Say hello to the fabulous Blossom! Done in colored pencil, Todd’s latest portrait is absolutely perfect for celebrating Tongue out Tuesday!

The holidays are just around the corner and Jimmydog’s Chief Canine Officer Freddie realizes it can be a stressful time for people. Always wanting to help, she’s put together a holiday gift guide that will make your holiday shopping quick, easy and stress free. Even better: The loved ones on your list will receive a thoughtful, meaningful gift they’ll truly cherish.

I don’t buy many gifts because I don’t have anywhere to keep money and haven’t gotten the hang of online shopping. But the holidays are coming up and I know you’ve got plenty of shopping to do. So, I’m offering my services. Think of me as one of Santa’s elves or your personal shopper.

Here’s what I suggest: Commission custom portraits by Todd Belcher for all your loved ones (or at least for your most beloved loved one!). You might be saying, “Of course, Freddie would suggest that.” Yes. Of course, I would suggest that—because a specially commissioned custom portrait of a favorite pet, beloved family member or cherished friend is The Perfect Gift.

This isn’t just my well-considered opinion. It’s a fact. I’ll give you 10 reasons why:

1. A custom portrait is unique. At Jimmydog, we work with each client to create a one-of-a-kind portrait. You choose the medium (pencil, colored pencil or acrylics) and the size (from 8×10 to 24×30; custom sizes, too). And using your photos, together we’ll come up with the best composition, color palette and background for your portrait. (I often weigh in on these important decisions because I’ve developed quite an eye for these things!)
2. A custom portrait is a true piece of art. There are online services that will take a photo and gussy it up with filters and screens and even print it out on a canvas for you. But none of those are true works of art. Todd depicts his subjects in richly dimensional environments and is known for capturing the spirit and personality of the pets and people he paints. Todd approaches each subject with empathy and care to create a distinctive piece of original art.
3. A custom portrait is surprisingly affordable. Our prices start at just $175 for unique artwork created just for you. Check out Jimmydog.com for our easy-to-understand pricing guide.
4. A custom portrait is thoughtful. Your loved one will know you didn’t just grab a gift card off the rack at the last minute. A portrait shows you’ve taken the time to think about what they love most and commissioned a well-known portrait artist to create a gift specifically for them.
5. A custom portrait is perfect for all ages. Whether age 15, 35 or 85, everyone is touched by the gift of a portrait featuring their favorite people or pets.
6. A custom portrait is perfect for all sizes. Unlike with clothing, you never have to worry about a portrait not fitting. Todd paint portraits in sizes from 8×10 to 24×30—perfect for every budget and any home. Custom sizes are available, too.
7. A custom portrait is timeless. Every holiday season, there’s a trendy “must-have” gift. And by the next year, that once-hot item is sitting in a drawer or closet, forgotten. A custom portrait never goes out of style and will be treasured for years to come.
8. A custom portrait is perfect for the person who has everything. Everyone has that hard-to-buy-for person on their list—the one who doesn’t need any more clothes, knickknacks, electronics or stuff. A custom portrait is a thoughtful, highly personal gift. Even the person who has everything will enjoy hanging their portrait in a place of honor in their home.
9. A custom portrait endures. While cookie tins and fruit baskets make delicious gifts, they don’t last long (at least not around our house!). But a portrait will bring your loved one years of enjoyment. In fact, portraits often take on more meaning over time—for instance, becoming a treasured memorial of a pet who later crosses over the Rainbow Bridge. And, practically speaking, all Todd’s portraits are created on acid-free, nonyellowing heavy paper stock. Plus, we can give you additional framing tips to make sure your portrait never loses its original detail and vibrancy.
10. A custom portrait is easy to commission. We’ve got a handy explainer on Jimmydog.com that walks you through the process step by step. It’s super easy and Stephanie Belcher is happy to answer any questions you might have. (One of my jobs as chief canine officer is guaranteeing that Jimmydog provides stellar customer service and I promise you that Stephanie is the best!)

See? The Perfect Gift.

Now all you need to do is visit our website at Jimmydog.com, call us at 336-201-7475 or email us at todd@jimmydog.com. And don’t forget: We also offer gift certificates. They make great gifts, too!

And because you don’t have to worry about your holiday shopping anymore may I suggest you tackle another item on your holiday to-do list, like making dog cookies for your favorite canine pals. (I like the ones shaped like squirrels!)

