Project 52-4: Jumps and Cuddles

I am a member of a network of professional pet photographers from around the world. We have a challenge project: a blog roll (Project 52) where once a week we take a photo to fit the week's theme, and then link to the next participating photographer. This week's theme is JUMPS AND CUDDLES. I hope you enjoy this blog post with photos and feel like leaving a comment at the end. I love visitors! After you are finished reading, please take a moment to click the link at the bottom and see what the photographer after me came up with for the theme. In fact, sit back and take five minutes, and keep clicking thru until you come around full circle back to here - I think you'll enjoy yourself!
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THE JUMP
She flies thru the air with the greatest of ease ... no trapeze needed for Kodak's Canyonview Little Miss Independent! Indie was eager to show off her hang-time over the makeshift agility jump bar during a break in the rains last weekend. This is one of those "couldn't have posed it any better!" action shots that I love to capture. Good Girl, Indie!

THE CUDDLE(s)
While Indie was able to catch some sun, Bennett's plans to cuddle up with a friend's grandson got washed out. He made up for that lost photo op by testing out some of the Valentine's Teddy Bears on set. It was hard to choose just one photo of my boy, so here are two to raise the "aww!" factor at computer screens around the world - featuring the lover boy himself, Kodak's Canyonview The Best Is Yet To Come.

Thanks for visiting my part of the Project 52 Blog Roll for Week #4. Now, remember to take a moment and click thru to the blog of Stephanie Madeline (of Chase and Snap Pet Photography - located in New Jersey). Enjoy the photos and give YOUR pets a hug from me!

My favorite card (for today) ...

Ooohh!!! I have SO many favorites! It changes depending on my mood and the occasion! OK, if I have to pick just one (grumble grumble grumble) I choose (insert drum roll here) ... this one --->
(of course, the actual card doesn't have the © info plastered across the front). Why am I posting a favorite card? Why did I choose THIS card? And who is Great Scott Designs (the card creator)? Read on and the mysteries will be solved (where that missing sock went to after you put it in the dryer? I don't have any answers for THAT mystery, sorry!) ...

Why am I posting a favorite card?
The peeps behind the scenes at Greeting Card Universe, the place where I host my greeting card designs, are holding a contest for the designers. We've been challenged to pick ONE favorite card that isn't one of our own. There will be a followup post on this card and this contest next week (and it will get even more fun at that time).

Why did I choose THIS card?
Like I said, my moods and the occasion all have something to do with what card is a favorite at any given time. But for THIS occasion at THIS time I chose THIS card. I like to think of myself as an upbeat, optimistic person in general. Life's Challenges hit all of us at one time or another and for me, a little humor is sometimes all I need to get perspective on the situation, so that's usually what I reach for when offering support to a friend in need. Great Scott Designs has no shortage of humorous cards and this one is a reflection of that fact. Of course an animal theme will catch my eye every time!

And who is Great Scott Designs (the card creator)?
I first "met" Colleen quite a few years ago when I was active on just one POD site. And when I stumbled upon her at GCU, it was a neat feeling almost like finding an old friend again. Here is an except from her "about me" (you can read more on the home page of her own greeting card store - Great Scott Designs at GCU):

" ... I'm really no "artist" but my goal is generally to make you (and me) smile in a real life sort of way ... The background story...single Mom set out to make one single band t-shirt for her son and kept going from there. Quite simply, I had to make a living in this everchanging world and it's been a blast!"

Click on thru to see Colleen's card for yourself. Did you know that GCU makes it super-duper-easy for you to change the inside text of any card during your order process? Go ahead, give it a try! You can even add your own text to blank cards if you'd like. Love it. And ... check back next week to see what the next phase of this little contest has in store for us all ...

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You didn't REALLY think I'd let you go without showing you a few more of my favorites, did you?!

