Kylie

Have you ever learned about someone, and even though you never met them, you could just tell that they were special?  Well this happened for me with a sweet dog named Kaylie.

Kylie's mom contacted me for a painting because she wanted to surprise her husband with a gift, and gave me a little background about this sweet girl.

Kylie was born with micro opthalmia, a fancy term meaning that her eyes never fully formed in utero which has left her blind.  Kylie was adopted when she was just 10 weeks old.  A week later during a puppy check-up, the vet let her mom know that Kylie wouldn't live past a year old due to kidney problems.  She made it well past the year, and at 8 years old Kylie was told she wouldn't live another six months.  Well Kylie was a fighter and she is now still very much alive and happy at the ripe old age of 12.  

Kylie's mom wrote: "I want a way to always have her home with us, which is why I decided to order a portrait. A gorgeous canvas will add a touch of love. We know her time will eventually come to an end, but thankfully it will likely be due to old age, since she doesn't read the memos that she is sick."

Here are a few pictures of this girl:

And here is the finished portrait...

INSERT PORTRAIT

The family absolutely loved the portrait, and felt it captured her expression perfectly.  Dudley, one of the other family dogs, even barked at the portrait when he saw it!  After he calmed down, he just stared at it.  I am glad I got approval from Dudley! :)  Kylie's mom sent me pictures!

Kylie and her portrait

Dudley was in awe!

Thanks to Kylie's mom for not only sharing her story with me, but also sharing pictures of the happy family with their portrait.  While I have never met Kylie, I can tell that she is a fighter and one special dog and is lucky to have a family who loves her very much!