Max, the Clarenville SPCA rescue

Earlier this year I was contacted by a woman inquiring about a portrait of a special dog whose plight had touched the hearts of those around him. She told me about Max, how he had been chained on outside without food or water. How, near to death, he had been taken in by the Clarenville SPCA, given medical treatment along with a good dose of love and care. How in spite of their efforts, Max had passed away only days after his rescue.

This story isn't an isolated one. This type of thing happens so very often that I think we, as a society have become inured to it. Seeing and hearing sad stories over and over again, we think there's nothing we can do to help anyway, so we turn away. Either in resignation or acceptance.

However, there are people who refuse to accept what others see as inevitable, but fight and rail against it. Who go out of their way to help and protect, and try to prevent it from happening again.

These people are special. They take the time to do what they do because they have caring hearts that refuse to accept what others turn away from. They force our eyes to see what they see, to cry for what "we" as a civilized society allow to happen.

By bringing these atrocities to the public eye, they force us to engage our attention, if even only for a brief time, on what should not be happening.

Animal abuse. Two words that shouldn't ever be put together.

This portrait of Max is my small contribution to the very special people at the Clarenville SPCA. They have my permission to use this painting for whatever purpose they see fit, in order to raise awareness and funds to help other animals.

Please, if you see this portrait in another format, as a card, poster, whatever, pause a moment and reflect on what it represents. Help them in whatever way you can. Help those unfortunate and helpless animals who deserve such better lives than they have been given through no fault of their own.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

- Christine Norman
Artist, Charmed by Christine Portraits



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