Project 52-3: From The Hip

I am a member of a network of professional pet photographers from around the world. We have a challenge project: a blog roll (Project 52) where once a week we take a photo to fit the week's theme, and then link to the next participating photographer. This week's theme is FROM THE HIP. I hope you enjoy this blog post with photos and feel like leaving a comment at the end. I love visitors! After you are finished reading, please do take a moment to click the link at the bottom and see what the photographer after me came up with for the theme. In fact, sit back and take five minutes, and keep clicking thru until you come around full circle back to here - I think you'll enjoy yourself!

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"From the Hip" ... one of the photographers in this Project 52 group termed it "shooting blind". No matter what it's called by anyone else, I call it a definite challenge and something that is currently well outside of my comfort zone in photography! But then again - that is one of the reasons I'm doing this project ... to stretch my wings and try new things. And hopefully to grow as a photographer as a result and offer an even better product to my clients. So off I went - camera in one hand and Indie the Cocker Spaniel in the other (okay, so it was her leash that was in the other, but you get the idea).

The outing started predictably enough - with a LOT of images that looked like the one to the right --->> Could I get any worse at this?! Well, the answer was "of COURSE" but needless to say, I won't be showing any of those images in this post. The answer expanded with "and I can get better too!" As with anything in life, practice is the key. I had always admired the photographers who were able to get those off-the-cuff shots (Suzy Mast Lee - you are one of my idols with your journalistic pet photos! Come to think of it, you are the one who introduced me to this group, too!). Lower to the ground gives a different perspective regarding the pets in our lives, but it takes some getting used to. As I got more comfortable shooting blind at the park ("Honest Ma'am, I'm NOT stalking your kid - please don't call the cops!) my resulting photos started turning out better.

Now this image may not seem like the ideal shot, at first look. But in reality, it actually is the perfect image to illustrate something that I've noticed, and just last week was telling a friend about. If you've ever walked a dog on a leash (and really, let's face it, who among my target audience here hasn't done just that?!) you have probably experienced this too. It especially happens when all you really want to do is to take the dog out on leash for a quick (and I stress QUICK) potty. Maybe it's raining, or your dinner is hot out of the oven and waiting (and cooling), maybe YOU have to potty as well. Or even a trifecta! But have you noticed ... the MOST desirable spot to sniff, the MOST "I have have have to check it out, Mom!" spot .... it is *always* just 5 inches past the end of the leash's length! And, if you give in and let your precious princess have that sniff ... suddenly THE spot has just moved ... another five inches past the end of the leash. You know I never would have been able to illustrate this concept had I been trying to get the photo. And shooting blind, from the hip got it for me.

Along with the dog park and the kids' park, there is a skate park, too - it's really a great area here in Santee! The bikes off to the side were just too tempting to ignore, and I especially like how this one turned out.

Thanks for visiting the Project 52 Blog Roll for Week #3. Now, please do take a moment and click thru to the blog of Terran Bayer (of Westway Studio - also located right here in San Diego County). Enjoy the photos and give YOUR pets a hug from me!

Meet the Breed: Poodle

Ahh ... the beautiful French Poodle with all the looks but none of the brains. We've all heard this stereotype at one time or another, but did you know ... NONE of it is true! To start with, the Poodle originated in Germany. And for anyone who has had the pleasure of knowing this breed, all three varieties (Standard, Toy and Miniature) are exceptionally smart dogs. Even though the Poodle is runway-worthy with its model looks, it comes from a strong working background, being first used as a water-retriever during hunts. The clips we see on the show dogs, with the "poofs" left over the ankles and hips - did you know that this wasn't some strange fashion choice but has actual merit? The hunters developed this cut to help the Poodles keep joints and vital organs warmer while working in the cold water. The rest of the body is clipped to help the dog move easier through the water during the retrievals. The oldest of the three varieties is the Standard (the largest of the Poodles). The Miniature Poodle is thought to have been used primarily for truffle hunting. And the smallest variety, the Toy Poodle, was most often seen in performances and circuses.

