Katie Fenerty is a Mixed-Media Visual Artist and Educator inspired by the colourful, the curious, and the wild. She employs painting, pyrography, printmaking and embroidery techniques on a variety of surfaces, creating a unique collection of art and art products.

"Artwork I create is inspired by an insatiable curiosity for the natural environments in which we live and adventure, the creatures we share them with, and their impression on the human spirit. I'm drawn towards slow methods of working, repurposing the collected and discarded, and interesting combinations of unconventional materials, tools, surfaces and techniques. I am continually striving to lighten the environmental impact of my art practice through education and experimentation."

Today, we're diving into Katie's world to explore how her beloved pets have shaped both her art and her approach to life.

Meet the Furry Crew

We adopted our cat Gerry in 2020 from Pet Save, an animal rescue centre. He was two years old at the time and looked depressed in his little glass display box. We learned he was found feral on Manitoulin Island and transferred in from Manitoulin Pet Rescue. He lived with a foster family that had a big Labrador-type dog, but we don’t know much more than that. He instantly felt safe with our senior dog Kali (also a lab-mix).

Bobby-Lynx, the newest kitten addition to our family, was also adopted from Pet Save. He was also transferred in from Manitoulin Island at four months old. He’d already had the majority of his tail amputated - indicating he’d undergone severe trauma in his early life. We named him Bobby-Lynx because of his little bobtail, tall hind legs, unique sandy colouring and, of course, because he looked just like a baby bobcat as a kitten.

We adopted Bobby as a friend to Gerry after we lost our sweet Kali girl in December of 2023. I don't feel I can speak about my pets without mentioning her, because she was extremely special to our little family. Kali was the kind of dog who went on every adventure, big or small, and brought the best attitude and energy to every situation. She started to lose her vision about halfway through her life, and went completely blind in her later years. Her eyes became the colour of mist, reminiscent of two beautiful full moons staring back at you. I don't think we will ever have another dog like Kali, who we lost to an aggressive cancer over a series of months near the end of her life.

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Lessons in Living

Having pets, particularly as they become senior in age, really challenges you to slow down, let go of the time pressure, and become mindful of your surroundings. All of my pets have invited me to be more present, and take a moment for joy and comfort in all the rushing and busyness of life as an artist entrepreneur. To literally and figuratively stop and smell the roses. Their care is the non-negotiable part of my day that I often look forward to.

Kali especially encouraged me to get outside, adventure in nature and explore new places. All of which consistently has a positive impact on my creative work, my mental health, and provides me with time to gather inspiration.

Gerry, who was initially quite feral and untrusting, really made an impression on my heart. He’s shown me that patience, observation, intuition and loving energy can make all the difference in relationships, whether that’s human to animal or human to human.

Bobby-Lynx, who is the absolute epitome of a curious cat, reminds me also to stay curious; to try new things, to let go of trying to control outcomes. The situations he finds himself in have me laughing every day, and are a great reminder to enjoy the little moments and not to take life too seriously.

Our pets have also inspired some interesting road trips, such as a weekend getaway in Cape Breton, NS and 3 weeks of travelling through Northern Quebec, Labrador & Newfoundland. When you don't want to leave the pets at home, it changes the potential travel destinations. We have been fortunate to visit some fantastic places in our country, all because we wanted our pets to experience them too.

A Day in the Life

Our cats are both pretty independent, but very playful and ready to surprise us with their hilarious orange cat antics. My mornings often start with Bobby-Lynx curled up and purring in the bed, and Gerry (who is extremely vocal) using his many alarming sounds to alert us that it's time for breakfast.

Often, I'll have some administrative tasks / packing for art classes to finish in the morning - so they'll hop in and out of the room, play hide and seek in the boxes of art supplies, or curl up next to me while I do computer work on the couch. This is always combined with lots of wrestling and chasing between the two of them, who always have the zoomies in the morning.

They’ll undoubtedly want to lie out in the garden for a while so that I might head out to putter around in the fruit and veggie garden we've created on the front lawn. Gerry almost always wants to try eating a stinging insect, which will inevitably end with a swollen eye. If you don't bring Bobby out, he’ll jump up and use his paw as a lever to open the front door! Bobby-Lynx is the adventurer who can find his way into just about anything - cupboards, drawers, laundry baskets, the washing machine, you name it.

