Igniting Change While Inspiring a Community
Councilman Rey Saldaña & Jessica Saldaña Mari Hernandez Z’s Rescue & Relocation
San Antonio’s Bilingual Pet Magazine
Fall 2016
Editor’s Note
Contributors Editor In Chief Rudolfo Lopez Opera ons Heather Templeton Outreach Erika Mariani Bilingual Correspondent Gisela Gu errez
IGNITE! We would like to first recognize all of those who have served our country and continue to serve today. Thank you for your sacrifice.
Photographer Christy Savarino Contributor Jessica Saavedra
In this special issue of SA Amigo, we showcase District 4 City Councilman Rey Saldaña and Jessica Saldaña, who are working together with the community to promote animal wellness initiatives. We feature the artwork of Mari Hernandez, an artist who creates a powerful dialogue using meaningful layers of imagery and iconography. We also look at the story of Lance Ziebell, an army veteran whose non-profit organization, Z’s Rescue and Relocation, not only works at putting animals in better homes, but also adopts pets out to veterans and active duty military members free of charge.
Together, let us ignite a flame that will serve as a beacon of support for all of the animals in our community and beyond. 2
Special Thanks to Daniel Silva, William McDonald, Rudy & Virginia Lopez, Frances Grimaldo Losoya, Rosy Guerra, Robert Mancillas, and Barbara & Jerry Templeton
SA Amigo is a bilingual pet magazine created in San Antonio, Texas.
SA Amigo is a publica on of Any Pet Can. To find out more, visit www.saamigo.com
If you would like to adver se in our magazine, please contact us at:
www.anypetcansa@gmail.com
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Rey Saldaña & Jessica Saldaña Fostering a New Era of Pet Ownership
T he first true day of fall has arrived in San Antonio, Texas.
fully paid scholarship to Stanford University, where he earned two bachelor's degrees (political science and communication) and a fifth year master’s degree in policy, organization, and leadership studies. Utilizing the skills he developed throughout college, Saldaña returned home to south side of San Antonio, where he was then elected to serve as City Councilman for District 4. Throughout his years of service, Saldaña has been actively involved in promoting and creating educational opportunities for the city’s youth. Saldaña is expanding his focus to help educate the pet owners of San Antonio with a program called the Comprehensive Neighborhood Sweeps Initiative.
Here at Pearsall Park, hundreds of people and animals are enjoying the 505 acres of land nestled deep in the city’s south side. Once the site of a city landfill, Pearsall Park now hosts fitness areas, a dog park, pavilions, playgrounds, and the largest skate park in the city of San Antonio. The dramatic transformation that Pearsall Park has undergone is the perfect visual representation of the leadership impact of District 4 City Councilman Rey Saldaña. After growing up on the city’s south side and graduating from South San High School, Saldaña was awarded with a
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The Comprehensive Neighborhood Sweeps Initiative is a program that aims to educate the community on how to properly care for their pets and improve areas of the city that have the highest number of bite cases and stray animal calls by going door to door and addressing problems within the community.
Saldaña, will play an important role in shaping the future of responsible pet ownership. City leaders like Saldaña have recognized this and are pushing for initiatives that go out into the schools to educate the children. “Our goal is to educate the kids so that they can be the new ambassadors for animal care.”
“Our goal is to educate the kids so that they can be the new ambassadors for animal care.”
