Talitha DerMovsesian (@Artisticduck8_me) was more or less born with a paintbrush in her hand. She’s the gifted daughter of the two artists who founded The Art Studio Pasadena in 2001, and she’s also an animal lover.
Lady is her Merle Coat Cocker Spaniel, spotted on Facebook in need of a new home. DerMovsesian says “We were definitely nervous about picking her up as we are first-time dog owners, but when we got to the home and saw her, she was so excited to see us! She wiggled right over to us — her little nubby tail was wagging so hard her entire half of her body was shaking to and fro’ — and she peed all over as she approached us in excitement. That’s how we knew she was The One.”
Now, that’s what we call a warm wet welcome.
DerMovsesian, 22, now serves as Director of the studio’s Children’s Art Program. She says, “I always sit with her, whether it’s on the floor or the couch, and she sleeps in my room with me every night. When I sit at a table to paint or work, I always pull the chair next to me out for her to jump up on– she’s definitely my manager. She used to sleep in her kennel, but started crying at night, sometimes for hours, and after a few nights of this I put her in my room, she hasn’t cried at night since. I like having her sleep in my room because I can hear when she dreams and whimpers, and her snoring is super funny. In the morning when I wake up and start my routine, making my bed, opening the curtains, she is super cuddly and curls up in her bed all toasty.”
Working in oils, acrylic, gouache, charcoal, colored pencils, pen and ink and watercolors, she paints landscapes and creates cartoons, but also has an exceptional knack for creating portraits, often on commission.
Whether capturing the essence of a human face or of a pet’s loving spirit, DerMovsesian’s paintings convey complex and subtle emotions, so much so that they appear about to speak.
She says, “I love all animals, both domesticated and wild, and because I live in Pasadena, I get the privilege to see many beautiful animals such as bear, coyote, bunny rabbits, deer, gophers, and parrots. I love being given the opportunity to paint people’s pets for a multitude of reasons. I get to speak to fellow pet owners about their pets, and see their passion and love for their animals. I also love learning about how their pet came to live with them, and about themselves. I also get to challenge myself to capture their pet through different techniques, inspired by the old classical art masters.”
All images in the above section courtesy of the artist.
Readers reach out to me for animal advice, which I am unqualified to give. In response to a recent case in upstate New York, several people have recently texted me about the legalities of keeping wildlife as pets.
In a nutshell, don’t do it. Because in California, it is even technically illegal to feed peanuts to the squirrels in your yard. The case of Mark Longo understandably has triggered a flurry of emotional discourse on social media.
Longo is a nonprofit wildlife rehabber who rescued a baby squirrel when its mother was killed by a car. He named the baby Peanut. Rather than keep the baby in his outdoor sanctuary, where his licensing probably would not have raised any departmental eyebrows, Longo kept the tame rodent in his home for several years. He also kept Fred, a raccoon, as an indoor pet.
Longo posted about Peanut frequently on social media, resulting in some criticism from various camps. The resulting legal action indeed seems extreme, which in turn has triggered massive outcry from many animal advocates. Officers deemed it necessary to kill Peanut, alleging that the potentially rabid squirrel bit one of the men. Longo maintains that the squirrel was not rabid, and that the investigating officers wore protective gear, including thick gloves like those worn by falconers.
It’s eye-opening to review the list of animals which are not permitted as pets in California, as in most states. Exotics and endangered beasts including lions, tigers, bears, chimps, aardvarks, armadillos, rhinos, elephants, giraffes, camels, crocodiles, stingrays, dolphins, bats, marsupials, moles, anteaters, platypuses, we get it. But many other critters are on the naughty list, because they may carry disease or otherwise harm humans, or they may create invasive colonies if they escape into the wild.
We are puzzled by the Department’s explanation (RESTRICTED SPECIES LAWS AND REGULATIONS MANUAL 671, DFW 1312d (REV.4/8/21) Page 3 of 67) that domesticated rats and mice are okay as pets, specified this way: “white or albino; trained, dancing or spinning, laboratory-reared.”
Dancing or spinning? Well, the Occasional Pasadena Doo Dah Parade is coming right up.