All of the Poodle varieties are quite active and require daily exercise. Don't forget to give him a job around the house or interactive toys - keep his mind sharp and stave off the boredom! Poodles have a hypoallergenic coat that may reduce allergy responses in humans and the breed is often used in mixed-breed crosses for this reason. The coat does require regular professional grooming, however. A great family dog in all varieties, do be careful with small children in the home with a Toy Poodle - a smaller dog may not be able to withstand the less coordinated interactions of a very young child. Supervision of dogs and children with any breed is always a good idea. Poodles are recognized in a number of solid colors, including white, black, apricot and grey. While you may occasionally see a parti-colored Poodle (two colors in solid patches) this is not a recognized color in the American Kennel Club and you will never see this pattern in the American show ring. The United Kennel Club does recognize the parti-colored Poodle, but over the pond they are shown in separate classes from the solids. Within the UKC the Poodle is recognized in only two varieties, divided by size: the Standard Poodle and the Poodle (the latter having both the Miniature and the Toy as members).

The Poodle is AKC recognized (since 1887) and is a member of the Non-Sporting group (Standard and Miniature) and the Toy Group (Toy). The Poodle is UKC recognized (since 1914, and separated into two varieties in 2000) and is a member of the Gun Dog group (Standard) and the Companion Dog group (Poodle). The Poodle Club of America, Inc. is the official Parent Breed Club for the Poodle in the USA.

Pictured top: GCH Brighton Lakeridge Encore (call name Alley), middle: Sharbelle Chanel II Pamir (call name Chanel), bottom: GCH Hosanna Danica Dancing In The Rain (call name Tenley)

Shop for Poodle gifts at Zazzle: click here!

Shop for Spoiled Rotten Poodle on Board stickers: click here!

Shop for Poodle greeting cards at GCU: click here!

Shop for Gift Cards with Poodle Images: click here!

Annie at the Nursing Home

Bonus post for the day - Annie has been added to my "Dog in the News" sidebar section. You can read all about her tragic to happy story here at Life With Dogs.

Vestibular Syndrome In Your Dog

It looks scarier than it might be ...

NOTE: This is just my experience with Vestibular. I am not a veterinarian and this should not replace any information or care you receive from your veterinarian!

I've had the honor of fostering many a Cocker Spaniel for San Diego Spaniel Rescue during the 8 years that I was the Director. And boy did I learn a lot during that time! Early on in my foster days, a darling blind Cocker in my care, named Lacey, had symptoms suddenly crop up. What was going on? She could only walk in unsteady circles (in one direction only), her head tilted off to one side, and her eyes were quickly moving from side to side, back and forth over and over again. Off to the vet we went, and I heard for the first time (but not my last) "Vestibular Syndrome". It is often called "geriatric vestibular" or "old dog vestibular" since it is usually found in our older canine friends, but this isn't always the case, and those names are misleading. I learned that there are usually two types of Vestibular: one caused by a brain tumor and another caused by ear issues or with no known cause. Some people will say that stress or trauma can preceed an onset of the symptoms. My vet told me that if it was originating in the brain, we would see the rapid eye movements (called nystagmus) going up and down, and if it was idiopathic (without a known cause) or inner ear related, we would see the eyes moving side to side. For Lacey's symptoms, that alone helped calm me down! I also was told that her case wasn't as severe as it might be ... in some dogs the loss of equilibrium is so severe that they actually roll over and over, attempting to regain their balance.

Symptoms come on fast ... that is part of what is so scary to me! There isn't a cure for the condition, but I could be sure I was on top of her ear cleanings in case it was inner ear related. The symptoms would leave on their own, my vet assured me, after anywhere from 2 days to 3 weeks. To help ease the vertigo for Lacey, there is a medicine called Meclizine - he could give me a prescription for it, or I could purchase it over the counter in the form of Bonine. Check with your vet for how much to give your dog. For most dogs, the symptoms won't return. Unfortunately for Lacey, this wasn't the case ... we dealt with it a few different times while she fostered with me but the Bonine always helped her thru the episodes.

If you Google "Canine Vestibular Syndrome" you will get a LOT of information - verify everything with your veterinarian tho! This blog post by Luisa Serrano is one that caught my eye, and includes videos so you can see what it looks like.

