Three labradors in watercolour and gouache

Two tabby cats in watercolour and gouache

Tribute to a Dog ...

The one absolutely unselfish friend that man can have in this selfish world, the one that never deserts him, the one that never proves
ungrateful or treacherous is his dog. A man's dog stands by him in prosperity and in poverty. In health and in sickness.

He will sleep on the cold ground, where the wintry winds blow and the snow drives fiercely, if only he may be by his master's side.
He will kiss the hand that has no food to offer; he will lick the wounds and sores that come in encounter with the
roughness of the world. He guards the sleep of his pauper master as if he were a prince.

When all the other friends desert, he remains. When riches take wing and reputation falls
to pieces, he is as constant in his love as the sun in its journey through the heavens.

Senator George Vest 1870
Born in Devon, England.

... a word to the wise from Mark Twain ...

If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you;
that is the principle difference between a man and a dog.

Mark Twain
(Samuel Langhorne Clemens) 1835 - 1910

... a caution from Rudyard Kipling ...

There is sorrow enough in the natural way
From men and women to fill our day;
And when we are certain of sorrow in store,
Why do we always arrange for more?
Brothers and Sisters, I bid you beware
Of giving your heart to a dog to tear.

When the body that lived for your every will,
With its whimper of welcome is still (how still).
When the spirit that answered your every word
Is gone, wherever it goes, for good,
You will discover how much you care,
For you had given your heart to a dog to tear.

Extract from 'The Power of The Dog'
Rudyard Kipling 1865 - 1936

... a poem from my daughter Abi ...

Tommy’s First Pet
He leapt up enthusiastically at the sight of his first pet,
Happiness filled his heart,
And sadness his eyes,
He called out to it.
It regarded him.
They came home together.
He sat himself in front of the blazing fire,
Thinking of what might have happened,
If he had not discovered this incredible creature.
Suddenly his pet sprung up,
And reached for the lead.
“Time for walkies, Tommy.”
Yes, Tommy liked his new pet.

Abigail Collins

... and a few quotes about dogs and cats

Cats are the ultimate narcissists.
You can tell this because of the
time they spend on personal grooming.
Dogs aren't like this. A dog's idea of
personal grooming is to roll on a dead fish.
James Gorman

A house without either a cat or
a dog is the house of a scoundrel.
Portugese proverb

Anyone who doesn't know what soap
tastes like never washed a dog.
Franklin P. Jones

If cats could talk, they wouldn't.
Nan Porter

Please tickle me to see more dog portraits