May 12, 2009
How do you handle photographing shy pets? Treats, cuddles, comforting words, playtime, in other words a distraction that works for that individual animal. I have some personal practice with this situation, as my own Posh was once afraid of my big camera. Obviously, having her picture taken often has pretty much cured her of that. Meanwhile, my mom’s dog, Lady, is very uncomfortable with my big lenses, and really detests any sort of flash. She is a very shy dog who doesn’t adapt to change very well, but my mother has done a great job of bringing her out of her shell. Lady is a smart dog who enjoys agility and frisbee catching. Fortunately, when you have a frisbee in your hand (or if I have someone near to me with a frisbee) her troubled expressions melt away. Here are some shy photos of Lady, and one of her running around that shows the difference. I will take the time, if your pet is shy, to find a way to make him or her feel more comfortable around me or the camera.
May 8, 2009
My baby girl turned two today. She is a girl who teaches me to take the time to laugh, to cuddle, to throw a toy, to “chew the fat,” and to run like hell just for the heck of it. Posh gives me kisses all the time, she truly is a girl who can’t hold her licker! 
Here are some pictures of our special day. There are a ton, as it was really hard for me to choose just a few. We started off at In Hot Water Coffeehouse for a cup of whipped cream, which Posh devoured. Next some playtime with her favorite bitch, my mom’s dog Lady, and lastly some cake with her “peeps.” She was really wondering why Mom was letting her on the table…enjoy! If you’re interested in the peanut butter pup cake recipe I made for Posh, go check out the Dog Treat Recipe Exchange.
Here are a few pictures of my girls. I just love the one where Posh looks like she’s smiling.
Posh went to visit her bff Lady. Lady is a really shy dog who is quite timid around my big camera. Posh will teach her to be a ham!
After all the whipped cream, Posh was ready for a little siesta before her next fiesta. It’s not easy being the birthday princess…
When Daddy and Sage came home, we had to hurry up and have pizza for dinner. Mr. Sage was singing in his third grade concert tonight. After pizza it was sing “happy birthday” and dig in to the cake. I really can’t believe I made this for Miss Thang. I don’t even make cakes for the humans in my life. I am NOT a baker! Meanwhile, she loved the cottage cheese frosting, and just like my kids licked most of the frosting off and left the cake! 
Posh ended the day with a perfect birthday Run Like Hell. I am thankful for my darling girl, here’s to many more years of good health and happiness!
April 24, 2009
Violet changed into her ballet costume so she could sing and dance with one of her beloved hens. Here she is with Catherine, the lively Welsummer Chicken. I’m sure dancing and singing make for really nutritious eggs.
April 24, 2009
Posh and her friend Tula, an adorable Japanese Chin adopted by Meagan from Luv-A-Chin Rescue, had fun celebrating Arbor Day this morning. Meagan, the girls and I started out with a nice walk around town and finished the morning with coffee and play time. I was glad the camera was in my car.
April 22, 2009
My grandfather and I had roughly two things in common-politics and a love for animals. Where people didn’t usually understand that my grandfather’s harsh and sarcastic exterior encased a big heart, the dogs in his life always did.
This is a photo of my maternal grandfather and his dog, Sarge. Stories of Sarge and his devotion to his boy were told lovingly to me over and over by my great-grandmother Elva. Great-grandma would tell me how she would walk with Sarge across town to have coffee with the ladies. Sarge would walk her to the friend’s doorstop and she would tell him to “wait.” Many hours later, Grandma would come out of the house to find Sarge waiting exactly where she had left him.
This is a later photo of Grandpa and his dachshund Willy. Willy went everywhere with Grandpa, even to court (but that’s another story for another day). Willy was a bit hard for everyone else in the family to love, as he “protected” my grandfather from receiving hugs or attention from any of us.
Meanwhile, below are a few more early pictures of my mom’s dad enjoying the kinship of his animals.
April 18, 2009
It’s Spring, time for peeps. Here is Miss Violet with her baby hens. Who’s That Lucky Chick?
April 17, 2009
Well, maybe not famous, but she’s been “published” twice. Her photo was included in the Fall/Winter Issue of Modern Dog Magazine and she is Miss October in the Havanese Forum Calendar 2009! Thank you Melissa Miller for making this kick ass calendar with my baby’s mug on it. Melissa is also a photographer, Havanese lover, and coveter of nice shoes (although she actually buys them). Check out Melissa’s blog here. You go girl!
Here is the October page of my 2009 Havanese Forum calendar. Can you find my beauty queen? That’s our bathroom rug she’s posing on, told you this breed was known for being the ultimate “velcro” dog. I will never pee alone again. How comforting.
