Melanie Radko | Artist

You don’t forget the animals who change your life.

I learned that as a child in Germany, when we had to leave our guinea pig, Sumio, behind when we were restationed to the United States. It was the first time I felt that quiet heartbreak—the kind that comes from losing something that was never “just a pet.”

Years later, in a 35-year career in healthcare, I saw that same connection in a completely different light. My son’s service dog, Sawyer, came to work with me when he was in training. Everything shifted. In the most stressful situation, he brought comfort, softened people, and changed the energy in the room without saying a word.

That’s when it became clear to me:

These connections matter.

When I began creating art, I knew I didn’t just want to draw animals.
I wanted to preserve what they mean to us.

The feeling. The memory. The story.

Because the animals who touch our lives… never really leave.

I specialize in colored pencil and pastel portraits of pets and wildlife. I tell stories through art. Each portrait is more than just an image; it’s a reflection of personality, spirit, and the deep bond we share with the animals we love. I often begin my drawings with the eyes, because I believe they reveal the soul of each subject, and that connection guides the rest of my work. I also continue the storytelling beyond the artwork itself by featuring each piece and its story on my blog, Pieces of the Story.

The name All My Pieces Art was inspired by the song “Defender” by Rita Springer. Its lyrics speak to how God can gather all of our broken pieces and put us back together again—a message that has always resonated deeply with me. I see my artwork the same way—each portrait is thoughtfully created from many pieces, coming together to form something personal, expressive, and full of life.

That is the story behind All My Pieces Art.

Welcome—I’m so glad you’re here.

 Sawyer’s story began in November 2018, but ours with him started the moment we met him in April 2019. At the time, he was thriving in his service dog training program, and we had arranged a meet-and-greet with several dogs to see if there might be a good match for my son, Drew. The match is done by the breeder and depends on the interaction and connection between animal and person.

What happened next felt nothing short of meant to be.

Sawyer walked right up to Drew, climbed into his lap, and began giving him kisses as if he had already decided—this is my person. It was instant, undeniable, and unforgettable. I’m so grateful I captured that moment, because it marks the very beginning of Sawyer’s story with our family.

From that day on, Sawyer fit into our lives in a way that felt effortless. Because of that immediate connection, he was placed in our home earlier than usual after his first home visit. We continued his training together with his “first mom,” Carrie—his dedicated trainer—who helped guide all of us through the journey. Sawyer is everything you would hope for in a service dog—special, incredibly smart, and just a little bit stubborn. But more than anything, he is the heart of our home. Yes, he helps in countless ways, but beyond that, he brings a kind of pure, everyday joy that is hard to put into words.

One of Sawyer’s very favorite things is visiting Drew’s grandpa in Memory Care. He seems to know exactly what to do. He greets the residents and happily accepts pets while offering kisses in return. It’s incredible to watch—residents who often appear quiet or expressionless light up when they see him. Their faces change, their eyes brighten, and for a moment, there is pure joy. In those moments, you can see just how special Sawyer truly is—not only to our family, but to others.

About a year into having him, we received devastating news: Sawyer had cancer. By the grace of God, it was caught early. His surgery was successful, and he didn’t require any additional treatment. He did, however, come away with a noticeable scar on his face—earning him the nickname Scar Face. Like any beloved member of the family, that was just the beginning of many nicknames: Soy Boy, Soybean, Soy Latte, Soy-Soy, Fang Face, and our favorite, Fluff Butt. Since then, Sawyer has remained cancer-free, and each day with him feels like an incredible gift.

Sawyer is still writing his story with us every single day.