More on the dog in the mural

FALLBROOK — The dedication of the latest town mural took place Wednesday, August 15, at the Village Square. The sepia-toned artwork is a historic replica of an early 20th century photo of Main Avenue. Artist Jim Fahnestock was applauded by community members for his outstanding addition to the ongoing Art in Public Places and Fallbrook Beautification projects.

As Fahnestock explained, he painted a dog into the mural to replace a grouchy lady in the original photo. Not just any dog, the animal is actually Fahnestock’s terrier mix, Maggie, who came to fame about being rescued from near death by coyotes.

The dog wandered into an elementary school in Vista last year, according to Shirley Fahnestock. None of the children recognized her, so a good-hearted teacher took her home for the night. When she let Maggie out the next morning, a pack of coyotes attacked.

The teacher intervened and the coyotes decided to look for easier prey. The Fahnestocks rushed Maggie to the vet and, though badly wounded, she made a full recovery in about five weeks. “She walked through their door and never looked back,” said Jim’s parents, on hand for the dedication.

Fahnestock took a few other liberties with the mural. The license plates on the auto include his parents’ birthdates and ages, the road is peppered with some artful horse droppings and a shop advertising signs has been included in the foreground. Fahnestock has had a sign business in Fallbrook for many years but resisted naming the shop in the mural “Jim’s Signs.”

Jerri Patchett, president of the Fallbrook Beautification Alliance, was on hand to thank the many individuals and organizations who contributed to this project. It was made possible by donations from many people, including Ed and Barbro Hutchison, the Angel Society of Fallbrook, artist Brett Stokes and friends, the Live Oak Questers and the Fallbrook Vintage Car Club.