Konni frá Lindarbakka

Þórhildur Bjartmarz published this story on her website Hundalífspóstur:

It is delightful to meet people who remember the time when Icelandic dogs were being sought for Mark Watson. Recently, I met a woman whose family owned Konni from Lindarbakki, and it was wonderful to hear her speak about the dog with warmth and respect. Not only that, but she also embroidered a large, beautiful picture of Konni, which now adorns her home.

One of the dogs that went to California in 1956 for Mark Watson was Konni from Lindarbakki. Svanbjört Þorleifsdóttir, now living in Kópavogur, was 20 years old at the time and remembers the autumn of 1956 well when Vilhjálmur Einarsson and Mark Watson visited Lindarbakki to see Konni:

"Konni was born at Hlíðarendi in Breiðdalur and was three or four years old that autumn. Konni was always smiling and happy; he was eager and a good working dog. He was an intelligent dog and quick to understand, whether spoken to directly or overhearing others."

Watson liked Konni, and the family, who were moving from the countryside to a more urban area, was glad that he wanted to take the dog, as it meant Konni would get to live.

"I remember well when Vilhjálmur later came with another man to collect Konni. Konni, who was always happy when guests arrived, eagerly jumped into the car on his own, where another dog, Vaskur from Þorvaldsstaðir, was already waiting."

Many years later, my brother met Watson in Reykjavík, and he said that Konni was still alive in England and had fathered many offspring.

Watson sent the family his book about Icelandic dogs and a photo of Konni, which Svanbjört still has.

There was great sadness over parting with this happy and beautiful dog, and when Svanbjört received the photo from Watson, she decided to embroider a color portrait based on the photograph. This was before 1960, and there wasn’t a great variety of colored threads available, so some of the colors in the embroidery are not entirely accurate. However, in my opinion, it is remarkable how Svanbjört managed to capture Konni’s exceptionally beautiful, smiling expression so well in her embroidery of Konni from Lindarbakki.