Hi! They call me Feral. I’m as wild as wild can be! 
I have lots of brothers and sisters. We have dinner together every night.
I love kids
and I always try to stop and say hello to my friends.
I like to serenade the moon 
and sleep wherever I find a place to lay my head.
Everyone is so happy to see me. My mom wasn’t wild like me. She was someone’s pet. When she came in the family way, she gave birth to me under a bush then left me. 
Did you know that’s how all ferals come to be? Their owners fail to neuter/spay their own pets and sometimes they even move away and leave their pets behind.
Contrary to what people think, domestic pets don’t know how to take care of themselves out in the wild. They usually die from starvation or get hit by cars.
Feral cats don’t live to long either. They have an average life span of about 3 years. They die from disease, predator attacks or end up being caught and euthanized (at the expense of about $50 mil. a year in tax payer dollars).
Did you know that’s how all ferals come to be? Their owners fail to neuter/spay their own pets and sometimes they even move away and leave their pets behind.Contrary to what people think, domestic pets don’t know how to take care of themselves out in the wild. They usually die from starvation or get hit by cars.
Feral cats don’t live to long either. They have an average life span of about 3 years. They die from disease, predator attacks or end up being caught and euthanized (at the expense of about $50 mil. a year in tax payer dollars). But we leave our stamp on this world. We can have a couple litters every year and 6 to 8 kittens in each litter! You do the math. We breed out of control!
Of course there’s an answer for all these sad stories. First- Get your pets fixed. Second- Every states has something called Feral Cat Coalition. All you have to do is call them in your area. They trap ‘neuter/spay and release’ wild critters like me at no expense to you. And third- rescue a pet. You’ll be rew
arded ten fold.I got lucky. I found a lady I liked
and I decided t
o adopt her.
She says I’m the love of her life. That really makes me happy.
_______________________
These are (just)some of the illustrations I did for a children’s book about the plight of feral cats and the importance of having your pets neuter/spayed.
My model was my kitty Manny. He was born under my Plumbago bush. He’s 4 yrs. old and about 17 lbs today. He lost his tail via a neighbor’s garage door, so he’s a full time indoor kitty.
Ever rescued a kitty or pup and how do feel about the importance of spay/neuter statewide programs? Did you realize they are a bi-product of our lifestyles?
Vikki
Please visit The Red Chair Gallery.
and I decided t
o adopt her.She says I’m the love of her life. That really makes me happy.
_______________________
These are (just)some of the illustrations I did for a children’s book about the plight of feral cats and the importance of having your pets neuter/spayed.
My model was my kitty Manny. He was born under my Plumbago bush. He’s 4 yrs. old and about 17 lbs today. He lost his tail via a neighbor’s garage door, so he’s a full time indoor kitty.
Ever rescued a kitty or pup and how do feel about the importance of spay/neuter statewide programs? Did you realize they are a bi-product of our lifestyles?
Vikki
Please visit The Red Chair Gallery.
I reserve all copyrights to my art. (no resale or reproduction)
14 comments:
I LOVE these. I hope it isn't an insult to say that I find them very "Disneyesque". I mean that in the most complementary way.
Hi Lou,
Actually that's a great compliment.
I grew up on Disney Films so they undoubtedly did influence me early on.
Vikki
Hi Vikki,
It appears your new computer is running well, from the looks of your new post.
As I was reading your post and admiring your artwork, I was readying myself to tell you that this will make a great children's book...And then, came the revelation...Oh, well...I love your illustrations, nonetheless, and I love Disney movies, too.
We don't own any pets, but hubby's side of the family have always owned cats one time or another ever since I can remember. I'm not able to deal with them dying on me. It's more so if I have to deal with euthenasia. These are the main reasons that we don't have pets. Additionally, I don't like worrying about them when we go on trips.
My daughter is always asked to cat-sit one of our friends' exotic cats everytime they go on vacations. They're always tryiing to find somebody to cat-sit for them, which I'm not willing to have to do if we have pets.
Each time hubby's sister or parents put their pets to sleep, I feel very heartbroken. I understand that sometimes, that has to be done. Just so I don't have to deal with such dilemma, I decided not to have pets.
Have a great week.
Tasha
Hi Tasha,
I know exactly how you feel. After my kids were older and all the pets gone, I promised myself I would never EVER get another one. I even said your exact words to one of my neighbors -expounding on their short life span and how heartbreaking it is. My neighbor said something I'll never forget:
"Even though their life span is only 10 to 20 years- you have to remember what a wonderful life you can creat for some cat or dog and all the love they'll bring into your life for 10 to 20 years."
So to say the least- pets have come into my life despite my promise and they bring me an immense amount of joy. My pets are all rescues and the most lovable critters.
Vikki
Love this! I want that kitty to live at my place, Hehehe.
Just dropping by to say hi and wish you a good day.
