Fun

This Woman’s Home Is Basically An Art Museum Dedicated To Her Dog And It’s Fantastic

Written by: Morgan Greenwald

February 22, 2016

This article is part of our BarkPost Home vertical, The Dogified Home, full of tips, tricks, product suggestions and styling ideas for creative ways to show off your dog love in your home schweet home.

In a typical household with kids, the walls are adorned with family photos, art projects, and homework assignments, all bearing the mark of a proud parent. Wendy Newell’s home is no exception to this rule. The only difference is that her only child is not a human, but rather, this 10-year-old German Shorthair Pointer mix named Riggins.

Dogster Wendy Riggins
Newell took to Dogster last month to write about what she refers to as her “collection” of Riggins-inspired art that has overtaken her house. Although once ashamed of the tribute to her dog, she now presents the growing assortment with the pride only a mother can have.

“I crossed over into ‘crazy dog lady’ eons ago,” Newell joked. Over the years, the former saleswoman-turned-dogsitter has met more and more women in situations like her own. These friendships have helped her to feel comfortable with all of the dog pictures taking up the memory on her phone .

riggins paw print

“As I became friends with more single women with dogs, it’s really more of a support group of people who have the same type of family,” Newell said. “And as that was happening, I became less caring of what people thought.”

Newell first met Riggins 10 years ago while living in West Hollywood. As the story goes, Newell’s mother came across a family near their California house whose dog recently had puppies. Newell couldn’t resist checking them out.

“When my boyfriend and I got home [from vacation], the next day I went to look at these puppies nearby and when I left, my boyfriend said, ‘I know you’re coming home with a dog.’ I said, ‘Yeah, I am.’

riggins portrait

One of many portrait of Riggins adorning Newell’s walls.

According to her post on Dogster, Newell’s first piece in her collection was a giant portrait of Riggins above her fireplace. “When Riggins and I moved to this house, we had left my ex and were both a little sad,” she wrote. “I commissioned the painting from a young artist I found online. I figured having Riggins above the fireplace would make our new place feel like a safe and happy home. I was right!”

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Along with the portrait, Newell also has a piece of stained glass, photographs both professional and candid, illustrations, towel art*, and more.

riggins stained glass

This stunning stained glass window was made by a friend of Newell’s.

Although Newell struggles to pick a single favorite piece of art, she especially loves these photos taken by photographer Lori Fusaro.

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“I love the portraits the most,” Newell said. “They’re so meaningful because they capture a piece of the dog’s personality and Riggins has so much personality. He’s such a good-hearted dog.”

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We couldn’t agree more — Riggins seems like an awesome pup, so it’s no surprise he’s inspired such an extensive range of artwork.

*Wondering what towel art is, right? (We weren’t totally sure either.) It’s exactly what you think: a towel that’s been artfully arranged to look like, in this case, Riggins. Newell’s mother crafted this as a Christmas gift for the lucky dog:

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We say keep going, Wendy and Riggins! The more (dog art), the merrier!

Featured image via Dogster

H/t Dogster

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Written by: Morgan Greenwald

February 22, 2016

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