hello! i’m so happy to be back at sfgirlbybay after a few weeks away! although i’m a bit sad that ‘the house that jealousy built’ is finished, i’m very excited to start this new art series called ‘curated collections’. today’s artsy collection – pet portraits of course! why? i’m not sure to be totally honest, i just keep finding them, well, everywhere! they’re hilarious, sweet, and kinda weird which is a fab combo if you ask me. i think i’m drawn to them because they’re all created with so much love for the creatures that share our lives, and a gigantic place in our hearts. and clearly, you can honor these little critters any way you like – stoic paintings, miniature felted replicas, or by placing their heads on human bodies and displaying them proudly every time you serve dessert. see? hilarious, sweet and kinda weird!

i’ll be back in two weeks with another curated collection. see you then! ~ the jealous curator

{1. paintings ~ kate pugsley 2. collages ~ ma + chr 3. felted minis ~ kay stahler 4. drawing ~ julia pott 5. plates ~ angela rossi 6. pen drawings ~ louche lab }

I never used to be a cat person: I was raised to be a wet nose squishing, puppy yawn breathing dog lover. My only familiarity with cats was chasing the feral kittens hiding in my grandma’s barn (I don’t remember ever catching one, though there is a yellowed photo of me in a tiny coat clutching a horrified kitten to my chest). Dream Cats made me a believer in the elegant allure of kitties: the arched backs, knowing stares, squished faces (enh!), and imagined tiny mews made my heart go pitter pat. Described as “girls & cats, cats in soft focus, cats on film, dream cats,” these artfully photographed felines — curated by the always awesome Anabela of fieldguided and Erin of atlantic treefox — show cats for their prowess, poetic quiet and general badassery. I’ve now got two little dream kitties of my own to snuggle and I couldn’t be happier.

Submit your Dream Cat to the Flickr group!

via notspavin.

via buck cash.

via ilovepeggy.

via …whenwewereyoung.

via *lalalaurie.

via andrew b. meyers.

via catatat ▲.

via SummerBirdDiamond.

via lawatt.

via elo vazquez.

via sssbf.

via potopoto53age.

this is anna’s [talking picture]: “This is Sylvester. When my husband and I bought our house in Newburgh, New York, he was one among a number of homeless cats living on our block. Three and a half years later, Sylvester is the only cat who remains.

I’m not sure when we decided that his name is Sylvester, but we were shocked when we discovered that our neighbors had dubbed him “Blackjack”. I’m not even sure how we came to the conclusion the he is even a “he”, but this is what he is to us. He’s always seemed like a toughie, too — we’ve seen cars have to take alternate parking spaces because Sylvester didn’t want to give up his spot in the sun.

About a year ago, I held my hand out and crouched down on the sidewalk, about 20 feet from Sly. I expected him to take off; to do that thing that stray cats do when humans come too close. To my great surprise, he came running over! I pet his head tentatively, and he responded with a rub and a purr. For months, this was our routine. Days would pass when I wouldn’t see him, and I would worry. He always reappeared eventually, though. After a couple of winters, we never saw any of the other cats again. Just Sylvester.

A few months ago, a house across the street from us became vacant and went up for auction. The previous residents had made a practice of dumping cat food on their porch, which is where I’m assuming Sylvester got most of his sustenance. With them gone, he had nothing to eat. He lost his “tough” look, and started to get skinny. His fur became dull and dirty-looking.

At the end of September, I started doing that thing that everyone always says not to do: I put food and water out for a stray cat. Sylvester didn’t hesitate for the second! He gobbled down the entire dish, then let me pick him up and give him a cuddle. How could I deny this guy a meal? How could I let him starve?

My husband is severely allergic to cats, and we have two small dogs. Bringing Sylvester indoors is not an option. Regardless, I don’t think this guy would be very happy living inside after being an outdoor cat for so long. Fortunately, we live on a one-way street with very little traffic, and Sly spends most of his time napping in the sun on our porch. There is no wildlife here to hurt him. There isn’t a feral cat population here.

Next weekend, I’m going to make an insulated shelter to go under our porch so he has a place to go when it’s freezing cold.

I think he’ll be okay.

Sometimes you just need to do what feels right in your heart, and not worry about the shoulds and shouldn’ts too much.”

[ thanks again to guest blogger anna of Door Sixteen! ]

Jeannine decorated the adorable Hazel & Gertie’s herself, all with vintage, recycled pet paraphernalia and furniture she scoured from flea markets, craigslist and garage sale finds, which she hand-picked and collected with love over the past couple of years. It is so cute!

Hazel & Gertie’s carries Smallbatch raw food, handmade locally with only organic ingredients, as well as all kinds of other specialty, healthy dog foods, toys, beds, collars and treats for your furry companions (and of course, cats, too!). There’s also a big, blue claw foot tub all set up for self-serve dog bathing, and Jennine continues to offer her renowned, super friendly Gooddogs dog walking services. So stop by the shop and put your furry friends into the animal-loving, caring hands of Jeannine, and say hi to Hazel & Gertie, and Biggie, too!

Your co-hosts, Hazel, Biggie and Gertie.

Hazel & Gertie’s
3385 22nd Street (at Guerrero)
San Francisco, CA 94110
415.401.WOOF (9663)
Store Hours: Mon-Fri 10-7, Sat 11-6, Sun 11-5