MEET THE MODEL: Doug

The name of our first dog was inspired by a Gary Larson “far side” cartoon featuring a man peeking around a tree in a fenced yard, and a sales man at the gate looking at a sign that reads “Beware of Doug”* (My husband’s idea.)

* I am not posting the cartoon here in respect for Larson’s copyright and wishes. As stated in this link.

We stumbled upon Doug, abandoned, full of ticks, and in the pre-adolescent stage of his life. He grew to look and sound intimidating, yet, of all our pack, he was the most outgoing. But with passive aggressive strategies he managed to thwart my efforts to get him in the car, or head home after a walk in the woods, often by just not moving his formidable body. An oxymoron, perfect for my “Dog Study” paintings.

Doug, a black dog with white muzzle, chest and feet, stands and howls.

Doug got schooled a couple of times, by a cat and a horse, but mostly he did the schooling with the other dogs (except for Sadie.) While training, he taught me about confidence, body language, and patience.  

Scents lead his nose, often to indecent places. Sounds triggered his unique vocalizations. I will miss singing along with the howling sessions he and Mookie enjoyed.

Paintings featuring Doug:

Find more information and related paintings in these portfolios: Original Dog Studies, Archived Original Dog Studies, Medical Collar, Faces n Limbs, and Rounds & Reflections.

Doug, tongue down, ear up, twists to look in this goofy portrait of a Black Lab/Great Pyrenees mix. Painted by Elizabeth Lisa Petrulis.
Doug speaks 1, Dog Studies, high contrast black acrylic painting, Elizabeth Lisa Petrulis
Doug speaks 2, Dog Studies, high contrast black and white acrylic painting featuring open dog mouth by Elizabeth Lisa Petrulis
Absorbed family portrait of domestic animals arranged in orbs. A painting depicting 4 dogs and two cats within and outside a large circle with a smaller circle reflecting one of the dogs. A black and white acrylic painting by Elizabeth Lisa Petrulis
ears, Dog Studies, high contrast black acrylic painting of two dogs by Elizabeth Lisa Petrulis
Merge, Dog Studies, High contrast black and white acrylic painting, Elizabeth Lisa Petrulis
On the road, Dog Studies, high contrast black and white acrylic painting, Elizabeth Lisa Petrulis
Sadie licking Doug, Dog Studies, high contrast black acrylic painting, Elizabeth Lisa Petrulis
A dog in a translucent medical collar looks ghostly. His two companions in dark profile, counterbalance the composition in this black and white acrylic painting by Elizabeth (Lisa) Petrulis.
Megaphone yawn, black and white acrylic on canvas, 2015,  24 x 36”, Elizabeth Lisa Petrulis
Megaphone 2 (with cat bites by Boodle), black and white  acrylic on paper, 2015,  9 x 12”, Elizabeth Lisa Petrulis
petrulis t doug dogtongues

Doug, 2018, B&W acrylic on canvas,
6″ x 6″, Elizabeth Lisa Petrulis

Doug speaks 1, Dog Studies, Original Series, Elizabeth Lisa Petrulis

Doug speaks 1, c.2008,
black acrylic on paper, 12″ x 9″,
Elizabeth Lisa Petrulis

Doug speaks 2 , Dog Studies, Original Series, Elizabeth Lisa Petrulis

Doug speaks 2, c.2008,
black acrylic on paper, 12″ x 9″,
Elizabeth Lisa Petrulis

petrulis absorbed 2020 acrylic

Absorbed, 2020, B&W acrylic on canvas,
16″ x 36″, Elizabeth Lisa Petrulis

Ears, Dog Studies, Original Series, Elizabeth Lisa Petrulis

Ears, c. 2009,
black acrylic on paper,
12″ x 9″, Elizabet Lisa Petrulis

Merge, Dog Studies, Original Series, Elizabeth Lisa Petrulis

Merge, c.2009,
black acrylic on paper,
9″ x 12″, Elizabeth Lisa Petrulis

petrulis dance

Dance, 2013, black acrylic on panel,
20″ x 29 ¾”, Elizabeth Lisa Petrulis

On the road, Dog Studies, Original Series, Elizabeth Lisa Petrulis

On The Road, 2013, black acrylic on canvas,
24″ x 30″, Elizabeth Lisa Petrulis

Sadie licking Doug, Dog Studies, Original Series, Elizabeth Lisa Petrulis

Sadie licking Doug , c.2009,
black acrylic on paper,
12″ x 9″, Elizabeth Lisa Petrulis,
(Private Collection)

Petrulis ghost bw acrylic 2017

Ghost, 2015 re 2017, B&W acrylic on canvas,
30″ x 24″, Elizabeth Lisa Petrulis

petrulis_ meg yawn adj 72web

Megaphone yawn, 2015,
B&W acrylic on canvas,
24 x 36”, Elizabeth Lisa Petrulis

petrulis megap paper w cat bites bw acrylic 2015 web

Megaphone 2 (with cat bites by Boodle), 2015,
B&W acrylic on paper, 9″ x 12”,
Elizabeth Lisa Petrulis

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petrulis t doug dogtongues
Doug speaks 1, Dog Studies, Original Series, Elizabeth Lisa Petrulis
Doug speaks 2 , Dog Studies, Original Series, Elizabeth Lisa Petrulis
petrulis absorbed 2020 acrylic
Ears, Dog Studies, Original Series, Elizabeth Lisa Petrulis
Merge, Dog Studies, Original Series, Elizabeth Lisa Petrulis
petrulis dance
On the road, Dog Studies, Original Series,  Elizabeth Lisa Petrulis
Sadie licking Doug, Dog Studies, Original Series, Elizabeth Lisa Petrulis
Petrulis ghost bw acrylic 2017
petrulis_ meg yawn adj 72web
petrulis megap paper w cat bites bw acrylic 2015 web
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My husband (Ned Tennis) wrote his obituary January, 29, 2013

Doug (aka Dug) came into our lives 6/20/99 (Father’s Day). We took the dirt road home that day on a whim. Doug had been dumped and was sitting on a pile of trash 2 miles from the nearest house (ours) on a dusty road that gets perhaps a few cars per day if any. Some cowardly person’s selfish act was our gain. He was nothing but a joy. (Even when he swallowed the bunny rabbit (one chomp) after I told him to drop it.) He was the 95 pound alpha dog and went from Heaven on Earth at our house to Heaven in the sky yesterday. It’s not the same and never will be. RIP, my good boy.

Dark Dogs in the tan and yellow leaf littered woods of fall 2009.
Doug (and Mookie) in the woods fall 2009

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