I
have mentioned before how much I enjoy making new connections on
LinkedIn. When you make a new friend, LinkedIn gives
you other people that share your interests.
One suggestion I received was for Mark Barone and it featured his photo
with paintings of dogs. Intrigued by the
fabulous art, I clicked to read more about him.
I was so moved by what I discovered that I immediately asked to join his
circle. When he accepted, I asked if it
would be okay to write a post about the work he, Marina Dervan, and Brenda
Cooper are doing to bring awareness to shelter dogs. They were so kind in making themselves
available for questions and supplying me access to their photos.
♥ This is Blue's Night Light ♥ |
Be
prepared to discover An Act of Dog, Museum of Compassion. This is a poignant reminder of the plight of
shelter dogs in America. Mark spends his
days capturing the souls of dogs who did not make it out of the shelter system. Through his art, you feel the presence of
these animals, the love they yearned for, but never found, and the hope that
other dogs will be luckier. Mark and
Marina’s goal is to immortalize 5,500 dogs and permanently display this
inspiring exhibit, build a forever fund, and use 100% of the donations towards
saving shelter animals. The hope is to
have an educational platform to promote compassion for all animals.
From the An Act of Dog website:
FUSING THE POWER OF ART, WITH THE
SCIENCE OF COMPASSION AND THE HEART OF PHILANTHROPY
Education is the bridge to compassion, and if we are to help our
children navigate the world outside with tolerance, compassion, and acceptance,
then we must educate their hearts and minds to produce socially
and emotionally aware adults, who understand that compassion is not a luxury,
but a necessity for our survival.
♥ Mehama's Night Light ♥ |
In
Mark’s words, "We
did this for significant cultural change. We want to inform the general public about
what's going on, that their tax dollars are basically going to fund killing
machines at these shelters." I know
that we all know people in the dog and shelter worlds that are incredibly
devoted. Mark and Marina are amazing in
their efforts to make America a no-kill nation.
They gave up their regular jobs, retirement savings, and various
material comforts to fulfill their goal.
Mark has been an artist for over thirty years with his work featured in
top art publications, receiving countless awards, and exhibited throughout the
U.S.A. He was also a consultant to
cities across the country to show how the arts can revitalize blighted
neighborhoods. Marina spent over twenty
years as a corporate executive trainer, conflict resolution coach, and radical
honesty trainer, coaching executives from Wall St. to London.
In the spring of
2011, they moved from Santa Fe to Louisville, Kentucky in a space that is large
enough to accommodate the work and ample storage space. They work seven days a week. Mark is usually painting fifty 12”x12”
paintings of dogs at a time from dawn until around midnight. Marina is wearing a multitude of hats,
including the heart-breaking part of receiving and organizing new images and
stories they receive daily of dogs that have been put down at shelters.
An
Act of Dog
“Every generation is remembered for something. Let’s be the one to cultivate a compassionate
generation.”
I mentioned in the
beginning that the goal was to paint 5,500 dogs. This was
not just a random number. It is the number of dogs killed in American
shelters. EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. The
rate is double that for cats. It time
that we as a dog-loving nation stand up and say, “No more senseless killing of
dogs and cats unfortunate enough not to have a loving home.” I’d like to believe that we are better than
this. We are very quick to condemn other
countries for their treatment of stray dogs and cats. It’s time that we look in the mirror at our
own ways of dealing with the homeless pet population.
♥ Katrina's Night Light ♥ |
You
can help be a part of An Act of Dog “Candle Light Vigil” to honor the 5,500
forgotten shelter dogs that never lived to know love, and illuminate our homes
with their stunning portraits as fine art night-lights from the wall of compassion
exhibit. It would be awesome to light up
every home and let these lovely souls glow and unite us in a quest to save the
rest. You can order today and choose
from sixteen beautiful lost dogs. I had to
ask Mark if he had painted a Basset Hound and he sent me a photo pf
the one he
is currently painting. I hope to have
Grant, who was killed for having a food aggression, lighting my home for
Christmas. Each night light costs $38 and
would make a beautiful Christmas gift for the rescue lover on your list.
♥ Grant, the Basset Hound ♥ |
Mark admits that
some of the paintings have taken an emotional toll. Most of the portraits are in a 12”x12”
format, but ten of the especially tragic stories that exemplify “the excuses of
people to perpetuate the killing” have been selected for large scale 8’x8’
paintings. Please take a moment to
peruse through the An Act of Dog website.
I can tell you that it affected me in a way that I had not
expected. I hope to make a trip to
Louisville one day, visit the Museum of Compassion, and meet the remarkable Mark
and Marina.
