The story of the picture. One day when the artist, Sir Edwin Landseer, was visiting in the fine home of his friend, Mr. Newman Smith, a great Newfoundland dog came into the room carrying a basket of flowers in his mouth. Sir Edwin Landseer thought he had never seen so large and fine a dog, and when the dog came up to him and offered him the basket of flowers, as his owner told him to do, he was delighted. Being very fond of animals, Landseer always thought of painting them, so he suggested that he paint a picture of this dog. Mr. Newman Smith must have been surprised, for every one knew Sir Edwin Landseer had so many animals to paint that he kept a long waiting list, and it was usually many weeks before he could commence a picture. But the artist could not forget the kind, intelligent eyes of this handsome, trusty, powerful dog, and in a few days he sent for him. So Paul Pry—for that was the dog’s name,—was taken to Sir Edwin Landseer’s studio.
The way to the artist’s house led through a beautiful park, called Regent’s Park, and then along the road called “St. John’s Wood Road.” The house was small but behind it was the garden, and at the end of the garden was what had once been an old barn. This barn had been made over until, with its many windows and fine view of the country all round, it had become an ideal place for a studio.
Paul Pry remembered Landseer at once, as anyone could see by the way he went up to him, wagging his tail and offering his paw. He did exactly as he was told, and seemed to understand perfectly everything that was said. He was a beautiful animal, and Landseer could not help thinking how strong such dogs are and what wonderful things they can be trained to do. Perhaps the first thing he thought of was how they save people from drowning, for they are very strong swimmers and can save lives when men are unable to do anything.
Sir Edwin Landseer painted a picture of another dog that looked enough like this one to be Paul Pry himself. He called the picture “Saved,” because the dog has just saved a little child from drowning.
In that picture the dog is seen lying on the shore, too exhausted to do anything more than wait for help. He has strained every nerve and risked his own life to bring the child to land.
Sir Edwin called Paul Pry and told him to jump up on a big table where he could see him better. Then as he painted, he seemed to see the dog lying on the edge of a pier or wharf, waiting to go to the rescue if some one should need him.
So in this picture we see Paul Pry lying on the stone wharf while the water comes lapping gently against the iron mooring ring to which boats are fastened. It must be at the highest point of the tide, for we are sure the water never rises high enough to cover that iron ring entirely.
Just now the sun is shining brightly. We can tell this by the shadow of the dog’s great dark head on the white coat of his body. The length and direction of the shadows tell us that the sun must be high in the sky. If it were low in the horizon the shadows would be longer. We can be sure of this by watching our own shadows as we go home from school. The few sea gulls circling near the shore call our attention to the sky, where the clouds are just beginning to gather, as if a storm might be approaching. Perhaps the good dog has already scented the storm, and is quietly waiting to see if there is any work for him to do. His ears, slightly lifted, show us that he is attentive and watching.
It must be a quiet, warm day or Paul Pry would not look so comfortable lying on such an exposed end of the pier. Perhaps the air is sultry, as it often is before a storm, for the dog’s tongue hangs out and you can almost hear him pant.
This brave old dog, so ready and willing to risk his life to save other lives, might have been called “A Distinguished Member of the Life-Saving Crew,” but Sir Edwin Landseer knew his dog would be as brave on land as on the sea, so he used the name “Royal Humane Society,” which may include both.