Among the many types of dogs who share our lives, those now known as working dogs stand out for their intelligence, strength, vigilance, and unwavering loyalty.

Jackson was my little guy, but I also shared him with everyone. He was a muse to so many artists, with his adorable mug appearing on murals, posters, buttons, totes, T-shirts, and even tattoos.

I was raised with a house full of rescue pups. And I’m convinced that the dogs I thought I rescued have, in reality, saved me in my own darkest hours.

In photography, there’s a niche where art meets altruism. Where the lens captures not just images but the stories and emotions that can change lives.

In the midst of the pandemic, my husband Jeffrey painted dogs. How he got there is a tale.

In my own paintings, I like to capture the healing power of the human-animal bond, as well as the pets’ individual antics.

"You need to find the pet portrait scene. Remember, animal people are well connected," says fellow artist Paula Wirth, who draws memorial portraits of dogs, cats, rats, and other pets.