Unexpected Returns

by Sally Wallingford    Dec. 19, 2008 

It's funny how something like a whiff of perfume will bring back a memory of a special sunset or the pouring rain or a snow storm or a song ...   In the midst of a conversation this holiday season I recalled a special gift I had given a friend that had unexpected returns.  

My friend ran a boarding kennel and taught obedience and agility classes using positive methods.  She had a very special Border collie that was  an Agility and an Obedience champion.  Her husband bred and raised Schutzhund German Shepherds, and was the typical old style trainer - choke and put fear into the dogs.  You know, as well as I that not many graduate from this type of training.  I could never figure out why she stuck with this idiot, however she did kept him away from her interests.  

A few years ago, her Border collie died very suddenly and she was devastated.  Later that year the dog club that we belonged to held an annual Christmas party and everyone brought gifts to put under the Christmas tree.  I do dog portraits and I decided to do a portrait of her Border Collie for a gift.  When she unwrapped the gift she exclaimed "Oh my God!" and burst out crying as she said "It's my dog ... it's my dog!"   

That night when I got home, I received a phone call from my friend's husband and he said:  "I never realized what a wonderful artist you were, you captured his spirit and I will always be grateful to you for bringing my wife such joy.  The portrait will play a predominant part of our collection."  They hung the portrait on their living room wall where it is to this day.  

As an aside to this, he asked me how I could capture the real dog's essence,  I told him that I could feel the loyalty and joy in a dog's eyes and this made my portraits unique -  unlike the fear and apprehension I felt in his dogs' eyes.  

Because my portrait had such an influence on him, he realized his training methods were not working and slowly changed to positive methods.  

So that is one Christmas Present that had unexpected returns.