I started painting fifteen years ago. I had always wanted to paint, had never pursued it, and literally just woke up one day and said, "Today I start painting!" I did, and two months later sold my first piece. Next thing I knew, I had a custom artwork shop going out of my home, and later, opened a brick and mortar store that I had for over a year, until my mother became ill, so I went back to painting from home. Kris started out designing book covers in elementary school for extra money. April started out scrap-booking about two years ago, and has taken off with her own designs and techniques. I also work in ceramics, clay, and jewelry, and have sold items through wholesalers in Texas and Colorado. All because I decided I wanted to paint! Go ahead, give something a try! "If you can dream it, you can do it"!

"An Artist's Dream" http://www.tias.com/stores/anart offers a Abstract, Fine art, and creative designs using oil, acrylic and mixed media. Visit Laura and Kris at Ice Originals II ~ Collectibles, Jewelry and Artistic Designs, http://www.tias.com/stores/iceorig "An Artist's Dream", and "Ice Originals - Inside out!!!". http://iceoriginals.faithweb.com

Laura is the owner of Ice Originals II ~ Collectibles, Jewelry and Artistic Designs . She is a practicing Artist and collector. View her items at http://www.tias.com/stores/iceorig

She peered over edge with tears streaming down her cheeks, fearing that her best friend had fallen all way to rocks below.

She moved closer to edge screaming out to Jack, praying that by some miracle, he had survived.

As she lay down to look over edge, she saw Jack wedged precariously next to a tree stump on a small outcrop about 20 feet below, injured, but alive.

If he had gone off cliff just 3 feet either side of where he did, he would have fallen hundreds of feet to rocks below. His life had been spared, at least at moment, by narrowest of margins.

A huge feeling of relief welled up through Kimberley's body as she saw that Jack was still alive.

She pulled out her mobile phone and called police.

She quickly explained what had happened to officer on line and a team of rescue workers were dispatched to cliff top to rescue Jack.

Kimberley watched on with trepidation as rescue team carefully winched her beloved Jack to safety from outcrop that had saved his life.

He had broken his left rear leg and had some cuts and abrasions, but on whole, he was a very lucky dog that day…and Kimberley knew it.

She looked towards sky and gave thanks that her best friend had been spared.

She promised herself that as soon as Jack was back on four legs, she would start to train him to obey her commands so that something like this could never happen again.

She felt guilty that her neglect at not training him properly from start could have cost this beautiful animal his life. She felt sad but also happy that she had been given another chance with Jack, and she wasn't about to waste it.

3 Months Later…

Kimberley and Jack are again able to take their early morning walks, but now, Jack's lead is an option.

He obeys Kimberley's every command, and they have a deep, new found respect for each other's abilities that goes far beyond their roles of dog and master. They are truly great friends.

Maybe you don't take your shepherd for off leash walks near cliff tops, but there are lots of hazards just as dangerous around your home that can cause your favourite pet to hurt himself…or worse.

Running into moving traffic, drinking something poisonous around your home, jumping fence and getting into fights with other dogs…these are all situations that proper training can severely restrict or eliminate.

Think for a moment of how you would feel if your wonderful dog was injured or killed by a car right in front of you because he ran out onto road despite your calls for him to come back.

Training is vital for every pet so that they know what is expected of them and they stay safe in an increasingly dangerous world. And properly training your pet is your responsibility.

Please, take time to train your dog. If you don't know where to start, there are plenty of good books around to help.

Another option is to take him to obedience classes in your local area.

This is most focused training you can give him (and yourself…) but it's also most time consuming and expensive.

If you have time and financial resources, it's usually best way (if you can find a good trainer), but if you don't, then reading a good training book and following it's instructions will give you a solid grounding on how to train your dog properly.

Train him well, and he will reward you for it in so many ways that you can't imagine.