Happy Holidays from DogBreedz!

To my Blog Buddies and their Fur-kids: Wishing you holiday happiness to warm your heart and home with special joy! From Peggy, Indie and Bennett Mundell

Danbury Mint Cocker Spaniel Christmas Tree

Dec 2012 update: there is another tree available! Check out the current post HERE!

Original Blog Post:
Hurry! Read this post then click on the title - today is the last day for this wonderful opportunity for Cocker Spaniel lovers! A hard-to-find Danbury Mint Cocker Spaniel Christmas Tree is up for raffle - and the raffle ends today. This collectible item has been out of circulation for a few years, and The Mint has no plans to bring it back (according to them, they have lost their supplier for the Cocker figurines). The cause is a very deserving Cocker Spaniel Rescue named Life's Little Paws. Like me, they have a special place in their hearts for the sight-challenged Cockers that cross their paths - this raffle will kick-start funding for a dedicated medical account, and LLP already has three Cockers slated to be helped. You can read more about them, and the raffle, at http://www.lifeslittlepaws.com/treelights.html Oh how I long to have this in my personal collection! Beautiful!

Holiday Cheer Coupon!

Henry, a fun Vizsla from the Huntington Beach Shoot in November 2009 Holiday Cheer! Just for my blog followers: save $10.00 on all orders over $30.00 at DogBreedz on SmugMug! Stocking stuffers and great gifts with adorable dog faces to keep you smiling year 'round. Just enter the promo code at checkout - so easy to save! Code: BlogCheer200912 Valid 12/09/2009 → 12/31/2009 (23 days) All merchandise applies for discount - from prints, to prints on canvas, luggage/crate tags, 'fridge magnets, tshirts and so much more - enjoy!

Huntington Beach Photo Shoot - a barking success!

What a great weekend this was! Organized by Tricia Pratto and benefitting Second Chance Cocker Rescue, DogBreedz was invited to help raise money money for the organization that Tricia's Crosby was adopted through. 43 good-looking dogs paraded in front of my lens, striking poses on the Holiday backdrop and gathering oohs and aahs from their parents and admirers. Lilly, a tri-colored American Cocker Spaniel, is Tricia's other fur-kid Paco was the first to model our newest Holiday prop - the wicker Santa Sleigh. We had enough of the smaller dogs that we made good use of this one! Paco Opalewski, Chihuahua I'd better hustle back to my online darkroom and continue with my photo processing - seven galleries are done so I have 36 patient doggie-parents waiting for their images to be posted! You can see all the photos as they are ready in their online galleries at http://dogbreedz.smugmug.com/Charity-Fundraiser-Shoots/Huntington-Beach-Shoot. Oh! Before I forget, my greeting card service is offering a sale through tomorrow (11/25). Order 10 or more cards (mix and match, even) and pay only $2.29 per card. Details on my card site: http://www.greetingcarduniverse.com/dogbreedz. Happy Thanksgiving, Fellow Animal Lovers!

Bennett models the Holiday Set

The new backdrop arrived! It was an exciting day here at Canyonview as it was unfurled and hung for effect. Indie and Bennett were ready to help their Momma test out the lighting on the Holiday set and the results were enough to put me in the Chritmas spirit. Here is Bennett's offering, soon to be available in our greeting card section .. Today was a fun shopping trip - I came home with an adorable Winter Sleigh prop that the puppies are going to look adorable posing in. Cute! There are a couple of openings still for the shoot this Sunday in Santee - make your appointment now for a truly wonderful Holiday memory. The DogBreedz.net first newsletter went out this morning. It includes some great feature articles, a special subscriber-only sale, and information on the upcoming shoots. See you in Santee!

Where's Peggy?

