Spotted Dog

[ALANF]

On reading about the plight of the Spotted Dog, reminded me of long ago when I worked very briefly at a Sign writing firm. They had been commisioned to provide a new sign to be erected outside the pub. I watched as the 'Head Man' at the firm sketched out the figure of a dog. Over the course of a week or so, he completed the painting. As I had been a frequent onlooker during the completion, he asked my opinion as to the quality. Being very young and naive, I told him the truth, that I did not think it was very good. I will not repeat what his reply to that was! Anyway, to cut a long story short, the Boss was not pleased, and he was told to start again. This time he was assisted by a very talented apprentice,and the end result was a lot better. The image was of a pointer dog which was 'pointing'. I wonder if this sign survives.
This sign writing firm was just off Plaistow High Street, and consisted of not much more than an old house and a yard with a stable. I was told by an old timer that it used to be a dairy, and this was in living memory. He showed me in the old stables, then used for storage, marks on the floor where the cows used to be brought in for milking. I tried to imagine fields nearby, but I just couldn't picture it.

Alan