oh no - SKUNK!; Vote Now; Meet the Breed: Papillon, the Butterfly Dog; Show Photos

OH NO - SKUNK!

Dog + Skunk = EWWWW!

Indie is almost 6 years, Bennett is 3.5 years ... and living where we do it was bound to happen sooner or later. A mid-evening skunk visitor to our front yard caught the kids in his spray. Luckily it wasn't a direct hit - more of how a woman walks thru a spray of perfume to apply it. But this "perfume" from what we call the Bad Kitty isn't one I enjoyed! The kids got their first skunk spray - and their first de-skunking baths.

One of the tricks to de-skunking your dog is to get to it sooner, rather than later. But no matter what you do, especially with a direct hit, expect the odor to reappear when your dog gets wet again - it just won't be quite as overpowering! Now that Spot is in the bathtub - what do you reach for to undo the smelly damage?

The first thing that comes to most folks' minds is the home remedy of a tomato juice bath. Save the juice for tomorrow's breakfast ... it really doesn't do the job unless you want to spend hours juicing, rinsing and repeating and that just isn't my idea of a good time. There are one or two Skunk Baths on the market - but if it's after retail hours and you don't have anything stocked up, don't despair! You likely have the perfect ingredients for a great remedy already at your fingertips!

Take a look through your supplies and gather up three simple supplies: Hydrogen Peroxide (1 quart - the larger bottle), Baking Soda (1/4 cup) and some Dawn dish washing liquid (1.5 - 2 tablespoons). Mix your solution together and apply it to your dog. Work it into the fur and skin, and leave it on. The original directions say to leave it for 15 minutes - but be warned: the Hydrogen Peroxide can start to highlight your dog's hair! Unless you want your pitch black Scottie to have red highlights, my groomer suggests to start your rinsing at about 8 - 9 minutes. Rinse well, get it all out. And after your blow dry, you too will have a de-skunked doggie, ready for more mischief!

DON'T FORGET TO VOTE!

DogBreedz has been nominated

Channel 10 sponsors the San Diego A-List and DogBreedz.net has been nominated this year! Thank you! We are joining the campaign a little late, but are moving up in the rankings quickly. Please take the time to vote for me at the following URL: http://kgtv.cityvoter.com/dogbreedz-pet-photography/biz/623250

Hurry - voting closes on August 26! And feel free to spread the word. Locals who vote will be thanked with the option to purchase an $80 photo shoot deal (normally $150!) Thank you for your support!

MEET THE BREED: PAPILLON

The Butterfly Dog

The big dog in the small body, who thinks strangers are just friends he hasn't yet met ... that's the Papillon! This little butterfly dog is easily recognized by his beautiful ears, resembling the wings of a butterfly. Hailing from France, this breed doesn't suffer any Napolean complexes - he is happy and carefree no matter the setting. In the 16th/17th centuries, they were known as Dwarf Spaniels, and their unique ears were of the drooped variety (Phalene) and were a favorite among nobility. Over time the elegant erect ears became prominent and today both Papillons (erect eared) and Phalenes (drop-eared) can be born within the same litter. Happy, alert and friendly, the Papillon makes a great addition to the family. But he's a smart dog - give him lots of interactive toys and "jobs" to keep him from getting bored if alone for long periods of time. At home as a pet, in the agility ring and in the show ring - the Papillon is ready for anything!

The Papillon is AKC recognized (since 1915) and is a member of the Toy group.

The Papillon is UKC recognized (since 1950) and is a member of the Companion Dog group.

Papillon Club of America, Inc. is the official Parent Breed Club for the Papillon in the USA.

Shop for Papillon gifts at Zazzle: click here!

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

Shop for Papillon greeting cards at GCU: click here!