According to Saldaña, people are finding out that the lesson of compassion being taught to the children not only extends to animals, but also extends towards all other liv“This initiative means you are actually going into the com- ing beings that the students interact with. munities where you know you have the biggest problems, Over the last several years, the city has turned interactive and you’re diagnosing them at somebody’s doorstep. educational courses into traveling roadshows, which visit You’re learning from the community as much as they’re schools from all across the city. Saldaña believes that leslearning from you.” sons learned from these school roadshows have had an Saldaña believes that this hands-on approach provides an important, lasting impact on the youth of San Antonio. effective way of targeting areas that require the most over“These roadshows are really effective because you educate all assistance. the public in a different way by focusing on the children. These kids are in a place, at school, where they are there “The Comprehensive Neighborhood Sweeps Initiative to learn and their minds are open to different ideas and involves going into neighborhoods and putting a lot of sweat equity into the outcome - which is having more re- initiatives.” sponsible pet owners. You’re doing that by providing peoAs Saldaña explains, the students learn valuable lessons; ple with resources and making those resources easily acsuch as how a dog would feel out in the cold winter. The cessible to them.” children then share the lessons they’ve learned with their “It can feel a little bit like you’re going one at a time, but families. that’s really the level of investment you need to take beSaldaña understands that in order to be effective with imcause people want to be able to do the right thing.” plementing change, a proper balance between educating the public and enforcing the laws must be made. As the city works to promote more responsible ownership, the focus is on doing so as efficiently and effectively as possible. As Saldaña explains, education is a good way “Being a responsible pet owner is a very new concept to some of those in our community. Vaccinating their dogs, to increase the number of responsible pet owners while keeping them in an area that is covered, and providing properly utilizing the city’s resources. them access to food several times a day is new to pet “Educating the public is what the real solution looks like,” owners who, in the past, may have only seen dogs as a Saldaña says. form of security.” Educational services will not only extend to the adult pet owners of San Antonio. The city is also putting programs in place that focus on the city’s youth, who, according to
“Educating the public is what the real solution looks like.”
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“Roaming, and the amount of multiplication that was happening was just not working out. We’ve been getting smarter over the last five or six years. The city has contributed to building more space, providing more spay and s Jessica Saldaña walks towards the District 4 Field neuter services, and working with partners so that they Office at Pearsall Park, she’s being led by Lumi, a beautican help foster and adopt.” ful hound mix with endless energy. Sweetie, a yorkie terriIt’s an up-front cost that Saldaña believes will benefit the er mix, confidently trails behind them, keeping a watchful eye on Jessica as any protective friend of 13 years would. city in the long run.
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Experts have stated that if only 5% of the city’s total population fostered at least 1 animal per year, the city would save thousands of animals. Councilman Saldaña and his wife Jessica are active supporters of the animal foster programs in San Antonio, and have even fostered several animals themselves. Councilman Saldaña provides a simple reason for the value of fostering a pet. “If the dog is in my house, it’s not in danger of being euthanized.” Over time, he has undergone his own journey of becoming a responsible pet owner. Saldaña now shares a home with two adopted dogs, one foster dog, and one cat. Rey and Jessica Saldaña are strong believers that the inside of your home should be shared with all your family, including your dogs and cats. The Saldañas encourage anyone who is able, to foster a pet. Compassion and education are the driving factors of Councilman Rey Saldaña’s leadership. On this beautiful first day of fall, I watch Saldaña as he reaches the latest beneficiary of his compassion, a small spider on the patio of the District 4 Field Office. First, Saldaña alerts us to the web’s location. Then, after we have safely avoided the spider’s web, he carefully grabs a small strand of webbing and moves the it to another wooden column. In this instant, his small act of compassion has not only saved another person from walking into the spider’s path, he has also created a better, safer environment for the spider as well. This act itself is symbolic of the actions and initiatives that Saldaña has championed to improve the quality of life for all of his constituents, human and animal alike.
Together, Lumi Sweetie, Jessica, and Rey make up the Saldaña family, active members of the San Antonio pet community. Jessica is a frequent volunteer and supporter of local shelters and foster programs. In addition to her volunteer work, she currently serves on the board of The Humane Society. We talked with Jessica about her pets and what we can do to promote a healthier environment for all animals. She recalled to us her experience with pets growing up. “I’ve always had dogs,” Jessica says, “Sweetie has been with me since college. She was rescued off the streets of San Antonio, hairless and in bad shape. Now, she’s the best dog I’ve ever had and is extremely loyal. We just recently rescued Lumi, who was a foster when coming to us. We tend to foster a lot of pups at hour house.” To Jessica, Rey has played an important role in contributing to the family’s active involvement in the pet community. “Rey has been great. He wasn’t always used to dogs sleeping on the bed or eating menudo with the rest of the family,” She says jokingly. “Together, we help as many dogs as we can. We work to find them good homes and foster them to keep them from being euthanized.”
