Toy Dogs In Art Part II: The Little White Toy Dog That May Have Been A Maltese!

There is a painting at the Prado in Madrid that is almost certainly a breed that we have now lost, or just as likely, it is a crossbred resulting from the inter-mixing of the various strains of tiny toy dogs. Tiny toy dogs were the playthings of the houses of fashion and the courts of the mid-seventeenth century. This little dog is white in color with a face and eyes like our present day Maltese. The solid white coat is identical to the kind of a Maltese. The painting done in 1650 is called ?€?The Holy Family of the Little Bird.?€? The artist is Murillo.

An interesting point to mention is that this little white dog in the painting has the kind of tail found on a Cavalier King Charles spaniel. Even though it had the tail like the Cavalier King Charles spaniel, it probably was not that breed, because the color was white. The subject of Murillo?€?s paintings is biblical. He often included his own dogs in his paintings, or the dogs he saw around him, or even dogs belonging to the sponsors for whom he painted the picture.

It has been noted that in this particular portrait the result is fascinating. The little white dog is sitting in front of the Holy Family, looks as if he definitely adores the child, but at the same time is keeping an eye on the goldfinch which the child holds up to tempt him. I have to wonder though still perhaps it was the imagination of the painter rather than a Maltese or a crossbred of anything. On the flip side, however, it could have very well b fashion jackets online een a breed we have now lost, since it is known that these artists did tell many true to life stories through their painting.

I suppose noone can fully appreciate the portraits done by these talented artists without standing directly in front of them and with a love for great art as well for toy dogs.

Many galleries and private collections have paintings that include toy dogs. Of interest is that few of them are of toy dogs themselves. Most of the portraits are someone with a toy dog or toy dogs included as one of the natural adjuncts of the person portrayed.

One exception to this rule is the portrait of the artist?€?s dog ?€?Tump?€? by Hogarth, in the possession of the Kennel Club in London. The artist Hogarth was not exceptional because he owned dogs or toy dogs. He was just one of the few artists who displayed love for his pets as he did by including them in a good many of his paintings and engravings.

Another talented artist, Velasquez, in his painting ?€?Prince Phillip Prosper?€? in the Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna, painted a little white dog very much like the white toy dog in Murillo?€?s ?€?The Holy Family of the Little Bird.?€? In his portrait the little white dog that resembles our Maltese sits very comfortably looking on a chair he looks as if he very much considers his own. The child in the portrait is painted in the formal manner of the time, staring out of the painting and paying no attention to the toy dog. The little white toy dog that resembles a Maltese in this portrait has one eye on the artist and an ear pointing towards the child. One interpretation of this painting was that it truly appears as if the artist included the child because he was instructed to do so, but painted the little white dog that resembles our Maltese from sheer enjoyment!

This series: Toy Dogs in Art continues in Part III.

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Caring For A New Tattoo

When you finally decide to get a tattoo, the first thing you'll need to do is find a reputable tattoo artist. Most tattoo artists have several designs that you can pick from. If you don't find anything you like, you can always ask him to make a custom tattoo. You should always be careful in what you choose, as you'll have the tattoo for the rest of your life. The design is very important, although not nearly as important as taking care of it.

Good tattoo artists will also clean and apply antiseptic ointment to your tattoo as they create it. Expert artists know that this helps keep the tattoo healthy. Once the tattoo is finished, the artists will wipe it down, clean it off good, and apply another coat of antiseptic ointment. Once the ointment has been applied, he will put a piece of soft tissue or cellophane over the tattoo.

Once the tattoo is finished, the artists should tell you how to take care of your new tattoo. Some of the better artists will talk to you and give you a detailed sheet with all of the information you need. If you went to a tattoo artist who didn't explain this to you, you may be wondering just what you should do. Taking care of a tattoo isn't hard as long as you know what you can and can't do.

When you first get home with your new tattoo, you should never hop right in the shower. You should keep it dry for the first few days, but also clean it every few hours. Before you touch the tattoo or clean it, you should always make sure that your hands are clean. If yo women's jackets u keep your hands clean, you won't have to worry about an infection.

You'll also want to visit your local drugstore and purchase a tube of A&D ointment. A&D ointment is the best to use. A&D will keep your tattoo clean and shiny and should be used for the first few days. Once the ointment starts to dry on the tattoo, you should wipe the old application off and apply some more. Don't rub it too hard, or you could damage the healing process. For the first few days, you should avoid using soap as well.

