Project 52 - Rural

This weeks challenge is last weeks opposite - rural. I needed a new leash because my last foster dog, Nico, chewed my lovely, strong leather one. I was looking for one that clips around the waist as I have a repetitive strain injury on my right wrist/arm and for walking the dogs - I thought it would help. I decided to drive past the airport to Riverside South and check out a great pet supply store called Chew That. They are wonderful with helping out rescues and they have a full stock of toys, kibble, leashes, beds, raw food (picked up some yummy chicken necks for the pack) and tons more. I was really happy to help support a local business (they just celebrated their 1 year anniversary) and if I was going to buy a new leash from anyone, I would rather give them the money than a chain store.

I found the leash I needed and decided to take a back road home, south of the airport. The road was full of washboards so I took it slow and down the road on my left there as this old abandoned barn. I decided this was where I was going to come back and do this weeks theme. After having purchased Zack Arias' new One Light video, feeling inspired, I set out with one of my dogs to get the shot.

Although it didn't turn out exactly the way I had hoped, I was alone and found it very challenging to get Pete in place, not moving, yet shifting back into spot, re-adjusting, shooting, adjusting and trying again. There was a slight breeze and with a 60" umbrella .. it was tipping. I have yet to buy some sort of sandbag system so I quickly dragged an old tire in the field and propped it up against my light stand. It did the job but boy .. was this a cumbersome shoot. At least with one other human I would have a set of hands and someone who speaks english. :)

Click over to Blue Amrich Studio in Boston, MA to see her 'rural' post.

Project 52 - Yellow - Week 8

Returning to the cold northeast from a week long vacation in the Dominican Republic - I long for the Caribbean sun. Myself and the dogs will have to just be patient and wait, spring is around the corner.

The 52 Week Project is a weekly photo themed challenge put on by members of Beautiful Beasties which is a network of professional Pet Photographers from around the globe.

This weeks challenge was Yellow.

Click through to Embracing Grace Photography in Chicago, Illinois to see her interpretation of this theme. Each blog will post a link to the next Pet Photographer so you can follow the circle until you get back to here.

Thanks for visiting!

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Project 52 - Favourite Book - Week 4

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Beautiful Beasties Network is a network of professional Pet Photographers from around the globe. The 52 Week Project is a weekly photo themed challenge. This is my first week participating and I must admit .. I felt stumped. What on earth could I photograph with my pets that could represent a book?

There was some head scratching and in the end I thought I had decided it was going to be Farley Mowat's Never Cry Wolf. It's COLD out, like really cold this week in Eastern Ontario. I was going to use Shamar, my white Canaan, and drive out to the Greenbelt and photograph him in a more 'arctic' setting but by the time I get home from work .. even with a short drive .. it's getting dark and I knew I wouldn't have any helping hands near by to help light him if needed. As I was sitting my car — thinking really hard — I noticed hanging from my rearview mirror a pair of vintage looking motorcycle goggles. Then I remembered Mowat's OTHER book from my childhood, The Dog Who Wouldn't Be.

I decided to reproduce the book cover of the copy I had years ago. I chose Jorja as my model because she's the least sketchy around my lights and will basically sit still and pose. She wasn't crazy about these goggles on her, they really don't fit at all. She was a champ though.

By clicking through to Suzi Pix Photography in Cincinnati, Ohio .. you can follow the blog circle and view everyone's Favourite Book challenge.

 

We Animals

My once homeless Indian street dog, Pete, is happy to see it
has finally arrived. 

Jo-Anne McArthur is someone I respect immensely.
She's originally from Ottawa, one of the few Animal Rights Photographers in the business and she's incredibly passionate. Whether it be documenting the plight of the yearly whale hunt in the Southern Oceans for the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, protesting downtown for Toronto Pig Save or photographing and documenting the fur trade farms in Europe .. she cares. She cares a lot. We are becoming more and more obsessed with cheap & fast everything, but at what cost? Jo-Anne lends a voice to those who don't have one.

I hope she gets louder. I know she will.

 

Puppies

Pretty Momma

Pretty Momma

The Breakfast Litter

The Breakfast Litter

I had the opportunity to photograph some cute, 6 week old puppies that were born in a shelter up in northern Ontario. The mother, lovely PJ, was given to Sit With Me rescue along with her little ones. The pups have currently been split up into pairs with several foster homes.

