Oil on canvas – 15,75 x 11,81 inch – Unique work

Diego has retired. No more never ending days of being aware at all times. Now Diego is a free spirit.

He settled down with his new and final foster care by the sea. He had this secret dream, his wishes were granted. Maybe you know the city? It’s Perros Guirec. Along the pink granite coast, near the sea. He is already enjoying his long walks with his paws wading in the salt water. A real treat for his joints worn by the Parisian asphalt frozen and slippery in winter, boiling hot and sticky in summer. He has wandered so many times in the deserted or crowded streets of Paris. It all depended on the time of the walks.

As he sits comfortably on the windswept golden sand, close to his human parents, he daydreams. He remembers the main events of his life. He was born in the countryside. They were ten puppies including two males. He left them at the age of three months to join a very special institution. Given the particular skills of his two canine parents, Diego would receive specific training very early on. He loved his years there. He worked a lot, that’s true. But he also had a lot of fun.

With his first family, he didn’t feel very comfortable. In fact he was just starting out and his master, a man in his sixties, was not very patient with him. He never made major mistakes, but their respective characters sometimes clashed. He was, then, living in a small house in the Parisian suburbs. Their neighbor had a bit older but so attractive female dog. When their walks matched, Diego let himself be distracted and inevitably …

When his master died untimely, he met a delicious old woman who spoiled him all the time. A real happiness with ever lasting treats. It didn’t last long, or rather, it seemed a moment to Diego.

His third assignment had 18 years old. A motorcycle accident for the young man definitely made him blind. Diego then accompanied him everywhere. It was with him that his skeleton suffered the most but what fun they had together. Then he got too old to continue as a blind guide dog.