Emotional Dog Art Illustrates the Difference a Choice Can Make
Before your dog came into your life, you had a choice to make regarding that dog. Even if you believe the dog chose you or that destiny brought this dog to you, you still had a choice to make.
In Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil, Ademar Vieira is a storyteller. Originally, he set out to be a screenwriter, but these days, it is his illustrations that are capturing the hearts and minds of dog lovers everywhere.
It is very likely, of course, that his interest and background in screenwriting are why his illustrations, especially a comic series he calls "The Choice," are also such great storytelling. "The Choice," as a series, is highly relatable to dog lovers, featuring two images in stark contrast to each other, either side by side or one on top of the other.
Each image depicts two alternate universes. In one universe, the character has a dog; in the other, he does not.
At the beginning, the character is given the choice to accept the dog or not. Whether or not you have ever truly pondered the impact your dog has on your life, Vieira's illustrations will undoubtedly tell a profound story about the significance of a seemingly simple choice.
The Choice: A Human and a Dog's Story
“I dedicate it to all the animals that contribute to our mental health during the quarantine.”

In an interview with Bored Panda, Vieira said:
“I started making the strips unpretentiously, just as a way to exorcise my demons during a very difficult phase that I was going through in early 2020. When I posted them, I realized that many people identified with them as well.
I received positive feedback, and then I continued to express the things I was feeling, and the audience grew.”

He added:
“When I recovered from that difficult phase, we were in the coronavirus pandemic, meaning everyone was going through a tough time, so I continued to explore the problems people around the world were facing.
Now, I have used the strips to express my opinions on some issues that I consider relevant, whether personal, social, or political.”

Going viral was a huge shock to the Brazilian artist. He said:
“I couldn’t believe it when one of my comic strips went viral in Latin America in June this year. I received 100,000 likes and gained 20,000 followers in one week.”

He also said:
“Famous people and profiles reached out to congratulate me, which left me on cloud nine, but it also brought the weight of responsibility. Now, I was no longer making strips just for myself and my friends; people from different countries were also seeing my work.”

Ademar also said, "I was very happy that the public showed me a path to follow as an artist, and I want to pursue that path to see what else is good.”

Fans have continued to leave feedback for weeks now.
One Instagram user Mel Robbins, motivational speaker, said: "This is so beautiful. And the fact that you also pointed out the beautiful mess a fog makes. Having a dog is one of the best decisions one can make."
Another user Brené Brown, researcher, remarked: "This picture reminds me of one of the best decisions in my life: having a dog."

On Instagram, Ademar said:
“Every time we make a choice, we leave one timeline behind and enter another. So, this comic strip is called 'The Choice.'”

Vieira has also created series in his style dedicated to healthcare workers and delivery drivers during the pandemic.

He truly is a skilled illustrator, and we look forward to seeing what other heartfelt stories he has to share with us in the future.