“We have a responsibility to make the lives of our pets better...”
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Photo by Christy Savarino
the streets and possibly getting hit by cars, or causing concerns to other residents,” Jessica says.
When it comes to taking care of animals, Jessica believes there are key things that everyone can do to contribute.
“As pet owners, we have to all do our part, which includes “The city has a lot of great resources,” She adds, “It’s up having our pets spayed and neutered, making sure pets are to all of us to raise our hands and talk to our city council on leashes, and rescuing from shelters when we can.” representatives, reach out to ACS, and take advantage of the resources that are available.” “I think Animal Care Services is doing a phenomenal job of helping our community and helping our residents beJessica believes that as long as we act humane and treat come more knowledgeable as pet owners.” pets and animals as family, we’ll be in a better direction as a city. While the city has made great strides to improve the lives of its pets, Jessica believes that everyone shares the same “One animal at a time I say! It makes a difference!” task of making San Antonio a safe place for animals. “We have a responsibility to make the lives of our pets better, so that we don’t have our dogs running around on
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SA AMIGO Spotlight Mari Hernandez Artist … Educator … Arts Advocate. These words embody the spirit of local San Antonio artist Mari Hernandez. This month, we highlight Mari as she discusses the inspiration and motivation behind her creations, art as a powerful means of expression, and how her upbringing helped inspire her to form the powerful images on exhibit now at the Plaza de Armas building in downtown San Antonio.
How do you feel about art as a means of expressing important issues?
Can you tell us about the concept behind these images?
encounter with art. Combining my concern for stray animals with These images were originally created religious saints is inspired by my culture and speaks to the culture of I feel like art saves. Art has affected in 2009 for a show called Canis the Westside; where my family is me on multiple levels. I learned later familiaris at the Guadalupe Cultural from and where I worked for a long in life that I was a visual learner. If I Arts Center. At the time, I was time. Instead of shaming a had known this early on, I could working with an art collective that I community into change, which often have used it to my advantage and co-founded called Más Rudas and happens, I wanted to present an would probably have been a better we created a show in order to alternative way to address a sensitive student in high school and in address the issue of stray animals on issue within an area that lacks college. It wasn’t until I started the Westside. In my experience, resources. making art that I understood how to people sometimes get pets for learn. It was a very powerful protection. Pets act as an alarm Do you have a favorite piece or a realization. I’m able to articulate system or burglary bars and are seen favorite Saint? myself through art in a way that as objects. I wanted to convey the I naturally gravitate towards La makes me comfortable. Sometimes idea that while our pets may act as Virgen de Guadalupe and La Virgen it’s hard for me to find words to our protectors, it is our de San Juan because statues and express ideas, conflicts, and responsibility to protect them as images of them were frequently emotions. Expressing myself well. present during my childhood. While through art provides me with a sense What inspired you to create these I’m not a religious person, religion is of resolution and peace, and it’s how images? a deep part of my culture and I I prefer to communicate appreciate it. Religious iconography, complicated matters. It also offers Religion plays a big role in my atmosphere, and the smell of copal the audience a creative way of seeing family. I grew up looking at images take me back and provide me with a and approaching a subject. Making of saints on the walls and going to sense of nostalgia and comfort. art is an outlet I use to improve the church. I now know that exposure to religious iconography was my first world around me.
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What is your experience with animals, stray or owned?
How important is it to follow your passion and why?
