The Court Painter Put Down His Brush and Looked Right at Us
It is hard to say who is painting whom. The golden Retriever wears a flat black cap, a white pleated ruff and a green and gold tunic, and one paw holds a bundle of paintbrushes with a wooden palette dotted with red, blue, yellow and white paint. His soft brown eyes look straight out, and behind him a gentle Renaissance landscape of rivers, cypress trees and a hilltop town fades into pale blue. His expression is patient and kind, as if he is about to say that the picture is almost done.
Golden Retrievers are famous for their gentle nature and eagerness to please, and they have long been favorites as family companions and helpers. They love to carry things in their mouths, so many Goldens will happily bring you a toy, a shoe or a paintbrush. Their thick water-repellent coat sheds, particularly in spring and fall, and brushing a few times a week keeps it tidy. Goldens need regular exercise, and swimming and fetch are favorites. They tend to gain weight, so measured meals help, and ask your vet about joint health as your dog ages. Patient, positive training works beautifully with this friendly and food-loving breed.
The final stroke of the brush may be a pawprint. It will be signed with a wag. When the portrait is finally done, he will probably nap beside the easel with paint on his nose.
