Chippendale (Warning: Mature Content)

What? Death is a mature subject!

While my Geordie was quite the hunter, Toby hasn’t really followed in his footsteps (paw prints?). That is what made his killing of this chipmunk so surprising. Toby was really proud of himself, and I guess part of me was as well…until I saw the chipmunk’s brother looking bereft at the feet of an angel statue nearby. Perhaps it was actually shock at having been nearly killed by a vicious animal, but I read sadness and loss in his body posture.

Yet, what a hypocrite I am. Those blasted little rotters did a number of my truck in previous years. They chewed up all the insulation under the hood and gnawed on my cables. I wished them all dead.

So what is the lesson from this encounter? I guess mostly that I am stupid and anthropomorphize vermin. Unless, perhaps, by not better supervising my pup, I have allowed him to create Mexican Joker Chipmunk…..

You think too much. I am a good killer!

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Cooler weather is just around the corner! Make your special young man is prepared for whatever comes with this stylish, handmade argyle sweater in merino wool. This Hand Knit Argyle Cardigan, and many other fine products, are available from my shop at L Bowman Studios.

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I Feel Weird

Poor Bitey and Toby. It’s always the kids that suffer.

It is looking like what I thought was a simple case of osteoarthritis is either psoriatic or psoriatic + rheumatoid arthritis. Very suddenly I have lost nearly all the strength in my right hand. (Unfortunately I am a righty.)

For the time being, Bitey and Toby will have to be drawn with my left hand. As you can see, they don’t look quite how they usually do. I am also having the fun of learning to use a mouse with my left hand. Oh the joys that abound in Bitey Land!

Like Job, I am trying to be grateful for this most recent challenge. If you are a subscriber to bootstrapping philosophy in neuroanatomy (i.e. W.H. Calvin’s The Throwing Madonna) , potentially switching hands like this might help to unlock my crippling writers’ block. Of course, I still can’t draw, write or type anything I think up. Hmmm….

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To find out what trouble my boys have been up to, pick up a copy of Dream Our World. Inside they view the world of art from a canine perspective and enjoy a day of unsupervised fun!

Dream Our World is available from my shop.

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Twelfth Night

I am Sir Toby Belch! Do you think there will be more biscuits and ale? You don't know what belch means, do you?

Now is the twilight of the garden. The last of the veggies have been gathered and the plants uprooted. Tiny Toby has appointed himself my assistant in bringing the harvest down to a more manageable size.

After eating far too many green beans for such a small body, Toby whined for me to take him out. Fearing the potential consistency of such a bean-fueled accident, I rushed my boy outside. Under the watchful light of the moon, I was serenaded by the hindquarters of my puppy with the eternal refrain, “Toot, toot, toot”.

Ahh, the joys of a late summer’s night with a gassy terrier.

Terrier looking up at basket of green beans.

I will get those green beans.

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If you would like to spend even more time with my boys, pick up a copy of Dream Our World. Inside Bitey and Toby visit the museum of their dreams and view the world of art from a canine perspective.

Dream Our World is available through inter-library loan or at my shop!

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The Vomitorium

When Toby doesn’t feel well, he likes to go under the furniture to get sick. Last time he had an upset tummy, he went under the bed where I tuck an extension cord power strip for when I need to charge things. Little stinky monster decided to puke into all of the little plug holes in my power strip. I didn’t notice it until it had dried. Honestly, I don’t know how this puppy hasn’t managed to kill himself the way he finds dangerous trouble to get into.

What? I’m not dead.

I don’t know what you are complaining about.

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To find out what other trouble my boys have been into, pick up a copy of Dream Our World. Inside Bitey and Toby view the world of art from a canine perspective and enjoy a day of unsupervised fun! Dream Our World is available from my shop.

