1996-2012
The Portrait
Alert pose, sitting upright, in what I would say is the perfect sitting pose, just slightly on an angle, that really works well for a portrait. Jet black fur, deep bronze around the muzzle, legs and feathering. Bright white chest, bright eyes, mouth slightly open. The reference photo is taken in the park as we make our way home from the studio in Smith Street, Warwick. It’s late afternoon and with this glorious sunshine, the perfect opportunity presents itself. Lucy, being such an intelligent girl, responds well to her training. She sits perfectly still on command and waits watching the rabbits run back and forth across the grass. Her amber eyes bright, it’s the perfect expressive photo that brings forth the very best of portraits. This is one of my favourite paintings of all of my dogs, because it is so very ‘her’. It captures her young and youthful enthusiasm as well as demonstrating how responsive to a command she is… being able to sit still and resist the urge to run and chase after those bunnies !
The Story
Lucy comes to live with us as a slightly older pup, from the Dogs Trust. A small tri-coloured Welsh collie-cross as a companion for Meg. At shows and events, I sit her on my knee whilst demonstrating my portrait work, and we definitely attract a crowd ! She is sweet natured and very intelligent, winning obedience training awards without even trying. Despite this, she grows up into a shy and submissive adult, living in the shadow of Meg’s dominating personality, she can’t quite claim her place in the pack. With the arrival of George and then Isaac, she retreats to live life in the shadows. Tip-toeing silently out of the centre of things, becoming scared of large gatherings, storms and loud noises. The popping of a cork sends her seeking refuge in some quiet corner of the house. However, she copes and finds her role as the boys get older, being their ‘go-to dog’ to be dutifully escorted round the garden on her lead, anything to get herself some much craved attention. When Wolfie and Molly have their puppies, Lucy can’t even stand up to these new demanding little rascals, preferring to escape and find a way down to Dad’s house, two doors down to bark at his door and be let in for some respite. Turning into a bit of a wanderer, we make the discovery during our house move. She has been crossing the allotments at the back and visiting a local neighbour, every day for quite a while… to have tea and biscuits!
Always having been a good and responsive dog on walks, as time goes by the eccentricities of older age set in. She is brought back by strangers having wandered off or has escaped down to Dad’s ‘again. ‘No one will miss me’ is I am sure what she is thinking as she loses her way. It’s hard to keep track of her with all the other demands of family life.
When she was 2 years old, a farmer had offered to buy her. He could see how intelligent she was and how good it would be to have her working on his farm. I sometimes wonder as to whether or not she might have had a better life on that farm with him. I will never know. She seems to have worked out how to be content and work through her insecurities over the years with us, because Lucy lives to be the oldest dog I have ever owned! With a face of grey, her bronzy colouring faded long ago, just pottering around the garden is enough for her. No more wandering off! At a remarkable 16 years 3 months, she makes it very clear that life is no longer fun any more. Standing motionless in the garden, bewildered with head down and quietly saying ‘that’s enough’. I know it is time to gently help her on her way. Now they are older, it’s important that the boys join in with the proceedings, and we all take part in preparing a resting place for Lucy in the garden alongside Meg.