The Rainbow Bridge…

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colorful dog art, dog grief, dog lover, dog paw, dogs, grief, grieving, loss of a pet, paws, pet grief, pets, rainbow bridge, the rainbow bridge

Just this side of heaven is a place called the Rainbow Bridge… On days like today, I think of my sweet Sampson the Great Dane.  It’s raining and stormy out.  His terror over thunder was immense.  He has crossed over to the other side.  It is a comforting thought to think he is now in a place with sunshine and green meadows everyday…

dog

Find Comfort Here…

N.E.V.E.R. Forgotten…

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animal, animal lover, animals, bridge, cat, cat paw, cats, death, dog, dog paw, dogs, eternal love, fur, fur babies, fur baby, gift, great danes, grief, grieving, hand, hand print, heaven, honor, honoring, honoring our pets, love, Memorial, mourning, paw print, pet lovers, pet memorial, pet sitter, pets, print, rainbow, rainbow bridge, remember, remembering, remembrance, reunion, reuniting, sharon cummings, the, the rainbow bridge, true love, veterinarian, veterinary, veterinary clinic

“Never Forgotten”

Rainbow Bridge Pet Art

Mixed Media

Sharon Cummings

2014

As Summer comes to an end I find myself reflecting on all of the beautiful animals that have touched my life over the years.  I’ve lost birds, pigs, goats, cats, fish and dogs. For me the greatest losses have come with the beautiful Great Danes we have adopted in the last 12 years.  We bring in rescues.  They are an amazing breed with so much love and devotion. Unfortunately, their lifespans are very short averaging 7-8 years. Two left us due to bone cancer, which is common in this large breed, especially the males.  Our time with them was way too short, but the love they gave made it worth it.  Others made it to ripe old ages of up to 11 years.  I still think of all of them every day.  They are never forgotten…

“Mogo” the black one (3+ years) and “Sampson” (7+ years) the fawn, both crossed the rainbow bridge just a year apart.  They were best buddies…

“Bacchus” (6+ years) the larger patched harlequin, “Maile” (9+ years) the smaller patched and “Sophie” another black (11+ years).  I miss them so much…

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I’ve Been L.U.C.K.Y…

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Air Force, america, american flag, american flags, Army, art, combat, combat vet, country, democracy, democrat, democratic, fighting in war, Flag, flags, freedom, grief, liberty, Marines, Memorial Day, memorial day weekend, Military, military families, Navy, of, patriot, patriotic, political, politics, repulican, sharon cummings, soldier, soldiers, states, symbol, united, united states flag, united states flags, united states of america flag, united states of america flags, unites states, US Flag, us flags, usa flag, usa flags, veteran, Veterans, vets, war

 

I will be in Orlando, FL this Memorial Day weekend with my daughter enjoying fun food, pampering and relaxing at the Gaylord Resort. I work hard and rarely take time off, so I do not consider this indulgent or lucky (though to many it surely is).  But that is not what I am talking about.  What I am referring to in my title is the fact that my loved ones who have served in the military have always come home. My Grandfather saw combat in World War 2 and made it out alive.  My Dad served during the Korean War and also came back to the United States with his life and without injury.  Two of my uncles have served and they are still with us today.  

So as we start this Memorial Holiday weekend with thoughts of BBQ’s and shopping, I am taking a moment to be silent and pray.  I am praying for all of the people out there who have not been as fortunate as I have.  Those that suffer the loss of the ones they loved who are now gone forever.  For so many it is not just a day off from work or a trip to the beach. And for me it is not a time to point fingers or judge governments either.  It is simply a time of remembrance and compassion….

Be safe this Memorial Day…

A Sacred Place

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abstract art, art, art collectors, Artist, celebration of life, cherokee, Children, contemporary art, death, faabest, Family, grief, healed, healer, healing, indians, life, love, Memorial, memories, modern art, mother, mothers, native american, native americans, sharon cummings, spirit, spirituality, tribute

http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/1-sharon-cummings.html?tab=artworkgalleries

I don’t just sell art.  I form relationships with my collectors.  I bring people together, make a house a home or an office a welcoming place.  I create and inspire.

A few years ago one of my collectors contacted me with a very special request.  She said it took her many months to get up the nerve to ask because she thought I would say no.  Her Mom had passed away and she wanted to do something special with her ashes.  She wanted to know if I would be willing to incorporate some of her mother into one of my pieces.  A commission based on “Fire Over Copper Lake”.  I did not hesitate and said yes.

I was soon touched to learn that we shared a Native American ancestry.  Her Mom was a healer in this life and touched many souls.  In my lifetime I have had a spiritual guide named Ama which means water in Cherokee.  The piece I would be creating had to do with a “lake”…or water.  Her mother’s Indian name was “clear water”.  Creating this memorial painting felt more than right for me….it felt like a homage to my own spiritual mother as well.  She arrived in a beautiful pouch surrounded by the sweet smell of sage.  I handled her with care and blessed her ashes before I mixed them with the paint.  The piece turned out beautifully….my collector was moved beyond words…and I like to think that a few ashes are here in my studio still and that Ama is with me always…..

When All Else Fails….

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animals, companion animals, death, dog, dogs, dying, great dane, great danes, grief, heaven, love, pet, pets, saying goodbye, sharon cummings, sorrow

 

You say goodbye….Today is a sad day as I sit here missing my sweet companion Sampson.  Mere words cannot express my sorrow….He was a magnificent animal with nothing but love to give.  A 190 pound sweetheart.  Due to his size and deep bark he was also my protector.  I always felt safe with Sampson in my home.  When we left our daughter home by herself, we always knew she was protected.  Brinks had nothing on Sampsonite.  In this post, I do not want to focus on the trauma that ended his life.  I want to celebrate him!  If you’ve never laid your body across such a massive dog and felt his love envelope you, then you cannot understand how deep the “missing” goes.  He had such a “presence” and I am not just talking about the house clearing farts….no he gave life to our home.  From the gentle way he played with Toby our little lab to the sweet grunting for attention.  Yeah, he was a grunter and provided us with a lot of laughter. Dogs like Sampson can never be replaced….he leaves a big hole, but I can smile in the knowing that he is not suffering anymore and that if there is a doggie heaven that he is there now grunting and playing with our Mojo (black dog pictured below).  Rest in peace my love….