Netop
 
Home Page About Netop Events Netop's Technique Netop's Paintings Notecards Buy Links Email Netop
 
dropclothimage obit

Sadly, Netop passed away on August 18, 2019. He was a wonderful soul that did so much for animal related causes in the Wimington, NC area and beyond.

What follows is a tribute to Netop, written by Matt Born and that appeared in the Aug, 20, 2019 edition of the Wilmington Star News. For a Star News photo gallery of Netop please click here.

"Netop painted until the very end. July 24th to be exact. That was the last time he picked up his brush, said Jacqueline Karch, the owner of the 16-year-old mixed-breed dog. It’s safe to say that Netop is the most well-known dog in Wilmington. That late July painting was the last of the thousands that Netop created over the years. He was put down on Sunday after 16 years due to complications from a recent diagnosis of gallbladder mucocele.

Karch adopted Netop in 2003 from the New Hanover County Humane Society and realized early on that he was not an average dog. His intelligence was apparent when he quickly learned to walk on a treadmill and ride a skateboard. Karch, an artist herself, decided to see if she could teach Netop how to paint. From his earliest efforts in 2006, he was a natural. She joked that he was a reincarnated artist and more human than dog.

She used brushes attached to T-shaped sprinkler fittings, and Netop would choose between 3 or 4 colors on any given painting. Karch said while painting, “he really knew what he was doing” and commented how he varied his technique between making little dots and longer strokes.

Netop was probably best know for his fundraising and countless appearances at benefits throughout the state. At many, he raised several thousand dollars in a single appearance. He held at least four over the years at Aunt Kerry’s Pet Stop in Wilmington. Owner Kerry Bradley recalls that when he painted there, the crowds were standing room only and she would always sell out of his paintings. She said he “truly was one of a kind”.

His work supported a wide range of causes, including domestic violence shelters, canine cancer research, various animal shelters and rescue groups. Karch is particularly proud of a Pet-Oxygen Mask Fundraiser at the Children’s Museum of Wilmington in 2007. The money raised provided 50 oxygen masks for pets that were donated to area fire departments. The masks have directly resulted in the saving of the lives of pets within the county.

Karch remarked about how much he loved to perform and how comfortable he was around people.

“For such a little dog he was larger than life.”

His spirit will live on through the paintings that he created. Karch still has boxes filled with several hundred Netop paintings, so his fundraising spirit will continue on.

On December 18, 2019 a check for $5,000 was sent to the North Carolina Veterinary Foundation in honor of Netop, for canine gallbladder mucocele research.

Netop’s painting career began in March of 2006.  He is eighteen pounds of boundless energy and was looking for another activity to add to his repertoire, which consists of daily treadmill workouts, skateboarding, agility, and modeling.

Netop’s paintings have been showcased in exhibitions to rave reviews. The proceeds from the sale of Netop’s paintings and notecards are donated to animal shelters and rescue groups.

Netop was chosen as one of the six most famous dogs of the Lower Cape Fear since 1880. All the work that Netop has done for charitable causes is getting high recognition. Please read about this honor.

Si Cantwell of the Wilmington StarNews wrote an article about Netop's charitable activities.  In appeared in the May 5, 2010 edition. Please read.

Netop has taken up film making.  His first movie is titled "Dog School".  It was filmed in Wilmington, NC at Dog Train. It stars his "sister" Ruby and several of his Dog Train friends. You can watch it here.

Click here to see videos of Netop's fundraising activities on youtube.

Click here to see Netop's appearance on Gracie's Friends.

Click here to see a StarNewsOnline video of Netop painting.

 

The Tropics front page 2 front page 3 front page 4