A difficult week.

Well, I have been expecting a death in the family with my mum being so ill, but, out of the blue we have had to endure the passing of our beloved puppy dog - Max, something we were not expecting at all.

This little fellow changed the dynamics of our family.
I remember the days before we got him - how I tried to convince my husband that a pug was really cute and not ugly and all that snorting was going to be fun.
It took about a year before we finally got to get one and of course the moment we saw him we HAD to have his.
He was so small,  I used to walk down at Warner's Bay with him in my pocket.

He had an amazing personality and would not allow me out of his sight when I was home, following me to the toilet and sitting beside me when I painted hence "Blackdogartworks"was born.

Now he is no more, having suffered what we think was a seizure last Saturday - we were not even home when it happened.

We found him the the backyard and it tore our hearts out.

Our family pets have always been treated like royality - pride of place on couches, special beds made and much love and devotion given to each one.
This little fellow stole our hearts - he was with us every breathing minute not more that a meter away from any member of the family that was at home.

He would be first in the door in the morning and last out at the end of each day.
He was smothered with hugs and scratched continually - he was even a hit on U Tube with snippets of him being viewed over a million times by people all over the world.

I miss him terribly. I miss him following me around and sitting by my side on the couch.
I miss him wanting his snacks and waiting at the door for me to come home.
I miss his snorting, his curly tail and his attitude.
Rest in Peace - Maximus.
I dont know if I can paint without you.
You were my muse - my lucky charm, my connection to that creative part of me.
I will always remember you.