This painting was among those bequeathed by the Duchess of Kent to her daughter, Queen Victoria. Dash was a spaniel that had belonged to Princess Victoria. She called him 'Dear little Dashy ... quite my playfellow, for he is so fond of playing at ball and of barking and jumping'. He died on 24 December 1840 and his tombstone advises readers to profit by his example – his attachment was without selfishness, his playfulness without malice and his fidelity without deceit.

Signed and dated: G. Morley. 1841.