I always feel a connection with the animal I am sketching, but this beautiful girl was different. I felt as if I knew her well, though we have never met. I think it happened when I was drawing her eye. She had that faraway stare and was relaxed but alert. She had been swimming and was waiting for her human to take her home. As soon as her eye was drawn, I knew this dog as well as I know my own. It’s very odd how that happens from time to time. She is leaving to join her owner tomorrow and I shall miss her. But then I always feel a little sad when I hand over a portrait, I don’t know why.