My Story:

-Welcome to my 40s. A perfect time to disrupt oneself. An opportunity for me to utilize everything I cultivated from my previous decades.  An educator by trade, an artist by chance, an animal lover by fate. I've always lived by the song, "Talk to the Animals", been steered by CPE's stories in "Women Who Run With the Wolves", and aspired to create a business of my own by riding the rails of my passion.

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From horses to dogs to cats, I've preferred the company of animals my entire life.  Each one has played an important role, however brief our time together, in shaping those pieces of my heart to make it whole. I am fortunate to have a house full of rescue animals that are Noche's adopted brothers + sisters. There's Arriba, Kiona, and little Moki Dugway - along with our gang of cats led by big boy Socrates who helps me paint. They are my motivation for driving my life in the direction I want. They are my inspiration for paying it forward to other shelter dogs and cats.  They are my muses for my artwork. You can follow their adventures on Instagram @thepackhikes

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I create sketches and hand painted pet portraits for fellow animal lovers. Each portrait is made with love and helps to feed shelter animals.  Painting is something I enjoy as a complete opposite to my "day job" as an educator, which recently switched from classroom teacher to Assistant Principal.  After 16 years in education, having a creative outlet that I can tie to my love of animals helps to bring much needed balance to my life. Seeing how happy pet owners are when they receive their portraits, knowing shelter animals are being fed in the process, adds much needed positivity to the universe. The support I receive fuels a network of good vibes.

 

Noche's Story:

-Born in the shelter late November 2019, little Rover as he was then named [which matched my IG handle @rae.rover], was part of a litter where half were lost and he was one of the 4 surviving boys; both mom and dad were also at the shelter. Baby Rover first came into my life in January 2020, after losing my boy Terzo.  I visited with the litter everyday for a week, observing their interactions with one another and with me, debating on fostering one.  After putting Baby Rover in my hiking pack to see if he liked, that was it: I fostered him on Friday 1/17 and signed the adoption paperwork on 1/24 (an old bib number combination that holds good memories from my horseshow days!). Rover, aptly named Noche, was the one who undoubtedly needed to be the permanent fixture in my life. Our connection was written in marble from day 1, and now my inspiration for my art and our continued volunteer/foster work. The Noch is my miracle dog. There is just something about this boy, he carries a torch within him as he loves people and dogs alike, bridging gaps between what people perceive Pit Bull type dogs to be, and what they actually are. Noche is a successful foster brother (2 puppies, 3 kitties), a trail tenderfoot at 6 months, and a champion ambassador for all that socialization can do for a dog, and his mom. He is by my side with each portrait that is painted, always here as a reminder to do good and be good.

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Volunteer Shelter Work:

-Started as a shared idea with P.J. Regan // @thebullhikes after a trip out West one summer where we encountered stray and rez dogs, Shelter to Trails has been our focus.  We thought - we are really active people, our own former shelter dogs have benefited immensely from the outdoors, wouldn't current shelter dogs too? We strive to create the best life possible for our rescue pack, taking them on every adventure we go on - big and small - and this is a way to pay it forward to those who wait for their forever human(s).  It's a growing movement that encompasses volunteer work, fostering, networking, fundraising, donating, sharing, educating, advocating. Taking shelter dogs out for the day and onto the trails to hike + run helps them gain confidence, release stress, and gives them the opportunity to be a dog again.  We've successfully helped Millie, Viola, Spot, Gertrude (now Ellie), Kourtney (now Harley), and several other shelter dogs by providing them time on the trails.  Our other focus is tied to my artwork: food donations to local shelters.  Each portrait that is completed helps to feed dogs and cats at your local animal shelters and/or via our Shelter to Trails monthly food drives!

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