I picked up my first stray animal when I was 19. She was a little black and white scrawny cat in a parking lot and I named her Mecca. It’s been 18 years since then, and she is still alive! After Mecca I was on a roll. Our household grew to include another cat and a few dogs. My mom has since become very involved with the animal rescue community in San Antonio and fosters many animals. She’s very caring and has come to my rescue every time I’ve found a stray animal and couldn’t take it home. My husband and I currently live with 3 cats, all of them rescues and each with a unique story. I’m an advocate for animal rights. I try to make choices that promote animal welfare, I eat mostly a plant-based diet, I don’t like to purchase leather goods, and when I can afford it, I try to purchase items that don’t test on animals. I try to do my part as best I can.
Following my passion in the pursuit of happiness has gotten me to where I am today. On a few instances, I’ve taken what I refer to as a leap of faith. Usually, those moments have come during times in my life where I was unhappy with the work I was doing and when I was feeling as if I wasn’t growing in a positive direction. When I realized that cultivating a life around the arts really made me happy, I made the decision to focus on art. I have left good paying jobs and comfortable places in pursuit of happy and healthy environments. It’s scary to make big changes in your life in order to follow your gut, but I’ve never regretted following my dreams. I also realize that I am privileged and not everyone has the ability and resources to act on their wishes. Because of this, I try to live my life to it’s fullest potential and I’m thankful for the opportunities that come my way. My parents didn’t have much growing up, and they worked very hard to make sure my sister and I had better opportunities than they did. My family’s resiliency pushes me forward.
Can you tell us about your work as an activist? My sense as an activist has changed and evolved over the years and is rooted in advocating for equality for minorities. I started volunteering for a community-based non-profit arts organization in 2001 and, through that organization, learned about grass-roots activism. I have participated and graduated from 3 community-based leadership institutes. Through leadership training, I have formed a personal mission that guides the work that I do. I check myself frequently to make sure that my work is in alignment with my personal mission and that I contribute to positive community development.
Bio: An artist, educator, and arts advocate based in San Antonio, Texas, Mari Hernandez is a graduate of The University of Texas at San Antonio. She is a founding member of the Chicana artist collective Más Rudas, who between 2009-2015, created installations together. Working mostly in the medium of photography, Mari explores issues of identity, personal narrative, and social circumstance through a Chicana Feminist lens. She has shown locally and nationally, and is a graduate of the Community Leadership Institute, the National Association of Latino Arts and Cultures Leadership Institute and Arts Advocacy Institute. Current exhibits: Mari is currently showing at the Centro de Artes Gallery in Market Square, the Plaza de Armas Gallery, at Parman Public Library, and at Galeria 237.
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Local Animal Agencies Animal Care Services 210.207.4PET Animal Defense League
Noviembre es el Mes Nacional Adopte un animal doméstico mayor. Debido a diversas circunstancias, los perros viejos a veces no llegan a terminar sus vidas con sus dueños originales. Esto se puede atribuir a las dificultades financieras, la muerte, u otros cambios en la vida, como tener un bebé. A pesar de las dificultades y los cambios que en la vida suceden, perros y gatos de edad avanzada tienden a tener la situation más difícil: encontrar un nuevo hogar. Mientras que muchas personas prefieren elegir perros y gatos más jóvenes para que crezcan junto con la familia, es importante que no se olvide de los otros animales por ahí en busca de otra oportunidad en el amor y la vida. ¿Por qué debe adoptar una mascota de edad madura? Animales domésticos de edad madura vienen con una gran
cantidad de rasgos positivos que sus contrapartes más jóvenes pueden faltar. Perros y gatos mayores tienden a ser más tranquilo y relajado. Más a menudo que no, los animales mayores vienen entrenados y domesticados. También han crecido probablemente fuera de su fase destructiva, por lo que no tendrán que preocuparse por zapatos y almohadas destruidos! Los animales domésticos de mayor edad no vienen con una gran cantidad de mantenimiento en comparación con un gato o un perro joven, pero vienen con mucho amor.