When Kali was alive, I was much more likely to spend a two hour or so chunk of the day out on a local hiking trail, having her chase the bike, playing fetch, or completing a leg of our “walking mission” (to walk with Kali on every street in our town and we’ve walked more than 400 kms of pavement so far.)

For a time while we were living in a hotel in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Kali and I would make the beach or the park my “art studio”, and spend time swimming, beachcombing, and people/dog/seal watching. Kali was always an energetic dog, but she became much more tentative when she lost her vision. She would get so excited the second she knew we were at the beach, and she would start to run like a puppy without any fear of obstacles. I miss those days; they were some of my all-time favourites.

The Comedy Hour

Bobby-Lynx loves to float in the bathtub water - he is even the captain of his own “boat” (a repurposed storage tote)! Gerry likes to sing duets - I sing part of the song and he’ll add his vocals on queue. He would also use his voice to help Kali navigate around our house when she went blind. Kali would lie on her side and make the cutest little snow angels or swimming strokes in the snow, on beds of lichen, tile, carpet and any cold or “scratchy” surface.

The Artist's Eye

My visual art incorporates animals of all kinds, pets and wildlife included. I find them intriguing for many different reasons.

Most obvious might be that they are absolutely stunningly beautiful. I couldn’t imagine or come up with the variety of patterns, textures, colours and shapes that exist in the animal kingdom. The inspiration available to me in a purely visual sense is never-ending. I am always learning about new animals, their adaptations, their roles and habitats. They pique my interest and curiosity, and I feel a sense of hope and wonder when I think about the fact that we get to share our planetary home and existence with countless amazing sentient creatures.

Many animals possess an ancient wisdom or a slow knowing that serves as a healing antidote to our fast-paced, human-centric society, which is structured by modern ways of living. I love that,

just like humans, different animals exhibit consistent traits across species, but individually can have very distinct personalities. We can learn so much from quietly observing their way of being.

My art is often an attempt to translate some of the intangible feelings or essence animals evoke, relate to, or awaken in us. I am currently striving to improve both my technical and spiritual drawing/painting skills in an effort to better capture animal traits, hoping that this focus will strengthen the element of visual narrative in my work.

Creative Inspiration

When asked to describe her creative process in three random objects, Katie chose: Shoes, Smoke, Stroke—an intriguing glimpse into the mind of an artist who finds magic in the everyday and the elemental.

For literary inspiration featuring animals, she turns to Stephen King's classics "Cujo" and "Pet Sematary"—proving that even horror can offer insights into the complex relationships between humans and animals.

Follow Katie's work at www.katiefenerty.ca and @katiefenerty.art on Instagram and Facebook

What role do animals play in your creative life? Share your stories in the comments below.

Emily Andrews is a writer from Northern Ontario. Her books include her memoir, Second-Rate Goddess, and her collection of short stories, The Fates of Three. She currently lives on a farmette with her two dogs, two cats, two chickens and a tarantula. There is also a husband and son who stop by occasionally.

Tell us a little about your pets, and their origin story.

Loki is our black cat. I had always wanted a black cat because, where I was living (Calgary), they were the least adopted animal, and people are still not allowed to adopt them around October, which is horrifying. He was the nicest cat at the shelter; he was kind to my two-year-old and cuddled with my husband and me. When we brought him home twelve year ago, we discovered that we had been misled. He was aggressive, a loner and hated all other animals. We were told he was found on the street and had been there for a while.

He's now fifteen and much more cuddly, somewhat more tolerant and still cranky. I loved him then and now.

Guinness was our special dog. We used to run a reptile rescue, and someone contacted our partner to report a dog they’d found. He asked if we wanted the severely underweight Great Dane/Black Labrador mix. We’d been told he was in a cage for four years. We took him in and destroyed the cage.

Fur never grew on his joints, and he had a dent in his head. Otherwise, the vet pronounced him healthy. He used to run away from us to scavenge food from dumpsters until he realized he had

food waiting for him in his new house. He had every right to be mean, yet he was the sweetest giant lap dog who cowered at the sight of guns. He passed in 2020, and our family still thinks of him as part of the family.

