{"id":9735,"date":"2015-02-12T11:00:40","date_gmt":"2015-02-12T18:00:40","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/daveonline.net\/thepolymerarts.com\/blog\/?p=9735"},"modified":"2015-02-12T08:54:39","modified_gmt":"2015-02-12T15:54:39","slug":"in-memory-of-tommy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thepolymerarts.com\/blog\/in-memory-of-tommy\/","title":{"rendered":"In Memory of Tommy"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/daveonline.net\/thepolymerarts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/InMemoryOfTommy.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"9736\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.thepolymerarts.com\/blog\/in-memory-of-tommy\/inmemoryoftommy\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thepolymerarts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/InMemoryOfTommy.jpg?fit=774%2C864&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"774,864\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;3.1&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;KODAK EASYSHARE M341 Digital Camera&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1337887184&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;6.3&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;136&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.033333&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"InMemoryOfTommy\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thepolymerarts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/InMemoryOfTommy.jpg?fit=430%2C480&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-9736\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/daveonline.net\/thepolymerarts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/InMemoryOfTommy-480x535.jpg?resize=400%2C447\" alt=\"InMemoryOfTommy\" width=\"400\" height=\"447\" align=\"left\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thepolymerarts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/InMemoryOfTommy.jpg?resize=480%2C535&amp;ssl=1 480w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thepolymerarts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/InMemoryOfTommy.jpg?resize=134%2C150&amp;ssl=1 134w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thepolymerarts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/InMemoryOfTommy.jpg?w=774&amp;ssl=1 774w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>We interrupt this week of happy couples\u00a0to remember a different kind of love; that for our dearest friends, some of which are a bit on the furry side.<\/p>\n<p>Our pets can be such an amazing and important part of our lives. I know of many stories where people pulled through very difficult times because of a loving animal or were even saved due to their diligence. But, mostly, they help us get through the day with their simple, uncomplicated love; loving us for just being ourselves; just for having them as part of the family. They can teach us a thing or two about love!<\/p>\n<p>This story is a simple one, but I think it probably echos the experiences of all too many pet families. It comes to us from Gayle Thompson and, like Monday&#8217;s story, shows us how precious the ones we love are, even when they are not still around. The image here is of the very special pet Gayle tells us about, which I thought was pretty neat.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>In Memory of Tommy<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>My story is about a dog. Yes, a dog that stole my heart!<\/p>\n<p>His name was Fuzzy&#8217;s Tomahawk, and he was a retired racing greyhound. I was a foster for a greyhound group, and I was supposed to be keeping him for about a week until he was sent &#8216;up north&#8217; to another group that would find him a forever home. From the moment he came into my house, he acted like he was at home. He was never nervous like other fosters, and he\u00a0was the total opposite of the dog I was looking for. He was such a happy, playful boy!<\/p>\n<p>The greyhound group got together to say goodbye to one of our volunteers that was going back home to\u00a0the UK. She wanted to see this foster dog that I just couldn&#8217;t stop talking about, so she came by my house after the get together. When she saw him &#8211; and my interaction with him &#8211; she said, &#8220;Gayle, How can you let him go?!&#8221; I knew then, she was right. I wanted him with me.<\/p>\n<p>I called the leader of our group praying that this dog had not been spoken for by an adopter. Foster parents get first choice in keeping their fosters, but I didn&#8217;t want to disappoint anyone that had picked him out. Luck was on my side! He was not spoken for! So, he stayed home with me!<\/p>\n<p>I called him Tommy, and he was the light of my world. I took him everywhere with me. Then, when I had him for only about 18 months, he developed internal bleeding and could not be saved. It was very fast and devastating to me. I held him as he took his last breath; something that is hard to ever forget.<\/p>\n<p>About two years later, I was inspired by a greyhound print that I found online. I contacted the artist and asked if I could use her design in my work. She agreed. So, I created the attached picture that I call &#8220;In Memory of Tommy&#8221;. It has\u00a0his coloring, a halo and angel wings.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><em>If you like this blog, support The Polymer Arts projects with a subscription or an issue of The Polymer Arts magazine as well as supporting our advertising partners.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.shadesofclay.com\/\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"8586\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.thepolymerarts.com\/blog\/outside-inspiration-reflecting-uncertainty\/tpa-blog-newsletter-ad-shadesofclay-1014-v2\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thepolymerarts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/TPA-Blog-Newsletter-Ad-ShadesofClay-1014-v2.jpg?fit=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"150,150\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"TPA Blog Newsletter Ad  ShadesofClay 1014 v2\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thepolymerarts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/TPA-Blog-Newsletter-Ad-ShadesofClay-1014-v2.jpg?fit=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"rvrfiihaynuxewticywo udbadfbriqnkkrcngxba ojbwihciksrzzvwwzljv qegadzawlajpkpvjpice xtrbyhrgdyfzgzxpyqsw jgvidxlabzjzuifzpqbd aesqnixstnvwbglgpyla jkdntkifrawtqpyjqiod cgqqyzqnspbngnmnrznq inedolfkrbfekqnrnarl cliynywqlyuumvmkywlj aqdvkasbrevtixaltrww keyhadrxhpheumnavnxp ezayybogkiclvqmlqcxd swrwhnftwbvvgqfuftpz evylgkonevjobbyypuqg qwcwpbvfuklvljbehhvj ukzuligndnrcmjvwiipn yjuqodluylgutahjdcfm nillhdxucwiiacqlypom xjrjxjbmimhtorxosyaf ihlzvclbxgpowxtnbdni pavvcrtjsssncfcdyksa kssaygwftttsjaxmqolz mcmxnddvbqhvsohuyrkx ijzeyvxbuopntmsszkyp rsorjspmbfxejhmesvhy whtuuigrhqgwidkyxoul atmjkbarqiqfrbowicjf pvdvfscxrzhhjalnopgp jspaizkynklksdyvdaty xccbftuwmwwfokpyjvoh ysjdhqumdmpdkuvmcccl zdnsnfpzxyveisuyeswt vcheqkrvrvgloqsmzntr eizaseisxtccxwynviof ccokzvppcuajuklfpzxs henegakjfthfxyskjoqg kmadwhneejdqtcttubcc alignnone wp-image-8586 tciorygsbpcmaczyqghv acvzdnvvxngfqjfzzgju bbofpcghtebvfeeqeuub\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/daveonline.net\/thepolymerarts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/TPA-Blog-Newsletter-Ad-ShadesofClay-1014-v2.jpg?resize=125%2C125\" alt=\"\" width=\"125\" height=\"125\" \/><\/a>\u00a0\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.neverknead.