Rafael Mantesso’s wife left him on his 30th birthday. She took everything with her: the cookware, the furniture and furnishings, all their photos — everything. The only thing she left Rafael was the dog, a bull terrier named Jimmy Choo.
’With only Jimmy for company, I found inspiration in my blank walls and my best friend and started snapping photos of Jimmy Choo as he trotted and cavorted around the house in glee.
When Jimmy collapsed in happy exhaustion next to the white wall, I grabbed a marker and drew a new world around my ginger-eared pup. Suddenly, I felt this long-dormant inspiration for drawing — for art, for life — returning,’ recounts Rafael.
Soon, he’d made a whole series of photographs depicting various funny scenes with Jimmy. Now Rafael and his best friend have over 200,000 followers on Instagram, and in October a book is set to come out featuring the best photos of Jimmy.
You can’t help but be inspired by Rafael’s inexhaustible optimism — and his dog’s!
Madeline Sanders
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Super pair !
Brenda Peck
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Dog seems to be happy . Man is ok
Leonor Ronquillo
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Beautiful
Deana Jo Bennett
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Awwww! I’m going to watch for that book! I’d love to have it.
Jimmy Choo is adorable <3
Susan Clark
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What an amazing artist! The ex wife did home a huge favour!! Congrats, Rafael!
Sylvia Simpson
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Love them and your great sense of humour, hope you find a lovely lady who appreciates you and brings you and Jimmy Choo lots of happiness.
Kathy Villone
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That’s all I would want
Marianna Teichner
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You are a Lucky man. Health and Love is the two most Important thing in the World.
Ana Chacon
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Preciosas fotos y el medelo es lo mas imprecionante son 2 bellas y un par de ANGELES sean felizes
Ann Cho
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Lucky man
Maureen Willis
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Very clever I hope it works out for u and ur dog
Quara Lisa
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Kelly Bounous
Jeanne Geerts
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Geweldig ! Die man heeft meer aan zijn hond dan aan zijn (h)ex !!
Sami Ullah
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Close enough………..
Linda Ferguson Speights
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Cute
Carol Stolarski Lee
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Too funny!
Tracey Johnston-Hirdler
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So cute…& clever!!!
Mags Phelan
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You got the best….. A friend
Kathy Ayers Legge
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Loved it!! You’re so talented!!!
Joseph Gillette
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HE WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU YOUR BEST FRIEND TO THE END
Judy Earls
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The dog looks confy
Gayle M. Schilleci
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I love it.
Michelle Dunn
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Adorable. I love the kiss from Tinkerbell. May you have great success and happiness!
Anh Richards
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Awesome ❤️
Evelyn Webb
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I watched this over and over. Amazing talent and full of love.
Patty Sevenster
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Super!!!! After all love truly is all that holds any importance. The rest is replaceable…..
Bernice Casey
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I luv these!
The guys got talent, a sense of humor and a really cute dog!
Elena Glander
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I’d keep the dog and give him everything….
Jennifer K. Yao
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Take the negativity and truly turned it to positivity…awesome… all the art is truly creative… and funny.
Mary Bird
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You got the best end of that deal! Your both cute.
Chenie Oden
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Rhonda MacgIll
Byron Moon
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At least the$#%&!@*left
Lisa Cowan
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❤
Andie Williams Hyndman
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Fabulous pics!
Linda Gissell
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Way too cute‼️
Robin Vea Schifferman
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Looks like she was dampening his creative side. Good luck
Elsie Ester
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Awsome
Portia Barger
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Hey you got the best deal!
Chris Lock
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Christy Farris
Barbara Allen
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Great that it awakened your talent.
Sonja Ellis
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inspiration for those who are left behind….
Sandy Dishion
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He got the better of the deal! Love the pictures!
Patty Turpin
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Great! It’s nice that the guy could bounce back! And not feel sorry for himself! More power to you, sir!
Lindy Loya
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What more do you need! All I need is my dog:)
Paul Stuart
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Mary Henwood
Lis Lundahl Hørgaard
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Wonderful ! Love all the drawings and the humour ! May you both have a loving life together ❤️❤️❤️
Nessa Aledo
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Looks like he got the best deal. Says a lot about a person who abandons their dog – good riddance to her.
Denise John
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Taryn LeiGh Chinniah
Gem Rob
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Charly Robinson
EllenAnn McGlynn
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When life gives you Lemons- or in this case, Jimmy’s, he made the most of it!! Congratulations on your adorable “lemonade”, Rafael. I hope you become very successful with your creative endeavors.