VAN GOGH REINCARNATED? One-Eared Rescue Dog Becomes Master Painter
When a one-eared shelter dog in Connecticut struggled to find a new family last year, one of his caretakers had a wild idea: Why not teach him to paint? With help from TikTok and peanut butter, the aptly named Van Gogh became a social media star. “I’d seen TikTok videos of other dogs creating paintings, so why not Van Gogh?” Jaclyn Gartner, the founder of Happily Furever After Rescue, told The Washington Post. “He certainly had the name and the ear for it.” To leverage what she calls Van Gogh’s “fast and creative tongue,” Gartner covered small canvases in dollops of paint, wrapped them in plastic wrap, and slathered them in peanut butter. Then, she presented the treats to the boxer-pit bull mix. He quickly licked the canvases clean, creating his “art” along the way. According to the Post, Van Gogh’s first few paintings flopped — just like the work of the human artist Vincent Van Gogh, who didn’t become famous until after he died in 1890. This star rose thanks to Jo Van Gogh, the wife of his brother Theo, who advocated for his work after both Theo and Vincent passed away.
You could say that Gartner was dog Van Gogh’s Jo because, like the original painter’s, the pup’s art staged a comeback! After his first “art show” drew just two guests, Gartner started auctioning off his paintings online. His abstract work like “Peacock Swirl” and a rendition of human Van Gogh’s “Starry Night” quickly raised more than $3,000 for Happily Furever After Rescue.
As his reputation soared on social media, Van Gogh also found his forever home with shelter volunteer Jessica Starowitz. He now spends his days painting and lounging on the couch. You can follow his exploits on Instagram under the handle @officialvgdog.
The Sweet Scents of Spring Many have heard about using a stovetop potpourri to simmer oranges, apples, and cinnamon to make your home smell like Christmas. But you can also fill your home with fresh scents that remind you of spring. The best part is that you probably have most of the ingredients you need at home or in your garden!
3 POTPOURRI MIXTURES YOU NEED TO TRY
the ingredients come to a simmer, you’ll immediately smell a citrus- mint aroma that will spread throughout your home.
Lemon, Cinnamon, Mint, and Thyme This mixture is perfect if you want to add a hint of spice and warmth to your fresh spring scent. Combine 2 sliced lemons, a handful of fresh mint and thyme, and 2 cinnamon sticks in a pot before bringing the water to a simmer. One of the best things about potpourri is that the mixture will last a couple of days. Once you turn off your stove and drain the water, you can keep the ingredients in the pot and reuse them. All you have to do is add more water and bring it to a simmer again. Alternatively, you can prep your ingredients in advance, store them in an airtight container like a mason jar, and refrigerate them until you’re ready to use them.
BUT FIRST, WHAT IS POTPOURRI? Potpourri combines fruits, spices, herbs, and other edible ingredients to make rich scents that spread throughout your home. It’s one of the most natural and cheapest ways to freshen the air you breathe. Here are three stovetop potpourris to make your home smell like springtime.
Lemon, Rosemary, and Vanilla Making this sweet-smelling scent is easy! Just add 2 sliced lemons, a handful of fresh rosemary, and 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract to a large pot filled with water. Bring the mixture to a simmer and enjoy the fresh and clean scent! Lime, Mint, Ginger, and Thyme Add 3 sliced limes, a handful of fresh mint and thyme, and finely sliced ginger to a pot for this mixture. When
So, fill your home with sweet fragrances to usher in a joyous spring!
2 — SignatureSmilesOH.com
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