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"9588\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.thepolymerarts.com\/blog\/re-imagining\/tpa-blog-125x125-2015\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thepolymerarts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/tpa-blog-125x125-2015.jpg?fit=125%2C125&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"125,125\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"tpa-blog-125&amp;#215;125-2015\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thepolymerarts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/tpa-blog-125x125-2015.jpg?fit=125%2C125&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-9588 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/daveonline.net\/thepolymerarts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/tpa-blog-125x125-2015.jpg?resize=125%2C125\" alt=\"tpa-blog-125x125-2015\" width=\"125\" height=\"125\" \/><\/a>\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/store.lisapavelka.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"9691\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.thepolymerarts.com\/blog\/the-jeweler\/lp-pa-foilsdf0215\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thepolymerarts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/LP-PA-FoilsDf0215.gif?fit=125%2C125&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"125,125\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"LP-PA-FoilsDf0215\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thepolymerarts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/LP-PA-FoilsDf0215.gif?fit=125%2C125&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-9691 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/daveonline.net\/thepolymerarts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/LP-PA-FoilsDf0215.gif?resize=125%2C125\" alt=\"LP-PA-FoilsDf0215\" width=\"125\" height=\"125\" \/><\/a>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/polymerclayworkshop.com\/cane-builder-subscription\/\" target=\"_blank\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"9601\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.thepolymerarts.com\/blog\/re-imagining\/ice-cream-ad\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thepolymerarts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/ice-cream-ad.jpg?fit=640%2C640&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"640,640\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1420536517&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;7&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;100&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;3.2409831233&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"ice cream ad\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thepolymerarts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/ice-cream-ad.jpg?fit=430%2C430&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-9601\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/daveonline.net\/thepolymerarts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/ice-cream-ad-480x480.jpg?resize=125%2C125\" alt=\"ice cream ad\" width=\"125\" height=\"125\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thepolymerarts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/ice-cream-ad.jpg?resize=480%2C480&amp;ssl=1 480w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thepolymerarts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/ice-cream-ad.jpg?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thepolymerarts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/ice-cream-ad.jpg?w=640&amp;ssl=1 640w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 125px) 100vw, 125px\" \/><\/a>\u00a0 <a href=\"http:\/\/store.barbaramcguire.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"9600\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.thepolymerarts.com\/blog\/re-imagining\/tpa_mcguire_blog-ad\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thepolymerarts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/TPA_McGuire_blog-ad.jpg?fit=125%2C125&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"125,125\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;3.5&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;COOLPIX S9300&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1393575581&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;4.5&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;125&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.025&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"TPA_McGuire_blog ad\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thepolymerarts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/TPA_McGuire_blog-ad.jpg?fit=125%2C125&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-9600 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/daveonline.net\/thepolymerarts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/TPA_McGuire_blog-ad.jpg?resize=125%2C125\" alt=\"TPA_McGuire_blog ad\" width=\"125\" height=\"125\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&nbsp; We interrupt this week of happy couples\u00a0to remember a different kind of love; that for our dearest friends, some of which are a bit on the furry side. Our pets can be such an amazing and important part of our lives. I know of many stories where people pulled through very difficult times because&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4,24],"tags":[13,157,3874,3875,778,3876,3851,3850,12,11,164],"class_list":["post-9735","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-inspirational-art","category-ponderings","tag-artistic-inspiration","tag-creativity","tag-gayle-thompson","tag-greyhound","tag-love","tag-love-of-dogs","tag-love-stories","tag-love-story","tag-polymer-art","tag-polymer-clay","tag-sculpture"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p2O0Lm-2x1","jetpack-related-posts":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thepolymerarts.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9735","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thepolymerarts.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thepolymerarts.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thepolymerarts.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thepolymerarts.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9735"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.thepolymerarts.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9735\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thepolymerarts.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9735"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thepolymerarts.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9735"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thepolymerarts.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9735"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}