Springer
My earliest memories all have animals. From a cat that used to come and go, a budgie named Rocky who loved whiskey, a kitten as a valentines day gift, to dogs who protected our home. They are one constant that I couldn’t imagine my day without. We currently live with three cats and a dog. Our dogs name is Porter and he is an English Springer Spaniel, he is an unstoppable force of energy that keeps hurtling forward no matter what.
Let’s go back in time a bit and mention the German Short Haired Pointer I once had. At that time I thought the GSP breed was by far the most ubundantly energetic dog I had ever encountered. And I can say this as I, at the time, was a dog walker. The GSP outstrips the Labradour in energy and smarts, and has the endurance of a long distance runner. The ultimate working dog. Until I met Porter. Porter is 10 times more energetic than the GSP, and has a silliness about him that might put a frown on the face of the respectable GSP. He goes from 0-100 in no time at all and is so driven that black ice and 3 feet of snow could not slow him down.
There is a saying in the springer world - an English Springer Spaniel’s lungs are connected to their tails. If you watch one of these beautiful guys in action you will note that their tails never stop. In the winter, when Porter wears his winter coat, his tail wags so hard you can hear the slap on the coat as his tail goes from side to side.
I could write a novel on all the strange and wonderful things our Springer does that makes him so special. But the wonderful thing is that most other Springer owners would have similar stories. This breed is a one-of-a-kind breed that will fill your day with a whimsy that some other breeds just don’t have. As a parting story I will share what our boy had for his First birthday dinner. He had some delicious grilled chicken, diced celery and carrots, roasted baby potatoes, some crisp chopped lettuce and a sprinkling of cheese. Never before have I seen a dog eat their greens before touching their meat. And each mouthful is delicately chewed with a relish that is a pure enjoyment of food molecules entering his face hole.
Here’s to you Porter and all other Springers who bring a childlike joy to each and every day. To celebrate the derpiness, silliness and pure joy that is a Springer Spaniel, I will be launching a Springer line. These will be digital paintings using our own Porter as a model.
Stay Tuned for the launch, and as always - Stay Silly!
