Whats it All About Alfie

Whats it All About Alfie

Alfie

Today I am posting my most recent painting of a dog. This dog has a name, it is called Alfie. Somebody told me I should call the painting whats it all about Alfie? The song made famous by Cilla Black. The dog does have a kind of cheeky look about him.

As I was painting Alfie I remembered this little story. I first heard this story when Adam faith had a song out at Christmas about a dog in a shop window. A lonely pup in a Christmas shop.

Here is the story.

 
A store had a sign in the window that read "Puppies For Sale."

Signs like that have a way of attracting small children, and sure enough, a little boy appeared in the store asking. "How much are the puppies?" 

The store owner replied, "Anywhere from £20 to £40."

The little boy reached in his pocket and pulled out some change. "I have £3," he said. "Can I please look at them?"

The store owner smiled and whistled and out of the kennel came Lady, who ran down the aisle of his store followed by five teeny, tiny balls of fur. One puppy was lagging considerably behind. Immediately the little boy singled out the lagging, limping puppy and said, "What's wrong with that little dog?"

The store owner explained that the vet had examined the little puppy and had discovered it didn't have a hip socket. It would always limp. It would always be lame.

The little boy became excited. "That is the puppy that I want to buy." The store owner said, "No, you don't want to buy that little dog. If you really want him, I'll just give him to you."

The little boy got quite upset. He looked straight into the store owner's eyes, pointing his finger, and said, "I don't want you to give him to me. That little dog is worth every bit as much as all the other dogs and I'll pay full price. In fact, I'll give you £3 now, and 50 pence a week until I have him paid for."

The store owner countered, "You really don't want to buy this little dog. He is never going to be able to run and jump and play with you like the other puppies." To his surprise, the little boy reached down and rolled up his pant leg to reveal a badly twisted, crippled left leg supported by a big metal brace. He looked up at the store owner and softly replied, "Well, I don't run so well myself, and the little puppy will need someone who understands!"



We ALL need someone who Understands! So it was agreed: the little boy took the little puppy home.