Thrifted TAILS: A Curation of Rehomed Pet Portraits

Liz Weiner

Oct 6

9 min read

Updated: 19 hours ago

The Portrait that Prompted the Collection - Artist Anne Aderholdt

One of my first memories is shopping with my grandmother in Gimbels Department Store in Midtown Manhattan. Given that they closed in 1986, I couldn’t have been older than five. I was a kid who loved all stuffies, from Pillow People and Care Bears to Pound Puppies and Popples, and I was ecstatic at the chance to bring home a stuffed bear from the iconic store. But I struggled to choose just One. As a sensitive child, I felt too deeply. I had a tendency to humanize and attach emotions to inanimate objects, and felt a profound sense of guilt at the thought of leaving any of them behind to spend their life on a department store shelf. But I was struck when I noticed one of the bears was missing a button, and I knew that was the One. Paws down. Overthinking laid to rest. Despite my grandmother’s protests, I took comfort in knowing I'd chosen the one who needed me the most. The one who was otherwise likely to sit on the shelf the longest, only to be inevitably labeled "damaged" and sanctioned to the chaos of a deeply discounted shelf, or worse, returned to the manufacturer.

If there were a scene that set the stage for my life, this was it.

Unsurprisingly, as an adult, my immediate family is made up of secondhand pets - some of the pre-loved variety, some whose history is unknown - and volunteering in animal welfare has been a defining part of my life. I live for yard sales and thrift shops, and the thrill of a good find. I adore the museum-like feel of browsing relics of someone’s past, and the silky feel of well-worn fabric of a pre-loved T-shirt.

On an otherwise ordinary day in 2020, these two loves collided. I only know the date because I came home and triumphantly shared my find on the “Weird (and Wonderful) Secondhand Finds That Just Need To Be Shared” Facebook Group (because who else would “get” this level of excitement)?

“Goodwill JACKPOT.

This dog was clearly loved by someone ... custom drawn and exquisitely framed. Circa 70’s, 80’s... not quite sure. I’ll never know how this special piece ended up lying in a corner of Goodwill, but I know his (her?) owners would have wanted it to find its way to a loving home. Just like I could never leave an old dog alone, I couldn’t leave its legacy that way either.

Welcome to our home, sweet one. You are forever loved ”

Note the canvas/burlap fabric matting which was popular in the mid-late 20th century (1960-1980). My best guess is that the portrait dates from the late 1970s.

My husband, not a fan of secondhand ANYTHING, hated it, but luckily, he's very tolerant of my quirks. I hung it in our bedroom, where it lived for a few years until I stumbled upon another (what are the chances?!?!?) pet portrait at the very same Goodwill a few years later, and so the collection began. It felt like a calling.

Artist: Louis Frisino

Mr. Frisino (1934-2020) was a Baltimore native known for his love of animals. Born deaf, attended the Maryland School for the Deaf, and later graduated with honors from Maryland Institute College of Art, where he received the Peabody Award.

“Louis Frisino has worked from photographs on special orders to capture the uniqueness of a personal pet.” – Deaf Art

From there, occasionally browsing eBay for these portraits became my happy place, and once in a while I would take the plunge and pay ten times what I paid at Goodwill to adopt a displaced pet. The next real-life encounter happened a few years later on a crisp fall day when my friend Darcy pointed out “Jerry,” while we were antiquing in Havre De Grace, Maryland.

To date, my fourth real-life find is a mug I spotted at a thrift shop while visiting my parents in Florida, and safely made its way back to Baltimore carefully wrapped between clothes.

Much to my husband's dismay, our home was becoming a sanctuary – a shrine - to portraits of displaced pets. Ironically, this fits in perfectly with my love of studying the many ways we love and lose pets. It is clear these pets were deeply loved, but memories and things only get passed down for so long, and when their people expire, these loved creatures end up at estate sales, secondhand stores, antique shops, flea markets, yard sales, and, dare I say, the dump.

I wonder about their stories. Their people. Sometimes I know what geographical region they came from. Some portraits include the pet’s name. Some, the year.

If the artist's name is legible, I run it through Google, hoping to learn about them. Most of the portraits are too old to still – or ever have had– an online presence. But for the ones that do, much like the real life of a dog mom, these dogs have led me to connect with people I would never have otherwise crossed paths with.

I invite you to explore my curation to date, each piece complete with an exhibit-style description of the work and, for the ones that have it, the ripple-effect connection born of the find.

Drop by again to meet newly adopted pets as I work to rescue and and keep their TAILS alive.

"Rex" dated 1976, signature Illegible

Purchased from seller in San Antonio, TX

"Cloudy" Artist Lynn Uribe, 1990

Purchased from seller in Apopka, FL

A letter (right photo) in it's original envelope, postmarked 1990, was included with this portrait. Letter sent by artist from Whitter, California to Christina Peterson in Atlanta, GA.

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Peterson,

By now you will probably have received Cloudy’s portrait. I hope that it is all you expected and more. Please let me know how you like it. I like to hear my customers’ responses, and I invite comments and suggestions.

Sincerely,

Lynn J. Uribe

"Candy" signature Illegible

Seller acquired at an estate sale in Randolph, Vermont (back of frame shown, on right).

Artist: Zaza

Purchased from seller in Newton Falls, Ohio

Artist: Rachel Bailey

Shipped from Rochester, Vermont

Good Morning!

You likely don't have any information on its history, but I figured it didn't hurt to ask. I collect portraits of very loved pets whose people are no longer here to celebrate them, and it's always fun to know anything about where they came from.

