Mr. Ryder belongs to Betty Ann, a friend of mine and a fine artist who also paints pet portraits. Betty Ann painted this pastel (left) of Mr. Ryder, but she also wanted another artist's impression of him. I was hired to paint Mr. Ryder the way I perceived his personality.

Betty Ann has written the following story about her life with Mr. Ryder:

"Mr. Ryder's known history began the day I adopted him from the pound at a cost of $17.00. He was five months old and strikingly handsome. His mysterious origins and genetic makeup remain a constant source of speculation from strangers. Border collie? Australian shepherd? What mixture of breeds accounts for Mr. Ryder's long legs, naturally docked tail, and weight of 67 pounds?

In the years following his adoption, his movie-star good looks and "panda bear" appeal worked well to his advantage, as his behavior left much to be desired. Dominant and slanty-eyed like a wolf, suspicious of every hand which reached out to pet him, Mr. Ryder chased cows, cats, and nipped at the heels of my two rescue donkeys. He chewed shoes, carpets, and a rented video which cost me $40 to replace. He'd jump from the car as soon as I'd load him up, but if I left without him, he'd be angry and hysterical when I returned. When I was able to get him into the car, he'd make such a screaming racket that friends soon learned not to ride with us. "What does he want?" they'd implore, as we'd stop the car every five minutes to see if Mr. Ryder had a bathroom need.

No one seemed to be able to figure out WHAT Mr. Ryder wanted. In desperation, I installed an electric fence around my property and hired a personal trainer for him.

For weeks, the trainer despaired of Ryder's potential as Man's Best Friend, and jokingly referred to him as Attila the Hun. Each week she took Ryder away in her car, along with all the rest of his equipment - a 50-foot comeback rope, a 12-foot lead, a haltie, and some special reward treats. I learned all the necessary verbal commands which I practiced daily with Mr. Ryder. I had to greatly alter my tone of voice during these sessions. Words like "OFF!" "RIGHT HERE!" and "NO!" had to be spoken with sternness to produce the desired results. No more room for "PLEASE" .

Four months and $650 later, the trainer's job was over. Her parting words reminded me of my responsibility as Alpha Dog pack leader. No more hugging, kissing, or bed-sleeping privileges, or the wolf in Mr. Ryder would once again dominate his personality.

That was light years ago, and since then, Mr. Ryder and I have made many compromises. He now comes when I call him (most of the time). He still give occasional chase to cats and donkeys, and continues to sing restlessly while traveling in the car, but his eyes now reflect a sweetness when our gaze meets, and he is generous with his affection. When he realizes by the tone of my voice that a bath is inevitable, he actually climbs into the tub. He shakes a paw with strangers on most occasions, and has learned the secret of winning new friends by looking deeply and intently into their eyes, often eliciting the remark that they can see inside his soul. When people ask his name, I introduce him as Mr. Frank E. Ryder, my husband, my companion for life, my darling boy."

Betty Ann has recently opened a wonderful new antiques shop which she has named after her best friend. If you are ever in Graton, California, be sure to visit Mr. Ryder & Company Antiques and Art. Mr. Ryder himself will probably be there to shake your hand!