by Nancy Gallimore | Artwork by Phuong Cao
In November of 2021, I wrote a story about my Dalmatian, Howie, 15 closing
in on 16 years of age. I knew my boy was nearing the end of his time with me. I wanted to celebrate him while he was still with me instead of waiting to eulogize him.
I reflected on how you can never predict when a “last time” is happening. When was the last time he went for a walk with me? When was the last time he jumped up on the bed to sleep at my feet? When was the last time Howie was able to climb
the stairs to the second floor of our home without assistance? The answers? Well, there are no answers, you just never know. So the moral of the story was to cherish every moment, from celebrated memories to new routines, because you can’t predict when it’s a last time.
I wrote so I would have the article to reflect on when the day came that my boy was resting sweetly in my heart instead of by my side. It would stir memories for me, it would bring a few tears and certainly a lot of smiles. And I also tossed the story
out there for other people to see, just as I might toss a pebble into a pond, causing gentle ripples to spread. Maybe someone else would see them, maybe not. If Howie’s story made others smile and sigh a little, perfect. If people closed the magazine and turned to hug their own special senior dogs, what an amazing bonus.
The article was written, edited, proofed, published. Howie’s tribute was complete. I grabbed several extra copies of that issue of Tulsa Pets and OKC Pets Magazines to tuck away for the days, months, and years to come when I would surely be missing him. But that’s not where Howie’s story ends. Sometimes ripples go places you can never imagine.
Receiving an Unexpected Response
Fast forward to June of 2022. My cell phone gave a little ping, and I looked down to see a message from Marilyn King, publisher of the magazines.
I got an envelope today at my post office and inside is a letter to you and a portrait of Howie. It’s from a man in prison in Oklahoma City. He read your article and felt compelled to draw him.
Well, that caught my attention. I immediately made plans to pick up the envelope. To be honest, I expected a rough drawing of a spotted dog, perhaps sketched on lined notebook paper. I figured I’d get the drawing, send a thank-you note to the man, and that would be that. Sweet gesture acknowledged.
When Marilyn handed me the envelope, I slid the drawing out, and I immediately understood what it means to have your jaw drop to the floor. The drawing was exquisitely lifelike, perfectly capturing every detail of my boy right down to the special light in his eyes. I turned to the accompanying letter.
A man named Phuong Cao introduced himself, apologizing for his circumstances. He was listed as inmate #80914379, incarcerated at the Federal Transfer Center in Oklahoma City. Phuong wrote that when he was sentenced to 10 years in prison for a nonviolent crime, he decided to spend his time doing something positive rather than “rotting” his life away. He decided to teach himself how to draw with the help of books he was able to purchase.
I spent hundreds of hours practicing to achieve the realism effect on furry animals. My drawings are my pride. Each piece of art was created from my heart and soul.
Then one day, he came across a copy of OKC Pets Magazine and noticed my story.
I read your story entitled “When Was the Last Time” and I was moved by the love of you and Howie. I hope you will continue counting your blessings with him.
Phuong went on to say that my story had made him think about his daughters and some of the last times he shared with
them. Prior to his incarceration, they were enjoying parties at Chuck E. Cheese restaurant. Now, seven years later and seven birthdays missed, the youngest girl was a teenager, the other a young adult. He was missing out on some profound milestones with his family.
Because he loved the photo of Howie that was included with the article and he admired the relationship we shared for so many years, he wanted to create a portrait to send to me. He claimed it was a gift from the heart, and he wanted nothing in return. His only request was that I “show it off to the world.”
Oh, Phuong, my pleasure! That is something I can absolutely do.
Looking to the Future
I immediately posted the drawing on my Facebook page and shared the story of how it came to be. The response was wonderful and filled with accolades for the artist’s talent. Within just a few days, my post of Phuong’s artwork had earned 487 likes, 223 comments, and 59 shares. And I’ve yet to post to Instagram or TikTok, but I will. I’m not exactly an influencer, but I think I have enough followers to make a few more ripples. World, say hello to Phuong.
In my reply to Phuong, I wrote that I believed he could create a new career with his artwork. I told him I already had friends on social media inquiring about commissions. I also shared that my dear Howie had passed just a few weeks prior to
my receiving the beautiful sketch, making the gift even more precious to me.
Through our correspondence, I learned that Phuong’s burgeoning career as an artist might have to be placed on hold until his release date in November of 2023. There were restrictions in place within the prison system that made it difficult for him to receive photos, art supplies, and payment for his work. It seemed Phuong would continue to focus on honing his skills with limited resources for the remainder of his sentence.
But then I got another ripple in the form of a Facebook message from Ashley Cao, Phuong’s sister. In realizing Phuong’s potential, she established a Facebook page to showcase his artwork. The pair also devised a way for Phuong to take limited commission requests while still incarcerated. Phuong is not charging a set fee, but rather recipients of his artwork may make a donation, in any amount, to his inmate trust fund. The process for contacting Phuong, sending photos through a third-party vendor, and sending donations for approved pieces is now detailed on Petz Art on Facebook (facebook.com/ petzfriendart).
While I know some details, I don’t know the precise events that led Phuong down the path to a prison sentence. What I do know is that he is not serving his time in anger, bitterness, or denial. He is looking forward. He is working toward a new future.
Phuong finds joy in animals and in capturing their spirit with paper and pencil. He has uncovered a gift and focuses daily on improving his skills. Ripples expand toward new shores; they don’t go backward. I believe Phuong has a chance to move forward to a new life, leaving old mistakes far behind.
And if the story of my ponderings on my cherished old dog touched Phuong’s heart, well, I guess I didn’t write it just for me, myself, and I after all. I wrote it for Phuong, too.
This is a story that doesn’t have an ending, but rather a hopeful future. Where there’s a will, there’s a ripple. And in this case, I hope it’s a huge splash. Best of luck to my new friend, Phuong.
