Lilacs on Spin Cycle With Highlighter

Hi! I'm officially Simply Kennie… also McKenna but you can call me Kennie. I took a long plane ride to the USA three years ago. Back where I was born, a home couldn’t be found for a deaf puppy like me. People don’t always realize what are treasures hidden under the surface but Mom did. She was thrilled for the opportunity to welcome me. I was able to come here only because of the kindness of others who purchased things she and Ralphie sold, things people donated to her to sell and even outright $$ donations! That’s why I paint… to pay that kindness forward and show by example what deaf puppies and dogs can do.

I may be small for my breed (wee 48-pound Old English Sheepdog) but I’ve got a big heart… and I can make a very big paint splatter! I LOVE people even more than treats (and I like those a lot). This is my third year participating in the Tripawds Foundation art auction. 100% of the winning bid goes directly to them to help more people and their pets.

When I paint, I like to glance at Mom to get cues. Ralphie does this too! Deaf puppies are often more naturally observant and we are encouraged and rewarded early on to be watchful, to "check-in". This piece was created in the kitchen, my favorite place to paint. Mom couldn’t stand right behind my easel so I did lots of little check-ins while painting: “I’m doing this right, right Mom?”

Last year I made it into the Cadbury Easter Bunny Tryouts. I was one of 32 selected. I also had a first-round exit. ha! I have earned a Grand Champion Trick Dog title… I’m the second deaf dog and the second OES to earn it, just behind you-know-who. I learned to paint with a brush to show that the right language (visual!) makes training possible and that deaf puppies and dogs can excel. It may look like magic but it's actually quite simple to communicate with us. Oh, and I often like to hum while I paint. Play-training with Mom and playing chase with Ralphie are two of my favorites.

Thank you for reading about me and considering my masterpiece! :) Bid big if you can because it supports the Tripawds Foundation.