When our dog Guinness passed, we didn't think we wanted another dog. We were still crying at his memory months later. We went to the SPCA to adopt another cat, but when the worker heard us talking about Guinness, she mentioned a dog that was supposed to arrive soon, who needed a leg amputation. As a sucker for hard-luck cases, a tripod dog was perfect for our little family.

She wasn't brought to the facility for almost a week. By then, her leg was very badly hurt, and she had signs of mange. The previous owners stated that she tripped and fell, and they couldn't afford a veterinarian. Marvel was ours from the start in our hearts, but we still had to go through the application process.

The first time we met her went great, but the day we picked her up was the best. She recognized us and started jumping up and down, and hopped up when we opened the car door. She made herself at home on the couch like she was waiting for us to join in. That was four and a half years ago, and she's still the fastest dog on three legs, as well as the neediest. A theme for our pets.

Daily Life with the Pack

What does your day-to-day look like with them?

Loki is not a fan of dogs. Sometimes he doesn't care, other times he will meow until someone carries him to where he wants to go, which is usually my bedroom or his food bowl. If I lie in bed for a nap, he needs to be petted for at least five minutes before he decides I can go to sleep.

Marvel is my husband's dog. If she wants comfort because she’s in trouble for garbage surfing, she comes to Mom. She likes the ear scratch, and I'll know it's a bad itch when her little nubbin shakes at a feeling she can't reach. It's adorable and sad at the same time. I'm also the messiest eater, so all our animals like to eyeball me while I eat.

Life Lessons from Fur Family

How have you changed since Loki, Marvel and Guinness joined your family?

I was always a cat person, but now I have dogs. No one is as happy to see me as my dogs. Cats are so independent and they make life easy but the dogs make it easy to love them.

What's one thing your pet has taught you?

Loki taught me that animals can lie. Guinness taught me that you can overcome your upbringing. Marvel taught me that a setback can launch you forward.

The Funny Moments

What's the weirdest or funniest thing they've ever done?

The first time Marvel ever flopped herself on her back, legs in the air and fell asleep in the middle of the floor. I still take pictures of those cute moments.

Any embarrassing pet-parent stories you're willing to share?

If Loki is in the bathroom and he's in a particular mood, he will jump on my back in such a way that I can't reach him. I have to try to finish what I am doing, then hobble out of the bathroom, hoping he'll get uncomfortable and jump off (which hasn't happened yet).

The Creative Connection

Do animals help you reconnect with anything deeper in yourself?

I may have scoffed at the idea of a "fur mom" before, but it is definitely a parental experience, regardless of the dog’s age. You are putting love and attention into a living thing that may never appreciate it, may never be able to show you the affection you associate with them. You still do it because, once they are adopted, they are family.

What would you do if you could collaborate with any animal, real or mythical?

I'd collaborate with Sasquatch and make a podcast for outsiders. Assuming he is an animal and not just an isolated human.

About Emily's Work

Emily is currently working on shopping her latest manuscript.

Want to learn more about Emily Andrews and her work? Check out her memoir Second-Rate Goddess and short story collection The Fates of Three.

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The first time we met Sully was at the local dog park with his foster family. The shelter assured us Sully would be the right match for Cash’s aggressive personality.

When they first met, they exchanged cautious sniffs. Cash asserted himself around Sully’s neck, then both dogs retreated to separate corners of the yard.

There was a mutual understanding between the two – like they knew they’d both been through the ringer in another lifetime, and this was their ticket to the good life.

I had never met a dog with so many fears. Anything from crossing thresholds, to wind, rain, thunder, bugs, grass, Sully was terrified of it all. He tolerated humans but craved solitude.

Each day became an exercise in patience, learning to speak his language of careful approach and respectful distance.

Fast-forward several years, and Sully is now about ten (one never knows a rescue’s true age). His fears continue to haunt him, particularly doorways and sudden noises. A routine has become his refuge.

Each morning, he offers me a tentative dog hug, then backs away when he’s had enough, a boundary I’ve learned to honour.

Our early days were spent on lengthy walks and lake swims, burning off excess energy and anxiety. Now our evening walks are gentler, shorter.

Most nights, we sit in the gazebo beneath the pine trees. I want to believe that Sully lies in the cool patch of grass, laughing at his brother’s antics from afar, content to be by our side.

Cash didn't help Sully become more social.

