Tag: longhaired dachshund

Darby Calendar: August

Butterfly Darby by Moira McLaughlin, 2012

For August's image of my Longhaired Dachshund Calendar tribute to Darby I wanted to experiment with:

1.) a limited palette
2.) drawing
3.) my Darby stamp from Lush Prints

Here's where I started…

I made several Darby images. Here are a few…

I kept looking at Matisse's work…

Harmony in Red by Henri Matisse, 1908

But it had too many colors. So I moved on to Mark Rothko's Orange and Yellow…

Orange and Yellow by Mark Rothko, 1956

Drawing Darby hurt. He felt more elusive than ever. I am having trouble pushing through. Maybe I don't want to finish this project. Maybe that's why I like the unfinished quality to Butterfly Darby. I'll leave it at that…

Butterfly Darby

See previous images of my Darby Calendar here. It is a tribute to my 17-year-old Longhaired Dachshund who passed away in December of 2011.

July 9, 2012
Happy Holidays!

One of my first collages of my little elf.

Thank you for your continued support. It has been powerful to connect with you as I make my way through the sadness and find the joy again. I am deeply grateful.

Wishing you a happy holiday season and wonderful new year! — Moira

December 23, 2011
Happy Birthday Darby!

For Darby's 17th birthday I wanted to make a short film of him peacefully sitting in his favorite spot. Like Andy Warhol's "Sleep," maybe I could get him napping and make a quiet, soulful tribute to my very old dog. This is how it turned out..

Happy Birthday to the little dog who changed my life.

Thank you for not always letting me be in charge.

I love you.

If you can't see the video in your email, view it here on YouTube.

Credits: Projector sound effects by nemoDaedalus, available for free under the Creative Commons license at Freesound.org. Camera by Sheila Cameron on her iPhone 4s . Edited by Moira McLauglin in iMovie.

November 20, 2011
When Darby Met Grace: Darby’s Photo Shoot with Grace Chon

Last fall, when Grace Chon, recent friend and LA pet photographer, offered me a photo session of Darby, my Longhaired Dachshund, in exchange for some PR help, I flipped. I had been a fan of Grace’s work since she emailed me to introduce herself and her company, Shine Pet Photos. In fact, I had featured her on my blog more than any other photographer at the time. I loved her work and her design aesthetic.

The session was scheduled for November 21, the day after Darby’s 14th birthday. The timing was perfect. When Darby was a pup, his birthdays were exciting. We went on adventures at the Tree People preserve or hiked up Runyon Canyon with his friends. Now, I hate to even write this, each year passes with a sense of foreboding. Oh no, my puppy is 14…that’s…I won’t even do the math…in human years. I get depressed.

With the photo shoot scheduled, I couldn’t suppress the thought, “I am so glad I am doing this now…before it’s too late.” Morbid. I know. But I couldn’t help it.

But, when Grace showed up, something completely unexpected happened. First, Darby fell in love with her. Yes, she was plying him with treats, but there was something else too. She was so focused on him, not just her camera, but her energy, that they totally connected and really started to work together. And me, I got to step back and simply watch. And watching him frolic and smile and obey was like watching him when we went to puppy school together, but better.

Perhaps it’s what it feels like to attend your child’s recital. I was so proud of him and I was thrilled that someone else, Grace, got to really know Darby’s unique personality. Our dogs are shapeshifters. They are complex little beings we have intense, finely tuned relationships with when we are alone, and then, when someone comes over, they turn into pets. But this didn’t happen with Grace. Grace met Darby. She got to know him, one-on-one, and it was so fun to watch.

And that’s what surprised me, that as much as I LOVE these amazing photographs, the memory of that morning is just as special to me. Just as precious.

By the time it was over, Darby had reverted to complete puppyhood. In fact he started doing something I hadn’t seen him do in years. He humped Grace’s arm. It was completely inappropriate and completely hilarious. And it reminded me of Grandpa Joe getting out of bed and dancing when Charlie finds his ticket to the Wonka Factory. Darby was young and vital and madly in love. And it was as beautiful to behold as each of these photographs.

Thank you Grace, for that day and for these images that I will treasure forever.

See more of Darby’s photos here or schedule a session for your dog at Shine Pet Photos.

January 7, 2009
Dachshund for Obama

One more day! Darby, my Longhaired Dachshund, hopes for change. He hopes the polls are right and Barack Obama will be our next president. His mom hopes her hopes won't be dashed like the last two elections. Go vote! Go Obama!

Order a Darby Hope print from my Etsy shop. Or t-shirts, mugs, note cards, and journals from CafePress. Email me to create a hope poster for your dog.