It’s illegal in California to keep Corvidae, including crows, ravens, jays and magpies, as pets. Peacocks are legal as pets, perhaps because they’re not indigenous.
Personally, we love the idea of a restricted crayfish (Genus Cambarus) slipping out an open window under a full moon for an illicit fais-do-do, but this is indeed how feral colonies form.
The bottom line is this: it is illegal to keep non-releasable native wildlife as pets in California. California Department of of Fish and Wildlife states: “A wild animal deemed non-releasable by CDFW, a wildlife rehabilitation professional, or veterinarian are humanely euthanized – or may be considered a candidate for captive placement at a restricted species facility, permitted pursuant to Title 14 CCR § 671.1. Wild animals in captivity have special requirements to ensure all conditions are met to maintain animal welfare. Restricted species facilities may include accredited zoos, educational organizations, and universities.”
If you encounter a wild thing, typically a wild bird, squirrel, skunk, possum, raccoon, coyote or bobcat cub in trouble, contact a licensed wildlife rehabber, your veterinarian or an exotic animal specialist.
Speaking of Peanuts, in 1962, Charles Shulz wrote and illustrated “Happiness is a Warm Puppy,” and even when parodied by John Lennon we knew Shulz was still right.
We think that all cherished pets qualify as Emotional Support Animals, even if we haven’t gone through the rigorous ESO certification. And for Katie Miller and her three daughters, her Golden Aussie (cross between a Golden Retriever and an Australian Shepherd) and the unplanned arrival of her four puppies a few weeks ago are a source of comfort as they all recover from a former life in Washington state marked by domestic violence.
Miller says, “I have anxiety and PTSD, and our dog is so intuitive. Before I even have an attack, but begin to feel one coming on, she’ll put her paw over my heart.”
Miller teaches 10th, 11th and 12th grade Bible study at San Gabriel Academy. She’s already endured snarky, breeder-shaming posts on NextDoor which she sweetly shrugs off. “Life happens. Our dog got pregnant before we left Washington. There was a lot going on,” she says, adding that she will have her pet spayed soon after the puppies are weaned, in a few weeks.
Golden Aussies are also sometimes referred to as Australian Retrievers. They’re typically large, energetic, highly trainable dogs with loyal temperaments, well-suited to family life.
Miller’s puppies will be ready for adoption around December 12, and you may reach her at 626-613-3263.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, resources and help are available. Remember that battering or physical violence is only one aspect of familial abuse. Patterns of assaultive and coercive behaviors also include less visible forms of trauma, including gaslighting and denial, forced isolation, manipulating children, harming or threatening to harm pets, withholding income, displaying weapons.
- Shepherd’s Door in Pasadena is a 501(c)3 nonprofit serving victims and survivors of domestic violence of all kinds. Contact [email protected], 626-765-9967 or 833-646-1527.
- Beyond the San Gabriel Valley, the California Partnership to End Domestic Violence provides a map to identify local hotlines and referrals to local programs. Contact [email protected], 916-444-7164.
- Outside California, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline, 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or TTY 1-800-787-3224, text “START” to 88788. Expert advocates are available 24/7, 365. Se habla Español.
- For easy-to-understand legal information, visit womenslaw.org.
And here’s a bit of knowledge that may help save a life. #SignalForHelp is a universal, nonverbal hand-signal that means “Help me, I am in danger.”
Signal for Help: Here’s how to do it:
- Hold out one hand, palm-side out (and it doesn’t matter which hand).
- Bend your thumb into the middle of your palm, and hold it there.
- “Trap” your thumb by folding your four fingers down over your thumb.
This simple signal was developed by the Canadian Women’s Foundation during COVID, when reported incidences of intimate partner violence skyrocketed.
Use this signal if you’re in danger, and teach it to your friends, family and children.
If you see someone else make this signal, offer support but only take actions (like calling 911) that the survivor requests. Abusers often closely monitor survivors and may confiscate their phones and computers. Keep checking on the survivor. If you know the survivor and are aware of an ongoing pattern of abuse, create a code-word to be used if the situation escalates, requiring intervention.
This week’s pets in need of homes:
Click on photos to see larger images and captions.
