I’ve loved painting this portrait, but not for the reasons you might be imagining. Sure, Koba is a beautiful East German Shepherd, and it’s a pleasure to try to portray his mighty fur (how hard it was!). But it reminded me of my own Belgium Shepherd, Senhor, from my youth years. We used to hike for hours in the Cerrado (a kind of Brazilian savanah), looking for a stream to bathe or nice shade to rest. Farewell, my friend, it was hard to see you go. Now I smile as I remember you!