Dachshund for Obama women's t-shirt

Dachshund for Obama men's t-shirt

Dachshund for Obama baby onesie

Dachshund for Obama mug

See more art for Obama at ArtofObama.com

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November 3, 2008
My Dachshund Christmas Cards…and more gifts!

My latest design inspired by my Longhaired Dachshund Darby. Comes as Christmas cards and lots of other fun gifts.

Like an ornament:

Or a pillow:

I also did a white background version that looks super cute on a toddler’s t-shirt:

and a baby’s onesie:

Oh, and I also like how it came out in red:

I’ll stop…you get the idea : )

December 6, 2007
Dachshund Gifts

Dachshunds rank number 6 on the list of most popular dog breeds in the U.S. Obviously they rank number 1 in my mind as I grew up with a Wirehaired Dachshund named Rhett and now live wtih a Longhaired Dachshund named Darby. So, I’ll admit it, Doxies are my favorite. Here are some Christmas gift ideas for the Dachshund obsessed people in your life.

This image entitled “dox-ZEN” still proves to be one of my most popular designs. Seen here on a 5.5″x5.5″ keepsake box made of hardwood and ceramic tile. It’s perfect for holding jewelry, momentos, keys, etc. Here is a generic side view:

Also, 4 coasters fit perfectly inside. A nice gift for your cocktail Wienie Dog friends.

I featured this design in an earlier Christmas cards post, but I think it’s extra sweet with Dachshunds pulling Santa’s sleigh. It reminds me of little Max pulling the Grinch down to Who-Ville.

I posted about this book Picasso & Lump: A Dachshund’s Odyssey by David Douglas Duncan back in April. Since then, it has consistently remained atop my search stats. I think Dachshund owners are fascinated that the single creature who really touched Picasso’s heart was one of their own. I know I am. This book is a perfect gift for a Doxie lover.

If you want the real thing, or at least a reproduction of the real thing, how about Picasso’s famous Dachshund drawing, The Dog. Presented in a crisp black and white matte with an elegant black frame. Pure genius!

My Wirehaired Dachshund Angel ornament spreads the message of peace I think we are all craving this year.

My Mother surprised me with this book for Christmas one year, Day of the Dachshund by Jim Dratfield. I adore it. It’s so funny and charming, just like a Dachshund. It would be a great hostess gift or Secret Santa present for the Dachshund lover on your list.

I just sold one of these Dachshund totes yesterday. It’s looking like my Striped Dachshund gifts – mugs, cards, t-shirts, aprons – are going to be the big sellers for me this year.

Holiday Doxie Christmas Cards with a Picasso vibe.

Pierre Bonnard is one of my favorite painters, and not just because little brown Dachshunds frequently appear in his work. Well truth be told, that’s what made me notice him, but then I fell in love with his color palette and the Asian influence in his work.

The Vigil is one of his paintings that makes my heart hurt I love it so much. I often place Darby on a pillowed chair and pull him next to me while I work. He’s happy to keep me company for hours and his presence gives me a sense of calm. The Vigil so perfectly captures a Dachshund’s devotion and the peace he bestows by simply being your pet.

Groovy Doxie t-shirt with a Puma-style graphic. Click here to see all my Puma-style t-shirts in lots of great colors and styles. Email me to add your breed.

No Dachshund owner should be without a copy of David Hockney’s Dog Days. Pure Dachshund art brilliance!

Click here to read more about famous Dachshunds in history from Stacy (a 3 Doxie owner) of Mental Floss Magazine.

November 8, 2007
Darby Update

My Longhaired Dachshund Darby is doing great one week after he had his kidney removed. He’s eating, sleeping and attempting to take long walks — which he’s not allowed to do. And his tail’s wagging at full mast. Thanks again for all your kind messages and thoughtful prayers 🙂

I have to work on the screenplay this morning. More dog art later.

October 15, 2007
Bone of Art: Dog Pins

(Afghan Hound)

I’m loving these adorable sterling silver hand-pierced dog pins by Mary of Bone of Art available on Etsy. I’ve picked out some rare breeds here since they haven’t received much face time on my blog, but know it was super hard to choose since she features over 70 breeds and each one is a work of dog art. Only $36 each!

(Tibetan Terrier)

(Skye Terrier)

(Bedlington Terrier)

Of course I had to include this one in honor of Darby.

(Longhaired Dachshund)

I love how Mary gets the expression just right with just a few simple lines. Excellent display too. The pins really pop (as they say on QVC) on the green grass. She also makes cat, rabbit, fish and frog pins and darling dog breed charms.

October 1, 2007