Van Gogh, the one-eared rescue pup, paints his way into a loving home
Once a bait dog in a North Carolina dogfighting ring, he now creates art for charity. He’s enjoying his best life in Connecticut.
This special pit bull mix, with his missing left ear, is seven years old. The poor guy lost his ear after being used in such awful ways. But everything changed for him when he found his forever home!
Jaclyn Gartner started the nonprofit Happily Furever After Rescue in Bethel, Connecticut, to help dogs like him. When she saw a photograph of Van Gogh online, she was immediately moved to step in and help.
Gartner started her rescue and these things after losing her own beloved pit bull mix, Tyler, in 2020. Just looking at Van Gogh’s picture tugged at her heartstrings.
A Creative Approach to Finding a Forever Home
“He was struggling when heroes tracked down him,” Gartner says. “When I first saw him online, it was love at first sight! His smile was so big, and he seemed so sweet. I talked to the shelter about him, but sadly, no one had shown interest.”
One of her foster volunteers offered to take him in. Then volunteer pilots from Pilots N Paws flew Van Gogh straight to Connecticut!
“When he arrived, he was wagging that tail and loving everyone he met,” she recalls. “He was super friendly from the start!”
His friendly spirit amazed Gartner because of what he’d been through. Neighbors revealed that he had been a stray before being captured and used as bait for other dogs to fight with. Sadly, when they were done with him? They dumped him back outside.
One day, rescuers discovered him injured in a drainpipe. His ear was so damaged that they had to remove it surgically.
“Van Gogh ought to have each motivation not to trust people, but rather he cherishes individuals,” she says. “Since a canine’s been significant for that life doesn’t make them a horrible canine.”
Sadly, adopting Van Gogh became tricky. He barked at other dogs due to his past and needed a home without pets. After months of waiting, Gartner thought outside the box about how to help find Van Gogh a home — inspiration struck from his name!
Gartner decided to have the pup recreate Vincent van Gogh’s famous painting “The Starry Night” as a gift for someone wanting to adopt.
A New Beginning Filled with Love and Art
She placed little blobs of paint on an 8-by-10 canvas which she then sealed inside a plastic bag! To get Van Gogh motivated, she spread peanut butter over the top (taking care not to use sugar-free since it’s toxic for dogs).
Her foster family didn’t usually eat peanut butter; they weren’t sure if he’d like it or not But as soon as that tasty canvas hit the floor? Van Gogh jumped right in—licking off the treat & playfully spreading paint everywhere!
“It was so cute!” Gartner laughs. “He clearly loved it.”
He enjoyed painting so much that she planned a special adoption event featuring Van Gogh as the star! She even set up food & drinks at a friend’s home while sharing about this “art gallery” on social media.
But only two people attended! Disappointed by this turnout, Gartner posted about her feelings on Facebook — that’s when things really took off.
People started buying his artwork and even asking for commissions!
Finding a Forever Home
At this time, Van Gogh needed another foster home since someone else at his place required surgery. Lucky for him! Volunteer Jessica Starowitz wanted to help take care of Van Gogh even before he became famous—and she had just found a new home for her senior cat from the organization.
When Gartner inquired as to whether Starowitz actually needed to cultivate Van Gogh? Her response was an enthusiastic yes!
“The two of them immediately after her arrival, they hit it off” He adored her and vice versa,” Gartner explains. “After several hours I messaged her: ‘Hello! Is it too soon to ask if you’d ever think about adopting him?’”
Just 48 hours later? Starowitz officially welcomed Van Gogh into her forever family!
Building a New Life Together
“I didn’t want him to paint or make money, that’s not my goal” says Starowitz. “I embraced him since I went totally gaga for this sweet kid!”
Now they share morning walks together—two miles every day! They play back-and-forth in the lawn and cuddle up on the sofa watching Hallmark movies together. Every time she scratches his back? Van Gogh grunts with happiness.
Starowitz also works with a trainer using positive methods to help reduce his anxiety around other dogs while documenting their fun adventures on Instagram.
She finds great joy in reading messages from others who love pit bull-type pups like Van Gogh. Before getting him, she had two toy poodles; caring for this 70-pound pit bull mix is definitely a new adventure!
“They truly are amazing dogs despite their bad reputation,” she insists. “Once you meet one? You want to meet them all!”
And guess what? Van Gogh doesn’t plan on stopping anytime soon! This food-loving dog absolutely enjoys painting — all those artworks benefit Happily Furever After Rescue.
On Black Friday alone? He received ten art commissions! Plus, teachers are starting to tell students about him & ask for artwork for their classrooms.
“We won’t stop until he decides he doesn’t want any more peanut butter or treats!” Starowitz chuckles.
Starowitz is dedicated to helping the rescue organization that saved Van Gogh—and every penny earned will go back into helping animals in need! She isn’t interested in personal gain but wouldn’t mind securing one piece of art just for herself someday
Interestingly enough? She’s always been a fan of Vincent van Gogh; having several prints around her home and even receiving “The Starry Night” LEGO set from her sons last Mother’s Day!
More importantly though: spreading awareness about fostering & adopting pets is much deeper for Starowitz than being an art champion; given animal shelters nationwide are overflowing with pups and kitties needing love. She’s hopeful that Ga’s incredible journey inspires others to give animals their chance at happiness too!
“Dogs give us unconditional love,” she says warmly, “So why not return that kindness?”
