3 Helpful Tips for Hiking with your Dog

Finn at one of our favorite hiking spots

Hey friends! I LOVE that Summer is here!! It’s my favorite season of the year: the trees are full and green, the sun is out, and the weather is warm! I thought I’d share one of our favorite pastimes with you today: hiking!

Hiking is great exercise, and I think being out on the trails is just good for the soul! Now that Finn doesn’t have that crazy puppy energy anymore, we have a great time on the trails together! Have you thought hiking with your dog sounds fun, but haven't ever gotten around to it? If you decide to give it a try, here are 3 things you need to know:

1️⃣Look at a trail map before you start.  It's a great idea to take a photo or a screenshot of it if you're hiking somewhere new!

2️⃣Check the weather!  If there are extreme temps forecasted for your day, you may want to wait!  In the summer, we hike earlier in the day to avoid the heavy Georgia afternoon heat

3️⃣Bring water!  Every time!!  Even if it's a short trail, you don't know what the trail conditions are like until you get there.  I can't tell you how many hikes I've been on that took twice as long as I expected.

Do you have a friend who wants to get into hiking with their dog? Share this article with them to help them get started!

3 Things that make a Fabulous Reference Photo

Here’s a Question I get alot: What makes a great reference photo for my dog’s portrait?

So here you go:

1️⃣Great Lighting: (outside if you can but bright lighting is key!)

2️⃣Face-On (not looking to the side unless that’s how you want me to draw your portrait)

3️⃣On their Level (squat down so you aren’t looking down on them, but looking them in the eye)

If you’re wondering if a photo you already have would do the trick, feel free to ask! You can fill out my Contact Page to touch base, and when I answer you can include it in the email!

Remembering Bentley 💜

Bentley was the kind of dog who left a mark — not just on the couch or the yard, but on the heart of everyone who knew him.

As Bentley got older, stairs became harder for him. His dad, completely devoted to his boy, made the decision to move to a different home just to make Bentley’s life more comfortable. That kind of love is quiet, fierce, and deeply human. It's the kind of love that says, "Whatever you need, I’ll make it happen."

But before the move was complete, Bentley had a medical emergency — and he passed.

This portrait was commissioned in his memory.

It was drawn slowly, carefully, by hand. Every pencil stroke was a way to honor the bond they shared. Bentley’s dad wanted something to hold onto — something more meaningful than a snapshot. Something that felt like Bentley.

And that’s what I try to create every time I sit down to draw: not just a likeness, but a presence. A way to keep a beloved companion close, even when they're gone.

I don’t use filters or shortcuts. My portraits are hand-drawn from your photos, one detail at a time. They take hours — sometimes days — because the love you shared deserves that kind of care.

If you’ve ever loved a dog like this — the kind of love that rearranges your life without question — I hope this story speaks to you.

And if you’re looking for a way to remember them… I’d be honored to help.