Four plus Two: Tales for the pet lover's heart™ Contest Winners

GRAND PRIZE WINNER
K. Smargiasso
Houston, TX

My sweet rescued Italian Greyhound, Reznor, came to us in the spring of 2006 as a foster kid. After only two days of being in our home I decided that I could not live without him. He was underweight and was being used as a breeding dog by a backyard breeder when IG Rescue of Houston saved him. The only home that he knew was being stuck in his small cage. He could not jump onto our couch at first since he had no leg muscles (which was a result of them not being utilized while stuck in his small crate).He now jumps higher than our kitchen countertops when it's treat time. He is so full of love that I could not imagine how empty he felt during his "breeding" days. He's my shadow. And I want nothing more than to show him so much love and happiness that his heart is overloaded with joy. My husband cannot believe that this is the same dog that we took in over two years ago. He was around 5 lbs. when we took him in and now I am happy to report that he just weighed in at a whopping 7.8! His teeth were in terrible shape when we originally took him on also and unfortunately he had to have many pulled. He gets regular cleanings now and has sparkly whites. I cannot express how much I love my little Reznor. I know that we both have given each other a new outlook on how great love is and how much it's needed!

C.F. Payne will travel to Houston to meet and photograph Reznor’s family. Payne will create a “family” portrait featuring Reznor and the Smargiassos. They will also receive a year’s supply of Purina® Dog Chow® brand pet food and a Four plus Two: Tales for the pet lover’s heart reusable grocery bag featuring the original artwork of nationally known artist C.F. Payne and containing a variety of Nestlé Purina PetCare items, such as snacks and branded goods.

FIRST PRIZE WINNER
S. Flanders
Corydon, IN

Ripley came into my life when I needed her the most. I broke up with a boyfriend and decided to buy a house, after 8 years of apartment life. I decided I was getting a cat, and I knew nothing about them. After a week, I named her Ripley, after Ripley's Believe It or Not. She would do such funny things that no one would believe me when I told them. She likes to open all the bottom cabinet doors in my kitchen, sometimes shuts them behind her. Ripley would climb up the back of my headboard on my bed and swat at my head to wake me up. When I pull the blanket over my head she would rattle the closet doors until I got out of bed. She learned to turn the light switches on when I kept teasing her with a laser pointer running it up and down the wall. You can imagine what that did to my electric bill. When my grandmother died, she stayed by my side and purred while I cried. She looked very wise, like she understood my pain. After long days at work, there is something so therapeutic about having her sit on my lap and purr like she's asking about my day. Most of all her funny antics, Ripley had taught me patience and how to love unconditionally. A small gray cat made my soul crawl out from it's hiding place and help me open my heart and love unconditionally.

Ripley will receive a year’s supply of Purina Cat Chow, special Nestle Purina merchandise and a Four Plus Two: Tales for the Pet Lover’s Heart reusable grocery bag featuring the original artwork of nationally known artist C.F. Payne.'

FIRST PRIZE WINNER:
J. Cibelli
Granby, MA

As I lie in bed to sleep ever accompanied by the chronic pain left over from chemotherapy and cancer, Banjo, my miniature poodle, curls up in a ball behind my knees. The warmth of his little body calms my fears like a stuffed bear did when I was a small child. I pet his soft, apricot curls and my blood pressure goes down. A gentle peace fills my body, all is well with the world. I sleep. Morning comes with Maxie, my toy poodle licking my face. Her touch is gentle and inquiring. "You getting up yet mom? I'm kinda hungry." I drag myself out of bed only to see the smile of my thirteen year, old mix breed dog, Russ. He really does smile. "Non-dog" people think he's showing his teeth, but I know that smile is just for me. I feed my three little buddies and myself, then we go out on the deck and I throw the ball. Their exuberance over the small joys in life have taught me so much. It's the little things that matter, like a warm bed, a gentle touch, an endearing smile, play, and most of all love.

Banjo will receive a year’s supply of Purina Dog Chow, special Nestle Purina merchandise and a Four plus Two: Tales for the Pet Lover’s Heart reusable grocery bag featuring the original artwork of nationally known artist C.F. Payne.

For more information about C.F. Payne, visit "About the Artist" Read more.