Brewskie Butt, the Official Spokescat for Art Adventures Studios, is going orange for the month of April! Why? Because orange is the signature color for the The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), and April is Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month.

The Brew is a big advocate of animal protection causes, and he hopes that his fans will keep the critters especially close in their hearts this month. As many people have been forced out of their homes recently due to economic hardship, many animals are losing their families and finding themselves homeless. Other animals are becoming the innocent victims of human hardship, with animal abuse being on the rise. Please consider supporting animal causes in your community to protect them and keep them safe. Thank you!

Life is an Adventure!

Art Adventures Studios, located in downtown Canton, OHnear Second April Galerie and the historic Onesto Hotel.

Is it a coincidence that April is both National Child Abuse Prevention Month and Prevention of Animal Cruelty Month?

Perhaps the choice of April to promote awareness of both child abuse and animal cruelty was coincidental. The two issues, however, are deeply intertwined. Recent research has demonstrated a strong link between animal cruelty and domestic violence, leaving little question that animal cruelty has a painful impact on our human society beyond the pain for the animals.

“A Little House with Freedom” by BZTAT

We cannot ignore child abuse. We cannot ignore animal abuse. Both involve emotional and physical injury that hurts both the individual victims and the communities in which they live. As Mahatma Gandhi said, “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.”

My artwork often takes a whimsical and cheerful tone as I explore and celebrate the nature of animals. Animals bring us back to our innocence, and that innocence often brings out such beauty and benevolence in us. The spirit of joy and eager wonder that is experienced through the love of a pet takes us back to a time where we were young and unencumbered by life’s trials and tribulations.

Many children cannot remember such a time, however, despite their youth. Child abuse has encumbered them with experiences much more trying than their young lives are prepared to handle.

Still yet, as a children’s therapist (my day job), I am often amazed at how children affected by trauma and emotional turmoil still have a sense of wonder about their lives. I see a lot of children affected by child abuse and domestic violence, and it hurts them deeply. But hope and wonder are still there, even if one has to dig deeply to find it. My hope with these children is to build upon their still-existent sense of wonder, so that they can recover and feel safe again.

My artwork dances around a number of themes. Pet art reflecting the character of cats and dogs is the most prevalent theme, but issue oriented work is also very prominent. One major artwork, “Jesse’s Journey”, explores the resiliency of children affected by the pain of trauma, as does the piece “Rediscovery” that was recently selected as the winning piece at the Hearts with Hope art contest for the Domestic Violence Project in Canton, OH. My “Anonymous Feline Spirits” series addresses the issue of homeless pets and the need for spay/neuter programs in our communities.

I ask you to revisit these works in the effort to heighten your sensitivity about the critical issues of animal and child abuse during this very important month of awareness. We can do something about both problems. What can you do? Check out the websites for the ASPCA and Pinwheels for Prevention for a variety of things that you can do in your community.

Every piece of hope matters.

Life is an Adventure!

Art Adventures Studios, located in downtown Canton, OHnear Second April Galerie and the historic Onesto Hotel.

Beginning on April 5 and ending on April 6, an amazing event occurred that reminded me of how special animals and their people truly were. The event was my cat Brewskie’s birthday “paw pawty” that was celebrated around the world as the “#pawpawty” on Twitter.

For those of you who aren’t on Twitter, I know that this whole business is probably a mystery to you. To those who are on Twitter, but have not experienced the animal kingdom within, it probably sounds crazy, too. Please bear with me as I try to explain, and as I try to share how this whole thing moved me in ways that I would have never imagined.

I knew that my cat (@Brewskiebutt) “tweeted” on Twitter when I left him at home all day. I knew that he was incredibly popular among his “anipals” (other critters on Twitter with whom he communicates about various animal concerns). I knew that throwing him a party on Twitter would be a success, and I knew that we could raise some money for animal rescue efforts in the process.

What I didn’t expect was the overwhelmingly joyful, kind-spirited and innocent fun that led to a very deep connection between hundreds, maybe thousands of “critters” around the entire world. In the so-called “real world” these “critters” are complete strangers. In a “virtual world”, however, they frolic and play and are the best of friends.

The one thing that brings them together is a love for animals and the unexplainable way that animals bring out the best in humanity.

The paw pawty lasted for a full 24 hours, and it was a top trend on Twitter for almost the entire time. For several hours, it was the number one trend on Twitter, meaning that, throughout the globe, it was the most talked-about topic on Twitter. It wasn’t Brewskie that they were talking about. It was the joy and fun of cutting loose and sharing with others who love animals.

There was silly nonsense, like dogs lining up to use the porta-hydrants and cats passing around the “nip”. There were DJ’s “blip-ing” music and critters dancing the night away. There were animals partying throughout the paw pawty’s “virtual location” of the Canton Arts District, taking in the amazing art scene and entertainment zone that has become Canton’s new claim to fame. And there were contests and prizes galore.

Yeah, I know it sounds crazy.

This imaginary world, though, somehow brought out the “realness” of innocent fun and hopeful cheer that is often forgotten in a world of difficult challenges and conflict. For a day, the paw pawty participants got back in touch with their tender and innocent selves by sharing a special time with others around the world.

Oh, and by the way, Anipals raised $1,101.00 for @Romeothecat’s FurPower Challenge during the paw pawty which will go to Kitten Rescue in Los Angeles, CA.

The Brew and I would like to thank his Paw Pawty organizing committee for all of their efforts in coordinating contests and prizes and many other details. Led by organizer extraordinaire

@EmmytheCat tweeting during the#pawpawty