For years when I’ve shown my portraits I’ve related these stories over and over and wanted some way to more broadly share the stories with others who would be just as moved as me. There are many more stories after these through portraits of dogs, of dogs and cats, of cats and people and dogs and people, of dogs and cats and grandchildren and more. I hope to publish other calendars, but for this first I chose the subject that first inspired me to find myself as an artist; I’ve focused on cats.

Because I want each portrait to stand out individually as you look through the day book, I chose a variety of subjects, coat patterns, media, shape, size and color theme so that one portrait doesn’t blend into the next. In addition, each of the stories tells of cats from shelters and cats abandoned and saved, cats found inside car engines and cats reluctantly surrendered by people who could no longer care for them, but each one has a happy ending as a cherished companion in a loving home.

And I can’t believe the generosity of the people whose beloved pets are included in this day book, each of whom unhesitatingly said “yes” when I called to ask if I could include their portrait in this idea and quickly gave me their rescue stories, and made time in their schedules when I came to take a photograph of some of the older portraits for higher quality reproduction. You were all as loving and generous as when we had worked together on your portrait, and what made me think you’d be different now?

And all of you, a decade or more later, are still rescuing cats and dogs, still feeding strays on your porch, still volunteering at shelters. It just goes to show that people who love animals are permanently good people.

I hope you enjoy both using and looking at your calendar, and that it gives you reassurance of the goodness of people who rescue cats and an enjoyment of the beauty of cats just being themselves.

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Great Rescues Calendar and Great Rescues Day Book are published by Beauty of a Moment Publishing

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