I was pleased to be invited to the annual San Diego Humane Society “Furball” on October 1 of this year and even more pleased to be asked to create a special piece for their auction. But what could I create that would pay tribute to the mission and the successes of this organization? Well, allow me to share my journey and the story of this image.

First came a little research. I learned that San Diego Humane Society cares for more than 40,000 animals every year. 40,000! These have included dogs, cats, chickens, rabbits, hamsters as well as wild animals like raptors, squirrels and ducks. They expend an average of $74,000 per day providing care for all these animals. They have also provided more than a million pet meals a year for pet families in need. What an amazing organization!

Well, now that I had some information to be used in the creative process I was ready to go. First, I sought and received images of the actual companion pets that have been matched to families this year by San Diego Humane Society. I created thumbnail sized images of more than 11,000 pets and then arranged them into a single image of a lovable Bernese Mountain Dog that, to me, looks directly into one’s soul. For every pet saved and adopted into a new family, there is a background of thousands of others. This amalgamation of the “many” into the “individual” seems to me to carry the mission of the San Diego Humane Society.

I printed the finished piece on a 24×25 sheet of metal that is ready to be hung. The annual Furball fundraiser will be held on October 1 and its my hope that this piece connects with the guests. Now all I need is a good name for the image. Any suggestions?