Some people think dedication tattoos ought to be portraits, or names, but I think a symbol of what that important person represents to you is a better choice. That way you have a choice of telling the background story or not, when asked about the tattoo. In this case a good client wanted an Irish Wolfhound to represent the way his father has always been his loyal guardian, has watched over him and helped him grow to be a man. And he wanted it to look like it had serious teeth, like it could stand up for itself like his father taught him to. Maybe for some people he'll just say he got it because he likes Irish Wolfhounds; but he will always know, and importantly his father will always know, the true symbolic meaning.
Celtic Dog Tattoo by Pat Fish
The Irish Wolfhound has always been the guardian symbol of Ireland, and while noble of demeanor their sheer size and power leaves no doubt about their ability to get the job done. This version was done with pointillist dots, the tattoo can also be rendered in colors.
Some people think dedication tattoos ought to be portraits, or names, but I think a symbol of what that important person represents to you is a better choice. That way you have a choice of telling the background story or not, when asked about the tattoo. In this case a good client wanted an Irish Wolfhound to represent the way his father has always been his loyal guardian, has watched over him and helped him grow to be a man. And he wanted it to look like it had serious teeth, like it could stand up for itself like his father taught him to. Maybe for some people he'll just say he got it because he likes Irish Wolfhounds; but he will always know, and importantly his father will always know, the true symbolic meaning.