Why Is My Dog Green?

You may have noticed this picture at the top of my blog when you came to visit and now it's time for me to share the story with you. Oh yes, there is a story behind the green paw. It was the middle of summer in Houston and my Dad was working on a project (as he normally does) and I was outside watching, being the moral supporter (as I normally am). He had found the top of an old spool on the beach and was making it into a table. He had cut out some legs, sanded them, and attached them onto the spool. After much deliberation, he had decided on painting the legs of the table green (my contribution, thank you very much) and the top a bright blue (a style similar to David Marsh Furniture). Since the backyard is shared by three dogs, our family is very familiar with the precautions taken to protect valuables. These precautions include, but are not limited to, the very inconvenient metal fence to protect the back door which puts a hole your shirt as you walk through, the chicken wire on the balding grass that acts as a hidden trip wire, and don't forget the chest-high wooden gate on hinges that protects the newly carpeted garage apartment. These "precautions" are very familiar to the Atmar household. So the semi-wet table, the paint brushes, and the paint cans were all securely placed in the garage surrounded by a metal-like fence. Then, we concluded it was safe to go inside for dinner. I don't remember what we ate, but I do remember looking out the window to see my green faced dog staring back at me. So, being the photographer that I am, the first thing I did was grab my camera. As I walked out the back door, I saw my crazy dog in the middle of the yard holding a paintbrush in between her paws chewing on the bristles. Not only were her nose and mouth green, but also her paws and forearms. Fortunately for Sage, the paint was water-based and came off remarkably fast. But the memory of Sage's green paws will forever be etched in my memory!