When is this blog going to be updated? What has DogBreedz been doing? Is she still taking pictures? Did you hear, Peggy's been abducted by aliens! And such was the word on the streets throughout San Diego and Orange Counties. Never fear - the camera has been hard at work! It's been an eventful summer, complete with computer issues galore (no, no photos were lost in the melee, thank Goodness!), a trip to the Cocker Spaniel Nationals (where I chaired the National Parade of Rescues), a changing of the guards at San Diego Spaniel Rescue (after 7 years as fearless leader, I've finally been able to realize my original vision and turn the operation over to a very capable Board of Directors) and so much more. My poor blog has languished! What's worse than going to a blog and reading someone thinking out loud "I thought this little table should go by the front door, but decided it was a better fit in the upstairs hall"? I'll tell you - going to visit a blog you are looking forward to reading and finding NO updates since May! I'm guilty of that last category, I must admit. But - back to the business at hand! DogBreedz.net has been busy with fundraisers all over California. Most recently a trip to Brentwood and Livermore and what a weekend it was! Over $700 raised for Camp Cocker Rescue and SO many good looking dogs striking a pose for the camera! To see all the dogs from the Camp Bow Wow Livermore shoot, click HERE. To see all the dogs from the Grooming Lounge and More shoot, click HERE. ABOVE: Geisha the chocolate Labrador Retriever - at Camp Bow Wow Livermore on October 9, 2009 BELOW: Henry the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and his human sister Hailey at The Grooming Lounge and More in Brentwood on October 10, 2009
Don of Scoundrel Photographics has been busy gathering new equipment for us to use at the shoots - he has a brand new Christmas backdrop coming in today that will be featured at two fundraising shoots later this month (Huntington Beach, benefiting Second Chance Cocker Rescue; and Su-Et's Kennel in Santee, benefiting the Scottish Terrier Club of America's Health Trust) as well as at FOUR days of fundraising at the PetSmart on 17th Street in Santa Ana in December (to benefit English Springer Rescue America). Wow! Speaking of ESRA, I just finished shooting for their annual Holiday card, my first year doing it as Don (Scoundrel Photographics) wasn't able to fit it into his shoot schedule this year. Thanks for the referral, Don! They liked it so much that they asked me to work up ANOTHER card for them, for their online storefront. They should be up soon at their website How could I ever say no to ESRA? They are my dear friends and Rescue mentors! As long as we are talking about Holiday cards - I have created a gorgeous one for Thanksgiving, featuring one of the top ASCOB Cockers in the US. Check it out at my DogBreedz Card Shop. INSIDE TEXT: May your day be filled with joy, grace and love. Happy Thanksgiving! The Holidays are almost here! From my main website you can access a new link called: Holiday Goodies. Order gift tags with one of your images from a DogBreedz photo shoot! Scroll down a little more and you can access a full online catalog of Christmas and Hanukkah cards that you have your photo added to for a one-of-a-kind printed Holiday greeting this year. Off to update the upcoming shoots - and remember, custom photo items make great Holiday gifts!

Agility Photography and a Special Cocker Collectible

In between processing photos from the Su-Et's Kennel Shoot, I popped up to Murrieta for a Temecula Valley Agilty Club Trial and met some great folks! I am thrilled to announce my accepted membership in this club - another place to regularly practice my canine sport photography - YAY! This handsome boy is Charlie the Border Collie. He was being run that day by Lynn Hummel. BC's have such intensity when they are enjoying their runs, and Charlie is no exception! Sometimes the best shots are the ones that are just not quite perfect. This one of MacKenzy shows the Sheltie flying thru the air, already taking a look at what is next on the course. I'm new to the sport, but I would bet that this means her owner/handler Nancy Edwards was doing a great job coordinating the course with MacKenzy! My photograph just didn't get the crispness and sharper edges that I am going for. But it sure does translate to a beautiful piece of artwork. Printed out you can see the crosshatching details and mesmerizing texture! I have a strong art background and I like to think it came out in this next shot. Gigi, a happy little Rat Terrier and her mom, Deborah Davidson Harpur, reached their Agility Championship and were presented their pole and ribbon this day. Agility Judge Jim Hibbard said it was his first time awarding a Championship - so it seemed like an extra special occasion to me! This shot shows Jim signing his first Champ pole. After you check out my Agility Photo Gallery (hint - click on the blog post title!), take an e-stroll over to look at the photos Marty, my new photog friend, took on Sunday as well. Photography by M is his web site. We ended up making a pretty good team, even being with two different photography studios. I'm looking forward to seeing him at more trials! I am a strong supporter of animal rescue and one of my two main Rescues that I support is San Diego Spaniel Rescue (the other is English Springer Rescue America, in case you were wondering!). SDSR has come into possession of the ever elusive Danbury Mint Cocker Spaniel Christmas Tree - out of production for a few years and extremely hard to find. People who were lucky enough to score one usually hold it close! SDSR is offering their's up in an online auction hosted by Life's Little Paws. Check it out!

