To the artist HS Chang-Tsai -- please accept my appreciation and thanks for your art. I did not know of it until a package sent from you arrived at my home. It was a curious thing, to receive a package from a stranger. I opened it and, on seeing the print of a Shiba Inu looking skyward while the moon laid on the left corner, began to cry. My best friend had purchased the print and a pad of sticky notes. It was her way of showing sympathy for the loss of Ryu, my Shiba Inu and adventure partner.
Ryu lived for 15 years. 12 of those years was with me. He was a constant companion. I often joked that he was my soul mate. Sometimes, it was not a joke. Ryu passed away a month ago. It has been six weeks and I still cry when thinking about him.
Today, I placed your print into a frame. My boyfriend asked where I would put it. I immediately said that it would go onto the desk of my home office. I wanted to see it as much as possible. But after a moment, I reconsidered the decision as a selfish one. It would be better to place the print in our living room where every person who came into our home -- friends, family, neighbors -- could have the opportunity to see its beauty.
Ryu spent much of his life looking up: at me, at others, at the squirrels, at life. Thank you, so much, for making art of looking up. My best friend could not have a chosen a move lovely way of honoring the feelings that Shiba Inus provoke in those of us fortunate enough to be a part of their lives.
Donald Martin
Chicago Illinois
https://riceandink.com/products/moon-and-sun-shiba-inu-summer-night-art-print-poster-unique-sumi-e-painting-japanese-cute-dog-ukiyo-e-ink-animal-illustration-asia-zen
