Finally.... a middle-aged muppet I can live with.

Rua is almost six... phew!  She is a creature of habit & routine, much like me.  She enjoys eating her biscuits in a particular order (but only when the "pack" is in her room, of course). She doesn't mind if her daily walk consists of getting in the van, staying in the van, and getting back out again.  She makes a point of sleeping in front of any door, that way she doesn't have to go far should someone come in.  Her memory retention is poor (or she's incredibly witty, I haven't decided).  "Out of the kitchen" consists of leaving the room, and then re-entering.  Perhaps that command training should have been more specific.. She still likes to talk to me, and I can actually tell the difference now between (in order of importance): 1) I need to pee, 2) I need to poop, 3) I'm counting down the number of minutes until dinner time, 4) I haven't seen my favourite stuffed toy. Have you??

I love her unconditionally, and I know the feeling is mutual.

And speaking of fur faces...

Rua, our lumbering but lovable softy, is almost four.  Rua keeps a tidy collection of stuffed (half un-stuffed really) toys in the corner of the lounge.  She meticulously chooses which one to play with each evening after dinner (the red dog with the squeaker, the purple dog without the squeaker... the pink pig with rope-legs, the half-deflated soccer ball - which will it be?!)  Rua's favourite food is apple, followed closely by avocado.  She likes swimming at the beach and fetching logs (small sticks just won't do..)  She can sit, stand, speak, roll-over, lie down, and knows never to take her food until she's told to do so (she has wonderfully squishy lips!)  If you don't pay enough attention to her, she'll stand facing the back of your head and have an entire conversation with you until you turn around (at which point, she'll run to her stuffed toy collection to pick one out just for you :)

If That Isn't A Face To Love...

...then I don't know what is!  Maggie, my sweet lovable girl, is about to turn six :)  She loves to be held (like a baby, half thrown over the shoulder and close enough to lick your ear), she enjoys playing fetch with small pieces of wire (in fact anything metal makes her happy... she's not normal, but that seems to be a pre-requisite for admission to our family!)  Maggie also loves to drool, talk, walk out an open front door only to jump up on the closed windowsill and demand to be let in... she likes watching BBC nature shows on TV (but oddly, nothing else - you'd think she'd get a kick out of Cesar Milan or something), eating cheese (Parmesan is her favourite, she has principles you know), and bringing me JOY.  Thanks Maggie for six years of unconditional love - and here's to six more - xoxox 

Our Furry Houseguest

Say hi to Lula!  We've had the pleasure of her company the past little while, and this Collie/Lab cross is one silly girl...  Her favourite past-times include (first and foremost) herding, hiding and finding her toys, (also herding her toys), sticking her face into the snow, rolling around in the snow, hiding her stick in the snow, watching out the window while Gavin shovels the snow, eating, and watching us eat :)  We will miss her when she has to go home!

I'm Back!

I've just returned from a whirlwind 10,000 kilometer road trip - phew!  Not only was it wonderful visiting friends and family, but I got to meet and photograph their fur children too :)  Allow me to introduce Shooter and Tequila (clever, no?) who live with Dan - he's been a dear friend of mine since I was 6 if you can believe it!  I'll never cease to be amazed by the amount of personality squished into a small dog - these two were overflowing with it...

So Content...

I love this photo of Porter - she's just waiting to see what I'll do next, happy to oblige whatever I ask of her :) I admire the unwavering honesty our pets offer us, their faces are crystal clear mirrors to what they're thinking and feeling. They have so much to teach us!

Even Better Framed

There's nothing better than walking by your fur-kid's photos everyday, especially if they're funny!  So don't forget to have them framed (which I'm more than happy to do :) and hang them on the family wall!

Rua! (Pre-Monster)

As I've been feeling homesick lately, and missing Rua (I know some may find that surprising - she and I have a love/hate relationship...) I thought I'd post one of her very first photos.  She was about 9 weeks old, and this was her first beach experience.  I remember her bumbling all over, her wobbly tree-trunk legs struggling to cope with that big round belly :)  Whenever she makes me crazy, I think, "It's a good thing you're so cute!"  And isn't she?  That face gets away with a lot, I'll tell you what...

The Gentle Giant

Having our own gentle giant (Rua, the Leonberger... take a look at my second post if you haven't already) allowed me to appreciate Jewel, a Great Pyrenees with a soft, soulful nature.  It's funny how giant breeds don't seem to know they're big!  I think her eyes are very telling in her photo - wise, thoughtful and kind :)

Sweet Chocolate Emma

Once again, I can't believe how lucky I am to be doing something that brings me so much joy!  Emma was instantly a long lost friend, with sympathetic eyes, a bubbly nature and full of love :)  I think she must get it from her parents!  Isn't she regal?

A Tribute to Kitty-Cats!

Aren't cats just cool?  They say what they mean and they mean what they say - I have to respect that!  Here are a few photos to remind us of why we love them so much :) 

Wolves in Disguise!

Last September I was fortunate enough to see a wolf in the wild, so black and regal, completely mysterious and untouchable. It was a dream come true... 

These two handsome boys, Axel and Audi, are the next best thing - and you get to romp and play with them!  I would have happily taken them both home :)

Happy Holidays!

