Special Friends

We wanted to throw a shout at to our friends at Carolina Basset Hound Rescue. They, like every other rescue group, have beautiful babies, young and old, ready for adoption. A sweetheart of a lifelong companion is waiting on you at the CBHR.

"I think dogs are the most amazing creatures; they give unconditional love. For me they are the role model for being alive." - Gilda Radner

Dog Fest and Festival by the Sea

This past weekend, we once again showed our "Unconditional Love" for animals at two festivals. Karen was in Wilmington at Empie Park for "Dog Fest". Meanwhile, I was down at Holden Beach for their "Festival by the Sea".

Karen's booth space at "Dog Fest" was under a tree and on top of the tree's roots. So, she had a tough day navigating her area. Karen, as is par for the course at our festivals, met and saw tons of beautiful babies. The stories of them and their owners make each festival a time we look forward to. She says that at this festival she got a good, up close and personal look at all of the dogs in attendance. Early in the day, one male had marked a tree out in front of our tent. For the rest of the day, it was "dogs will be dogs". She had a steady stream of babies marking, then re-marking that "communal" tree.

While Karen was at "Dog Fest" on Saturday, I was flying solo in Holden Beach. The weather was magnificent throughout the day. The beautiful weather, coupled with a "glad you are here" spirit from everyone, produced a memorable festival.

"Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole." - Roger Caras

Sand in My Shoes.....

Wow! We had a busy weekend!

Saturday, Karen and I were at two different festivals because we wanted to make sure more people were introduced to our "Unconditional Love" portfolio. Karen went to Carolina Beach to participate in the 1st Annual "Salty Paws" Festival. The event's intent was to raise funds to benefit area animal rescue groups, particularly after disasters, such as hurricanes and other catastrophes. It was a huge success! Karen said she cannot wait for next year's follow up festival. She made many new friends, of the two and four-legged varieties. She and I are always amazed at how beautiful everyone's babies are. It is also wonderful to see and hear the love between pets and owners.


While Karen was in Carolina Beach, I was down at one of the best kept secrets in the area, Ocean Isle Beach, for the 29th Annual North Carolina Oyster Festival. What a beautiful little community. A beautiful little community that has an equally beautiful little festival. Karen joined me Sunday and concurred that the quality of the exhibitors was outstanding. Our range was broadened substantially over the weekend. We sold prints to people from North and South Carolina, north to Pennsylvania, and west to Colorado. Once again, it touches our hearts to feel and see the love for their pets that animal lovers share with us daily. Thank you to all of you who dropped by and spoke with us.

"A dog is one of the remaining reasons why some people can be persuaded to go for a walk." - O.A. Battista

Can you say Oyster?

This coming weekend we are going to be in two places at one time. Karen will be at "Salty Paws" in Carolina Beach. While she is getting salt and sand in her shoes at Carolina Beach, I will be in Ocean Isle eating and shucking at the 29th Annual North Carolina Oyster Festival.

Once again, at these festivals, we will be sponsoring a local rescue in need of a home. Last week, we raised over $100 to help defray some of Harley's large vet bills. Harley is a sweet female Weimaraner at Tarheel Weimaraner Rescue in Wilmington. It is a pleasure for us to sponsor a dog for a rescue group in the area.

If you are going to either of these festivals, drop by and say hello. We would love to hear about your babies.

A few more new prints....


Bulldog - White Paw - Rectangular


Bulldog - White Paw - Oval


Bulldog - Red Brindle - Rectangular


Bulldog - Red Brindle - Oval


Chesapeake Bay Retriever - Dark - Rectangular


Chesapeake Bay Retriever - Dark - Oval


Chesapeake Bay Retriever - Light - Rectangular


Chesapeake Bay Retriever - Light - Oval

Questions? Email us touchofapaw@aol.com

"Happiness is a warm puppy." - Charles Schultz

Fun time in New Bern

Over the weekend, we were at the "Mumfest Festival" in New Bern, NC. Our "Unconditional Love" series of prints enjoyed our best weekend yet. Big crowds and lots of babies (of the human and canine varieties) were everywhere both days.

