In the summer of 2010, as she is wont to do, Marti went on a sabbatical to look into an art topic deeply. She had with her one of her cattle dogs, JoJo McGinnis. It had come to her attention that JoJo was becoming something of an artist in his own right. You see, along with dogs and horses Marti’s life also revolves around some cats. They get canned food every day (yes they are living large for barn cats, let it be said and JoJo made it clear that he was willing to dispose of the molecules left in the can each night.
See JoJo in action right now!
At first he would just lick them clean. But then Jo being Jo – he started chomping down on the things. Now I have to tell you, this is a dog who used to bite logs and boulders in his puppyhood. He’s got what they call in the business “Thunder Jaws”. But, you ask, what about the teeth? Good question. And the gums too – heck, all the soft parts. Why wasn’t JoJo tearing his mouth up on the cans he was shredding? Ah, that is perhaps the eighth wonder of the world. No one knows. That is JoJo’s secret. His unique artistic gift if you will.
Well Marti started collecting the finished pieces and you know the thing about collections – you get enough of one thing and organize it and suddenly you’ve really got something! Her eureka moment came then as she was preparing herself for the two week stint. Thus JoJo’s skills as an artist and an author were brought to bear. You can get your own copy of JoJo’s book here.
JoJo has pledged to make his book available to canine rescue groups for the at-cost price – no profit. Just click the contact link at the top of this page to get in touch with him for that top secret link. He is also happy to send a number of original cans to accompany your book order to help help raise funds for dogs less fortunate than himself. This combo makes a truly interesting and one-of-a-kind addition to your auction items or other outreach fundraiser items. Take Jo up on this! You’d make his day.
In the summer of 2010 I went on an artist’s retreat to a beautiful facility in southern Michigan, named Blueberry View, run by two School of the Art Institute alum I met while I still lived in Chicago. Janet Sullivan and Mark Toncray have opened a live-in studio to artists needing a getaway to work for two solid weeks on the project of their choosing.
I chose to co-author a book with one of my dog companions using his art and philosophy of life. The book is available through www.amazon.com.
Use the Contact link above to request an original CAN made by Jo himself and a signed copy of his book for just $20 postage paid. Now that’s a bargain!! A portion goes to dog rescue.