Every piece of art tells a story. The art for our 2026 Birthday Block Party just happens to purr and wag.
The artwork for our Birthday Block Party features two very special animals, Woody and Buddy. A dog and a cat, side by side, framed by a California poppy in bloom and the iconic Golden Gate Bridge. Behind those illustrated faces are two very real animals whose lives have transformed the humans who love them.
As artists Eric Rewitzer and Annie Galvin, founders of 3 Fish Studios, were designing the art, they were inspired by the animals in their lives: their dog, Woody, and their close friend’s cat, Buddy.
Woody’s story
Woody entered Eric and Annie’s lives shortly after they moved from San Francisco to the Sierra Nevada foothills. During this time of change, they found themselves considering getting a dog for the first time in their adult lives.
They visited the Amador County Animal Shelter and brought home Woody. Eric and Annie explain that Woody quickly became the center of their world. Their routine turned into “morning walks down the dirt road. Coffee on the deck while [Woody] patrols the property. Long naps in sun patches that migrate across the forest floor as the day unfolds.” They add that “Woody is a daily delight. He has us under complete mind control.”
Eric and Annie say that Woody helps slow their pace, be present, and take in the natural beauty around them. “The woods are not just scenery anymore. They are Woody’s territory. The river is not just beautiful. It is part of his daily summer joy. Because of him, we know our land more intimately. We notice seasons more clearly.”
In reflecting on Woody’s presence in their lives, they say, “He brings a steady, uncomplicated love into our home.”
Buddy’s story
Buddy, a Maine Coon cat, arrived a little rough around the edges and not entirely convinced he needed anyone at all.
He showed up on a California farm in 2013, under socialized and wary. Trust wasn’t something he offered lightly. It took two months for his now-guardian to earn his trust and finally touch him.
Buddy is a true indoor–outdoor country cat, weighing in at 18 pounds. He is a serious hunter and keeps his farm pest-free. Buddy’s nighttime or early-morning catches—sometimes daily—are thoughtfully deposited at the foot of his guardian’s bed.
When Buddy shows off his more tender side, he nuzzles his nose and cheeks into his guardian’s chin when he wants to be picked up and carried around. Buddy’s guardian explains, “He is my buddy, and I am his.”
Celebrate the human-animal bond with the SF SPCA
Woody and Buddy embody something we see every day at the SF SPCA: the magic of the human-animal bond. That’s the love that’s infused into this year’s Birthday Block Party artwork.
On April 18, we invite you to celebrate this bond with us by visiting our campus for an afternoon of tail wags, live music, delicious food, and more! Learn more.