The first thing Aurence’s collectors look for in his paintings is White Dog. White Dog is an expected icon, as are his fireballs he calls messages from 'Nam. The two, along with his signature mark to Danny Dean McGee, link his paintings to Vietnam, whatever the subject matter. Although Aurence paints mainly Vietnam scenes, he is sometimes commissioned to do non-Vietnam paintings. No matter, White Dog, at least one fireball, and the spirit of Danny McGee are woven into the tapestry.

Looking for White Dog can sometimes be like looking for Waldo in a Where’s Waldo drawing. White Dog can be seen right away in some paintings. In some, he might be seen peeking out from behind a tree, perching atop a roof on a faraway house, or hiding in tall elephant grass. White Dog is not passive in all of Aurence’s works. Sometimes he is assisting soldiers or medics, holding a flag, riding into a hot LZ on a chopper to save the day, or standing watch over a grave. White Dog is carefully placed in every painting and is the last thing that goes on the canvas before Aurence’s signature and tribute to Danny.

At Marble Mountain, a white dog hung around the hooch. Aurence was fond of the dog and considered him his personal mascot, though he roamed the camp. We recently met someone who was at Marble Mountain at the same time Aurence was there. He said he remembered the white dog and his name was Damn it. He said he had been smuggled in from the Philippines by one of the soldiers. There were a lot of dogs in Vietnam but Aurence likes to think that his White Dog, whose name had long been lost to time, now has a name. If you have any knowledge of the white dog at Marble Mountain in 66-67, please email Aurence at: huey091@verizon.net (not linked to discouraged spammers).

In Vietnam, everyone looked to something to get them through the day. In Aurence’s mind, the little white dog was like a guardian and protector. Aurence had many near-miss deaths in Vietnam and the little white dog always led him back safely. Aurence feels White Dog still watches over him today. Aurence was a Catholic, but thought it wouldn't hurt to have a little extra protection - and still doesn't! Collectors say they, too, feel a little extra protection as White Dog, reaching out from the past, peers at them from the canvas.

Aurence put White Dog in his paintings months before he painted his first Vietnam painting, so his little protector has always been with him. He is proud to have been asked to paint White Dog (along with other icons) on Huey 091 during the filming of the documentary In The Shadow of the Blade.

Other hidden codes in Aurence's art

Aurence awards his White Dog Healing award to Vietnam sites and to sites that promote healing.

Today, Aurence and I wear matching White Dog necklaces, custom-made by a Vietnamese jeweler in Canada. In Vietnam, the jeweler was with the SOG team so the necklaces are especially meaningful. Aurence is extremely protective of his White Dog icon so few are given out and none are sold.

Since October 2002, after the landing of Huey 091 in our backyard, Aurence frequently paints his beloved Huey in both Vietnam and non-Vietnam themes. Aurence was excited to see her once again at Quantico. He pinned a photo of Danny on her and flew in the co-pilot's seat on her final Tour of Duty.

Aurence's White Dog is his official trademark and is not to be copied, downloaded, or reproduced in any form without his expressed written permission.

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