Artist To Paint Winner Of Canine Advocates’ Dog Contest

When animal artist Beth Connolly lost a dog that she loved dearly, she decided to immortalize the animal in a painting that she created from a photograph.

A veterinary technician at a horse hospital, Fairfield Equine Association in Newtown for ten years, she was a specialist in equine massage. But she was no stranger to the arts.

“My whole family is in the arts. We have paint instead of blood in our veins,” she said. “So I bought some canvas and did the painting.”

Ms Connolly, 33, who lives in Millerton, N.Y., now has a small retirement barn where she boards four horses and her donkey, Jennie. She also paints animals on commission by their owners and has exhibited her work at the Washington Art Association.

She has agreed to donate a custom oil portrait of the winning dog of the contest that is being sponsored by Canine Advocates of Newtown, Inc this month. All dogs from Newtown are invited to participate.

The entry fee is $5 per photo, one dog per photo, and multiple entries are permitted. Photos must be no larger than 4 by 6 inches and must be postmarked by Monday, June 13.

All photos will be displayed in the lobby of Edmond Town Hall. The winner is the dog that gets the most votes postmarked by June 30. Votes, unlimited, are $1 each.

To enter the contest, label the back of each photo with the dog owner’s name, address, phone number, email address, and the name of the dog. Photos cannot be returned. Send photos, votes, and checks made out to Canine Advocates of Newtown to PO Box 236, Newtown CT 06470.

All proceeds will help the dogs in the Newtown pound.

Canine Advocates is a nonprofit group of dedicated volunteers who provide daily walks and socialization for dogs at the pound. Canine Advocates pay for the dogs’ shots and the complete cost of spaying and neutering. The goal is to help all the dogs find loving homes, and to this end the dogs are publicized on the website www.CanineAdvocates.org, and on www.PetFinder.com.

 The Bee advertises the pound dogs weekly until adoption. With the cooperation of many local businesses, volunteers post more than 100 fliers for each dog. Eventually the right person sees the right dog in one of these places, and one more family is happy and complete.

Canine Advocates has established The Sonny Fund to honor a lost or loved pet while helping a dog in need. Members talk to children’s groups about proper dog care, help with private adoptions, and provide counseling for a variety of dog-related issues. New volunteers are always welcome. All donations are tax deductible.

Information about the contest is also on Canine Advocates’ website.