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Disastrous Dogs (and where to find them!)

We love our dogs. Wonderfully, adoringly, unconditionally, they love us too!

For all the “dog people” out there, I’m sure you can’t resist ruffling a pair of fluffy ears, a scratch under a soft, warm chin. Me neither!

For this reason, in preparation for this Mother’s Day, (31st of March here in the UK) I’ve been working from an aim to unite all the dog lovers out there, for a collective “Ahhhh!!!” among all the mum figures, a little smile for everyone on this special day!

A project made for greetings card marketplace Thortful (who sell some of my favourite designs!) with a little narrative twist- each of the cards is based on a dog I’ve known in life!

Hooked? Let me tell you the story of some mischievous pooches…

Act I- The tiniest of sausages

Around the time I started researching for this project, my parents were looking after a beautiful little sausage dog for a friend. She comes to stay from time to time, a charming soul to have around with bundles of energy (don’t be deceived by little legs- she can run like the wind!) and an inquisitive nose! I noticed that being so close to the floor, she always seemed to enjoy investigating low down nooks and crannies- underneath furniture, boxes on the floor, and especially squat flowerpots in the garden!)

This was a great place to start- and several sketchpages later some ideas had begun to form. Dogs are usually pretty interested in what we’re up to, often want to be with us when we’re doing things, and will usually want to help, too! (Even though, quite often, “helping” means standing or sleeping where you want to be, or “gardening” by digging holes or ripping bits off plants when you’re not looking!)

Inspired by little Lily’s love of low-down places, I started to sketch out the latter situation so familiar to many dog lovers- the canine gardener! A few experiments with hand-drawn lettering later (along with colour matching with the flowerpot and lavender!) I had my first design!

Sausage dog gardener FV (LR) © 2019 Carina Roberts Illustration
“Sausage dog Gardener” – the most relaxed helper of all!! © 2019 Carina Roberts Illustration

Act II- The curly golden bear of mischief

I couldn’t even begin to plan this project without a thought of our old family dog, Sunny- the kindest, gentlest, cleverest golden retriever that ever there was… and a firm believer in the phrase “rules are made to be broken”, particularly when it came to food. Her greatest hits included cramming almost an entire bag of discarded rolls into her mouth before she could be wrenched away, eating a “bird cake” (lard and nuts) I had made with my Rainbow Guide group before she could be held accountable… the list goes on.

One of my particular favourite stories came from a family friend who had looked after her over a weekend we were away, where he had left a slice of toast on a coffee table that was a little lower than ours at home. He apparently had looked her in the eye, saying something to the effect of, “Don’t eat that.” She had looked straight back at him, innocent and blameless, and without breaking her gaze, gave the toast one long, purposeful lick. “There, I didn’t eat it!”



A forever loving pooch, and a loyal helper – particularly if the task in hand relates to tidying up crumbs!

World's best tidier (LR) © 2019 Carina Roberts Illustration
Final design – “Your best tidier” © 2019 Carina Roberts Illustration

Act III- The Fastest Boy in the North

For my third design, I wondered who to use as my muse. Time was running out before my deadline, so I set myself a little challenge- to include more movement in a single image. Therefore, an agile, energetic dog- nimble and quick.

I suddenly thought of my good friend in Norway, who has sent me photos and videos of her border collie Charlie since he was a pup. They live near woods and lakes- and in winter Charlie bolts through the snow so fast he could melt it! If there was any dog out there that could inspire movement in a pencil it would be him, I thought.

Quick, or he’ll be gone!

Woolliest Jumper Final (LR) © 2019 Carina Roberts Illustration
Final design- a dog is the greatest personal trainer! “Your woolliest jumper” © 2019 Carina Roberts Illustration

All three of these final designs – sausage dog, golden retriever, border collie-  are for sale on my profile here. Let’s give some mums a smile, they deserve it! 🙂

The AutumnHobbit

© Carina Roberts and AutumnHobbit. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Carina Roberts and AutumnHobbit with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

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