I'm either in denial, or I've eaten too much sugar (both scenarios highly likely) - but I've just realized... Christmas is only a month away!  If there's anything that will get me in the mood for candy canes and apple cider, it's Finnegan - an adorable Morkie (Maltese/Yorkie) who enjoys dressing up and spreading cheer :)

Our Resident Bunny

His (or her?) spots must be a sure sign that winter is here!! (As if the snow and minus 20 degree temperatures weren't... :)

... Just a Few More of Ellie-Mae!

What a darling!

The Elegant Silken Windhound

A big hello to Becka and Frederick!  Becka is a 9 month old Silken Windhound - a beautiful girl just bursting with personality!  Check out http://www.silkenwindhounds.org/ to learn more about this delightful and affectionate sighthound - they're simply amazing dogs!

Frederick is a Long Haired Whippet, and he is such a gentle, sweet boy - so quiet and respectful.  You get the feeling he is an old, wise soul - with such soothing energy.  It was a wonderful and relaxing afternoon spent with the two of them (and their lovely owners :)

Don't they both have the sweetest eyes?

Great Danes Are Just Funny...

It's not often you need to raise your arms to pet a dog.  Lucy makes conversing face to face easy - just glance down and voila!  She's right there, ready to talk, lick, play.  At only two, Lucy still has her puppy curiosity - and was totally confused about the black clicky-thing I kept pointing in her face.  I bet she had visions of whisking it outside to bury somewhere safe, only to chew apart later.  I have the utmost respect for the strength that giant breeds have (I have one myself - what WAS I thinking....)  Their size translates quite easily to beauty on film though, thank goodness for that :)

Sunshine + Stuffed Bear = BLISS

Please welcome Ellie-Mae, the most contemplative and well-rounded dog I think I've ever met.  Her disposition is so smooth (like her gorgeous coat!) and calming, you can't help but fall instantly in love with her.  After spending a couple of hours with her in the sunshine, I felt revived and energized!  Lori, thank you so much for the opportunity to spend time with both of you :)  I can't wait to see how our end product turns out!

Animals On The Furniture!

Drum roll please, for Stolli the Wonder Dog! (And of course, his two trusty assistants, Nova and Remi :)  I have to admit, I get a kick out of putting pets on the furniture who aren't normally allowed on... I think they get a kick out of it too! 

Michelle (Wonder Pet's Mom) offers amazing dog training for which Stolli is walking, talking, howling proof of her abilities.  Be sure to check out her website: www.pridejoydogtraining.com. Enjoy!

Three Gorgeous Labs

Curcut (pronounced "Circuit"), River and Ellie are beautiful, rambunctious, well-behaved perfect dog models!  If you ever need some fresh air and a good "dog-fix", a romp around a farm with these three lovely ladies is the way to go :)  Ellie (the yellow sweetie) has pups due in a couple of weeks, and she still has energy galore! A big thanks Shannon for showing me around the farm, I had a great time - and I can't wait to meet the wee ones!  Cheers!

Huckleberry, the Basset Hound

Firstly, what a great name!  Huckleberry is sweet, affectionate and headstrong :)  But then again, he's a hound...  Thanks so much Janelle for welcoming me into your home - meeting this guy was a treat!  I'm becoming more and more thrilled about pet photography simply because I get to meet so many cool breeds, each with their own character.  I'm also able to glimpse the incredible bond they share with their humans, and I get to soak in their never-ending and unconditional love.  Life is good! 

BOO! Happy Halloween :)

Say hello to my pumpkin friend!  I haven't carved a pumpkin in years, and it brought back the best childhood memories. We are getting ready for Trick-O-Treaters tomorrow, drinking lots of Root Beer (mmmm), and trying NOT to eat the candy that we're meant to hand out... I've been reminiscing about some of my stranger Halloween costumes: one year I was a bunch of grapes (this was ingenious Mom) - purple balloons stapled to a purple shirt - ha!, another year I was a candy-cane (obviously already excited about Christmas), and another year, Stephen Hawking (nobody every guessed it...)  I hope everyone enjoys the holiday, and ends up happily sugar-highed :)  Have fun!!

New cute fur-faces!

Say hello to Bolt, Porter, Nibz and Josie the kitty-cat! Bolt is a Greyhound/Husky cross, Porter is a Pitbull/Lab cross, and Nibz (officially His Nibz) is a sparky standard poodle.  I can't imagine anything more fun than spending a morning playing with these guys :)

Winter's Coming...

For those of you who don't already know, my partner Gavin and I are spending a year living in Alberta, Canada (we're from New Zealand :)  This morning we woke up to our first snow - eek!  Just a couple of centimeters, but everyone keeps telling us in calm somber voices, "Winter's coming".  A bit foreboding, no?

Help Please!

I'm after your suggestions for a very simple business card, and would like everyone's input on this sample.  Do people have a preference for landscape or portrait style, printing on front and back - or front only, how much info should be on the card, etc etc...

This is Bolt by the way, the most affectionate Greyhound/Husky cross I met a couple of days ago.  He was a pleasure to shoot :)  And with those gorgeous eyes, irresistible - don't you think?  Thanks for your help!!