Yours in dogness,

Freddie

This holiday season, skip the sweaters and ties. Give your favorite people a truly personal and unique gift: A custom pet portrait painted by Todd just for them!
Our clients tell us a custom pet portrait is one of the most meaningful gifts they’ve ever received. Portraits earn a special place in their homes—and in their hearts.
Commissioning a portrait is easy and affordable.
Email: todd@jimmydog.com
Call: 336-201-7475
Visit: jimmydog.com
Order now to ensure holiday delivery!

We at Jimmydog, including our dear Freddie girl, have been heartbroken and horrified by images of recent natural disasters. Freddie’s been particularly worried about animals who had to be abandoned or were separated from their people. She never wants anything like that to happen to your pack, so she took some time to learn about emergency preparedness for pets. It’s not fun to think about, but a little planning can save you from the unthinkable—losing your pets in a disaster. As usual, Freddie just wants to help!

Although Stephanie and Todd, the best people ever, try to protect me from bad news and general unpleasantness, as I wander through the house to my next napping spot, I can’t help but see images on TV of hurricanes, fires and earthquakes—and most upsetting to me, scenes of pets left behind or separated from their people because of the disasters.

I can’t imagine how scary it must be as a dog—or gerbil or ferret or parrot—to be without your people as waters rise and walls crumble down. They would never show it but I think even cats would be terrified.

We don’t get many earthquakes in North Carolina—apparently those grumblings I sometimes hear are not quakes but my empty tummy before breakfast. (Honestly, it’s hard to tell the difference!) But Stephanie tells me we can get struck by hurricanes and tornadoes. Where you live might be prone to blizzards and ice storms. And everyone is at risk of a fire in their house and a gas leak in their neighborhood. (Oh, this stuff is upsetting to think about!)

What I’m saying is everyone needs a plan in case something happens and you are forced leave your house in a hurry.

Stephanie tells me President John F. Kennedy said, “The time to repair the roof is when the sun is shining.” She also tells me he loved animals and had a Welsh terrier named Charlie, so he must have been a very smart person.

Anyway, the idea is that you should prepare for bad stuff when no bad stuff is happening. So, here’s what I recommend: On the next sunny day, spend a little time making a plan and gathering emergency supplies. Chances are you’ll never have to use any of it—your life will be filled with sunny days. But if you need it, you’ll be able to keep your whole pack together and safe, just as you are meant to be.

Emergency planning for your best-friend pets:

(Thanks to Best Friends for many of these tips. It’s a wonderful animal sanctuary in Utah that has teams trained to go into disaster areas to help with pet rescue, so they know what they’re talking about.)

* Put your name, address and phone number on all your pets’ collars. Because cell service can go out or be spotty after a disaster, it’s a good idea to add a landline number or the cellphone number of a friend or relative in another part of the country.

* Get your pets microchipped. (I’m sorry in advance to all my furry friends who may have to make an extra trip to the vet for this. It’s for your own good, I promise.)

* Make sure you have carriers and leases/harnesses for all your pets. If you have a dog who may bite if she gets scared, get a soft muzzle for her. (Again, apologies to my furry friends: I hate muzzles but sometimes they are needed for everyone’s safety.)

* Create an evacuation plan. Figure out which directions you would head and where you might stay. Best Friends says it’s a good idea to check for pet-friendly hotels, animal hospitals and animal shelters at your planned destinations and along evacuation routes. If you have a lot of pets or unusual pets (a flock of chickens, horses, potbellied pigs, goats, snakes), see if there are animal refuges or large-animal boarders who could shelter your pets in an emergency.

* Create an emergency kit that includes:

* Pet food, snacks/treats and water (a week’s supply of all)

* Water and food bowls

* Can opener, plastic spoons and canned-food lid covers

* Medications (two-week supply)

* Pet first-aid kit

* Current photos of your pets

* Vaccination records

* Registry and contact information for the microchip company

* Cleaning supplies (paper towels, trash bags, poop bags, litter pans, litter, cleaning spray in case of accidents, disposable gloves, heavy-duty gloves)

* Blankets and towels (for bedding, for cleanup and to cover carriers if pets are scared)

* List of animal shelters, animal hospitals and pet-friendly hotels.

Best Friends says even if you have all these things in the house, you should gather them together in one tub or bag so they are ready when you need them: Sometimes you don’t get much warning. And don’t forget to update your emergency kit (restock with fresh food, update lists of pet-friendly hotels, etc.) twice a year.

Whew! That’s a lot. I’m glad taking care of stuff like this is Stephanie’s job, though I promise to accompany her on a car ride to the pet store for provisions because I’m helpful like that.

After you’ve made your plan and put together your emergency kit, you deserve a treat. May I suggest a cuddle with the cat or a walk with the dog?

Yours in dogness,

Freddie