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Czarny is a 90 pound Central Asian Shepherd dog who, along with his three siblings, was surrenderd to DuPage County Animal Care & Control. This gentle giant is giving back to his shelter friends by submitting his creation for the Dog Art Challenge for Charity.

With help from Kendall, a member of DCACC’s Pet Crazy Kids Club, Czarny created “Forever Home Fiesta.” Gotta love the size of those feet! Can you picture Czarny’s creation in your home or office? If so, mark your calendar for the Challenge Gala Auction on March 20, 6PM, at Arlington Racetrack. Bring your checkbook and help Czarny and others raise money for pet charities.

If you are looking to adopt a kitty artist, now is your chance! The latest entry for The Dog Art Challenge, “Poquito Pawcasso,” was created by a Poquito, a Domestic Short Hair cat up for adoption at DuPage County Animal Care & Control. Poquito arrived at the shelter as a 4 week old kitten and has matured into a “super friendly cat who loves to sit on your shoulder.”

Kaitlyn, a member of the Pet Crazy Kids Club at DCACC, and Dina, the Club director, were Poquito’s assistants.

For more information on Poquito or the Pet Crazy Kids Club, visit DCACC.

Earlier this year, Kacey, a Pharaoh Hound, ran away from a dog show in Tennessee. Although she was spotted several times, it took 11 days and plenty of helpers to finally catch her. Read about the volunteer efforts that finally brought Kacey home to New York on Karin TarQwyn’s website. Karin is a private investigator specializing in missing dogs.

Once home, she plopped in her “chair” and seemed very happy to stay there! Now, this chair has been transformed and will be offered in The Dog Art Challenge Auction to benefit Pharaoh Hound Rescue. The piece is appropriately titled “Kacey’s Rescue Chair.”

What a happy ending and a great piece of art!

As previously mentioned, Centra Bark Doggie Daycare in Oswego, included “painting” as part of its Grand Opening Celebration. About a dozen dogs contributed to the group piece titled “Chaotic Fun.” And it certainly was that! What a perfect frame for this fun piece!

Atticus wasn’t sure he liked painting at first. But, with a little help (and a piece of hot dog) we coaxed him to contribute a paw print.

If you haven’t yet created your masterpiece for the Challenge, you still have time! Entry forms should be downloaded and returned by 11/30.

Lucky, a 10 year old Asian Elephant working in the Asian Elephant Art Conservation Project (AEACP), created today’s unique masterpiece for the Challenge. Lucky was found as an orphan and taken to the Phnom Tamao Rescue Center in Cambodia. Unfortunately, the habitat for Asian elephants has disappeared to the extent that these elephants cannot roam free and must find a way to live among people. Through AEACP, elephants and their caretakers, called mahouts, can support themselves via art and tourism versus illegal activities or begging.

This past October, AEACP held a “Trunk Show.” It was a runway show and auction featuring fashions made from silk painted by the elephants. If you are looking for unique fashions, a few pieces are still available on AEACP’s website.

Hopefully the elephants will inspire you to create a masterpiece with your pet for the Dog Art Challenge for Charity.

“All us dogs are being shown up by cats & horses!” That’s Burt’s quote upon receiving a masterpiece from another talented cat.

Denver, a Domestic Long Haired cat adopted in 2007 from A.D.O.P.T., created the piece called “Caged.” Denver is paying A.D.O.P.T. back by donating the proceeds from his work to the shelter.

Isn’t clever the way Denver’s mom prepped the canvas? The black & white is stunning but the “human added” yellow really makes it pop. The pictures as posted are too small to see a great added touch–a photo of the artist hidden in the work. You’ll just have to come to the auction and find the hidden photo in person.

Keep the great art coming!

Burt is thrilled to have three famous artists represented in the Dog Art Challenge for Charity.

Cholla is an equine artist with a worldwide following. His work has been displayed througout the U.S. as well as many foreign countries so we are fortunate to have one of Cholla’s pieces in the Challenge Auction.

The Asian Elephant Art & Conservation Project is helping to save Asian elephants by working with those in captivity. Sales of elephant art provide an additional source of income that helps care for aging or out of work elephants. In addition, they help support conservation efforts for wild elephant populations.

Lastly, Tillamook Cheddar, a Jack Russell Terrier with an international reputation as a “scratch” artist has also agreed to submit a piece. Our first submission to the Challenge titled “Jack Russell Stampede” was created by three JRT’s. So, for now, they are the best represented artists.

So, spread the word, break out the tempera paints and create your masterpiece now! The more pieces we have, the more money we can raise for pet charities.

We continue to receive artwork for the Dog Art Challenge for Charity. So far, we have work from dogs, horses, elephants and now cats! Are there other painting pets out there? You have until the end of November to submit your masterpiece so start painting!

Do you recognize our Cover Cat from June, White Face, in the bottom photo? She and her friends had a painting party and created several pieces of art including the awesome set of coasters pictured. This item and other “kitty art” will be part of the Dog Art Challenge Auction in March.

Burt is thrilled with the latest donation for the Dog Art Challenge for Charity. Two Beagles (Bailey & Humphrey), along with a little direction from their mom, submitted the gorgeous picture titled “Autumn Paws.”

Humphrey was rescued this summer from BREW (Beagle Rescue Education & Welfare), so proceeds from the sale of “Autumn Paws” will go to this group.

You have until the end of November to submit your masterpiece so start painting!