210.655.1481
Mediante la adopción de un animal de compañía de mayor edad, no sólo vas a salvar una vida, podrás restaurar un corazón roto. Hay muchos perros y gatos por ahí en busca de una segunda oportunidad de ser feliz. Este mes de Noviembre, dale el regalo de un hogar lleno de amor de nuevo a un perro o un gato que la suya ha perdido y gane el amor de un amigo peludo para toda la vida.
SNAP (Spay & Neuter Assistance Program)
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San Antonio Humane Society 210.226.7461 San Antonio Pets Alive! 210.370.7612 Live Oak Animal Shelter 210.653.9140 x228 Universal City Animal Shelter 210.658.0700 Z’s Rescue and Reloca on 210.248.7834 Converse Animal Shelter 210.658.4821
210.673.7722 Rudy’s Feed Store (vaccina on clinic) 210.223.2832 Pet Shotz 210.735.1004
SA AMIGO Spotlight
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y name is Lance Ziebell and I am the owner of Z’s Rescue and Relocation in Floresville, TX. As a former U.S. Army Combat Veteran, I worked for animal control services until I finally decided to do what I love on my own, rescue animals. I began my rescue efforts by capturing wildlife, such as snakes, possums, bats, and other animals found in urban areas, then releasing them back into the wild, away from people, where the animals could be safe. It was from those rescues that Z’s Rescue and Relocation was born.
“Every day, 22 Veterans commit suicide due to mental illnesses.”
Lance Ziebell
Z’s Rescue and Relocation was created in 2012. In addition to finding wildlife and releasing them into safe areas, we also began rescuing dogs and cats. In 2014, we expanded our operations by opening a shelter in Floresville, TX, appropriately named Z’s Rescue. One of the most important things we’ve done was hiring Sr. Kennel Tech Krissy Kunz. Krissy does an amazing job and helps me with the rescue efforts when my injuries prohibit me from doing as much as I would like to do. Without her help, Z’s Rescue and Relocation wouldn’t be what it is today. She has become more than a rescue worker to all of us; she is now a part of our family.
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“My hope is that the animals we adopt out can help heal the veterans, just as Joker has helped heal me.”
“all Veterans and Active Duty Military members will always adopt animals from Z’s Rescue and Relocation free of charge.“ I focus most of my efforts on an initiative called STOP 22. Every day, 22 Veterans commit suicide due to mental illnesses. Approximately 2 years ago, I myself was almost 1 of the 22 suicides per day. It was during that difficult time that I met Joker. I found Joker, a pit bull puppy, in a field in the middle of winter. He was only 6-8 weeks old and was covered in fleas and ticks. Joker and I saved each other. I took him out of the cold and gave him a good home, and he helped heal me and prevented me from taking my own life. Being a veteran who almost found himself 1 of the 22, I wanted to give back to the military and help the other veterans and military members going through their own difficult times. Because of that, I decided that all Veterans and Active Duty Military members will always adopt animals from Z’s Rescue and Relocation free of charge. My hope is that the animals we adopt out can help heal the veterans, just as Joker has helped heal me.
“He’s a perfect example of how you can’t judge a dog by its breed.” Z’s Rescue and Rehabilitation has grown a lot over the last few years. We have moved from just having a dog shelter to now having educational programs at schools and events. Currently, we bring in all animals from dogs to reptiles and birds. We take our animals with us all over in an effort to help educate others. Joker himself serves as a great educator. As a pit bull service dog, he teaches people that pit bulls are not bad dogs. He’s a perfect example of how you can’t judge a dog by its breed.
Meet Boo and Blade! Boo is a Female American Pit Bull/Mix. Blade is a Male American Pit Bull/Mix. Both are a just a little over one month old and are up for adoption at Z’s Rescue and Relocation. For more information, contact (210)248-7834.
