My dog Gunther was my constant companion for 11 1/2 years. I first held him in my hands when he was a week old. Dalmatians do not have spots when they’re born – so he looked like a chubby white rat. Gunther was my beloved child.
Like most dogs, Gunther had many nicknames. Gumpy, Lumpy, Dog-head, Goonar, the seal-dog… and of course, Mr. Crazy. Mr. Crazy was what I called him when he was exceptionally happy – which was very often. He would burst into a room, flinging toys.. tongue flapping and wagging his tail like a propeller. Watching him prance and leap around the house filled me with joy.
I call this painting “Mr. Crazy’s Lament”
It was what I was working on while making the decision to put Gunther down.
It was the first time a blackberry appeared in my paintings… since then, there have been many others.
I remember sitting on a stool in the kitchen.. deep in thought. My sister came in – she had brought me blackberries. So I sat there at the table – eating blackberries and petting my beloved Gunther.
I held one of the berries in the palm of my hand. It was so delicate and fragile. This dark and beautiful object tasted so sweet.
I put it in my mouth – just for a moment
and then it was gone.
This is a lovely tribute to your dog. I’m sure Gunther misses you too.
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Thank you, Jill – Gunther appears in many of my paintings… he left his paw-print on my heart.
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