After 5 or 6 days, you can quit using the ointment. A&D ointment will keep your tattoo healthy, which you'll notice the first time you apply it. After you stop using it, you should use an unscented body lotion. You want to avoid body lotions that have scents, as they can easily irritate the tender skin that resides under your tattoo.

After you have used the lotion for a few days, you can stop using it. Most tattoos, after they have healed, tend to leave a scab in some areas. If your tattoo has a scab, you should be careful when you try to pick it. If you aren't careful, you could end up damaging your design. The best thing to do is you have a scab is to leave it alone. You can put A&D ointment on it if you want, as most of the time a scab will itch.

A tattoo can be a great thing to have providing you take care of it. Tattoos will stay with your for the rest of your life, unless you choose to get them surgically removed. Taking care of your tattoo now will keep it healthy and infection free in the long run. If you follow the above advice on how to take care of your tattoo you won't have anything to worry about.

Parson Russell Terrier Puppy And Dog Information

The Parson Russell Terrier or better known as the Jack Russell Terrier, is a small happy dog that loves to play and hunt. They were bred as fox hunters so they need to be extensively socialized with other pets. They may fight with other dogs but they were pack animals at one time so this trait depends upon the line and individual. They need a lot of exercise so a properly fenced in back yard designed for escape artist digging dogs is best. They need to be under control when outside because they may take off after a scent or adventure. They are generally good with active kids. As a reminder, never leave a child unsupervised with a puppy or dog.

*Approximate Adult Size. The approximate adult size (two years old or older) of the Parson Russell Terrier is 12 to 14 inches to the withers (highest point of the shoulder) and 14 to 18 pounds. The female ranges from to inches to the fashion jackets withers and to pounds.

*Special Health Considerations. Most dog breeds have certain inherited health problems associated with that specific breed and the Parson Russell Terrier is no exception. Be on the look out for inherited eye diseases, dislocated knee caps and deafness. This disease list is an informative guideline only. Other diseases may also be significant threats, please contact your veterinarian for a complete list.

She should visit the veterinarian several times in the first year for shots, boosters and check up. Then, as an adult, she should visit the veterinarian yearly for shots and check up. As she gets older, six years and on, she should visit the veterinarian twice a year for check ups and shots. Remember; avoid feeding your dog sweets.

*Grooming. The Parson Russell Terrier has a smooth or broken double coat being short, dense and harsh with little or no hint of kink. She should be brushed regularly. Brushing will help her maintain a clean and healthy coat, help you keep a closer eye on her health and strengthen your emotional bond with her.

Her teeth should be brushed at least twice a week with toothpaste and toothbrush designed for dogs. Brushing removes the accumulation of plaque and tartar which can cause cavities (rarely) and periodontal disease. Dog periodontal disease can lead to pain, loss of teeth, bad breath and other serious disease.

Her toenails may need to be examined for growth and clipped regularly. The toenails of the rear feet grow slower than the toenails of the front feet.

*Life Span. The Parson Russell Terrier can live between 12 and 14 years with proper nutrition, medical care and excellent living conditions.

*History. The Parson Russell Terrier comes from Great Britain, the south of England to be exact, where they were used for hunting the European Red Fox, sometimes in packs. They were first registered by the American Kennel Association in 1998.

Some Registries:
*UKC United Kennel Club
*NKC National Kennel Club
*CKC Continental Kennel Club
*APRI Americas Pet Registry Inc.
*AKC American Kennel Club
*FCI Federation Cynologique Internationale
*NZKC New Zealand Kennel Club
*KCGB = Kennel Club of Great Britain
*ANKC = Australian National Kennel Club
*ACR = American Canine Registry

Litter Size: 4 to 8 Parson Russell Terrier puppies

Category: Terrier

Terms To Describe: Lively, bold, alert, hyper, friendly, clever, courageous, tenacious, playful, affectionate, athletic,

*SPECIAL GOOD POINTS
Good watch dog.
Does well in hot climates.
Love to play.
Very affectionate.

*SPECIAL BAD POINTS
Poor guard dog.
They are barkers.
They are diggers.
They will take off after a scent.
Need an experienced handler.

*Other Names Known By: Jack Russell Terrier,

*Every dog is an individual so not everything in this information may be correct for your dog. This information is meant as a good faith guideline only.

