Must Love Dogs

The idea was tagged "Must Love Dogs," but a better name for it at this point might be "Dogs Love It." On April 16 and 30, Guilford Art Center (GAC) sent out an open invitation for dog lovers and art lovers to come together and help build a bunch of colorful, creative dog water bowls as part of a new GAC community project, Must Love Dogs. The idea, to make up some delightful dishes that would then become watering stations for dogs traveling along downtown sidewalks this summer, took off, said GAC Program Director Maureen Belden. "Approximately 40 people of all ages took part; some families, some individuals. Everybody was a volunteer and took the workshop understanding their work would be given away. About 40 bowls were created," Belden said. GAC pottery apprentices Ann Zeller and Rosalie Rouillard ran the workshops and also helped Belden distribute the bowls to downtown businesses on June 2, accompanied by Rouillard's poodles Zoe and Chanel. Dog owners are just becoming aware of the benefit of the bowls. Among several dogs out for an early morning walk on Whitfield Street this week was Japhy with her owner Matt Scialabba, who was glad to be told the bowls were there to supply fresh water for any thirsty dog. Scialabba said he and his wife had definitely noticed the bowls when they were placed outside of businesses last week. The spiffy, shiny bowls include several with a three-dimensional surprise at the bottom, from butterflies to puppy figurines. Filled with water, they ...