Dobby – Best Breed, Good Dog.

Good dog Dobby finds her forever home.

The client tells Dobby's story in his own words.

We don’t know exactly how Dobby came to be in our lives: the part we do know couldn’t have been easy on a small dog. Abandoned or lost, she appeared on a doorstep Christmas Eve. Here, she found a wonderful home in the twilight of her human’s years.

When twilight turned to dusk, she found herself inherited/rescued into a household with several established, rambunctious, and athletic dogs. Her new humans sought a more appropriate environment, and this path led to our home.

Dobby learns to love and be loved in return.

While always well behaved and sweet, Dobby initially held us at forepaw’s length. Enthusiastic about food and walks, she was ambivalent about affection.

At first.

Over time she came to accept us as her forever family and the cuddles became more frequent, eventually enthusiastic, and ultimately, a required entitlement. Almost as important as treats.

She had her favourite spot on the couch, her body stretched along the length of my left thigh. Tentative at first, this became a spot of mutual comfort, on cold nights she’d wiggle in closer and emit a deep sigh.

“Heavy sigh” is still a term for deep and relaxed comfort in our home.

We were often questioned about her breed, and while we have theories, the correct answer is “the best breed: good dog”.

The details of Dobby's portrait.

Dobby is painted in acrylics on a wood slice ornament approx. 4" in circumference. While I thought Dobby's photo showed her delightful character with those protruding teeth, the client chose to have Dobby's mouth closed for her portrait. I am in touch with my clients throughout the process and I am open to minor changes as I paint. Over the last 8 years or so, I have met the loveliest people because of our mutual love of pets.

Other wood slice and oval glass ornament portraits.

Add your name to my list for 2026.

If you would like a portrait of your fur baby painted by me in 2026, please contact me. The new year is already looking busy and I love spending time painting your very special keepsakes of your precious companions.

You can also find me on facebook and on instagram.

Visit my extensive pet portrait portfolio on my website. I also have posted prices for different sizes and formats of portraits.

"If having a soul means being able to feel love and loyalty and gratitude, then animals are better off

than a lot of humans." - James Herriot.