Giant Schnauzer Puppy And Dog Information

The Giant Schnauzer is a beautiful dog and she makes a great watch dog and guard dog. She will protect you. On the downside, she really requires an experienced handler and early socializing of pets, other dogs and children. She is a dominant dog and will continually test the waters and push the envelope of who is in charge here anyway? She is extremely smart and a fast learner. She requires space to exercise and she is not an apartment dog. At the least, she needs a properly fenced in yard, at the best, plenty of acres to run on. Some people think that she is great with children, others do not trust her, especially with children under about 13 years old. As a reminder, never leave a child unsupervised with a puppy or dog.

*Approximate Adult Size. The approximate adult size (two years old or older) of the male Giant Schnauzer is 25 to 28 inches to the withers (highest point of the shoulder) and 60 to 80 pounds. The female ranges from 23 to 26 inches to the withers and 55 to 75 pounds.

*Special Health Considerations. Most dog breeds have certain inherited health problems associated with that specific breed and the Giant Schnauzer is no exception. Be on the look out for Canine Hip Dysplasia (genetic based looseness in the hip joint that can lead to arthritis pain and lameness), orthopedic problems, eye disease, toe cancer, epilepsy and bloat (Gastric Dilation-Volvulus, the second leading killer of dogs, can kill within the hour, this space is too limited for a complete explanation but you should read up on this). Feeding more then once a day and avoiding exercise right after meals may help guard against bloat. This disease list is an informative guideline only. Other diseases may also be significant threats, please contact your veterinarian for a complete list.

She should visit the veterinarian several times in the first year for shots, boosters and check up. Then, as an adult, she should visit the veterinarian yearly for shots and check up. As she gets older, six years and on, she should visit the veterinarian twice a year for check ups and shots. Remember; avoid feeding your dog sweets.

*Grooming. The Giant Schnauzer has a double coat consisting of a harsh, wiry, hard, very dense outer coat and a soft inner coat. They shed little but need to be brushed regularly. Brushing will help her maintain a clean and healthy coat, avoid mats and help you keep a closer eye on her health and strengthen your emotional bond with her.
She also needs to see a groomer occasionally for clipping.

Her ears should be checked once a week and be kept clean. If you have her professionally groomed, make sure ear cleaning and inspection is part of the package. No water or excess fluid should get in the dogs ears, and do not try to irrigate the ears. Ear cleaning is too complicated and critical to instruct here. Look for hair growing in the ear canal, excess wax, or moisture. If her ears have a discharge, foul odor or she seems to be in distress and you suspect an infection, or tumor, consu women's coats lt your veterinarian.

Her teeth should be brushed at least twice a week with toothpaste and toothbrush designed for dogs. Brushing removes the accumulation of plaque and tartar which can cause cavities (rarely) and periodontal disease. Dog periodontal disease can lead to pain, loss of teeth, bad breath and other serious disease.

Her toenails may need to be examined for growth and clipped regularly. The toenails of the rear feet grow slower than the toenails of the front feet. Generally a guillotine type trimmer is the best for this chore and competent instructions to accomplish this can be found on the net.

*Life Span. The Giant Schnauzer can live between 12 and 15 years with proper nutrition, medical care and excellent living conditions.

*History. The Giant Schnauzer comes from Bavaria, Germany where it was known as the Riesenschnauzer. They may be a cross between the Bouvier des Flandres, black Great Danes, smooth-coated drover dogs and rough-coated shepherds. They were first registered by the American Kennel Association in 1930.

Some Registries:
* Giant Schnauzer Club of America
*UKC United Kennel Club
*NKC National Kennel Club
*CKC Continental Kennel Club
*APRI Americas Pet Registry Inc.
*AKC American Kennel Club
*FCI Federation Cynologique Internationale
*NZKC New Zealand Kennel Club
*KCGB = Kennel Club of Great Britain
*ANKC = Australian National Kennel Club
*ACR = American Canine Registry

Litter Size: 5 to 8 Giant Schnauzer puppies

Category: Working, Herding

Terms To Describe: Loyal, attentive, intelligent, reliable, bold, valiant, robust, alert, spirit,

*SPECIAL GOOD POINTS
Makes a good watch dog.
Makes a good guard dog.
Highly intelligent.
Easily trained.
Stick close to their human family.