SHOW PHOTOS: UPDATE

South Bay Kennel Club

It was a gorgeous weekend in Torrance, California and I welcomed the opportunity to get back out to a show again. Priority Ringside Candid Requests and Regular Ringside Candid Requests from both days are already finished (ahead of schedule - yes!) and posted to my online gallery. I am working the General Candids now. This photo is Bouvier des Flandres GCH Bon Idee's Great Expectations (call name Garrison). South Bay Kennel Club 69th All Breed Show. August 14, 2011 in Torrance, California. Owned by Pilar Kuhn and Angie Motta. Bred by Angie Motta of Bon Idee Bouviers. Handled by Pilar Kuhn. Garrison took Best In Breed on Sunday - congratulations!

Cabrillo Kennel Club

Coming up in Valley Center on September 3rd and 4th - the Cabrillo Kennel Club All Breed shows at Bates Nut Farm. It should be great weather and a popular weekend packed with beautiful dogs doing their thing in the show rings! If you are an owner or a handler and want me to take ringside candids, please request either Priority ($35) or Regular Candids (FREE!) before the show weekend. For a look at what each option entails, take a look at my photo shoot pricing page for details. From my last time out at Bates Nut Farm, this is one of my FAVORITE Afghans: GCH Countrywinds Calico Queen. Del Sur Kennel Club, March 20, 2011 - Valley Center, CA. Owned by Catherine Harker. Handled by Sara Lopez.

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

Siberian Husky

Basenji

Komondor

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!

COMING UP:
•Ongoing: Studio Portraits in Santee; •Through September 30: Smile For A Cure reduced price private shoots, benefiting National Canine Cancer Foundation; •September 3 & 4: Ringside Candids at Cabrillo Kennel Club at Bates Nut Farm in Valley Center, CA; •September 10 & 11: Ringside Candids at San Diego Poodle Club Specialty in Oceanside, CA; •September 24 & 25: Ringside Candids at Santa Ana Kennel Club in Cerritos, CA. Contact me if you would like me to capture your dog showing in the ring, for a private photo shoot or to participate in a mini-session in Santee. The full shooting schedule can be seen on my main website. See you at the shows!

May 2011 - English Springer Spaniels and so much more

May is off to a rollicking start - a weekend full of dogs is my idea of a perfect one! The last day of April found me in Walnut CA at the Brookside Equestrian Center: the site of the Gateway Cities English Springer Spaniel Association Specialty. English Springer Rescue America had a large fundraising booth, and I was invited back to hold a portrait shoot fundraiser. During the morning I sat ring-side for some candids of beautiful Springers. This is Westshore's Iron Man, owned by Laurie Pedreira. Photos will be up in my Dog Show album when finished early next week.

On Sunday I headed out to Chino for the Lake Matthews Kennel Club all-breed show. I spent time this day with the English Setters, Clumber Spaniels, Finnish Lapphunds, Sloughi, Bouvier Des Flandres, Afghan Hounds, Scottish Terriers, Lhasa Apsos and Samoyeds. A very special time was spent with one Samoyed in particular - I'll keep that as a teaser until I have her photos finished (now you have to check back next week)! The ringside candids from this show will also be in the Dog Show album on my photo viewing site. Here's a look at Bouvier Des Flandres GCH Bon Idee's Great Expectations (call name Garrison) after he was done in the ring. Garrison loved the wind in his face, taking in all the smells around him! His mom Pilar Kuhn took time out of her day to introduce me to the breed. I'm looking forward to spending more time with both of them in the future.

My final Easter shoot is finished processing and viewable in its public gallery at my photo site. Again, I have to give a shout out to Su-Et's Kennel for providing the location for this free photo day. Even Ivan the Kennel Kitty was ready to give me some more poses featuring his handsome mug!

Photos from The Hound Classic in Silverado have been pushed to the back of the queue for processing ... the paid shoots and breeds requesting my presence ring-side at shows are taking precedence over this one. I'll be sure to post when those are finished. Until then, enjoy Afghan Hound Kamy Rohd of Mountain Top One, owned by Kiyoshi Yamagami, seen here showing in the Group Sweepstakes.