They found something deeper: a wordless understanding that love doesn't always mean closeness, and that sometimes the greatest gift is being present.

Do you have a pet that has left an unforgettable paw print on your life?

I'd love to hear about them in the comments.

In this section of Ramblings From the Little Shed, I highlight creatives who are pursuing their passion and have a pet story to share.

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I drove to the shelter on the outskirts of town to meet a dog I’d seen online. As the attendant guided me through the outdoor yard, I noticed a sleek black dog bouncing about amongst the many surrendered dogs.

His long, lean, muscular body leapt as high as the fence. His head was round like a Red Delicious apple, and the black spots on his nose resembled dog freckles. He wasn’t, however, the dog I’d come to see.

The attendant said, “That’s Johnny Cash.”

He rolled his eyes at my facial reaction and continued, “Yes, like the singer. Don’t get excited. He needs a ton of attention, and I turn away most who try to adopt him.”

Cash had me at bark.

“I can handle him!” I said.

“He’s a lot, and he loves to garbage surf.” The attendant said.

There was something in his eyes, mischief, maybe, or loneliness, that told me we’d figure it out together.

I had a comeback each time the attendant directed me to another dog.

After several hours of observation and conversation, he relented and considered me a suitable human companion for Cash, allowing me to take him on a trial basis.

I led my new fur companion to the car.

“You can’t be that terrible,” I said, catching his reflection in the rearview mirror.

“Cash settled in fast, or so we thought.”

On our first day back at work, Cash stayed home alone. My husband arrived first and let Cash out of his room. He dashed out for takeout, which gave Cash free rein of the house for about fifteen minutes. When my husband returned, Cash was gone.

Once I arrived home from a record-breaking drive, he explained how Cash had jumped from the house's second-story window overlooking the deck into the backyard. The window had been left open, and there was a perfect hole in the centre of the screen – he’d jumped out à la Superman.

Once outside, the neighbour said, “I saw your dog jump out of the window and land on the deck. He crossed the creek and kept running.”

We found him a kilometre away, chasing a squirrel. After some coaxing and many treats, he sauntered over to me, and I clipped the leash to his collar—no visible scratches or injuries.

That was merely part of Cash’s shenanigans, which I called Cash-isms.

Despite a strict routine, Cash was always one step ahead of us. We blamed his nose for taking him on early spring swims to chase ducks and bolting out the front door.

We’d never met a dog with such intense determination and boundless energy, yet we never considered surrendering him.

Cash’s behaviour was/is sometimes frustrating, but he knows how to warm a heart with extended dog cuddles. I wouldn’t change anything, including his feisty, spunky personality.

How can one help a dog overcome social anxiety and release excess energy?

She adopts a second high-needs dog, of course!

To be continued….

If you are new here, check out Paws & Prose’s inaugural post to get acquainted:

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About the Author
I’m a writer fuelled by coffee, forest walks, and the quiet companionship of my dogs, Cash and Sully. Paws and Prose is where I explore the intersection of creativity, nature, and the animals who walk beside us or in my case, in front of me! When I’m not writing, I’m probably out wandering the woods or chasing down the next story idea, tail in tow.

In this space, I’ll be highlighting artists and authors who share this deep bond with animals, and have a story to tell. It’s a mix of creative celebration and heartfelt pet tales.

Have a pet (past or present) who’s left a paw print on your life?
Drop a comment or reach out - I’d love to feature your story in an upcoming post!

So, I thought - wouldn’t it be nice to combine my admiration for animals, my love for writing, and my creative outlets while supporting fellow artists and authors?

In this section of Ramblings From the Little Shed, I aim to highlight peers pursuing their artistic passion and who have an animal story to share.

I’ve had pets for as long as I can remember. I melt at the sight of two eyes and a fluffy tail, and I wish I could save them all. During my formative years, I rescued kittens from ditches and imposed puppies on my parents. Nothing has changed in my adult life.

I currently have a barn cat named Willow, who keeps a watchful eye on our property, along with two senior rescue dogs, Cash and Sully.

Cash is the energetic and surprisingly playful senior, while Sully is the quiet shadow who captured my heart.

Stay tuned for Part I when I introduce Cash.

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Do you have a two- or four-legged friend who has left an unforgettable paw print on your life? I'd love to hear about them in the comments or feature them in an upcoming piece!

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