*SPECIAL BAD POINTS
May require an experienced handler.
Need tremendous amounts of exercise.
Very dominant breed.

*Other Names Known By: Riesenschnauzer, Russian Bear Schnauzer, Munich Schnauzer

*Every dog is an individual so not everything in this information may be correct for your dog. This information is meant as a good faith guideline only.

Old Furniture Starting Your Home Project

Even the designers on TV are doing it; finding great furnishing at flea-markets, charity shops, and yard sales. Often, a wonderful piece of furniture can be had for mere dollars, especially if its finish is in desperate need of some TLC. Unfortunately, the design shows on TV dont show you all the proper steps for refreshing your finds. Take the time to do it right, and your new furniture will have friends wondering where you shop!

1. Safety first: Before you disturb any painted surface, you should think about the possibility of lead. Lead paint additives were phased out in the 1970s and women's coats 80s. If you suspect lead is present in any paint, you can find information about safety precautions and testing at epa, or by calling the National Lead Information Center at 1-800-424-LEAD. Even with newer surfaces, I find that a dust mask is always in order when sanding. Your lungs will thank you.

2. Sanding: Not all pieces will require sanding before repainting. My mantra is to leave well enough alone when dealing with old paint surfaces. If, however, the paint is chipped, peeling, crackling, or has other problems, you might not be able to avoid the sandpaper. A small electric hand sander is my best friend for these situations. A very light sanding (really just scuffing) can help your new paint adhere to old oil paint or a glossy surface.

3. Prep, prep, prep: The number one reason for paint failures is incorrect preparation. Time spent on prep will ensure you get a good result in the end. Make sure the surface is completely clean and dust free before you ever get the paint out of the can. If you have sanded the surface, remove dust with a tack cloth. This is a small piece of cheesecloth soaked in wax, available at your local home improvement store in the paint section. They cost around one dollar get several to keep on hand for the next project! If you cant find one, several thorough passes with a damp cloth followed by another pass with a dusting cloth can do the job. Most importantly, dont rush your prep work.

4. Taping: Carefully tape off any areas you dont want painted, and burnish the tape edges down once, firmly, with a fingernail. If you think you might have to leave the tape on for more than a day or so, use a lower adhesion tape made for delicate surfaces.

5. Priming: If the piece is unpainted, consider a coat of primer before you paint. There are excellent primers specifically made for stone and metal. Tell your paint store rep what youre painting and follow her advice. Use a good latex or oil-based primer for wood surfaces. Some wood grains (pine or cheaper grades of oak, for example) may rise after a first coat of latex, and priming improves the chances that you can avoid this. The raised grain will feel rough. If this happens, youll need to sand the grain down lightly and prime again. Dont worry; its not as bad as it sounds when you know what happened!

6. Painting: Finally, time to paint! Use a good quality paint brush. Be careful not to overload your brush with paint and put it on too thickly. This is a common mistake. Painting in thick layers can lead to ugly drips, cracks, or drying delays. Instead, paint in thin coats, allowing time for each coat to dry completely before recoating. This will give you a beautiful and strong surface.

7. Curing: Follow the instructions on your paint can to make sure your new furniture is safely cured before you begin to use it or place objects on top of it. Paints, latex in particular, can feel dry well before they really are. When in doubt, I like to wait 24-48 hours before I place my newly painted flea-market beauties into service.

Now, enjoy your new furnishings. Use them well and never fear; if they get chipped or you tire of the color, you know how to fix it!

How to Choose a Ladies Watch

Knowing how to choose a ladies wristwatch can be a bit challenging. As you shop for a ladies watch, you will want to ensure that you know how to purchase a classic timepiece that displays high quality, appeal, and makes a great fashion accessory. When choosing this type of product, you must be equipped with the knowledge to recognize a high quality piece apart from one that is less then perfect for your style, and flair. Here, I will provide you with a few strategies on how to choose a ladies wristwatch.

1. When shopping for a ladies wristwatch, one of the first things that you should consider is the overall fashion st women's coats atement that the watch displays. Being on top of the latest trends in the fashion world is an absolute must when it comes to selecting a watch that is attractive. Seeing that every single one of us has a unique style and personality, it is important to ensure that the watch that you purchase matches this style and personality type. If you keep this in mind while shopping, you are sure to discover that it is easy to make a good match between the watch and the receiver.