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¡Hola Amigos! P
erros y gatos comparten algunas diferencias entre ellos. Mientras los perros buscanafecto y intentan a conseguir nuestra atención, los gatos son muy independientes y pueden mantenerse así mismos. Pero mientras que los gatos pueden parecer a veces a ellos no nos necesitan, no es cierto! No sólo somos responsables de la alimentación de ellos y proporcionarles refugio, somos responsables para ponerlos en un lugar donde puedan vivir una vida larga y saludable. Una decisión importante que tenemos en la vida de un gato es la decisión de mantener al gato adentro o afuera. Los gatos son cazadores naturales y tienen un amor para la libertad de explorar los alrededores. Mientras que los gatos pueden valerse por sí mismos bastante efectivamente fuera, su promedio de vida disminuyen enormemente cuando son expuestos a los elementos del gran desconocido. La expectativa promedio de vida de un gato es menos de 5 años. Varios factores pueden contribuira acortar la vida de su amigo felino. Aquí están algunos peligros a tener en cuenta:
De Dirofilaria immitis:
FLV se transmite a través de la orina, heces, sangre y mordiscos. Mantener todos tus gatos en interiores es la mejor manera de mantenerlos seguros.
Virus de la Inmunodeficiencia Felina: Virus de la inmunodeficiencia felina (FIV), funciona de forma similar al virus del HIV en los seres humanos. FIV ataque al sistema inmunitario del gato, impidiendo que se lucha contra otras enfermedades y virus que de otra forma no lo afectan. El FIV se transmite a través de la sangre, y habitualmente se transfieren cuando un gato muerde otro. No existe cura para la FIV y vacunas puede no ser la mejor opción. Hable con su veterinario acerca de las mejores opciones para el tratamiento y la prevención. Recuerde, la mejor forma de mantener a sus gatos de obtención de FIV es mantenerlas en interiores.
Otros colaboradores: Otras situaciones inesperadas pueden contribuir a acortar duraciones de gato. Estos pueden variar desde agresiones a accidentes de coche. Los gatos son naturalmente curiosos, y mantenerlas en interiores puede limitar la exposición que tienen a peligrosos curiosidades.
De Dirofilaria immitis son una de las principales causas de enfermedades y muerte de mascotas en el país.De Dirofilaria immitis son transmitidos por mosquitos, pero puede ser evitado fácilmente con una adecuadaprevención de la dirofilariosis y medicación. Hable con su veterinario acerca de la prevención Mientras gatos que están afuera viven un promedio de vida de los menores de 5 años, los gatos que viven adentro pueden de la dirofilariosis. vivir hasta 18-20 años si están correctamente vacunadas y bien cuidadas. Eso es una diferencia de 13-15 años. Piensa en todo La leucemia Felina: el tiempo extra y de todos los momentos especiales que El virus de la leucemia felina, también conocido como FLV, puedes compartir con tu pequeño furball. ataca el sistema inmunitario del gato, enjugando es una protección natural contra las bacterias y otros microorganismos en el Una cosa para recordar es que hay algunos gatos que naturalaire que los humanos y los gatos están expuestos diariamente. mente viven afuera. Puede ver estos gatos, también conocidos como gatos salvajes, en grandes escuelas o universidades Además de esto, FLV puede causar cáncer y otros trastornos donde operan las empresas. Consulte con la oficina del camde la sangre en los gatos. Aunque existen vacunas para FLV, algunas vacunas pueden no resultar eficaz. Hable con su veter- pus para obtener información acerca de su gato salvaje programa antes de decidir adoptar un gato en casa. Algunos de inario para discutir las mejores opciones para su mascota. estos gatos pueden ya ser cuidado. 17
THE KEY TO BET TER LIVING Visualizing the Hierarchy of Dog Needs Created by Linda Michaels, M.A. Psychology, the Hierarchy of Dog Needs provides us with a visual wellness and behavior model for dogs. The Hierarchy of Dog Needs promotes the importance of dog wellness while maintaining force-free behavior modifica on techniques.
The Hierarchy of Dog Needs ™ (HDN) is a novel adaptation of the renowned psychologist, Abraham Maslow’s Hierarchy of (human) Needs™ that you may already be familiar with. Maslow’s school of thought was the “3rd Force” in the field of psychology, historically following psychoanalysis and behaviorism.