Warm Regards,

Liz

Hi Liz,

I LOVE that. I do the same. My gallery wall is full at the moment, so I’m passing this cutie along. I don’t know the history, but what I can tell you is that I found this one in a small town called Brandon, Vermont. I’d love to have this join a collection of a like-minded person.

Artist: Harold A. Bowman

Seller acquired at an estate sale in Massachusetts

Artist: Marc Crouch, 1979

Acquired by seller from an estate sale, shipped from Prosper, Texas

Note the canvas/burlap matting which was popular in the mid-late 20th century (1960-1980).

My best guess estimate is that the portrait dates from the1970s.

Artist: Marilyn Harrin

Shipped from Tyrone, Georgia. Seller acquired from an estate sale in Atlanta.

Portrait included the original photograph that inspired the painting (photo on right).

Artist: Robert Bob Drager, 1997, shipped from Abingdon, Maryland

This is one of three portraits the seller acquired from Mr. Drager’s estate in Joppa, MD

“A veteran of the U.S. Army, he served our country during WWII. An Illustrator for Aberdeen Proving Ground, he had a lifelong passion for the art of illustration. He volunteered at Perry Point Veterans Medical Center and was an avid fisherman… In lieu of flowers, a contribution can be made to the Humane Society of Harford County.” -McComas Family Funeral Homes

Artist: "HCM" 1983

Both portraits were purchased together from the same seller in Canandaigua, New York.

The dogs appear to be from the same family.

"Chelsea" Artist Terry Rowe, 1996

Ms. Rowe appears to remain available for commissions. Purchased from seller in Harrisburg, PA

Winston, Artist: D. Scarle 2019

Purchased from seller in Los Angeles, California

"What a beautiful, way to honor these sweet souls. I have never been asked about the history behind any of my listings so your question means a lot. The doggie’s name was Winston (Churchill). He belonged to my step-son. He was a senior rescue that no one wanted because he was blind in one eye. Such a sweet little guy."

These portraits were shipped from Smyrna, Georgia. The seller purchased them together from a storage auction. I was initially interested in Bowman's German Shepherd, but upon learning they were a "bonded pair," I took them both.

“This was inside, along with a couple of pictures taken of a German Shepherd and a Doberman. The original owner looked to be a veteran who likely passed away, since there were pictures of him and his dogs along with military memorabilia.”

After purchasing, I noticed the Doberman portrait by Gladys Emerson Cook appears to be a print, regardless, the little one was welcomed here.

1996, signature Illegible

Purchased from seller in Newton Falls, Ohio (I am in love with this sweet little face)

Artist: "Atlittow"

Purchased from seller in Western Massachusetts

“Angel”

Artist: Dexter, 1979

Acquired at an antique shop. Purchased from seller in Davis, Oklahoma

Artist: Flesher, 1986

Purchased from seller in Muskegon, Michigan

Artist: A. Friedman

Purchased from seller in Lilburn, Georgia

Photographs purchased separately from seller in Wichita, Kansas.

They do not appear to be from the same family.

Signature Illegible, 1982

Purchased from seller in Hartford, Wisconsin

Artist: Diana Thorne

Acquired by seller from an estate sale, shipped from Yucca Valley, California

"I wish I knew more, but it did come from the estate sale of someone who passed. All of her personal affects were taken from the family, i.e. photos etc, but this was wrapped up in a trunk with blankets and old letters/cards, so I do think it was her pet. I really love that you give these once loved animals a new home!"

Paws down, this is my most treasured portrait. While researching Ms. Thorne I fell in love with her work and subsequently purchased two of her books.

Ms. Thorne was a widely known dog artist, illustrator and author, most active during 1920-1940. Born to a Jewish family in 1895 in Odessa, Russia during a time time Jews were being persecuted, the family fled to Canada, Germany, England, and settled in the U.S. in 1920. In addition to portraits, she wrote and/or illustrated over 40 books. Her work appeared in countless magazines, newspapers, and galleries, including the Smithsonian. She is said to have painted Franklin D. Roosevelt's Scottie, "Fala." She was diagnosed as mentally ill later in life and, in 1962, was committed to Belleville Hospital (New York City), and died the following year (1963).

**There is limited information about Ms. Throne available – this brief summary is based on information obtained in the following source:

Diana Thorne- 1920’s-1940’s Illustrator and her Chow artwork (Chowtails)

Personal touches like the book's spiral binding and presumably intentionally blank last page give it the feel of an actual sketchbook.

Purchased from seller in Charleston, West Virginia.

Drawing Dogs, Diana Thorne, 1940, The Studio Publications, Inc. (First Edition)

Based on the inscription, this book appears to have been owned by "Kent (last name Illegible)

Purchased from seller in Albuquerque, New Mexico

"She has done what not one animal artist in five thousand has been able to do. She has studied not only the anatomy, but the soul of the dog. Her dogs are not merely splendid bits of art, they live and breathe and think. They are vibrant with spirit, mischief, and intelligence and that Nameless Something that makes up a true dog's charm and attractiveness."

-Albert Payson Terhune, Dog-themed writer of the same era

My Friend The Dog , Albert Payson Terhune, Grosset & Dunlap, 1926

Shipped from Findlay, Ohio

“Simba” (framed photograph), 1995

Right photo: Photographer signature in left corner, "Paull." Left, shown back of photo

Acquired by seller at a property auction in Michigan. Shipped from Milan, MI.

Simba was an AKC show dog. Pictured (right) is him with his proud parents. Left are his awards spanning several states and years throughout the 1980's. The above photos are not my own - they came from an another listing on eBay.