On April 28th I was honored to receive a GCU All-Star Award. The nice folks at Greeting Card Universe are bestowing the fun stars on artists that actively promote themselves and work to contribute to the GCU Community. Thank you for including me in the inaugral offering, GCU - and a huge congrats to fellow card artists Bright, Doreen, Cindy, Elizabeth, Judy, Tora, Robin, Janet Lee, Maryann, Moonie, Roseanne, and Sun at Night who also received their Star that day! I enjoy creating greeting cards for my GCU storefront and have fun seeing what states and countries my creations get sent to.

One of the behind-the-scenes bonuses at GCU is the artist community. The helpfulness shared and e-friends made thru the Forum goes a long way to fostering that community. One of the most fun "challenges" was put out on the Forum by Tom Rent whose shop Comical Captions is chock full of hilarious cards. An artist donates an image to the community pool, and anyone who wants can use that image to create a card for sale in their own shop. I had a fun-loving Doberman visit me on set in Ohio last summer and I wanted to see what the other artists would come up with. They had a blast with this dog and their resulting cards are definitely a hoot! Take a look and see what YOU think:




My fellow artists had so much fun with the Doberman Pinscher, I just had to toss another image into the mix. This raccoon was visiting at the bird feeder one morning in Tacoma ...



While I was at the Lake Matthews show on Sunday I picked up the April 29 issue of Dog News. As I flipped to page 34 to check out the Bests of the Week, I saw some familiar names - wonderful show dogs that I have had the opportunity to photograph. Congratulations to English Setter GCH Oakley's B'Dazzled (seen here handled by Bruce Schultz at Lake Matthews Kennel Club Show and owned by Donald & Georgean Jensen and Erik & Jennifer Strickland. #1 English Setter*) and to Harrier CH Downhome Hitech Innovator (at the Del Sur Kennel Club Show, owned by Joe Sanchez #3 Harrier*) - way to go!

*as of March 31/Show Systems & Canine Chronicle

Thank you to Mary Ann Nolan, for enjoying my greeting card site enough to mention it on her artist blog. Mary Ann is another GCU All-Star and is does a great job of promoting her fellow artists. I hope you'll take time to check out her shops, as well! I just love this Welcome Home card of hers!

Two fellow artist friends have given me the best gifts of all - original artwork featuring my own Indie and Bennett! Polly Bennett of Polly's Portraits was moved by photos of both my fur-kids and sent me her wonderful watercolors. I haven't been able to take a good photo of Bennett's artwork, but here is fabulous image of her rendition of Indie.

And Ann Kallal of Maggie Ross Dogs endured my pestering for a few years to add an American Cocker to her "kennel" of artwork breeds. My 2009 valentine portrait of Indie caught her eye and my nagging came to an end. I'm pleased to say that Indie's image graces many gift items and clothing choices at Ann's shop - am I'm thrilled to have her work on canvas in my collection.



Thank you, Polly and Ann - I treasure these works of art and appreciate your gifts so VERY much. You are two talented ladies!

Coming up: May 7 & 8 - Ringside Candids at Rio Hondo Kennel Club in Pomona, CA; May 21 & 22 - Ringside Candids at Mt. Palomar Kennel Club in Valley Center CA; May 26 - Ringside Candids at West Coast Cocker Spaniel Specialty Show in Pomona, CA; May 27 & 28 - Ringside Candids at the Mission Circuit in Pomona, CA. Contact me if you would like me to capture your dog showing in the ring or for a private photo shoot. The full shooting schedule can be seen on my main website. See you at the shows!