However, the Hierarchy of Dog Needs is a unique adaptation for dogs! It combines our dogs’ Biological, Social, Emotional, and Cognitive needs with non-aversive behavior modification techniques, presented together in a one-page graphic that is easy to understand and easy to use.
The HDN is a unique model of wellness and behavior modification. The dog’s needs are listed hierarchically. However, the exclusively force-free behavior modification techniques may be safely and effectively used in any order or combination. You will notice in the HDN that neither positive punishment, negative reinforcement, negative punishment, nor extinction appear. They are purposefully absent.
Linda Michaels, Creator of the Hierarchy of Dog Needs, Experimental Psychology M.A., (Hons) focuses on the psychological aspects of dog behavior that often mirror human psychological conditions, such as: fear, separation/attachment disorders and aggression as well as animal wellness. Linda’s worked with some of the most difficult cases at the San Diego Humane Society and SPCA across five years, and is an outspoken animal welfare advocate opposing dominance-based dog training methods and aversive collar devices. The development of the Hierarchy of Dog Needs ™ (HDN) -- A wellness and force-free behavior modification guide -- is one of Linda’s most significant contributions to animal welfare and training You may contact Linda here: Del Mar Dog Training http://www.DogPsychologistOnCall.com
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Thalia & Dhanya was a beautiful Saturday morning in April of 2014. II twalked into a pet supply store that was hosting a pet adoption event, not knowing my life was about to change. I fell in love with a 3 month old puppy who was rescued from the streets of Puerto Peñasco and just had to give her a home. Her name is Dhanya and my name is Thalia. I have always been passionate about animals, big or small, and advocate the importance of providing a forever home. My relationship with Dhanya is very much like a new parent struggling with a rebellious toddler. She is shy, loves to be outdoors, and may be the only dog I know who loves to eat bananas and jicama. A second passion of mine has always been art. I've had a natural ability to create and experiment with new mediums since childhood. I express my love through art, thus, I created a portrait of Dhanya and drew my inspiration from Zentangle style artwork. Zentangle is an artistic form of meditation, allowing a person to create unique images from repetitive patterns. I started with a simple outline and a small pattern, and ended up creating my most unique piece ever. I even included Dhanya's favorite snack in the drawing. Can you spot the banana I've hidden in the design? n un hermoso Sábado de Abril de 2014, entre a una tienda de articulos para mascotas que E habia organizado un evento de adopción sin saber que mi vida iba a cambiar. Me enamoré de una cachorra de tres meses que fue restacada de las calles de Puerto Peñasco y desde ese momento súpe que la tenía que adoptar. Ella se llama Dhanya y yo me llamo Thalia. Siempre he sido apasionada de los animales, chicos y grandes, y apoyo la importancia de adoptar a una mascota que no tenga hogar. Mi relación con Dhanya es igual a la relación de madre nueva que anda batallando con una niñita rebelde. Ella es tímida, le encanta pasar el tiempo afuera, y quizá sea la única mascota a quien le encanten los platanos y la jicama. Mi segunda pasión es el arte. Desde niñez tuve la abilidad de crear y experimentar con materiales y diseños nuevos. Expresó mi amor a través de mi arte, y por esta razón decidí crear un retrato de Dhanya inspirado por el diseño de Zentangle. Zentangle es una forma de meditación artística que uno puede usar para crear una imagen original con diseños repetidos. Empeze con un contorno y un simple diseño, y diseñé la la imagen más única de mi vida. Hasta incluyi el bocadillo favorito de Dhanya en el dibujo. ¿Usted ha encontrado el platano que escondí en el diseño?
Si gustaría ver más de mi arte, estoy disponible en Facebook @Thalia Quintero Artwork y en Instagram @thaliaquinteroartwork If you'd like to see more of my work, you can find me on Facebook @Thalia Quintero Artwork and Instagram @thaliaquinteroartwork 19
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