Rocky of Rouen

Rouen

This is not the typical painting subject matter most artists choose from a trip to Rouen.  The Notre Dame cathedral that Monet painted over and over again, in every season, time of day and weather condition - stunning. This cathedral had been burned into my minds eye before I saw it.  Also I faced the fact that no one could compete with the master's canvases.  Besides, I was going to record my memory of this place.

Upon leaving Rouen that September afternoon, we paused to be refreshed alfresco.  Sidewalk cafes were stacked side by side, it was difficult to locate a table that was not occupied.  The unengaged table we found was indeed engaged by a basset hound named Rocky who was sprawled underneath the table, his right front paw partially covering a huge croissant.  He didn't seem particularly interested in us, however, anytime a male came within ten feet he would bark incessantly.

So, we were told the story -- Rocky of Rouen.  Rocky belonged to the cafe owner. Each morning Rocky would make his rounds, the butcher shop, the seafood shop, the pastry shop and so on.  Rocky would stop in the doorway of each shop where he would be rewarded with a treat from the shop owner --  he consumed these morsels immediately.  His last stop was the bakery, where he was given a fresh croissant.  The croissant would be carried home intact and would be guarded for the remainder of the day until twilight - when the croissant would be eaten.  The waitress who shared this story with us invited us to come into the cafe, where a life sized ceramic replica of Rocky, a gift from a local artist, was displayed.  This dog was the toast of Rouen! 

The painting??  I snapped this shot while my fellow artists were securing our table.  The memory had been captured, the day I met Rocky, the croissant toting basset hound - Rocky of Rouen.