Hi Heather,
It's so nice to hear from you. That kitty does live at my house and he's my 'love pig.'
You remember Mosey? Manny is her brother. They were the tw0 kittens I found in my yard.
Vikki
I don't think I could live without my pets. Of course we have the Chihuahuas, but we also have a Bengal, its a Snow Leopard. He is descended from the Asian Leopard cat. They are the most beautiful loving cats I have ever seen. Mine is about 35 pounds, and his brother who passed not too long ago was about 40 pounds.
One of our Chihuahuas is a rescue, but since we breed them most are from reputable breeders. We are pretty careful about who we sell them to, and offer any assistance we can.
If one is not going to breed their animals, they should spay or neuter them. In my prior life I had to deal with feral cats all the time. It was not a pleasant chore.
I rescued a junkyard cat one time. Sitting outside in the cold, meowing at her until she finally came out of hiding. She was a great cat, but would only come to me and no one else.
Hi Eric,
I know about your beautiful Chihuahuas. I’ve read your other site and have seen your pups, which are so gorgeous.
And I agree with you about spay/neuter of non-show or breeding animals.
I also became familiar with the Bengals not to long ago. A lady who raises them as show cats actually had one (about 6months old) with her in pet smart. She took him everywhere getting him comfortable with socializing. They’re absolutely amazing creatures. (I still have her card by the way)
Ferals don’t trust people by the most part with good reason. My big guy Manny is an extremely, if not overtly, lovable kitty- but he’s really only semi-feral. I found him so young.
Glad your back. I always look forward to your comments.
Vikki
The paintings are adorable Vikki!!
I too rescue animals as much as I can. From cats and dogs, to birds and whatever comes to my reach. Ruffo's mom was rescued from a doctor's hacienda down in Venezuela. The guy was friends with my dad and was about to kill her the day after we visited the farm since according to him the dog was a killer dog as she was eating his chickens. Poor baby later we found out she was only hungry as the caretakers never feed her and as a hunting dog she would kill to survive. We took her with us despite the warnings and she became the most amazing dog I've ever had. She took care of my oldest son when he was playing in the garden always protecting him and warning me if something was not right. She passed away in Atlanta a year after we moved to the US in 1999, she was 12 years old and had a nice peaceful life with us. Of course both her and Ruffo, her son came with us in the airplane along with all our belongings. Our pets are family from the day they enter our lives until the day they pass away and we take full responsibility on them. I can't understand how someone that adopts a pet a year later would take it to the shelter because they can't deal with them. To me is like taking one of my kids to the orphanage because they did something wrong, inadmissible and cruel to say the least!
I don't remember ever not having animals in my life, even the pictures as a kid I have either a cat, a leopard, a tiger, dog, monkey, snake or whatever that we happen to come across and needed a place to live in peace was next to me. We provided them all with a loving home away from abusers, and in return we got unconditional love. We sure miss all of them, and wish they would have lived longer human lives, but we are glad they get to have a wonderful time with us where they were not only protected but taken care of and respected the way it should be.
Pongo is the new dog and the only one I have ever bought in my entire life. Aside from Pongo, we have Lucky and Gray, two adopted and spectacular indoor cats both spay/neuter. The only one not neuter is Pongo, the Newfoundland puppy since we are planning to show him next year, otherwise he would be too.
There are way too many animals in shelters that never get to have a nice loving home because either there is no one that would want them or because they get to be disposed before the right owner arrives. As humans we are harming the life of millions of pets and wild animals and it seems it gets worse as time goes by.
The way I see it every animal in this world should be protected and treated with respect. Until then horrible things will keep happening to all those innocent creatures who just want to have a warm couch to sleep in and a bowl of food.
MV./
Hi Manuela,
Beautiful comment and well said.
I completely agree with you 100%. In fact I think 'how someone deals with and looks at animals' tells more about their own character than anything. They are all (wild and domestic) our responsibility and need our protection.
Thank you so much. I love your comment.
Vikki
I like these a lot! The subtleties in the compositions and expressions are really outstanding. The mouths, the eyes speak volumes. I'm inspired by the way you lead my eyes through a painting with little gems to discover a long the way! :) Great artwork!
~Michael
Hi Michael,
Thanks. I love illustrating. It really demands consistency of style, character and feel of each image. It's a great exercise as an artist.
Vikki
Gosh, what have I been missing out. I'll be back to go through each and every post (as time permits that is)...that old elusive time..
I would love to draw a picture of a time bug...but yet I would sure love to see your interpretation of time flying and flitting around..bet you could come up with something great!
Hi Sandy-
"June Bug' is going to be one of themes for June! And those are exactly the sort of ideas I so desperately want and need for our themes.
I wish you'd consider put them up here-
http://www.theartistchallenge.com/art-forum/art-challenge-ideas-b2.0/
Vikki
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