ENCINITAS, Calif. — The next time you're driving northbound on Interstate 5 through Encinitas, be on the lookout for a giant dog.
In this Zevely Zone, I learned about the touching tribute behind a new mural.
The king-sized artwork depicting an 8-foot-tall dog is greeting drivers on northbound Interstate 5 between Santa Fe Drive and Encinitas Boulevard in Encinitas.
"This is the largest mural I have ever done," said muralist Liz Lancaster.
"It's officially the biggest dog here at the Humane Society." The creation of the La Mesa muralist is expected to be completed in time for the Grand Opening at Rancho Coastal Humane Society.
"I think it is so exciting the fact that my artwork can not only beautify this space at the Humane Society but also have so many eyes on it. I mean it is kind of every artist's dream in a way," said Liz.
Rancho Coastal is days away from revealing its biggest campus makeover ever. They could think of no better dog to honor with a mural.
"Tipperary has been with us, she arrived on Saint Patrick's Day in 2021," said shelter president Judi Sanzo.
She named Tipperary after a town in Ireland. After living three and half years at the shelter, Tippy as she's called, is still searching for the 'Luck of the Irish' and a family to adopt her. Tippy is the shelter's biggest underdog ever.
"No question about it, absolutely our biggest underdog and the perfect mascot for us because at Rancho Coastal we will keep them for as long as they need to stay until we can find their forever home," said Judi.
"Hi baby, yeah we are going to find you a home," I said while meeting Tippy.
She is an energetic and fun-loving dog, which is how Liz wants her mural to feel.
"We were splashing paint, we were throwing things on here," said Liz.
She's been chasing this dream for more than fifty hours.
"With this hill from this distance I think it will be sort of a fun illusion like she is running and chasing a ball," said Liz.
A ball that at the time of this interview still needed a splash of red. "This is everything you need to make a mural," said Liz while putting me to work.
"You sure about this?" I asked.
She smiled and said, "Oh yeah!" I was the first left-handed person to paint on the wall.
"That sounds like trouble," I said.
Liz added, "It's looking great."
At Rancho Coastal you don't have to stay between the lines, but when creating a masterpiece it helps. It's ironic to think the dog that nobody wants is now famous.
"She's a model, she looks great," said Liz.
Even more permanent than paint is the Rancho Coastal Humane Society's love for animals.
"We never give up. We never say no and we never give up," said Judi.
Rancho Coastal Humane Society will celebrate the grand opening of Charlotte's Medical Center, Vivian's Learning Center, Brock's Community Pet Food Bank, and the newly renovated FOCAS Adoption Center on Saturday, October 26th from 11 AM to 3 PM. The Grand Opening Festival is open to the public with free admission. The festival will include a Kid's Zone, food and drinks, live music, beer garden, Trick-or-Treating, and booths with pet-related items for sale. The shelter is located at 389 Requeza Street in Encinitas, for more information, click here. For more information about Liz Lancaster's art, click here.