Title: Ritz at Night

Artist: Lisa Cunningham

Medium: Digital

Dimensions: 18" x 24"

Animal depicted is Ritz Cracker.

The dilapidated house was spray painted with "CRACK" on the windows. We walked through the weeds and into the back door. Garbage, trash, and ruins remained throughout the dark house. We got our flashlights and scoured every inch because we received a call from someone who believed a dog was in here. Room by room, first the basement, and then the first floor. We walk loudly and whistle in case there is anyone hiding out inside, a fear of ours. The top floor of the house was missing entire walls. We carefully and slowly checked the last room, and there, at the bottom of a set of stairs was a tiny, shaking dog.

This terrified little girl was missing hair and couldn't look at us, she was just too scared. Donna inched down, step by step, speaking softly and kindly. As we crept closer, she shook harder but we were able to get a leash on her. She even let Donna pick her up and carry her up the steps, through the house, down the back stairway, and out to freedom.

She quickly left for a foster home and her foster mom showered her with love and taught her to be confident. On Mother's Day, she signed the adoption paperwork.

*If you are the winning bidder and are not in attendance to pick up your artwork the night of the event at the Four Seasons, artwork will be available for pick up from the Pine Street Shelter starting Friday, June 18th. If you are not local to the St. Louis Area, shipping will be an additional cost and will be calculated for each piece individually.