It seemed ironic to me that when looking back, I discovered it was close to exactly two years ago that I shared the watercolor portrait of our late golden retriever Sheba that we had done. I had decided to do that as part of the bucket list I had for her when she had her second round of cancerous lumps removed. I was so pleased with that portrait, that I knew someday I would have Cricket’s done as well. This, however, is not part of any bucket list I’ve started for Cricket. I might be in denial, but in spite of her heart condition and senior age of 13, I do not anticipate losing her in the near future.
I also knew I’d be having the same artist do Cricket’s portrait, Allison Gray of Go Gray Artwork. The only decision I had to make was what color scheme I wanted her to use, and what photo. I knew I wanted a photo of Cricket smiling just like Sheba was in hers.

I had more trouble deciding if I wanted to go with the same colors or something different. I decided to go with the same family of colors, since I knew I’d be hanging it on the wall right by Sheba’s. I told Allison I’d like them similar though not exactly the same, and I think it came out perfectly.
It makes my heart happy to have the two girls, who were the best of friends (well, most of the time), together up there on the wall.
I still find Allison’s prices very reasonable (just $55 plus shipping for a 9 x 12 portrait), and she also often gives a portion of her proceeds to shelters and rescues. By the way, we were not compensated for sharing about her artwork, we are just sharing because we love it and it’s special to us.

You can find Go Gray Artwork in the following places. Check them out to see many of the other beautiful portraits she has done:
Have you ever had a portrait of any of your pets done?
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Brought a little tear to my eye. They are beautiful, and you are right, it is so good to see the two of them together.
I use my laptop mostly on the dining room table now, so I look right at those pictures all the time. Love it, even though sometimes it makes me miss Sheba more.
Oh my gosh beautiful job!! I love them both together.
Me too!!
I’ve done portraits myself of Barley and Soth at wine and paint nights, and I want to hang them up now that I’ve gotten the house all de-wallpapered and removed, but I don’t have one of Rye so it feels wrong to hang them up before I have one of her! That might be something we work on over the holidays 🙂
Those are extra special since you did them yourself! I feel bad that I don’t have Luke or Sam either, but one at a time I guess. I’d actually love to have one of each of our past dogs as well (there have been way too many cats to do all of them), but I can’t really afford to do that!
How beautiful! I bet you miss Sheba, as I do D’Art, but it is lovely to have such a vibrant representation of her beauty, alongside Cricket’s joyful smile, on your wall.
I do, I miss her so much. We’re coming up on a year since we lost her…hard to believe.
That is so cute and the two of them look great! I have a pencil drawing of my Golden, Tucker and I cherish it. An art student did it for me when I worked at the high school.
Oh, I bet that is beautiful, and that is so special to have.
Those are gorgeous! And they compliment each other so well.
Thank you!
The portraits both look so vivid and exuberant! Perfect for the pups. Mr. N does not have a portrait…. yet. We do have an awful lot of professional photos of him though!
Mr. N is SO photogenic!
I love Allison Gray’s style of painting. They’re so exuberant.
Great choice for a photo. I think Cricket looks wonderful.
Thank you! And thank you for bringing Allison to my attention. My sister had her beagles done by Allison as well!
Goodness, that is Cricket cool!
I love those. So cute, and happy. Good color choices.
Thank you! I like the warm and cheerful tones.
Alison did a great job on both portraits! It’s almost as if Cricket and Sheba could jump right out of the frame and give you a big ole puppy kiss! 💗💗
I sure wish Sheba could….miss that girl! 🙂
Those are cute and super fun photos. What a neat idea!
I wish I could have all of our pets done, but I probably better get a job first. LOL
I love it… and this fabulous beabgle smile can rescue even a stinky moanday :o)
It makes every day around here brighter! 🙂