2. The next item of interest when it comes to methods on how to choose a ladies wristwatch is the overall functionality of the timepiece. In the modern world of watches, there are many unique features and basic functions that are available. If an individual lives a busy lifestyle, for example, choosing a watch that has an alarm system may be an appropriate choice. If you are buying a wristwatch for a lady that enjoys water recreational activities, a waterproof wristwatch may be an appropriate choice. Functionality is an essential key when it comes to making the right choice on your purchase.

3. The next area of interest when it comes to how to choose a ladies wristwatch is the actual movement of the watch. There are automatic watches that work by the overall movement of an individual. Then, there are quartz watches that are operated by way of a battery. When purchasing a wristwatch, you will discover that the models that are operated by a battery instead of a movement are less expensive.

4. The next area of interest is the overall design of the watch. Generally, you can determine this by considering the everyday activities of the individual that you are purchasing for. If this person has a high fashion profile, it is best to go with a design that reflects this. If an individual is generally laid back, a casual design may be most appropriate. This is a very unique consideration in which you really have to take the lifestyle of the wearer in order to determine if it is a good match.

5. Last, but not least, you should consider the amount of money that you have to indulge in this purchase. There are watches out there that are as low as $5.00 and as much as a few thousands or more. By knowing how much you are able to spend, it is more likely that you will come out of the shopping experience a success.

Conclusion

Ladies wristwatches are a very popular types of fashion accessory. When purchasing this type of accessory, it is absolutely imperative to ensure that you know how to choose a ladies wristwatch. The considerations mentioned here can help you in this area.

Cake Decorating Mistakes - Solutions for Fixing Last-Minute Problems

Are you new to the world of cake decorating and you are afraid of making mistakes? Cake decorating is one of those things that many people are afraid to try for fear that they will make a mistake. The truth is that cake decorating can be a lot more fun if you are expecting to make mistakes, and if you are prepared to resolve any mistakes that may come your way. Here are some easy ways to cover your tracks in case something does go awry in the kitchen or on the decorating table.

Crumb Control - How to Keep Crumbs From Ruining Your Cake Decoration

Let us say that you have all of your special decorating tools out and you are getting ready to put the decorative touches on your cake. Everything is going fine until it comes time to decorate and you realize that you have a lot of crumbs on your hand. What happens when those pesky crumbs begin to get mixed up with your icing? This can literally ruin the way that your cake looks. Fortunately, there are few tips and techniques that you can use in order to solve the crumb control problem.

Use the Crumb Coat to Keep Things Under Control

One easy way to keep crumbs under control is to begin your cake decoration by applying a single crumb coat. What is a crumb coat? A crumb coat is an easy way to combat the problem of crumbs. The crumb coat is exactly what it sounds like - thinner layer of icing that you apply to the cake. You can thin d fashion coats online own your regular icing in order to create a specific crumb coat. You can use many liquids that are already at your disposal in order to create a crumb coat. For instance, you can use water or milk to thin down the cake icing. You have to thin down your icing just enough so that it remains stiff enough to be applied, but you don't want it to be too thick.

Let the Crumb Coat Set Before Proceeding

It is very important that you let the crumb coat set before you move on to further wedding cake decoration. An easy way to set the crumb coat is to put the cake in the refrigerator and let it set there. You can let it set for at least an hour, but it is best to let it set overnight. The longer you let the crumb coat set, the best chance you have that the crumbs will essentially become glued to the cake. Once the crumb coat has been fully set, you are ready to proceed with the rest of the cake decoration.

How to Deal With Ugly Cake Bulges

Yes, cakes can take on their own set of ugly bulges. It is often the case that novice cake decorators fill the cake layers, but then find that the filling is bulging at the side of the cake. Fortunately, there are many different ways to take care of this minor decorating problem. One easy way to take care of cake bulges is to avoid them altogether. You can avoid cake bulges by baking the cake well in advance of decorating it. This will give the cake time to settle. Cakes that have been freshly baked are considerably unstable and simply won't hold in their filling as well as previously baked cakes.

Use the Dam Technique to Avoid Cake Bulges

Another easy way to take care of the cake bulge problem is to create a dam using your icing. It is a common problem for layered cakes to bulge from an overflowing of filling. Use piped icing to create a kind of dam. This will keep your filling from bulging.