(top photo: Siberian Husky. middle photo: Pumi. bottom photo: Boxer puppy.)

1/17/2012 - DogBreedz Specials of the Week!

CURRENT SPECIALS

Shop and Save!
Have you been wanting to get a DogBreedz calendar, greeting card or other fun goodies? Now is the time with these current specials!

***** DogBreedz 2012 Wall Calendars and all items at Lulu:
20% off your next order. Save up to $100 on your next order through January 20, 2012. The fine print from Lulu: Enter coupon code PRICETHAW305 at checkout and receive 20% off your order. The maximum savings for this offer is $100. Sorry, but this offer is only valid in US Dollars and cannot be applied to previous orders. You can only use this code once per account, and unfortunately you can't use this coupon in combination with other coupon codes. This great offer expires on January 20, 2012 at 11:59 PM PST, so don't miss out! While very unlikely, we do reserve the right to change or revoke this offer at anytime, and of course we cannot offer this coupon where it is against the law to do so.

***** DogBreedz Greeting Cards at Greeting Card Universe: Special Offer: Order 10 or more cards and pay only $1.99 per card (regular price $3.00/each)! Use code 2012JAN199. Ends TODAY January 17, 2012.

***** DogBreedz Sweatshirts and Tshirts from Cafepress: Save 25% off sweatshirts and tshirts from CafePress.com through January 18, 2012 - no discount code necessary. Fine Print from Cafepress: Only applies to sweatshirts and short-sleeved t-shirts, subject to availability. Excludes bulk orders. Discounted prices are set forth on the website, no coupon code required. Promotion starts on January 16, 2012, at 12:00 a.m. (PST) and ends on January 18, 2012, at 11:59 p.m. (PST). Discount can be combined with other coupon code offers. All orders must be from the CafePress Marketplace. Offer valid online only, and may change, be modified or cancelled at anytime without notice. This promotion cannot be applied to past orders.

***** DogBreedz Photo Galleries: 10% off orders of $25 or more (tax and shipping excluded). Use coupon code Blog01172012 at checkout (enter it on the same screen you enter your payment information). This offer is good for prints and gift items at DogBreedz.SmugMug.com ... order the 2012 mini-valentines ... or prints of your favorite breeds and more! Coupon expires 1/22/2012.

(Top photo: Airedale Terriers Are Love On Four Legs t-shirt
Bottom photo: Mini Valentine's featuring Hannah the Pomeranian)

Breedz Wanted to Photograph: 1/16/2012

Reminder: BREEDZ WANTED for Jan/Feb 2012

Just a reminder ... if you have one of the following breeds and would like a complimentary session at my Santee studio or on location before February 10, 2012, please do contact me. Your dog might appear in a national magazine, on a greeting card or in a calendar! I'm currently looking for the following breeds:

Rhodesian Ridgeback

Coton de Tulear

Curly-Coated Retriever

Chinook

Dandie Dinmont Terrier

English Springer Spaniel

Puppies, adults and seniors - I need them all! They must conform to breed standards, but they don't have to be show dogs - purebred pets and rescues are available for this offer as well. Contact me at DogBreedz (at) yahoo (dot) com to arrange your private sitting. If you are in the San Diego area and have a great house/yard to photograph in, then I may be able to come to you for the shoot. I would also love to do "lifestyle" shots and include the owner, if you are up to it. Does your dog do a job or fun activity? That is a possible shoot, as well. Shoot participants that are chosen for the National Magazine will receive a copy of the issue they are published in. All participants will receive 20% off any prints they wish to order. I look forward to hearing from you!

Project 52-2: Newness

I am a member of a network of professional pet photographers from around the world. We have a challenge project: a blog roll (Project 52) where once a week we take a photo to fit the week's theme, and then link to the next participating photographer. This week's theme is NEWNESS. I hope you enjoy this blog post with photos and feel like leaving a comment at the end. I love visitors! After you are finished reading, please do take a moment to click the link at the bottom and see what the photographer after me came up with for the theme. In fact, sit back and take five minutes, and keep clicking thru until you come back here - I think you'll enjoy yourself!

