I looked after my friend’s dog, a gorgeous old black lab called Hoover. He’s long dead now, but I have many lovely memories of him. Back when I used to live in Northumberland we’d take Hoover for great long walks across the tops and fells, and once famously lost him as he disappeared into a heather-covered hidden gully. He was a lovely, gentle and friendly chap who loved his food and human company. Black Dog of course has two meanings, and I was in the doldrums myself the day I made this print, but I still look back kindly on the time I spent with Hoover, and with my friend.