Shoot News and San Diego Photographers

Take a look at these cuties! Jackson and Atticus are two Pomeranian puppies who joined me at the most recent photo shoot. We met at Su-Et's Kennel in Santee and raised some bucks for Scottish Terrier Rescue of Southern California. These pups have a great life ahead of them - only 4 and 6 months old and they already have such great manners (way to go Pom Parents)! The day brought something new my way. Sylvia is the grand matriarch of the kennel, she makes sure things run smooth and that everyone takes a moment to send some adoration her way. You can't tell from looking at this beauty, but she is going to be TWENTY YEARS OLD in August! Wow! As I was surfing the search engines, checking my web sites' placements, I came across an interesting surprise. There's another Mundell in San Diego - and he is a photographer too! Mike is a dog lover as well, but his photography is usually centered on the humans around us rather than the four-leggers. If you are looking for a wedding or event photographer, you might want to check out his website at MundellStudios.com. While I'm tossing about local photographer names, I have to include Julie Edwards, Alicia McGraw and Jen Petit. I first came across Julie's photos when I started my relationship with Dogs and the City Day Care in downtown San Diego. She also does doggie shoots there and has a great style. Her human shots are just incredible! Take a look for yourself at her website: JEdwardsPhotographer.com. Alicia is a fun photographer! She is incredibly patient, as she didn't blink when *my* Indie went on a 40 minute run in the middle of a park shoot. She had Bennett, Spencer and Tara to keep her company while I went to corner and collect the Diva. Alicia does some great "retro" work too. Check out her site at AlishaMcGrawPhotography.com. My all-time hands-down paws-up favorite pet photographer (other than myself, of course!) in San Diego is Jen Petit at Fuzzle.info. Jen is a wonderful supporter of local animal rescue and takes some awesome luring photos as well at LurePix. I have some great role models and someday hope to see my name on a photographer's list of "faves"!

Greeting Cards are HERE!

Imagine an image like this on full color, glossy greeting cards. Then click the linked title to this post and you are there! My new greeting card store features my favorite photos from each shoot - which means it's growing every day! Happy Shopping!

Ups 'N Downs Agility Club at Skydance Ranch

This is Kora. Kora's human mom hosted a shoot in her beautiful back yard last month that featured the Chinook breed. What fun that afternoon - wonderful dogs and some new friends! It turns out that Kora is in Intermediate Agility Class at Ups 'N Downs Agility Club. When Kora (and her mom) found out that I was searching for opportunities to improve my agility photography, she arranged for me to join in and watch a class this week. It was an easy drive to Oceanside and Skydance Ranch, home to the classes, is an awesome destination! While the evening light was disappearing too quickly for me take any decent photos, I did get a feel for the class and met the Club's VP. I can't say enough nice things about this organization from what I saw that night. I am lucky enough to now be invited to do my practicing at any training, fun trial or competition trial they host. THANK YOU Ups 'N Downs! I hope to improve my agility shots enough to provide you with some great shots soon! In the meantime, here is an unknown Bearded Collie - one of my successful shots from a Trial in Rohr Park, Bonita, CA last year. I can't wait to nail the moments like this consistently!

May Special at Photo Site

For the month of May, I've chosen custom JIGSAW PUZZLES for the super secret special (click on this post's link to get to that gallery). I've picked my favorite photos in a horizontal layout (landscape layout, in photographer-speak) to be included in this gallery. Large, 252-piece puzzle measures 14 inches by 10 inches and has a glossy finish. It comes in a black box with a 5 x 7 print of the image on top of the box. Box measures 5.625" x 7.625" x 1.2". Color reproduction is excellent.

Imagine suprising your favorite dog owner with a photo of their beloved breed on one of these puzzles! Normally priced at $41.72, you can get your custom puzzles this month from this exclusive collection for only $34.99.

Susan Boyle, Eat Your Heart Out!

