Clearwater Beach is just around the corner from where I live- and last weekend we headed there with our family for a sunset swim. Our granddaughter squealed, attached to Diana while  the waves swept over both of them.

My son David and I strolled out a few yards into the water, talking and watching for fish. We saw one shallow water denizen, a fat little fellow with black and yellow lining his fins. “Look, David! We can pretend we’re scuba diving!” That little tropical looking fish really made my day.

When lightening dramatically lit up the eastern sky, we thought it time to dry off and head home. Here in Florida you never know for sure what the weather will bring your way so I always appreciate these outdoor moments, like shiny little gems in time.

My horse gift, this face-on horse lover pendant, seems to
strike a chord. Horse lovers gravitate towards this design at all my shows, but
I’ve never asked them why.

It reminds me of a horse when she presents herself for a
nose pat. Isn’t that the way they look when they show up at the fence? I can
hear that friendly nickering sound. When I lived in California
I loved to take walks with my daughter in the country, right to the neighbor’s
ranch where there was a sweet-tempered mare who politely asked for pets.

Maybe that’s why I like this horse pendant.

When I decided to create a piece of sterling silver jewelry
for pet lovers only, I decided that a pet paw symbol was the perfect
thing. I didn’t want a paw print that could be identified as belonging to
either a cat or dog specifically- more like something anyone could wear to say
“Hey, I’m an animal lover!”

And I wanted something different enough that could be identified as a Magic Zoo design. I have my own style, and many people who have followed my career as a jewelry artist for any period of time could probably pick out one of my pet paw designs over other ones available. I kind of like that!

So now I have several variations of this symbol; some are in a heart shape, some are on a round circle and one I designed for the ASPCA is cut out right around the toes. But no matter what the style, a pet paw symbol is universally loved by animal lovers.

Ed and I recently stayed in Biloxi
Mississippi on our way to New
Orleans for a Veterinary conference. This area along
the coast is coming back to life after Katrina, but to me the most poignant
creations are the carved trees.

After the disaster several years ago, the coastline along Highway 90 was left with dead trees, testament to the force of the hurricane. Two artists, Dayton Scroggins and Marlin Miller decided to create beauty from the wreckage, and carved dozens of the dead trees into images of local animal life. Seahorses, dolphin and egrets emerge from the standing wood; the trees given new life just like the surrounding neighborhood now being rebuilt.

These are beautiful reminders of the importance of art in every day life, and how artists are able to make a difference with their gifts.

Army veterinarians are an interesting group. This morning I spoke with one at my exhibit booth in New Orleans. I was curious as to what animals they treated in their profession, thinking most of them must be canine patients.

The doctor told me that the majority of the army veterinarians keep busy doing food testing for our men and women serving overseas, which I’d not even thought about. That made a lot of sense, though.

They also take care of army dogs, horses and the pets of individual service men and women, especially abroad. So, military veterinarians aren’t just treating the animals employed in the services, but any pet any soldier might have, including ferrets, mice or lizards!

This subgroup of soldier veterinarians are working hard to keep our soldier’s pets healthy
and happy, as well as making sure the service men and women stay healthy as well.