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Mr. Pickles and the Oasis

Meet Mr. Pickles. This sad fellow ran away from an unhappy home and ended up inspiring an entire pig rescue project called Oasis Acres Potbelly Pig Foster Home. Sadly Mr. Pickles passed away last week from a bowel obstruction. People in his home town of Hannibal Missouri are still mourning his passing. During his short life, this humble pig has brought much awareness to the plight of domestic pigs and and all that is involved in caring for them and finding them loving homes.

Little pig smiles as she lies on her favorite blanket

Say “Hello” to Rose, another domestic piggie. Her happy smile inspired me.

Pen and ink sketch of a Cairn terrier puppy

Frankly, I do not see the resemblance.

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If you would like to add either of these adorable pig-themed items to your household, then visit Oasis Acres for their raffle! All proceeds go to the care and maintenance of the foster piggies.

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Ghosts & Zombies

What do you think the role of ghosts will be during a zombie apocalypse?

What do you mean? Right now, there are a lot of shows on TV about people being bothered by ghosts. Do you think they will still notice them when zombies are all around?

There will be a lot of sudden deaths when the zombies come, so will there be a lot more ghosts? Do you think they would haunt their old homes, or would they haunt their bodies which are still walking around?

I ain’t ‘fraid of no ghosts.

(But I think I’ll sleep sitting up with the lights on anyway.)

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If you enjoy the idea of having a starry sky in your house, consider adding this fun accent pillow! Across the background of the cosmos a friendly alien hand signs “I love you” in American Sign Language. (Hollywood has taught us that most aliens look humanoid and speak English, so this shouldn’t come as a surprise.)

Alien Hand ASL “I Love You” Pillow is available from my shop L Bowman Studios.

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Ohhhh, you can’t say “no”….

Hey Gallagher, are you sure this is how it's done? Of course. They're p'smashios for a reason.

Did you know that pistachios, cashews and mangoes are in the same plant family as poison ivy? Guess why I know this.

Forget pistachios, I’ll just eat shoeberries.

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If you haven’t had a chance yet, check out Dream Our World. Literally. You can check it out through inter-library loan at your local library! If you would prefer to have your own copy of Dream Our World, you can order one through my shop, L Bowman Studios.

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Jurassic Cuke

Hey guys, look at this cuke. It's positively Jurassic!

After you eat that, it will be like that movie where the T Rex eats the guy with the Sat phone. Then later eeryone hears it ringing, and they have to dig through that huge mountain of....

Enough! Sheesh, why couldn't I have girls? It wouldn't matter. All dogs like poop stories!

Want me to tell you a poopcentric bedtime tale?

I’ve got a million of ’em!

I drew this story after last year’s crop. That year we got exceptionally large cukes.

This year’s crop leaves a bit to be desired.

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OK, so there aren’t any poop stories in Dream Our World, but there are plenty of other things to laugh at! Visit the Museum of the Imagination with Bitey and Toby and view the world of art from a canine perspective.

Dream Our World is available from my shop, L Bowman Studios.

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Dog Days of Summer

Never mind finding Waldo…find Toby!

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Bitey and Toby are part of the Dog Days of Summer display at the Glendale Public Library in Arizona! If you happen to be in the area, stop by to Find Bitey & Toby, read a good book or do a fun craft project related to well-known literature

Toby and I are so honored to be part of this display. A big thank you to the wonderful librarians at the library!

Dream Our World can be borrowed through the inter-library-loan system or purchased through my shop, L Bowman Studios.

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You are being boring so I am going to steal this sock.

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Sox on the Beach

Are you wearing socks at the beach? No, that's a tan line.

For heaven’s sake, I go bare-pawed. Why can’t you?

I stopped going barefoot years ago because I always seemed to step on bees. A friend convinced me to try “earthing” to try to connect to the power of the planet through contact. Well, I connected alright – with a bee. I guess it’s back to nerdy socks and shoes.

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Perhaps you have a kitty named Socks and would like her portrait done or have a friend with a birthday coming up and need a unique gift. If so, stop by L Bowman Studios to see examples of pet portraits I have done as well as sizes and pricing.

Pet portraits are also a loving way to pay tribute to a pet who has passed.

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