Bennett is in the running for the next Doggie Idol. Rather, he thinks he should be, with the performance he put on for me this day. Last Wednesday was the shoot at Camp Bow Wow in El Cajon. They turned their interview room over to me and I in turn created my studio in there. Talk about a dog day afternoon! We raised a total of $95.00 for Frankie at San Diego Spaniel Rescue. When all the dogs finished their regular sessions, Bennett decided it was his turn to be noticed. Enjoy!

Pony Boy - in June issue of Dog Fancy

This is Pony Boy - he came and did some cat-walking for the camera at the Barkin'dales fundraiser photo shoot (benefiting San Diego Spaniel Rescue and SoCal German Shepherd Rescue). His image was also chosen by my editor at Dog Fancy to be included in the June Issue. Pick yours up on newsstands, and look for the "What Kind of Dog Is This?" contest! What do YOU think he has in him?

Bradley the English Springer Spaniel

Such a handsome boy! I spent this weekend in Orange County. San Diego Spaniel Rescue had a great double booth at the Orange County Pet Expo and I was able to work a couple of shifts. I felt naked without a camera in my hands, however, so after the Expo on Saturday, I set up the studio at my boyfriend's house and put his Springer in front of the lens. Click on the blog title to see more photos of Bradley. And sign up for one of the upcoming fundraiser shoots to get some great shots of your own dog! This Wednesday I'll be in El Cajon at Camp Bow Wow. My full upcoming schedule is in the left sidebar. Or schedule a private shoot of your own - they are priced at only $65.00!

Last Shoot - Next Shoot

Dogs and the City Daycare and Spa is a cozy, friendly business in downtown San Diego run by two wonderful ladies, Nicole and Rita. I had the pleasure of meeting them when Rita contacted me and offered to host a fundraiser shoot. Wednesday April 15 had me taking over a corner of their front lobby and transforming it into a studio. The schedule was packed and I had a busy day laid out for me! My clients ranged in size from a camera hog long-haired Chihuahua all the way to a gentle giant Irish Wolfhound. The personalities ran the range too and all kept me smiling throughout the day! Here are a couple of images to enjoy from the sessions: This is Jasmine, a 12 week old Miniature Schnauzer pup - and yes, she looks like a little stuffed bundle of joy in person too! The day of the shoot downtown SD felt like a blustery Chicago morning and Jasmine brought her mom into the Boutique to purchase this adorable purple jacket so she stayed for a photo session too. Meet Niamh (pronounced Neev) - the Irish Wolfhound I mentioned earlier. She started off on the shy side, but it wasn't long before her fun personality peeked out at me and her ears perked up. And finally, one of my favorite shots so far! This was such a classic look and pose, I just had to transform Jethro into a black & white image. He is a Redbone Coonhound. He looks majestic, doesn't he? Click on the photo to see the full image. Mark your calendar now - next Wednesday April 22 I'll be set up at Camp Bow Wow in El Cajon from 3pm - 7pm for another fundraising session. It's still all earmarked for our Frankie girl, so let's get that money in for her surgery! You can call me at 858/997-7135 to schedule a time for your shoot that day. Or to book a session all your own. I'm off to Pet Expo in Orange County now. This is the second largest Pet Expo in the United States and we are so lucky to have it in our own backyard. I'm not wearing my photographer hat, but will be helping out at the San Diego Spaniel Rescue booth for the weekend. Stop by and say hi!

Photo Shoot Scheduled to Help Frankie

Dogs in the City Day Care and Spa is hosting a photo fundraiser this Wednesday, the 15th of April. Come have your favorite pooch's photo taken by me between 3 pm - 7 pm. Sitting fees are by donation only and all money raised is going to help Frankie, the Cocker Spaniel with the unusual medical needs. Before I get into her story, the phone number to schedule your reserved sit time is 858/997-7135. Dogs in the City is located at 555 West C Street in downtown San Diego. This is Frankie's shelter photo. She knew how to use those hazel eyes to charm folks from the start! Frankie came to San Diego Spaniel Rescue from the Apple Valley Animal Shelter. Charming people has been one of her favorite past times ... her foster family will be adopting her when Rescue is finished with her medical needs.

