Dog Art Today

DOGTV for Your Dog (and You)

 

 

Relaxation

Have you heard about DOGTV?  It's the first cable channel designed for stay-at-home dogs.  I don't have it yet. Right now it's only available on San Diego on COX (channel 2635) and Time Warner (channel 148).  But you can subscribe to find out when it's coming to your area. 

I viewed three of their videos and felt better than I've felt in a long time.  Since Darby died, I've missed my fix of all-encompassing-dog-centric moments.  I think DOGTV might have several untapped markets including people like me who are craving dogs, but for whatever reason, don't have one.  And wouldn't it be great for dog artists to have it on in the background while they work?  I would even like to have it on while I blog.  I confess, MSNBC is my default ambient noise.  It's not healthy. 

If you and your dog get DOGTV, I'd love to hear a review. 

 

 

Stimulation

 

Exposure

Exposure is my favorite.   I love the dog's POV and the panting noises.   But there is some controversy that it glorifies dogs riding in the back of pickup trucks.   I agree.   I hate seeing that, even if the dogs looked blissed out.

Watch this video with Dr. Nicholas Dodman to understand the behavioral science and technical research behind the clips.  And see dogs watching DOGTV.  It really looks like they are enjoying it.

Dr. Nicholas Dodman Discusses DOGTV and How to Watch It

DOGTV really is made for dogs.   But I think, just like a real dog, it would be good for humans, too.

Elderly Animals by Isa Leshko

 

 

Kelly, Irish Wolfhound, age 11

Isa Leshko began photographing elderly animals shortly after spending a year caring for her mother who has Alzheimer's disease. During that time she made the conscious decision not to photograph her family, but she knew the experience would influence her work.

About a year after she returned home, she was mesmerized by a blind, elderly horse named Petey who lived on a relative's property.  She spent the afternoon photographing him.  After reviewing the film, she realized she found a way to sift through her feelings about her mother's illness and her own fears about aging and death.  She subsequently traveled to farm sanctuaries in several states to photograph elderly animals. She spent hours with each one, often visiting them more than once, and sometimes just lying with them before taking a single photo.  I think that intimacy and respect shows in her images.  She met pigs, chickens, sheep, roosters, monkeys, horses, and several dogs...

 

Red, Chow Mix, age 14+

 

Blue, Australian Kelpie, age 19

 

Kiri, Great Plains Wolf, age 17

Filmmakers Mark and Angela Whalley made this film about Isa Leshko's Ederly Animals project...

Elderly Animals: Photographs by Isa Leshko from Mark & Angela Walley on Vimeo.

Isa Leshko's website.

Interview with her in The New York Times.

Hero the Rescued Dog from Iraq

Hat tip to my friend and fellow dog lover Leigh Talbot for sending me this video.