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It was l-o-n-g overdue. Bennett had been patient far too long. To his credit, he was happily patient, and would have gone on being so (he is SUCH a good boy). But let's be honest ... his Busy Buddy Bouncy Bone from the wonderful company Premier had seen better days! As you can see from the photo above, he sure is proud to model off his brand new replacement. It's a new year, and for Bennett and his BBBB, it was time to say "out with the old, in with the new"!

Now the back story - I founded San Diego Spaniel Rescue back in September 2002 and ran it until 2009 when I stepped down to concentrate on my pet photography. During my time with the Rescue, I fostered many wonderful Cocker Spaniels. Whether they were fosters learning their house manners or youngsters learning everything in life, quite a few of those Cockers were Power Chewers. My all time favorite go-to chew toy for these PCs was the Busy Buddy Bouncy Bone. It saved many a sofa cushion (and cell phones, shoes, and furniture, too) in my foster life-time.

As you can see from the photo at the left - it is well-chewed! This is about a year and a half of Power Chewing by Bennett, and it stood the test of time, as it always does. The BBBB isn't really bouncy (Bennie's favorite thing to do in our last home was to sit on the sofa and drop it onto the ceramic tile floor - thunk! Then he'd pick it up, get back on the sofa, and drop it THUNK! again. It was a little annoying, but not as annoying as heading out for more sofa cushions). It comes with a few pressed rawhide rings that you can insert on either side of the center ball, to encourage chewing (and you can inexpensively purchase replacement rings, too, if you'd like). I never bothered with the replacements - the bone-shaped insert and the ball were all that Bennett (and many others) needed to stay interested in the toy.

Out with the old: saying goodbye!

And in with the NEW!

Thanks for visiting the Project 52 Blog Roll for Week #2. Now, please do take a moment and click thru to the blog of Ali Peterson (of Skyy Blue Photography - also located right here in beautiful Southern California). Enjoy the photos and give YOUR pet a hug from me!

1/10/2012 - DogBreedz Specials of the Week!

CURRENT SPECIALS

Shop and Save!

Have you been wanting to get a DogBreedz calendar, greeting card or other fun goodies? Now is the time with these current specials!

***** DogBreedz 2012 Wall Calendars at Lulu: Buy one, get the second at 1/2 off! Even tho the promo info says "book" I tested it and this code works on calendars, as well. Save up to $50 on your next order through January 15, 2012. The fine print from Lulu: Enter coupon code ONEMORETHING305 at checkout and receive 25% off your order. The maximum savings for this offer is $150. Sorry, but this offer is only valid in US Dollars and cannot be applied to previous orders. You can only use this code once per account, and unfortunately you can't use this coupon in combination with other coupon codes. This great offer expires on January 6, 2012 at 11:59 PM PST, so don't miss out! While very unlikely, we do reserve the right to change or revoke this offer at anytime, and of course we cannot offer this coupon where it is against the law to do so.Enter coupon code SECONDHALF305 at checkout and receive your second book for 50% off. You need to have 2 books in your shopping cart for this coupon to work. The maximum savings for this offer is $50. Sorry, but this offer is only valid in US Dollars and cannot be applied to previous orders. You can only use this code once per account, and unfortunately you can't use this coupon in combination with other coupon codes. This great offer expires on January 15, 2012 at 11:59 PM, so don't miss out! While very unlikely, we do reserve the right to change or revoke this offer at anytime, and of course we cannot offer this coupon where it is against the law to do so.

***** DogBreedz Greeting Cards at Greeting Card Universe: Special Offer: Order 10 or more cards and pay only $1.99 per card! Use code 2012JAN199. Ends TODAY January 10, 2012.



