‘Absolutely amazing’ – Artist puts finishing touches on mural celebrating beloved pets
Brandi Zavitz has worked since late May on 32-foot-long mural at Medina Dog Park
Photos by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – A 32-foot-long mural at the Medina Dog Park features many of the community’s beloved dogs, showing them doing some of their favorite activities – playing with tennis balls, relaxing at the beach, playing catch and eating ice cream.
Brandi Zavitz has given these dogs lots of personality. A dog that was viewed as a strong protector is depicted wearing a sheriff’s hat. Another dog that loved the spoiled life is shown as a princess with a crown and a royal robe.
Zavitz has created an impressive scene with this mural. Many of the park’s users are moved to tears when they see their dogs.
“It is absolutely amazing,” said Cindy Davis, leader of the Medina Dog Park.
There will be a public reception in the near future for the finished mural.
Davis and Zavitz wanted a mural to enliven the park. They were talking about it last year. Some of the dogs that were regulars at the park had passed away since it opened in September 2020.
Zavitz is a retired art teacher who has painted murals in the community. She envisioned a mural where she would paint some of those dogs, giving them angel wings. Zavitz has long painted portraits of dogs and she wanted show their personalities and activities they enjoy. She gave them superhero capes, tutu dresses, a Buffalo Bills jersey and other features to show their character. One dog enjoy sailboat rides so Zavitz painted a sailboat on the mural.
The mural was initially planned to be 24 feet long and would include 50 dogs. For $100, Zavitz would paint a beloved pet with the proceeds going to the Medina Dog Park.
But there was a big response from the community. Zavitz added another 8-foot-section. Her nearly finished artwork includes 69 dogs, 3 cats and an ox.
Zavitz included Orly the Ox in the upper left corner to show the mural was done in 2025, the year of the county’s bicentennial. Orly has been the county’s ambassador the past year, helping to promote the bicentennial of Orleans County. He is shown in front of a sandstone building. Zavitz wanted to recognize the community’s Medina Sandstone heritage.
Zavitz and the Dog Park received a $5,000 grant from the Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council (GO Art!) towards the project.
Kye, Medina’s K9 for nine years, is shown with his super hero cape. He passed away from bone cancer in February 2022. Kye was an 11 year old Belgian Malinois that served the Medina PD from 2012 to 2021. Todd Draper served as Kye’s handler. After the dog retired about a year ago it continued to stay with Draper’s family.
The Medina Dog Park opened in September 2020 at a fenced-in area on North Gravel Road, next to the village’s former compost plant, just south of Boxwood Cemetery.
Zavitz painted the branches in the shape of the heart. She said many people love their dogs as cherished family members and the dogs love them back with a deep devotion.
Zavitz is adding some fairies to the mural in one of the finishing touches of the large painting.
The mural may be extended in future years to accommodate the demand, Zavitz and Davis said. There were about 30 others who wanted their dog on the mural and Davis said more will likely want to be included after seeing Zavitz’s creativity and care in honoring these beloved pets.