This Week at DogBreedz

It's been a hectic six weeks, although it seems like just yesterday I posted last. I want to start this update with a huge congratulations to ANGEL (CH Cross B's Divine Gabriella) and her mom Sonia. Angel is representing the Chow Chow breed in the May issue of Dog Fancy magazine. Look for Angel and revel in her beauty! Here is another image of her: At the end of February I headed up to Del Mar for the Cocker Spaniel Club of San Diego Specialty Show and caught some ringside candids (in spite of the lousy indoor lighting). Cockers are my special breed and I am drawn to the partis. While I usually am drooling over the black and whites, this red and white was just SO stunning to me. Every photo I have of her - she is such a lovely girl! Meet Sherwood's Frosted Mini Wheat. Owned by Eva Cerna and Dana Copjakova and handled by Bryan Santos. The next two days were in the same location for the Silver Bay Kennel Club all-breed shows for more ringside candids. This weekend I was following the terriers and had a blast with my Scottish Terrier friends! On Saturday, Red Cloud became Champion Su-Et's Fire Dancer. Owned by SueAnnette & Andrew Maniscalco and handled by Bergit H. Kabel. It sure has been fun watching this boy grow up! A few weeks ago, Camp Bow Wow in El Cajon held their third birthday/anniversary party and combined it with their fourth annual adoption event. It was a beautiful day and a great turnout of both adoptable dogs and members of the public. I had a free photo shoot booth there and Marge was just one of the cuties that spent some time on set with me. Spring is here! The flowers in the front yard container garden are blooming and between the weather, the color and the fragrance, I love being outside! The Sour Grass (oxalis) blooms were perfect for a bright "thinking of you" greeting card. About this time the Super Moon made an appearance - and there was just enough of a break in the clouds out here in Santee for a clear look. I wasn't able to get out at moonrise for any neat horizon shots, but I think what I got was amazing enough to work on a Friendship greeting card. And then it was time for another great dog show! I headed to Valley Center for the Del Sur Kennel Club all-breed show, ready to spend some ringside candid time with the Cocker Spaniels, English Springer Spaniels and Border Terriers. In between the classes I was asked to cover, I had a chance to marvel at the movement of the Afghan Hounds. Being new to the breed, I didn't realize they came in a brindle color - this girl took my breath away! GCH Countrywinds Calico Queen, owned by Catherine Harker and handled by Sara Lopez. The German Shepherd Club of San Diego County held their annual Specialty Show. I wasn't able to be there for very long, but I sure enjoyed meeting some handsome dogs and watching their movements in the ring. This is Nike Clayfield Paladin Romeo, HT, PT, CGC, TC, owned by Sharlonna McGaha, Dr. Gloria Rice, Debra Kaser, Joyce Shelp and Cind Tellefsen. Little Salsa (CH Ott to be Hot Salsa) is a regular playmate with my Cocker kids and she had a couple of private sessions this last month. We went out pre-grooming and played in the woods. Here she is in her blown-coat, feeling all "Queen of the World" up on a rock wall. Bennett got all spiffed up and gave the Easter Set a try. I don't think he has quite figured out what the bunny was up to when I took this photo! This set will be featured at the on-going Su-Et's Kennel shoots for the month of April ... Bennie should have time to understand the rabbit ... Kaiyou (SunRumbas Life's a Beach) came to visit me on set and introduced me to the breed known as the Ibizan Hound. What a regal breed - with just enough of an impish side to keep me laughing! I am looking forward to seeing more of this breed, and their owners. In Salsa's other private session, we set a date for the beach - she loved stretching out her legs and running thru the surf! I'm now working on finishing up the Camp Bow Wow Easter Shoot, ringside candids from the Papillon Specialty and ringside, fundraiser portraits and official win photos from the Scottish Terrier puppy match. I'll share those with you at a future update. Easter is around the corner! I have a full line of dog breed Easter Cards at my Greeting Card Universe store. Here's a look at the French Bulldog Easter Greeting. The Easter card design translated so well onto the oval ornaments that I had to do a full breed line in my Zazzle shop. Dress up your Easter Baskets with my Dog Breed Easter Ornaments for a unique gift - one that will last longer than the chocolate bunnies! Coming up: April 16 - Lakeside Rodeo, April 17 - Ringside Candids at Western Hound Association of Southern California, April 30 - Fundraiser Portraits at Gateway Cities English Springer Spaniel Specialty. All events are listed on my Shoot Schedule. Studio portraits are available at my Santee location - just email for an appointment. Enjoy your week - see you on Monday for another update!