Once upon a time in an enchanted land called Sedona, a set of soulful brown eyes looked up at me and I knew I had just found a new best friend.  His name was Rufus and the animal-human connection we shared is the stuff of dreams.  I rescued him from the lonely ranch where he had been abandoned, but would soon find out he was really rescuing me...

Looking for a subject to paint, I was at a loss, until one day until one day I looked down at Rufus’ sweet puppy face and was inspired to paint his portrait.  From that first painting, until he left me in May 2007 at the age of 14, Rufus was with me every step of the way - watching as I painted, listening to me faithfully, and, most importantly, always representing the heart behind my art.

Inspired by memories of me reading to Rufus, Rufus Rhymes was born.  This book is a tribute to the better man Rufus made me want to be.  Although he is no longer Earth-bound, his spirit lives on in my pledge to make sure each orphaned, abandoned, and disregarded dog finds a loving home, because in their eyes I see Rufus.

And, when I dream sometimes he stops by for a visit, sometimes he’s a puppy and sometimes he’s an old dog, but I like to believe his eyes always say, “I’m proud of what you’re doing Dad and I love you.