This Collage of Compassion feature 4% of the 5,500 portraits. |
Below is a video
from An Act of Dog. They teamed up with
a documentary filmmaker to track the project until completion. I believe you'll enjoy it.
Our Tuesdays are also special because we join Dogz ‘n Pawz and Talking Dogs as they host Tuesday’s Tails. This blog hop features shelter pets from around the globe that need forever homes. Please visit and share these deserving dogs and cats on social media. To see the dogs available at PetSavers in Shreveport, click here.
**Last night I met
five of my best friends from high school for the first time in forever. I won’t say how many years it’s been, but a
lot of my audience wasn’t born yet. ☺
It was so much fun to see them again. It is true what they say about true
friends, no matter how much time passes, after a few minutes it is as if you
were never apart. Thanks for the
laughter and let’s get together again!
From L to R: Cindy Byrd, Tracy Carpenter, me, Jana Johnston (blue shirt), Debbie Berthelot, and Katy Blount. |
That's pretty awesome. This project sounds a little familiar to me, like I may have read about it previously but I just can't remember where now... Gorgeous portraits!
ReplyDeleteThey have been on several programs and magazines. The paintings are amazing. ☺
DeleteThis made me tear up!! Such gorgeous art to honor those losses. <3
ReplyDeleteThanks. It is a wonderful way to honor them and it really affected me. ♥
DeleteThat is very, very sad.
ReplyDeleteHave a terrific Tuesday.
Best wishes Molly
They are trying to make the outcome for shelter pets happy. #NoKillNation
DeleteWhat a wonderful artist and such beautiful work he does
ReplyDeleteHe definitely captures each dog's emotions. Their eyes speak.
DeleteI contributed to this project a year or so ago. Though his art is fantastic, I rarely visit the site because I always end up in tears. Thank you for a lovely article.
ReplyDeleteIt's an amazing project to remember the heartbreaking stories that happen 5,500 times a day. I'm so glad that you contributed to them. It is just so moving. I cried several times researching their story, but I am so thankful that I found their work. Thanks ♥
Deletehmmmm, my first comment disappeared!
ReplyDeleteAs I was saying, this is just amazing <3 You are wonderful for sharing!
ღ husky hugz ღ frum our pack at Love is being owned by a husky!
Thanks. They are putting a face to the faceless dogs lost in the "system." I'm glad that you liked it.
DeleteIt is so nice to meet up with DEAR "old" FURENDS.
ReplyDeleteIt really was so much fun. We went from how our grown children are doing to some that have grandchildren! Time flies. ☺
DeleteIt nearly breaks my heart, but maybe it helps to avoid that so much dogs have to die just because no one wants them.
ReplyDeleteThe work is incredible and it touches your heart to look into the dog's eyes. There has to be a better way.
DeleteBeautiful drawings! Nice you got to meet up with those old friends. Mom met up with her HS best friend she hadn't seen since the summer of graduation a couple months ago and really enjoyed the meetup.
ReplyDeleteMark Barone does incredible work. Isn't it strange how the years just dissolve and it's like you've never been apart? I hope to see them again soon.
DeleteI"ve read about this project before, but it's been awhile - going to go catch up on what he's done since last I looked.
ReplyDeleteOh good! They have quite a number of dogs painted. I'm sure you'll enjoy visiting.
DeleteWhat an inspiring project. I am always shocked at the number of euthanasia rate of shelter dogs and cats. It is very sad. Thanks to Mark and Marina for shedding light on this issue.
ReplyDeleteIt makes it real when you see those faces. Thanks for stopping by.
DeleteThat would be a wonderful project! It is so sad to think of the number of dogs who are just thrown away. Nice reunion too!
ReplyDeleteYour Pals,
Murphy & Stanley
Wow! This story is truly compelling...I couldn't stop reading... it makes me sad and hopeful at the same time. These people are making such an amazing emotional and physical sacrifice to better the world for dogs. I want to help, please let me know if I can continue what you have started, or if I can help spread the word in any way.
ReplyDeleteThank you Rachel. That is exactly how it grabbed me. You can contact them on their website, they are very nice. Every voice that is raised to bring attention to their project helps. ♥
DeleteThank you for sharing this story and awareness. Sad, just sad about how many animals are killed in shelters but there is a light at the end of the tunnel with the work that these two wonderful people are doing. What beautiful work Mark does. That basset hound picture is stunning! After I was all teared up it was nice to see you got together with your high school friends, how nice is that.
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing thing they are doing. It has to be so difficult dealing with those disheartening statistics and seeing the faces of those that are part of them.
ReplyDeleteHow nice meeting up with old friends is! You all look great (and not nearly as old as you were insinuating)!
Jan, Wag 'n Woof Pets