That's where DogBreedz.net comes in - the photo shoots this week (Dogs in the City) and next week (Camp Bow Wow, El Cajon) are dedicated to raising funds to help Frankie out.

You can see from this next photo how happy she is in her foster home. This was sent to us from her Foster Mom, Alyce, pictured with Lucky, Frankie and Archie (left to right), last Christmas. Frankie loves to wear pink, and we just know she is looking forward to her surgery being completed soon. This little girl is really a little boy/girl. Frankie is a rare hermaphrodite Cocker Spaniel and her condition is complicated by more than just the regular "hermie" issues. Her foster mom has a crack team of veterinary specialists who have also been hypnotized by those pretty eyes and are working hard to bring their costs down as SDSR raises the funds that will be needed. Book your photo shoot today - see you at Doggie Day Care this week or next!

Monthly Special at Photo Site

You may not realize it, but I have two online storefronts. Cafepress.com/dogbreedz is where I turn my photos into graphics for all sorts of fun goodies. If I transform one of your dogs, I'll be sure to let you know! My new DogBreedz.smugmug.com site is where you look at the proofs of your photo session - but besides additional prints you can also order tshirts, mousepads, notecards and other neat-0 items with your favorite photo. I decided that for the month of April, a few of MY favorite photos from past sessions will be available on Playing Cards for a reduced rate. You can see this "secret" gallery by clicking this post's title. If you are at the photo site, you'll see that I've jazzed it up with some clickable button links - one of those will get you to the secret gallery as well. Not much of a secret now! Imagine your dog looking up at you every time you deal a hand of your favorite card game! Order an extra deck to donate to your favorite dog rescue for their next auction. Pick up a pack for your dedicated groomer or dog-sitter. The playing cards retail regularly at $39.95, but for April, in this private gallery, you can order your deck of cards for only $29.95.

Happy shopping!

Barkin'dales Photos are all online

What pretty dogs! There were so many photos I enjoyed that it was hard to choose my favorites from each sitting for a public gallery, but I succeeded. It's fun to relive the shoot with each photo I edit. Speaking of fun ... while many of the dogs gave us classic poses there were quite a bit of personality shots as well. Take a look to the right and tell me Archie isn't enjoying himself! What a fun goofball. I first met Archie when he was just a couple of months old and in Rescue. He grew up to be quite handsome (and very much the jester in his home).

Camp Bow Wow in El Cajon is the sight of our next fundraiser. San Diego Spaniel Rescue is loaded with Cockers ready for medical care, and the vet bills are coming in. I imagine all the rescues are seeing more of this. In the current economy pet owners just can't afford medical needs the way they used to. SDSR has one dog in particular we are raising funds for. Archie's foster sister is Frankie, a very rare hermaphrodite dog (meaning she has both male and female organs). To make matters worse, she has extra plumbing on top of that and unusual placement. What would normally be a very expensive surgery is estimating out to be an EXTREMELY expensive surgery! Book a sitting at Camp Bow Wow's Wednesday April 22 fundraiser and help Frankie get the care she is looking for.

Barkin'dales Photos - how cute!

The Cocker Clubbers' photos are finished, and I chose my favorites for a public gallery. I admit to having a bias for the Cocker Spaniels but WOW! What glamour dogs these were! After being down for a few days with the stomach flu I'm back working fast and furious on editing the shots from the Barkin'dales fundraiser of March 15. What good looking dogs we had there! The look this day was a bit of a dramatic one, and the models all knew how to catch their light. Here's one from the day - Mya is a very pretty little Puggle girl, and I am proud to be her God Mother.

First Blog Entry!

The month has been busy with shoots, shoots and more shoots! March 7 was a fundraiser shoot, hosted by the Cocker Clubbers in Orange County. I have one more set of pix to edit from that day then they will all be ready for viewing by the participants. I'll be choosing my particular favorites for a public gallery - but in the meantime, here is one of Karlie that I just adore. This two hour event raised over $180.00 for San Diego Spaniel Rescue! I'm not near done after the last Cocker tho ... Barkin'dales hosted a day long fundraiser on March 15 and yesterday was two shoots dedicated to Miniature Schnauzers and Chinooks. When will I have time to shoot my own dogs?!?