Bonnie

Bonnie

rabbit

rabbit

Lisa

Lisa
colour 8x10

Mrs Blore

Mrs Blore
graphite 8x10

Oakley

Oakley

About Me

My Photo
artbykarieann
I am a part-time pet portrait and wildlife artist living in the deep dark forest between the Royal Forest of Dean, Herefordshire and the Welsh border. A beautiful and inspiring place to live and create pet portraits and wildlife art.
View my complete profile
Powered by Blogger.
Monday 26 April 2010

Willy, chocolate dutch rabbit

Hopefully my last post with bad news.
Today has not been a good day at all. Today my beloved Willy, my chocolate dutch rabbit was put to sleep. For a few weeks we have been fighting a chest infection, forced feeds, antibiotics, vegetarian baby food, pineapple juice and rabbit medicines have been at the forefront of each day as I tried in vain to get him better. I had thought until yesterday, that things were looking up as he had started to eat grass when in a run in the garden. Alas it didn't last and after a run around the living room last night, his chest infection got the better of him and he failed to catch his breath all night. I stayed up with him and he licked my hands and was happy to be cuddled until I realised things couldn't carry on. He has been buried with a carrot in his rabbit run and is finally at rest.
To say I was a mess is an understatement.
Before my beloved William, I owned an identical chocolate dutch rabbit called Wilbur. I do believe Wilbur helped me through a serious illness. My parents allowed me to move him into my bedroom when I was too poorly to sit outside with him and he would happily sleep on my bed as I wasted hours watching rubbish on television, unable to do much else. When I was better, I remember sitting outside with him when he careered down my sister's wheelchair ramp at high speed loosing his footing and twisting himself as he went over on the corner. Unfortunately he trapped a nerve, and over the next few weeks became lame, until I had to admit the inevitable and have him put to sleep. Because he was my best friend during my illness, I decided never to have another bunny, let alone one who looked and behaved exactly the same, until one day we stopped at a garden centre, and there he was, my new Willy. Another chocolate dutch rabbit. A lady had ordered a pair and decided to take only the female. He'd been a permanent pet at the garden centre for over 6 months. In the end William moved in with my boyfriend before I did and became a firm favourite. I was near enough convinced they were one and the same as they were so alike. William and Wilbur were the two most friendly cuddly rabbits I ever met and today Willliam has passed away. I am absolutely devastated, I have 4 more rabbits all of which have been rescued but none compare to my Willy. None are as cuddly and are only there because I had him first and knew rabbits were adorable. None will match him even though I wouldn't trade them for all the tea in China (and I love tea) so today I feel a big hole has opened up and I don't want any more as nothing will ever match my two previous Willy's. I'm hoping now spring has sprung and that weather is warmer our animals will fare a little better than they have of late.

William the chocolate dutch rabbit and his best friend Rag.

FACEBOOKTWITTERYOU TUBEPICASAFLICKRDIGGDELICIOUSSTUMBLE UPON
Wednesday 21 April 2010

Cat Portraits, Lucky

Finally I have made myself sit down and get on with some art. The last few weeks have been a disaster for our livestock. In all we lost four geese (all females) to a mystery disease including my beloved 'Baby'. I think I mentioned the major disaster with my fish tank but to top it all my rabbit now has pneumonia and is quite poorly. I've manage to keep him going with regular feeds and medication and our vet is astounded he has made it this far. We are off for another appointment this evening.
And finally, just to add to my woes, I've got the cold from hell. My nose is up for the part of Rudolph!!!
Anyway, enough moaning, all done, I'd like to thank all my blogger friends and facebook pals who have left me messages at my sad time.....
But now, some good news......I'm getting married! I've booked it up and now I've really done myself no favours after the past weeks as it is in less than four months away (no it isn't a shotgun wedding) but it is the day before my other half's and sister's birthdays so it will be a big bash. No doubt I'll be keeping you informed of the goings on as things progress as I think I could be very busy!!!

Plus I managed to take some photos of some wild boar we found in the woods. In all there were 3 sows with 8 piglets (aren't they cute). The sows are supposedly very intolerant of anyone approaching their young, however this group were busy eating bluebell bulbs and showed little interest in me. I decided to be brave and got out of the truck to walk towards them to get some shots and they completely ignored me. After my camera battery ran out I did retreat to the truck and one did follow me back which was a little horrifying at first but she had a look at quite close quarters but then just wandered to the grass verge.
Anyhow, hopefully I'll be posting a little more frequently now things are slightly less stressful so speak to you all soon!!!

FACEBOOKTWITTERYOU TUBEPICASAFLICKRDIGGDELICIOUSSTUMBLE UPON
Monday 5 April 2010

Lack of pet portraits

With apologies to everyone for my lack of updates lately. We have been and still are in the midst of a disaster here. Our beloved toulouse dewlap and embden geese have contracted a disease which we have lost 3 females to, and we still have a further 2 very ill. Aside from this, I've had a disaster with my fish tanks. I rather stupidly bought fish online and it seems they were all diseased and have devastated my fish stock. It's been quite sad because some fish were quite old and even moved house with me. I just can't believe how stupid I have been, I'm so particular usually, I investigate each fish I want to find out compatibility and requirements and then I only ever choose healthy specimens, alas my lack of common sense on this occasion has caused me untold problems. I have been replacing 75% of my tank water every day, no mean feat when both tanks are over 400 ltrs so it's been quite time consuming! On top of my mini disasters, it is breeding time here, plus I am completely obsessed with looking after Shizzle the squirrel so I've lost all effort with my art. It's all sat there looking at me and telling me I need to get back to it otherwise I never will. Let's hope my next blog update actually contains some art!

FACEBOOKTWITTERYOU TUBEPICASAFLICKRDIGGDELICIOUSSTUMBLE UPON
Copyright (c) 2008 -2010 Karie-Ann Cooper. All rights reserved. All images, words and text remain the copyright of Karie-Ann Cooper. All artwork on this blog is protected by copyright law and must not be used, copied or downloaded without the permission of the artist