52 Project - Strange Behaivour

This weeks 52 Project is Strange Behaviour! The things our pets do that you might not think they would  . . or wonder why they do???  For about 3 weeks now i've been a bit stressed - a few silly little things have just had me feeling blah & I decided yesterday that I needed a bath.  Aidan & I moved into our freshly built home 2 and a half years ago . . and believe it or not I've NEVER had a bath in this house!  We don't have one in the ensuite (rookie mistake!) so the bath (up until now) has been the dogs!  I lit candles, played Adelle in the background, poured myself a glass of rose & was very much looking forward to some alone time.  To my suprise, both dogs (who normally run and hide as soon as the bath taps go on) were both peering over the edge and sticking their noses into the bubbles.  I smiled like any proud Mum would & got into my bubble bath.  Alfie would NOT leave me alone.  He kept sniffing the bubbles and then sneezing them all over me :/  Next thing i know he's climbing up on to the tiny ledge that sits at the top of the bath, lays down & rests his bog boofhead on my shoulder.  I love that dog.  He's too sweet for his own good.  I hopped out to grab the camera & what do you know he followed me :/  So tonight i set it up again (with the camera ready!)  I put a towel on his spot and he gladly assumed his position while i got my strange behaviour shots :)  Alfie, Mummy thanks you xxx

Now head on over to Judy Babinski of Dog Biscuit Photos to see what funny things her pets have been up to :)  Keep following the links until you get back here :D

Chopper

Taking photos of dogs in shelters, rescues & foster homes is something I absolutely love doing.  I love meeting each & every dog & am always in awe of the amazing jobs their carers do, whether it be a Volunteer, Rescue Organiser or Foster Parents.  It's also the BEST way to improve at what i do!  For a Client Shoot we generally have 15 minutes to get the dog used to me & my camera, and then another hour and half to get the shots we need.  With rescue dogs I have around 15 minutes to get a few good shots that will hopefully help their new family to fall a little bit in love with them before they've even met.  It's all about the eyes.  Dogs are wiser than anyone gives them credit for & their soulful eyes just ooze intensity.  For ten minutes on Saturday morning I sat with a slobbery teddy bear on my head & took photos of Chopper - a 6 year old Staffy who was taken off his last owner through absolutely no fault of his own.  A staffy who loves a teddy so much he DOESN'T rip it to shreds???  A unique man indeed.

If you can give this gorgeous boy a wonderful new home, check out his Profile here or give Bec a call on 0405 164 598 if you'd like to jump in & meet him :)

Bucky

I had the BEST afternoon on Friday!  Anne-Marie's pony Bucky is 18 months old & has more character than you could believe!!  I couldn't wipe the grin off my face when I pulled into the driveway of the amazing property we got to shoot at.  Bucky shares a paddock with five other horses all around his age & all just as interested in what we were doing as Bucky was.  I laughed non stop throughout our shoot - I had ponies sniffing my neck while I was shooting, nudging me & knocking me over as i kneeled trying to photograph Bucky & I even turned around at one point to see my camera bag in a pony's mouth being swung around like a toy (with my most expensive lens & back up camera body still in it!!).  I love nothing more than animals that are inquisitive - there is nothing more beautiful than being chased around a paddock by these gentle giants. 

and just because I can't finish on a serious note . .

Anne-Marie & Bucky thanks for such an amazing arvo - you're both too gorgeous for your own good x

52 Project - Low Key

Every Friday I partake in an awesome photography blog ring full of Pet Photographers from all over the globe!  Each week someone picks the theme & this Weeks theme was High Key or Low Key.  Basically we are to create pictures that by all technical standards would be considered ether under or over exposed.  I've got a little studio set up & have done a fair bit of bright white background stuff so I thought I'd challenge myself and go with the Low Key or under exposed pics :)  Not only is the Alfster the most patient doggie model in the world he also happens to have unreal orange eyes that suited this task perfectly :)  After a bit of experimenting we didn't even end up using the studio at all!!  Although this isn't my preferred style of photography it's definitely good to stretch the comfort levels every now & then :)

Now head on over to the creators of this weeks theme - all the way over in California Photolab :)  Be sure to keep clicking the links until you end up back here!

Three Adoptable Golden Oldies

Dolly's a lovely old girl who was found wandering around a busy shopping centre all alone.  Her owners for whatever reason haven't chosen to look for her so the lovely Christine & Margaret are fostering this sweet girl until a quiet new home comes along.  As we sat at Lake Monger chatting Dolly was constantly looking around - presumably looking for the family that is sadly not looking for her :(  Dolly's age has been guessed at around 8 years old - she's a very gentle girl & her foster Mum's say she follows them around the house constantly :)  I love that.  Nothing like knowing they want to be with you no matter what.

  Dolly's full profile can be viewed here :)

Next up is a little Pocket Rocket name Pippa - she has the most adorable little smiley face on her!!  She's just a bundle of absolute joy & is guaranteed to bring more than a few smiles a day her lucky new owner.  She's only teeny but her personality would rival any dog you've ever met!

 More info on Pip can be found here

Last but DEFINITELY not least is the adorable Fred.  He moves at his own pace & has himself a wonderful time doing so.  He's such a wise old man & reminds me of a big cuddly bear!  He was unclaimed at the pound so the amazing people at Staff & Bull Rescue saved him to ensure his last few years are spent in a loving & safe environment.  He was VERY interested in the Lake & had Bec let him he would've swam home I think!  If there's a warm spot in your lounge room please consider letting Fred in to your life.  

 Fred's profile can be viewed here or give the lovely Bec a call on 0405 164 598 if you'd like to meet any of these wonderful older companions :)  Please share their pics on facebook to give these 3 dogs the best chance at finding their new homes :) 

Could you give Brax a forever home???

Brax was in the pound for 10 days before his foster Mum saved his life.  I was there to take his photographs for his pet rescue profile less than a week after he had been saved.  Even after just a few days in his new home Brax knows he's in a very safe & loving place.  He is a hugger. .  a cuddler . . a snuggler - an absolute sweetheart who I have no doubt will grow into an incredibly loyal young man.  He's already insanely polite & even got camera shy after the first few shots!  Brax will appreciate a family who will walk him, love him, buy him Kongs & genious dog toys to keep him entertained all day long & most of all will make sure that the next house he goes to will be his to call home forever x 

If you think you could give this gorgeous boy his forever home please view his full profile on Pet Rescue HERE or contact Bec on 0405 164 598.  Please share Brax's gorgeous face with all your friends on facebook - you never know who may be Brax's perfect match :)

52 Project - Accoutrements

What's that???   You think I'm drunk & made up the title of the blog?  No no, this weeks theme was chosen by Karen Weiler who tells us it's a french word meaning "accessories" :) 

When I arrived home on Saturday afternoon after shooting about 14 dogs for a wonderful rescue group here in Perth I was exhausted.  I put my camera bag on the table & could've fallen asleep then & there!  Jersey came over to say hi & sniffed the bag for about 10 minutes non stop.  I felt all kinds of guilty :(  She could smell all the puppies I'd been playing with all morning and I was too tired to play with her!  So I opened the bag, got the camera back out & went outside to get some pics of our naughty little girl.  When she brought her ball over to me I smiled - Jersey must have known the theme for this week & had just given me a brilliant subject to photograph :)

Here's my Jersey girl with her favourite accoutrement - this ball even goes through the doggy door with her!!

Now head on over to Karen Weilder from Posh Pets Photography in Canada and see what accountrements her pets keep close by :)