SCRUFF DOG

I didn't know Scruff so I can't comment on the likeness but I do think this is a lovely portrait of a little dog with a big character! He certainly lives up to his name. The background compliments the colours of his coat perfectly. I think leave it as it is, it's from the heart!

Leave alone Sylvia! He is gorgeous!. If you add more you will loose the freshness and immediacy of the painting.

OMG Sylvia - what a sad title. I can't bear to think about losing my dogs. Scuff looks such a character and I think your portrayal of him is perfect - I would neither add nor take away.

Thank you everyone ,I think I shall leave be and sit ( not too literally) on my paintbrush,. I am sure you know Thea that the downside of dog ownership is letting go when the time is right. He actually had a lovely going, a warm day , a run in the garden then snuggled on the rug with my other dog next to him and me cradling him. I do think that if we treated humans as well as we treat our dogs, well us dog lovers, then a lot less terminally ill people would suffer.

I'd leave it now - you've caught the alert expression, and especially with a hairy doggo like this one you could spoil it by overworking if you're not careful. I'm glad you didn't actually paint his, gulp, corpse - not sure I could handle that....

No Robert....not possible. He is in a box on the hall table.

Brilliant painting and I would leave this as it is Sylvia. He will love it.

A truly great and spontaneous portrait of a lovely looking little doggie Sylvia! Beautiful story behind it too. I have had two great dogs in my life and it's really hard when you have to let them go but as you said, it's wonderful to be able to be there when the time comes, hold them and tell them that everything is just fine.

Thanks Carole and Satu. It's taken me a couple of months before I could do this painting. I still get out if bed with great care he used to sleep on the floor on his sheepskin rug by my side, I sort of threaded my feet between his legs...if you know what I mean. I still find I am doing that. Beloved animals give huge joy and then great sadness.

A drawing with feeling - I hope this Christmas present was appreciated! Thanks for your comment on my drawing yesterday. I have discovered Urban Sketchers, and have been on a sketchcrawl with them a couple of times now, well worth doing if you have the opportunity.

Love this - who wouldn't smile on seeing him.

Thank you Gronwy.