Van Gogh, a one-eared pit bull, created the ultimate “masterpiece” for himself: a forever home.
Jacqueline Gartner, founder and president of Happily Furever After Rescue in Bethel, Connecticut, found Van Gogh on social media at a North Carolina rescue shelter and immediately fell in love with the injured pup.
“I saw him and I instantly fell in love. He just had the biggest smile and I was like, ‘I love this guy.’ I need him. I thought, ‘I need this dog,’” Gartner said.
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A few years ago, Gartner founded Happily Ever After Rescue.
That’s what she did after rescuing and adopting her late dog Tyler, an animal no one wanted, she said.
Van Gogh was rescued by a North Carolina shelter after finding him bleeding and injured in a drain pipe.
(With happiness after salvation)
She then began volunteering with various rescues and decided to do more for rescue dogs, particularly for neglected, unwanted or misunderstood animals – which is why she loved Van Gogh so much. .
A 7-year-old pit bull from North Carolina.
There, he got lost on the street and was taken as “prey” in a dogfight, a neighbor said.
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According to Gartner, the dog was thrown back into the street after it was no longer useful.
A shelter in North Carolina rescued him after he was injured and bleeding on a drainage tube and in need of help.
Van Gogh was photographed by Happy Furever after Rescue after a family in Connecticut took him in.
(With happiness after salvation)
At first he was in rough shape. Van Gogh had to have his left ear surgically removed as a result of the injuries he received in the dog fighting ring.
“Despite everything he went through, he loved all the people,” Gartner said.
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“He shouldn’t trust people, but he still does,” she said.
Van Gogh smiles after being rescued in North Carolina.
(With happiness after salvation)
Gartner couldn’t afford to adopt and raise him himself – but he still wanted to do what he could to help him find a home.
“The Sweetest”
He posted about Van Gogh on his personal Facebook page, hoping someone would come in and offer to foster a pit bull.
He finally found a family willing to do just that.
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Happily Furever After Rescue acquired Van Gogh in June 2022 thanks to the work of Pilots N Paws, a non-profit organization that works with aviation volunteer pilots to help transport rescue dogs.
“As soon as he got off the plane, he was so friendly with everyone. He rubbed shoulders with everyone and fell into their arms. He was just the sweetest dog,” Gartner said.
Van Gogh traveled from North Carolina to Connecticut with the help of Pilots N Paws, a nonprofit group that works with aviation volunteer pilots to help transport rescue dogs.
(With happiness after salvation)
Based on her first interaction with the puppy, she assumed she would be adopted in no time.
Still, no one seems to want him.
Gartner said Van Gogh took him to many adoption events in an attempt to find a home, but “he didn’t do well at the events.”
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He added: “I want to do something [so] those people [could] meet him – but he is in a convenient place.”
Van Gogh wears a handkerchief with his surname, the famous painting “Starry Night” by the Dutch artist Vincent van Gogh.
(With happiness after salvation)
He decided it was time to think outside the box – that’s how Gartner came up with the idea of putting on an art show featuring the “art” of Van Gogh’s dog.
Profits go to rescue.
Gartner took the canvas and put different colors on it; then, she puts it in a Ziploc bag lined with peanut butter, pumpkin puree, or the dog’s favorite new treat, ground liver.
ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY, DECEMBER. 23, 1888, Dutch impressionist Vincent Van Gogh cut off his ear.
Every time Van Gogh licked the gently covered top of the bag, he also rubbed the paint underneath to create a unique work of art.
“For him, it’s enrichment and enjoyment. He enjoys doing it,” Gartner said.
Van Gogh is depicted licking the top of a plastic bag covered in peanut butter to “paint” his masterpieces.
(With happiness after salvation)
After spending time and effort to present Van Gogh’s works, his attempt at an art gallery failed.
“I was really upset,” she said. “I was so embarrassed that I didn’t want to post about it online because I felt like a failure.”
An artwork goes viral
He then decided to post the results of the event on Facebook in order to sell Van Gogh’s remaining artworks.
In a few minutes, he said, the entire collection was sold.
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Van Gogh’s art went viral.
Van Gogh poses in front of a gallery of his work organized by Happily Forever After Rescue.
(With happiness after salvation)
According to Gartner, people from all over the country have requested his art – as far away as New Zealand, he said.
To date, Van Gogh has completed his 140th painting. The artwork has been shared with people in 25 states.
“It’s a beautiful thing because [people] “They’re not just supporting the rescue, they’re supporting the dog,” Gartner said.
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Van Gogh spent several months with a foster family – then had to return to the rescue because a family member needed serious surgery.
Gartner received interest a few months ago from another rescuer, Jessica Starowitz, who in June passed up an opportunity to take in an adult cat instead of rescuing Van Gogh.
Jessica Starowitz intended to breed Van Gogh to a pit bull, but quickly adopted him into her home.
(Jessica Starowitz)
Starowitz has previously rescued animals: From 2001 to 2022, she opened her home to a variety of cats and dogs, including a 17-year-old poodle she lost last year.
When Gartner approached Starowitz to see if he was interested in nurturing Van Gogh, he immediately said yes.
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For Starowitz, Van Gogh is “this great size of a dog that I love so much.”
Once he met her, he fell in love with her, he said.
Van Gogh and Starowitz at home during the holiday season, each dressed in festive attire.
(Jessica Starowitz)
“After what he’s been through, you can tell there’s no malice or anger in those eyes,” Starovitz said.
“Too Much Love”
According to Gartner, she joked to Starowitz, “Is it too soon for me to ask if you’re thinking about adopting her?”
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Starowitz calls it “a colossal foster failure” because the fostering experience quickly turned into adoption and a forever home for the dog.
Starowitz and Van Gogh immediately fell in love and regularly spent time cuddling on the couch.
(Jessica Starowitz)
He is currently working on his “manners” and is exercising every morning by going for walks and becoming more comfortable around other dogs.
As for his art career, Van Gogh has finished his most recent commissions – and is taking a break for now.
“Give language and creativity a break,” Starowitz joked.
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She saw her fame as “an opportunity to promote rescue dogs and dogs that may not look 100% perfect or have a past” … There’s a lot of love in these animals.
Van Gogh smiles for fans. He’s taking a “vacation” from custom pieces for now, his new owner said; he returns to creating new art in February and March.
(With happiness after salvation)
In the future, Gartner says Van Gogh fans can look forward to Valentine’s Day magnets in February, as well as another art auction premiering in March.
It’s the birthday of Vincent van Gogh and Van Gogh the Pitbull.
The “exhibition” will feature 10 of Vincent van Gogh’s most famous paintings remade by Van Gogh, his pit bull.
Van Gogh’s dog has found a new “career” — and a happy new home with Jessica Starowitz.
(Happily After Rescue / Jessica Starowitz)
Gartner and Starowitz encourage others to support rescue shelters in any way they can, whether by donating food or supplies or helping with transportation or other things.
“If you can do that, you can help any animal get into a safer, more stable home,” Starowitz said.