I think the most fun we have is hearing everyone's stories about their dogs. We love the, seemingly, automatic bond between animal lovers. I know what an important part of our family our pets are. It is wonderful to share with other dog, cat, and other pet owners how important their animals are too.

Karen has been steadily working to add more and more breeds to our collection. Below are a few more. Don't forget, these are available in 3 sizes; Small Oval, Large Oval, and Rectangular.

Want a different message on your print? No problem. Just let us know and we will gladly customize to suit your request.

Don't see your breed or the breed you are interested in? Let us know by leaving a comment or keep checking back. We are trying to eventually cover almost all of the breeds.

And now, some of our new pieces.....


Basset Hound - Rectangular


Basset Hound - Oval


German Shepherd - Black - Rectangular


German Shepherd - Black - Oval


Beagle - White Paw - Rectangular


Beagle - White Paw - Oval


Beagle - Fawn/White Paw - Rectangular


Beagle - Fawn/White Paw - Oval


Bulldog - Light Fawn - Rectangular


Bulldog - Light Fawn - Oval


Bulldog - Dark Brindle - Rectangular


Bulldog - Dark Brindle - Oval

Questions about ordering or customizing a print? Email us touchofapaw@aol.com

"If you pick up a starving Dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you. This is the principal difference a dog and a man...." - Mark Twain

Another weekend ... another festival

Yes, we set up our wares once again this weekend. This time the venue was Wilmington's Riverfest. It was a long weekend and both of us are whooped. The crowds were large with a lot of traffic in and out of our "Touch of a Paw" and DogPerils booth/tent.

We are dog lovers but we love all animal lovers. We met so many babies this weekend and heard most of their owners' stories. It was great! Once again, customizing our "Touch of a Paw" prints was a big hit. We can do whatever you would like on your print! Change the mat color (limited colors), color of the paper, and/or the wording. Just let us know. Karen or I are usually there. We want your special print to be the way you wish. Remember, there is a small up-charge for the customization.

Back in the Spring, at the Azalea Festival (also in Wilmington), we met a sweet and beautiful golden retriever, Honey, and her owner, Paul. We talked with Paul and shared some special treats with Honey. Yesterday, while we were breaking down, Paul did not see us as he and Honey were going on their regular evening jog. Well, Honey sure did! She looked over, saw Karen and almost pulled Paul to the ground when she bolted toward Karen. She knew Karen had some more of those special treats hidden away. I do not know who was more excited to see who. Of course, we did have more treats hidden and Honey's enthusiasm and memory were rewarded...several times. That made our weekend. It was good to see old friends.

Questions about ordering or customizing a print? Email us touchofapaw@aol.com

"We give dogs time we can spare, space we can spare, and love we can share. And in return, dogs give us their all. It's the best deal man has ever made." - M. Facklam

Did you know?

Did you know that we can make our "Unconditional Love" print say anything you wish? We will gladly change the wording on any print you order to say whatever you would like. We have sold our prints as gifts for friends and family. We have also personalized prints. If you or someone you know has lost your special friend, our "Unconditional Love" print can and has been used as a memorial piece.

Here are a couple of more breeds for you to consider...


Dalmatian - Rectangular

Dalmatian - Oval

Oval Mats

Small Dalmatian Oval Print (10 X 8) $21.95 Large Dalmatian Oval Print (14 X 11) $29.95

Pug - Rectangular

Pug - Oval

Yorkie - Silver - Rectangular

Yorkie - Silver - Oval

Yorkie - Red - Rectangular

Yorkie - Red - Oval

Questions about or problems with ordering a print? Email us touchofapaw@aol.com

"The one absolutely unselfish friend that man can have in this selfish world, the one that never deserts him, the one that never proves ungrateful or treacherous, is his dog." - George Graham Vest