both!). Artist Jody Wright's popular paintings grace the front cover. The two inside front pages tell about the artist, her love for companion animals and a signed note from the artist herself. SIX different blank journals are available.
$14.95 ea. plus shipping http://www.wsggallery.com/blankjournals.htm
Both Dog & Cat Journals are available
5 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2008
MASTERPIECE DOG MAGAZINE
Prints are available at www.wsggallery.com
LIFE LESSONS: WAG MORE! by Jody Wright
It’s early winter and the snowflakes are dancing in the air in front of me. Caught by a slight breeze, the white crystals parade first to the right and then to the left like chorus girls kicking before me. My brain seems to argue about the sanity of thirty degree weather and why any human would ever willingly leave the comfort of a toasty warm house to venture outside. Thunder, a huge border collie mix, doesn’t care about my brain’s ruminations. He has many selfappointed jobs and one is to walk his humans. We arrive shortly, as we always do on this route, to a barking, snarling Tasmanian Devil-dog named “Clutch.” Clutch has lived on an 8 foot chain in a backyard most of his years. When he stopped being a cute little puppy, he was forced to take on the role of a “yard dog.” He snarls and barks frantically. I love him dearly despite his ferocious mask. I reach into my pocket and remove a treat. Thunder is, of course, disappointed. He knows his human is going to take “his” treat and throw it to this barking mass behind the fence. As I do, Clutch quiets in anticipation. Reaching the gnashing teeth, the bone becomes one with stomach juices quickly.
My black and white friend who is leashed to me, nudges me. We continue walking. At exactly 20 paces, we hear a single quick and distinct bark. Since this has happened in the same way for years, I just smile. It’s Clutch saying, “THANK YOU!”. He always waits about 20 paces and always has the same short bark. It may be his only brush with human kindness today, but he never fails to acknowledge it. I’m not one for sticky, oozing, sentimentality. I know in my heart of hearts that if I ever crossed the boundaries of Clutch’s backyard - those gnashing teeth would sink deeply into any fleshy limb available. Yet I also know he’s doing the best he can with what he has to work with. Beyond the growling is a spirit that experiences what I experience. He knows firsthand what it’s like to be cold and alone. He knows about boundaries that others impose. He reacts, often rightfully, with fear.Yet through all this, he still has the good grace to bark a “Thanks” to a kindness. Thunder is tiring now. His short legs that are undersized for his massive chest, land heavily in the accumulating snow. We head back home.
6 - NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2008
As we walk, I silently wonder how I am able to always see past snarling, barking dogs and love them, but become quickly irritated with snarling, barking HUMANS. For example, when at the sub shop the woman behind the counter barks, “Do you know what you want?” (with an air of contempt that has an underling “stupid” implied) . . . I never resist. I snap back quickly, “I want polite SERVICE!” Could I ever resist such barking and offer her a kind word instead? At that moment, Thunder looks up at me and wags his white tipped tail. It is an all emcompassing, in-the-moment wag where all his ample rump moves rhythmically back and forth like a large woman swaying in a saddle. He must be thinking of the couch that awaits him. We are only steps from the comfort of a warm home. I smile and make a mental note to . . . “Wag more at HUMANS.”
MASTERPIECE DOG MAGAZINE
Fitness Notes:
Better than a Gym
5 Ways to be the "Biggest Loser" with Your Dog by Jody Wright
What if there was a way to have a beautiful body AND have a well-behaved dog in just a half-hour a day? Impossible? Sound too darned easy? Well it's time to consider your dog as your newest "personal trainer". At a time when pet obesity and human over-indulgence is at an all-time high, here's an option where you can celebrate being a "real loser" and LOVE IT! * Just say "no" to being a gerbil. If you are like
you don't have to pay a single dime for all that
many people, your treadmill is just one more
enthusiasm!
piece of furniture that you have to dust. Walking
* Pick up the pace. Don't try too much in the
on one often makes you feel like a hamster on his
beginning. Take your car out and map a quarter
exercise wheel. There's got to be more. Well look
mile, half mile and mile distance. Then slowly
no further. Your dog actually wants to walk with
build up to it. Keep your dog on a short leash so
you. Get the leash.
you are walking together (opposed to being
* Plan a good route. O.K. You are ready. You've
pulled as a human sled). Remember, you are the
got the O.K. from your doctor and know that you
leader in this, so stop only where you want to
can exercise, you have some great walking shoes
and not at every tree your "personal trainer"
and the dog has his leash on. Where to? That's
discovers. Start to slowly pick up the pace and
the fun part. There are so many options. Explore
distance.
all the parks in your city, if you have a small
* Socialize. Your dog will open up doors that
downtown - walk to it and window shop. Pick
were formerly closed to you because dogs are a
various destinations and go on adventures. A
way to have a common ground to talk with
varied walk will keep it interesting for both you
others. If you are shy, you've just found a way to
and your dog.
have a little conversation. If your single, you've
* Your Personal Trainer. Think of your dog as
just found a way to meet the opposite sex. If you
your new personal trainer. The dog will get used
don't run into anyone . . . well at least you'll be
to going for daily walks and will become pretty
looking great when you do!
insistent on going after a week or so. Best yet,
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MASTERPIECE DOG MAGAZINE
Fitness Notes Continued
Wasn't it a genius (Einstein) who said, "Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving." ? Walking is like that too. If you are looking to balance your dog's need for quality time and exercise with your own need to be healthy and look great - you may just have found the way in a simple walk each day. Keep moving.
MASTERPIECE DOG MAGAZINE
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2008 - 8
This season, choose a gift that will make someone sit down and say, "WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Make an investment that you can enjoy your entire lifetime - ART! There's enough ugliness in the world. Let's balance it with beauty. (Of course, I may be a tad biased . . .) All the paintings you see below are ORIGINALS. Acrylic on canvas. Gallery wrapped, painted edges, no frame required and ready to hang. For galleries and prices go to: http://www.wsggallery.com/dog.htm or simply call me, Jody Wright, at: 304-263-2391 AVAILABLE ORIGINAL PAINTINGS:
ADOPT A DOG ABOVE 9 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2008
MASTERPIECE DOG MAGAZINE
AVAILABLE ORIGINAL PAINTINGS by Jody Wright:
For galleries and prices go to: http://www.wsggallery.com/dog.htm or simply
call me, Jody Wright, at: 304-263-2391 MASTERPIECE DOG MAGAZINE
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2008 - 10