This year, some family friends asked me to paint their dogs who passed away. I’ve painted a lot of dogs before, but this felt different. It wasn’t just about getting the colors right or making them look the same, it was about trying to show who they were to the people who loved them.
The first dog I painted was Coco, an adorable and super frisky boxer from Burlingame. You could tell just from hearing about her that she had a huge personality. I tried to capture her energy and sweetness at the same time, like she was about to jump up or run across the room. Coco loved sitting on the couch by the window, watching people, birds, and squirrels. Painting her made me feel like she was still on high alert in the window.
Then there was George, a mixed breed who had been part of his family for years. He seemed like the kind of dog who was always there no matter what. The photo I got of George looked like he was actually smiling. When I painted him, I wanted it to feel calm and familiar, like home. Like the kind of presence you don’t always notice until it’s gone.
The last dog was Oliver, a Labrador retriever who loved his family so much, especially his “mom,” Michelle. I was told he was by her side every single day, and that really stuck with me. When I painted Oliver, I tried to show that connection, the quiet kind of love that doesn’t need words. He even had a San Francisco Giants tag on his collar, which I thought was really cute, apparently he was a fan.
I feel really honored that I was trusted to paint these dogs. It’s not just art, it’s something people will keep forever to remember a dog they loved so much. Dogs are so special. They’re not just pets. They’re part of your life, your routines, and your memories. They’re there for the good days and the bad ones, and they love you no matter what.
Even though Coco, George, and Oliver are gone, I like to think they’re running free somewhere, probably in doggy heaven, still watching over their families.
I’m really grateful I got to paint them.
Rest in peace, Coco, George, and Oliver.