I set the carrier onto the living room rug, and as I unzipped the top flap, Miri pushed and wiggled her way out nose first. She sprang out in a blur, landing gracefully onto the floor. She dropped onto her side in a huff, resolutely facing away from me. I guess she didn’t enjoy being probed by strangers at the VCA animal hospital nearby.
I needed a photo for my art lesson the next day, so I pointed my phone at her and murmured “pspsps”, hoping to get her attention. While her ears swiveled, she otherwise stayed put. After a pause, I urgently whispered, “Hey, Miri!”. Finally, with a look of betrayal and the slightest hint of violence between her glowing eyes, she turned and looked into the lens.
Update (9/25/26): The original was left with my art instructor, Laurie Mann. I first started taking drawing lessons with her near the start of 2023, which culminated in this drawing in October 2025. I spent about a year working on it starting in 2024, coming into class and procrastinating by discussing books until it would be time to go home. The actual drawing took maybe only 20 hours or so. As I at last completed the drawing, I’ve since slowly graduated from her fundamentals and have moved on to studying art beyond her wonderful studio. It was many years spent drawing / not drawing in her studio. You can learn more about Laurie’s method at lzmstudio.com, where she offers in-person classes (if you’re in Austin, TX) and an online course as well.