Mozart: An Artistic Rescue Dog

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| Print | By Jo Singer | April 9, 2009 3:08 PM

Several weeks ago I wrote an item about "Painted Cats" and about my friend, Rani Merens who paints pet portraits, so today I was delighted to find an item on the Internet about an artistic dog!

We have all heard about Elephants who paint, and raise money earmarked for elephant protection and study, but this is my first exposure to a canine with an artistic bent.

Mozart is a Harlequin Great Dane who spent the first years of his life, locked in a wire cage with little human contact. With virtually no chance to romp outdoors in the sunshine, his only contact with other dogs at the facility was when he was used at stud, breeding female Danes kept to "churn out" as many puppies as possible.

When his owner decided that he no longer wanted him, he was shipped to the Buckeye Dog Auction to make some fast cash. A couple attending the auction won the bidding and took him home.

One might think that the story had a happy ending, but after a couple of days, unable to handle the unsocialized canine, they contacted Animal Control requesting he be removed from their home. Fortunately, the officers immediately recognized that the dog was terrified, unable to walk on hard surfaces, as he had no experience doing so and combined with his fear of humans, he would be un-adoptable.

They immediately contacted the Harlequin Haven Great Dane Rescue
Janet Carleton, a volunteer with the rescue group became involved with this perplexed pooch. She is now a spokesperson for Mozart, aka Mo, on Facebook and Twitter. Since Mo became a celebrity shortly after arriving at the Great Dane sanctuary, Janet stepped up to the plate and accepted the position as his publicist.

This creative canine surely has an artistic talent, and has become the unofficial "spokes dog" to help put an end to puppy mills. His talent was discovered as "painting" is part of the rehabilitation process for all the rescued sanctuary dogs. Since most dogs don't like the sensation of wet paint on their paws, and don't want to walk around with paint on them, Mo, who is skitterish about walking on hard surfaces, did not mind this process in the least. Ms. Carlton says that Mo paints while lying on a futon.

Paint is squirted onto a canvas and Mo "massages" the colors on it. He has so much fun with it that he reminds his handler that he needs more paint by nudging at them. He paints every day, and loves his "work", which is obvious by how excited he gets when he observes a handler with a canvas. Mo also picks his colors.

When he is getting ready for an exhibit, Mo will create two small paintings a day. Larger objects d'art takes two days for him to accomplish. He attends all his events and gallery openings, and basks in the glow of stardom, which demonstrates how much progress he has made in trusting people. He is still a bit camera shy and hides from people wanting to take his picture, but I suspect this remnant of mistrust will fade. He still is not comfortable with hard surfaces, but the folks at Harlequin Haven Great Dane Rescue are very patient with him.

Proceeds from his artwork go toward the support of the sanctuary. With vet bills more than $20,000 in 2008, as many dogs who come to the sanctuary originate from puppy mills and are physically in very bad shape and need a lot of care, funds are very much needed.

Mo's paintings have evolved considerably since he first put a paw on canvas. His initial ones were basically paw prints on canvas, but now he is spending much more time "massaging" paint all over the canvas.

Mo will never overcome the damage to his psyche and his physical body, as those issues will render him un-adoptable. But he will be able to continue to live at the sanctuary which is a home-like setting; He lives with the director and her husband and is very much loved.

You can visit Mozart's Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mozart-Dane/26783929797?ref=mf

Leave a comment and share your feelings about this touching story.

RELATED TOPICS: Blogs (262) , Dogs (67) , Rescue (22)

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Vicki April 9, 2009 6:05 PM

What a very sad story for such a beautiful dog. I am glad that Janet is taking care of him and giving him the love he deserves. We should all be grateful for special people like her.

Janet Carleton April 9, 2009 9:24 PM

Thanks so much for showcasing Mo! To see his paintings and learn even more, visit his Web site at http://hhdane.org/mozart
And a big Dane lean from Mo!

Amy April 10, 2009 4:56 AM

It is always a warm feeling to read about critters that have been mistreated turn their own lives around by displaying a hidden talent. Bravo to Moe and may he have a long happy life.

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