Tag: Okey

Why I share my cats' photos on Facebook

Okey white cat photo
“Okey” photo by BZTAT

Every morning I awaken to an assortment of furry faces staring at me in anticipation of breakfast. Of course all of my cats are the best examples of feline beauty to ever meow on this earth. But usually one sticks out in its extraordinary catness each day.

Before I am fully awake, I reach for my iPhone and I start snapping photos.

Then I share the most endearing photo on Facebook. Within seconds, I start getting alerts to “Likes” and comments on the photo. It goes on all day, and sometimes continues into the next day.

I’ve read articles by so-called social media experts suggesting that you should not post too many pet or baby photos on Facebook. They say it annoys people. They obviously don’t know me or my Facebook friends.

I am a serial “Liker” of baby and candid pet photos, and my friends seem to be too.

Here is the real reason I share my cats’ photos.

Although my studio is a few paces from my home, I still spend many hours away from my cats each day. When I share a photo of the sweet moment I have with them in the morning, I take it with me all day, and it keeps me close to them.

Each time I get an alert that someone “liked” or commented on the photo, it makes me smile. I need those extra smiles some days.

I guess the photo makes my friends smile too. What’s the harm in that?

Okey – The cat that changed my life.

This auction has been reopened. Bids will be accepted until 10pm Sunday, 3/18/12.

Drawing of cat Okey by BZTAT
"Okey" Drawing by BZTAT

I have concluded my series of feral cat drawings of a colony of cats with which I am intervening. Although there are still a couple of cats to be trapped and neutered, I have drawn all of them, and I think it is time to bring the series to a close. All of the cats are doing well and now have  greater potential for longer lives. And the overpopulation worries are over.

Thanks for following the series, and thanks for caring about the real cats that inspired the drawings.

Today, I drew a picture of my cat Okey, the little cat who changed my life. Without her, I would have never thought of intervening with feral cats.

You see, Okey was a stray cat, dumped on the streets of downtown Canton, my home. I rescued her in October of last year, and my life has been changed ever since.

The movement that she inspired has motivated others around the world to take the welfare of cats and other animals more seriously, and for that I am very grateful. She also has become my very dear, sweet companion.

Like the other drawings, I am placing this one up for auction. Here are the details:

5″ X7″ Prismacolor Pencil and Marker Drawing on paper by artist BZTAT

Comes with an acid free mat ready for an 8″ x 10″ frame

Leave bids in increments of $5 below in the comments section.

Minimum Bid $40 USD

Shipping: $8 USA $18 International

BUY NOW OPTION: You can buy this piece now for $75 as long as no bids have been made in the comments below. Simply write BUY NOW in the comments and send a payment of $75 + shipping via the ChipIn widget in the right sidebar.

Highest bid at 10:00 pm EST on Friday 3/9/12 wins the piece.

Winning bidder: make payment of bid + shipping to PayPal to Paypal using email address bztat at bztat.com.

Please allow 4 weeks for USA shipping.

December Doodles – Be Kind to Animals!

UPDATE: Bidding for this artwork has been extended to 10pm Wednesday, December 21, 2011!

Be kind to animals drawing
"Be Kind to Animals" Doodle Drawing by BZTAT

I love to scribble, and I kinda went to town scribbling on today’s doodle. It is not without a message though. I thought I would have a little fun, yet draw my Okey to share an important sentiment.

A doodle, according to Wikipedia, is “an unfocused drawing made while a person’s attention is otherwise occupied. Doodles are simple drawings that can have concrete representational meaning or may just be abstract shapes.” My doodles often have some focus to them, but they are less formal than a regular drawing. Sometimes the images are somewhat cartoonish and sometimes they are just scribbles and line formations.

For each day from Dec. 1 – 15 (2011) I will make a December Doodle drawing and hold an auction for it here on the blog. These drawings will make nice gifts, and if you want, I will gift wrap and mail to whomever you would like the gift(s) to go. And since animals always are in greater need as winter takes hold, I will donate 10% of the proceeds to a registered animal charity.

Which charity? You help me decide! Post the charity that you would like me to support on my Facebook Fanpage, and I will randomly select from all the submissions on Dec. 15, 2011. (Charities must be for animal rescue, in the United States, and must have a 501(c) non-profit status.)

If you would like to bid on this drawing, simply place your bid in the comments below.

Here are the deets on today’s doodle:

8 1/2″ x 11″ Unframed Prismacolor Pencil and Marker Digital Doodle Drawing on paper by artist BZTAT

Leave bids in increments of $5 below in the comments section.

Minimum Bid $40 USD

Shipping: $8 USA $18 International

BUY NOW OPTION: You can buy the piece now for $75 as long as no bids have been made in the comments below. Simply write BUY NOW in the comments and send a payment of $75 + shipping via Paypal using the email address bztat at bztat.com.

Highest bids at 10:00 pm EST on Saturday 1/10/11 wins the auction.

Winning bidders: make payment of bid + shipping to Paypal using email address bztat at bztat.com.