Monday, August 31, 2020

Milliron Monday: The Star 8 31 2020


Abbott "Pete" Smith, D.V.M.
June 16, 1938 - February 22, 2010

Painting is easy when you don't know how, 
but very difficult when you do.
- Edgar Degas

Welcome to Milliron Monday where every Monday we celebrate the legacy of Pete Smith, D.V.M., and  Milliron: Abbott “Pete” Smith, D.V.M. The Biography (Monday Creek Publishing 2017). A graduate of Colorado State University and a well-known veterinarian in southeast Ohio, Dr. Smith continues to motivate and inspire. 

Traveling to Europe, young Jody Haley (before she became Jody Smith), revered the beauty of the European countryside, culture, natives, and art. While in Europe, she purchased a print of The Star by Edgar Degas. One of his most famous works, "Degas selected an elevated point of view for this painting. The dancer's skirt seems to vanish under the stage lights, which casts pale violet shadows on the dancer, followed by the rapid movement of the dancer across the stage with swift and sure calligraphic strokes." The original art is displayed at the Musee d'Osay, Paris. 

"I did not want to travel to Europe," Jody explains. "My parents wanted to take my mind off the handsome cowboy I met at Colorado A&M (now Colorado State University). Their efforts fell short. Pete and I were married shortly after I returned from Europe."

Jody has many fond memories of her trip abroad. She treasures the ballerina print she brought home from Europe so many years ago.

Have a great week ahead.


Through captivating, powerful, and emotional anecdotes, we celebrate the life of Dr. Abbott P. Smith. His biography takes the reader from smiles to laughter to empathy and tears. Dr. Smith gave us compelling lessons learned from animals; the role animals play in the human condition, the joy of loving an animal, and the awe of their spirituality. A tender and profound look into the life of a skilled veterinarian.

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