(Top photo: Valentine's Card featuring Smidgen the Pug;
Bottom photo: Valentine's Day Card featuring Spenser the American Cocker Spaniel)

Breedz Wanted to Photograph: 1/9/2012

BREEDZ WANTED

If you have one of the following breeds and would like a complimentary session at my Santee studio before Febryary 10, 2012, please do contact me. Your dog might appear in a national magazine, on a greeting card or in a calendar! I'm currently looking for the following breeds:

Rhodesian Ridgeback

Coton de Tulear

Curly-Coated Retriever

Chinook

Dandie Dinmont Terrier

English Springer Spaniel

Puppies, adults and seniors - I need them all! They must conform to breed standards, but they don't have to be show dogs - purebred pets and rescues are available for this offer as well. Contact me at DogBreedz (at) yahoo (dot) com to arrange your private sitting. If you are in the San Diego area and have a great house/yard to photograph in, then I may be able to come to you for the shoot. I would also love to do "lifestyle" shots and include the owner, if you are up to it. Does your dog do a job or fun activity? That is a possible shoot, as well. I look forward to hearing from you!

Valentine's Pet Photo Shoot

The Holidays are past, the New Year has been rung in - it's time to think about Valentine's Day! Next weekend, January 14, is the big V-Day package shoot here at DogBreedz in Santee, CA. 30 minutes of studio time, two different Valentine themed sets with props, an 8x10 of your favorite image, 6 mini-valentines, and a custom designed ornament are a part of your package. All this for only $99.00! Book now, sessions are limited for one-day shoots.

Visit the DogBreedz Valentine Ornament Store at Zazzle.com!

1/3/2012 - Specials of the Week!

CURRENT SPECIALS

Shop and Save!
Have you been wanting to get a DogBreedz calendar, greeting card or other fun goodies? Now is the time with these current specials!

***** DogBreedz 2012 Wall Calendars at Lulu: 25% off any
order! Save up to $150 on your next order through January 6, 2012. The fine print from Lulu: Enter coupon code ONEMORETHING305 at checkout and receive 25% off your order. The maximum savings for this offer is $150. Sorry, but this offer is only valid in US Dollars and cannot be applied to previous orders. You can only use this code once per account, and unfortunately you can't use this coupon in combination with other coupon codes. This great offer expires on January 6, 2012 at 11:59 PM PST, so don't miss out! While very unlikely, we do reserve the right to change or revoke this offer at anytime, and of course we cannot offer this coupon where it is against the law to do so.

***** DogBreedz Greeting Cards at Greeting Card Universe: Special Offer: Order 10 or more cards and pay only $1.89 per card! Use code 2012JAN189. Ends TODAY January 3, 2012.

***** DogBreedz Gift Items from Zazzle: 20% off all mugs and t-shirts! The fine print from Zazzle: Enter code PHOTOMOMENTS at checkout in the "Zazzle Coupons/Gift Certificates" box. 20% of the mug and/or t-shirt net sale price will be deducted when one or more qualifying products are purchased and the coupon code PHOTOMOMENTS is applied at checkout. Offer is valid until January 5, 2012 at 11:59pm PT. This promotional offer does not apply to screen printed apparel. This offer does not apply to past purchases and may not be combined with any other Zazzle promotional or volume discount offers. If a volume discount applies to your order, you will receive either the discount set forth in this offer or the standard volume discount, whichever is greater. Offer valid on Zazzle.com only.

DogBreedz Photography Resources

If you are a Photographer, Graphic Designer, or are just curious about the special touches that go into creating a treasured photo of your pet at DogBreedz, then you will want to check out the DogBreedz Photography Resources Blog. Over the years many faceless, nameless fellow artists on the 'Net have freely contributed to my art education and also have added to my graphic resources with their own offerings. It's time for me to pay it back ... or pay it forward ... whatever direction, it's time for me to put out my own offerings for another artist to use in their own works. 366 Textures at the DogBreedz Photography Resources Blog is my pet project (pun intended!) offering up one Texture a day for the taking. Fellow Artists: enjoy!

pictured above: a Scottish Terrier client shows how a texture overlay can change a plain black background from stoic formal to eye-catching grunge