If you are interested in adopting any of these puppies .. please contact sitwithmerescue@gmail.com.
Beans and Marmalade have made their way to Hopeful Hearts Rescue who kindly will adopt them out.

 

a walk in the park

Female deer at Lac Phillippe - Gatineau Park

Female deer at Lac Phillippe - Gatineau Park

I'm the Photographer and a Graphic Designer at the National Capital Commission and for the past two days I have been taking summer photos in Gatineau Park. While at Lac Phillippe, at the site of one of the yurts, this pretty doe made an appearance and I quickly managed to fire off a few shots without disturbing. I'm always mindful of nature photography and know that when an animal is distressed and constantly trying to move away from you ... let it go, you don't need 'the shot'.

I have found over the years, photographing lots of animals that if you give the space, keep moving but slowly from side to side and often looking away, they will often not mind your presence.  

 
 

hello rowan ...

This sweet girl is between 6-8 years old, spayed and a Mastiff mix. She is very sweet and is looking for a home where she is the only pet. She is good with other dogs with proper introductions. I met up with her and her fosters parents tonight for a rescue pet session and she was pretty obedient, considering there were many distractions like skateboarders, inline skaters, joggers and cyclist! She did well.

If you are interested in meeting her, contact Sit With Me shelter dog rescue

 

A date with Dobermans

Had a beautiful evening session with a 3 pack of Dobes.
One of them, Zoe, was a breeding female from the Paws R Us raid. At one point the poor thing was scared of grass!

She was rescued by Hopeful Hearts and adopted by Jen who loves her to bits.

The family consists of one male, Korso, who's 9 years old.
Zoe is about 5 and the other female is the red Bella who is 6. Such a lovely trio .. here's a quick preview.

Take the Plunge

Ready, set, gooooOOOoooo! 

This weekend is Take the Plunge in Ottawa. Although I won't be attending
the event, I will be scooting in for a few minutes in the morning to take a picture of another Sit With Me foster pooch.  

This event is always a laugh and the dogs and owners have such
a great time.  

Details

Saturday, June 15 & Sunday, June 16th
Carlington Park - 941 Clyde Avenue

From the Take the Plunge site:


Take the Plunge is a fund-raising event jointly organized by Genesis Dog Rescue, LOYAL Rescue, New Beginnings Pet Rescue and Sit With Me Shelter Dog Rescue. Our mutual goal is to increase community awareness of Ottawa-based rescue groups and to raise much-needed funds to assist the animals in our care.  We hope you can come out and have an amazing time while supporting this worthy cause.

I've included some images that I took in 2011 .. great times. 

 
 

Milkshake!

This sweetie will melt your heart

This sweetie will melt your heart

I had my first rescue session tonight. It was kind of gloomy out but there's more rain in the forecast this week so .. while it was dry, myself, Milkshake and her foster mum headed to the park. What can I say about Milkshake? Uhh .. that I wanted to steal her and bring her home? She is SO sweet. If I had to guess at her being a Chihuahua mix .. I see some Corgi in her.  

Sit With Me rescued this little muffin and this is her bio from them

"Milkshake is a sweet and very affectionate little girl. Her favorite thing to do is lay around in her dog beds and getting lots of cuddles. If she could have it her way she would veg on the couch everyday . She does enjoy short but frequent walks to help her shed a few extra pounds. She is used to five 10 minute walks a day since she gets lonely in a yard by herself and stands by the door.  She is house trained but does need to be let out when she gets out of her room or may have an accidents. She has not had accidents since her second day in foster care. She is also a quiet dog in the house and will only bark when getting excited to go for a walk. At night and when she is alone during the day Milkshake is confined to a room to give her peace from the other pets but she doesn't destroy or do anything. When alone she spends most of the time sleeping. Milkshake does not play with toys but loves to chew on bones. 
She is currently living with 3 cats and another chihuahua but she does prefer her space and would only be comfortable around animals that leave her alone most of the time. Her tolerance level will increase with time but she can be a little fussy at first. Milkshake is now able to run and walk by her foster sister without any issue but still doesn't feel comfortable around stranger dogs and will bark to comfort her. Her foster mom is currently working on her tolerance on leash to other dogs but she always requires very slow introductions."

Milkshake and her foster mum will be at Take the Plunge in Carlington Park
(941 Clyde Av) this weekend and hopefully she'll catch someone's heart.