Scotty

Scotty. Oil on gessoboard panel, 8x8. To be donated to the Westerly, R.I., animal shelter.

Scotty is a good-looking guy, indeed. The animal shelter in Westerly, Rhode Island, an enthusiastic recipient of paintings from the Art for Shelter Animals project (click here to check out our blog!) is Scotty's current - and former - home.

The description on Petfinder.com says that Scotty is an extra-large neutered male who has returned to the shelter because of an illness in his human family. "He is a big rugged boy," the shelter writes, "and would love a new family to spend his life with."

Scotty is 11. He's up to date with his shots, and, yes, he's house-trained.

In my book, there's something extra-special about the old ones. Their eyes might be a little clouded, their hearing a little muffled, their snouts a little gray. But through those old-pet eyes, they direct a lifetime of love at you, whether you're their first human or their 10th.

A couple months ago, when I was out in the cold, painting in Watch Hill, a man about my age walked by. Twenty feet behind him, and old golden retriever ambled along. His whole face was white, and he was creaky all over. An hour or so later, they came back, man first, dog plodding along behind, taking time to sniff whatever he wanted.

Kaja, our 12-year-old chow-German shepherd, spends most of her day sleeping. It's hard for her to get up. She doesn't run and lope as she used to. But she greets me every morning with a bright expression and a wagging tail, and I welcome every day I can share with her.

Scotty is up for adoption. The Westerly Animal Control office is located at the transfer station. You can call it at 401-348-2558, or find it on the web at http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/RI06.html