The Court Musician Lifted His Violin as the Valley Fell Quiet
A white pleated ruff circles the neck of a black and white Border Collie like a ruffled flower, and a blue velvet beret sits slightly tilted on his head. His deep blue coat is decorated with fine golden vines on the sleeves, and a gold braid runs down the front. In his arms he holds a violin and bow, ready to play. Behind him, a Renaissance landscape of hills, rivers, and tiny villages stretches off into a hazy sky, and the little cracks in the paint add a sense of age.
The ruff is a lovely detail, painted with crisp, pleated folds that catch the light. Such collars were very fashionable in the Renaissance, and portraits often used them to frame the face and bring attention to the sitter's expression.
Border Collies are intelligent, energetic herding dogs that love to work. They thrive on activities that challenge both body and mind, such as agility, fetch, and trick training. Without enough to do, they may get bored and look for their own entertainment, like herding children or chasing shadows. They need daily exercise and consistent training. Their medium-length coat should be brushed weekly. Talk to your vet about diet and the right amount of activity for your dog's age.
He may take a long time to tune the violin, because every sheep in the valley has to be in the right seat first.
