Written by For our optional World Watercolor Month prompt of “Wiggle,” I first thought of a little puppy as they are often quite wiggly. But, I wasn’t inspired to sketch one just sitting and wiggling, so I made one wiggling with excitement while chasing after a tennis ball. My own dog Phineas is no longer a puppy, but even when he was young he wasn’t really into chasing after balls. He’d try it a few times and then on the third throw he’d just look at me bored as if saying, “are you going to go get that?” But today at lunch, he had a burst of sudden energy and started bringing me toys I didn’t even know that he still had. Specifically, he brought me a bright yellow tennis ball that I hadn’t seen in ages. It looked brand new since he never really played with it much previously. His eyes were beaming with anticipation and even his tail was wagging a bit. It was the cutest thing and wonderful to see him acting like a puppy again. So, I threw the ball a couple of times and he gleefully ran after it. On the third throw, however, he just stared at me like I was an idiot. Some things never change.
Though I can’t really fault Phineas, since I tend to be the same way about many things. Something is fun at first, but then very quickly the excitement dims and I almost forget what made it so fun in the first place. Unlike a little puppy, I can’t maintain my interest for very long. Philippe is very similar when it comes to movies and television shows. We’ll find the very occasional gem that can keep him engaged, but more often than not, he’ll end up back on his phone reading the news. When I ask him why he just shrugs and says, “they lost me.” Though I can usually stay interested a bit longer than Philippe when it comes to movies, I have to admit that the perfect movie is quite rare. There’s always that slow and arduous middle that’s a struggle for screenwriters to write and unless done perfectly, it becomes a bit of a slog for audiences to get through as well. So, when something holds my attention all the way through, it often feels quite magical. And that’s exactly how I feel about my sketching habit.
The truth is, when I started this site and began sketching every day, my friends kept asking me if I was still doing that sketching thing. They weren’t simply impressed that I was indeed still doing it, they were flat out amazed. They know me well. Not one of them could have guessed that I would be able to keep this daily practice going. Now, of course, it’s been over five years of daily sketches and stories and I have to admit that I’m a bit amazed myself. But then, each time I sit down to sketch something, I’m reminded of exactly why I DO it! It’s always fun! And, I’m always curious to know what that next blank page will become. For once in my life, I’ve found something that holds my attention. Something I can happily do with inner child wiggling and giggling alongside me. It’s always good to be reminded of what made me fall in love in the first place. Whether it’s my finicky little dog, or analytical husband, or simply a lovely art habit I started once upon a time. There are some things in life that are just worth coming back to, like a puppy chasing a ball.
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Too cute! I love your puppy-like enthusiasm – keep it up.
Thanks so much, Sharon! 😃💕 I could never lose my puppy-like enthusiasm!
Adorable puppy. You definitely captured that happy wiggle in your sketch.
Aww thanks so much, Laura! 😃💕
Wonderful post Charlie! It is so fun to watch puppies filled with excitement! Thanks again for continuing to sketch with us every day!
Thanks so much, Karen! 😃💕 Aww I don’t think I could ever stop sketching every day at this point!
Wonderful doodle, Charlie!! That’s one sweet little pup!
Thanks so much, Mary! 😃💕
Fascinante, me gusto mucho el cachorro en movimiento
Muchas gracias, Eduardo! 😃💕
You always come up with the best perspectives, whether it’s the unusual angle in one of your paintings or your philosophy in life. I always feel more cheerful after reading your rambles!
Aww thanks, Sandra! 😃💕 That’s such a lovely compliment! My sketches and rambles are always instantaneous and it makes me wonder if they’re “real” art… So, I’m so thrilled you enjoy them!
Our cat, Kirbie, likes to chase stuff. When she was young, she always brought things back so we’d thru it again. As she got older she would only chase it once. Then you were on your own. But one thing she never learned was playing. Those things connected by string to a stick, she won’t do that.
Hehe.. yeah, my Phineas doesn’t do that either… if there’s a stick he thinks it’s a dubious trick. Love that! 😃💕
Golly, Charlie, you are AWESOME! I mean, the puppy 🐕 running, the beautiful tennis ball…..wow! I never imagined I would ever think a tennis ball was beautiful! Just fabulous, my friend!
Forgot…my little boy, Monster, loved to play ball for HOURS, Charlie! He didn’t like tennis balls, but the rubber ball type. You know, the kind from vending/ gum ball machines. He had more balls than mama had energy to play. (I am mama.) My mother and I would to Goodwill and I would always find some more rubber balls. When we got home, he would pull and paw at the bags, trying to get the balls. I didn’t think they smelled like anything, but he knew. My little boy died 5 and a half years ago, Charlie. Mama (me) had the horrible task of putting him to sleep. On top of everything that I have been through, losing him was one of the most brutal. He’s buried in my backyard, where he would sit and wait with me as I had my alone time with the Lord. So, every night under the stars, I talk to the Lord and I talk to my little boy. I KNOW there are still balls hidden in weird little spaces in the house. Thinking about finding them makes me cry. Do me a favor? Give Phineas a hug for me.
Aww… I’m so sorry to hear about your little one! Our little friends always bring us so much joy, but that comes with a lot of heartache. Thankfully, it’s always worth it! 😃💕 And yes, I just gave Phineas a hug!
This is adorable!
Thanks so much, Viki! 😃💕
Great doodle Charlie. I like the way you’ve got his tongue and ear flapping in the air. Well, that’s what I see.
Thanks so much, Gary! 😃💕 That’s exactly what I was hoping to portray!
Oh he’s so cute! Great job on his expression! I agree about movies. They are carbon copies of previous movies. There are only a few movies that I can actually sit and watch and one of them was on last night……The Greatest Showman. I love it, I own it and I saw it at the theater 5 times. The Holiday is the other.
Thanks so much, Lori! 😃💕 Yeah movies are starting to seem like sad carbon copies these days. It’s how they’re made… overly tested just like products. If you ask someone, they’ll always tell you only what they used to know, never what they’d want to see. 😉
I laughed with delight when I saw this Charlie! Hoping to get our own puppy when things normalize…..
Thanks so much, Susan! 😃💕 Yay to getting your own puppy!
Aweeeeeeeeeeee precious!!! LOL i love your stories about Phineas. He is so silly!!! 🙂
Thanks so much, Lisa! 😃💕 hehe… yes, Phineas is indeed so silly!