Izzie and Belle
According to Lucinda, Izzie was the boss between the two dogs while they were growing up. She Loved her Tennis Ball, which she is pictured protecting here. Izzie would fetch her ball for hours with Belle present always, waiting for her opportunity to snatch the ball away when Izzie got tired and reap the benefits of returning it to her master. Izzie’s love for balls did not only include the tennis variety, She at times would wander onto the nearby Golf course and would chase the Golf balls as well!
Izzie and Belle were always together, Their breed as we will see later, love to hunt and track. I was told, that as younger dogs, they would work together to corner and trap rabbits and other small animals on the property. They were always a team. Even when I was there visiting, and at the age of 14 Belle was rooting through the snow as if looking for something to retrieve and bring back to the doorstep.
The Labrador retriever was once known as a St John’s Newfoundland. They were brought to this country from Labrador by seamen aboard cargo vessels. Labrador is located in North Eastern North America. Between the Atlantic and the Hudson Bay. Fishermen in this area used these dogs for retrieving fish that escaped from their nets. The Labradors lineage is a little obscure although he probably contains many of the same elements that make up the other retrievers. The Labrador enjoys a justly deserved reputation as an excellent, and responsible worker who can retrieve waterfowl and upland birds, both on land and in icy waters many times a day. He is an easy going household companion. loves being part of a family, and has also been used very successfully in police work and as a guide dog for the blind. Labrador Retrievers can be yellow, brown or black, and can weigh between 55 and 70 pounds.
It was a great experience meeting and Painting Izzie and Belle. I consider myself lucky to have had this opportunity, and I hope that my work properly honors these two beautiful dogs. I also hope that, in a small way, this portrait will help Izzie to live on forever. Thank you for reading this New Pet Portrait Blog post. Feel free to share this with anyone who may be interested, and check back soon for the Third installment of my Pet Portrait Painting, Step by Step Blog Post series! Have a great time with your animals! Cy
