Custom Portraiture

Deli, a female boxer/bulldog mix, came into our family when she was 11 months old.  She had already been through so much – two homes that didn’t work out for her and a recently fractured leg.  Though we didn’t plan on having a dog (she originally belonged to our son) and she was indeed a handful, she won our hearts with her playfully inventive, adventurous and boisterous nature.
We were told countless times that the two breeds that made up Deli tended to have short lives, typically not living past 8 years.  As it turned out, she really didn’t begin to slow down until she was 8, and went on to live five more years!  As an older dog, Deli had much arthritic pain.  Even so, every night she was determined to travel the three flights of stairs from our bedroom to my husband’s home office, just to get that single, small treat she knew he reserved for her.  In her 13th year Deli deteriorate rapidly, her legs at times giving out completely. 
With a real concern for her safety, we coaxed ourselves into the difficult decision of having her in-home euthanized.  We booked an appointment with Alyssa Coulombe, of Serenity Veterinary Services, Edmonton, AB.  
In the afternoon, after a full day of Deli’s favourite things (including a great deal of steak and her all-time favourite – licking our plates clean!) Alyssa arrived.  Her approach was incredibly tender, with thoughtful and compassionate regard.  She was there with us and for us, and gave us private space and the time we needed to express our final good-byes.  We missed Deli for some time afterwards – all the little things – and grieved her loss.
My inspiration for offering custom portraits comes out this experience with Alyssa’s humane in-home euthanasia service.  I wish to offer something truly valuable to others, who hold such love for another, either still with them, or grieving their loss.