Dog Bless the USA - photo shoot today at Camp Bow Wow El Cajon

It's time for another visit to one of my favorite photoshoot partners: Camp Bow Wow in El Cajon, California! I am looking forward to this - our shoots at Camp are relaxed, fun, and always a good time. The dogs who visit us at this location are some of my favorites (I have two repeat clients coming to sit for photos today). This will be such a fun day!

There are a few select times still available for today's shoot, between 2:00 - 5:00. If you are in the area and would like to stop by (and don't mind a short wait) here are all the details:

Fundraiser Portraits - Patriotic Theme
Camp Bow Wow
1677 North Marshall Avenue #A
El Cajon, CA 92020
Sitting fees are suggested donation of $35.00
and include a free 8x10 photo
This shoot benefits Bow Wow Buddies Foundation

Our next shoot is the Holiday set, scheduled in November 2012. If you can't join us today, maybe we'll get to see you in four months!


top image: Vizsla Puppy; bottom image: American Cocker Spaniel, parti variety

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.)

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!

Meet The Breed: Dalmatian

The true origin of the Dalmatian is unknown, although it is believed to have originated in India. Paintings and figures of spotted dogs have been found in ruins as old as 5,000 years - and the Dalmatian is the only spotted breed of dog. Numerous written references to spotted dogs occur throughout history. The modern Dalmatian was developed in Great Britain. While some Dalmatians were used for hunting, the breed’s primary purpose was as a coach dog. Coach dogs were there to guard the passengers and property in the coach. Because of their affinity for horses, it was natural for the Dalmatian to follow horse-drawn fire engines. Many fire departments are still graced by a Dalmatian mascot who guards the firehouse and helps educate children about fire safety. Dalmatians have been in this country since its founding, with George Washington being the most well known early breeder.

The Dal is a highly energetic, fun-loving breed, requiring regular interaction to work both the body and the brain. Devoted family dogs, they are well-suited for active homes with children. Although short, their coat sheds almost year-round, but regular brushing will help lessen the shedding around the home. Dalmations are recognized in two varieties: black and liver and Dal puppies are born without their spots. And for a little trivia ... the Dalmatian is also known as the English Coach Dog, the Carriage Dog, the Plum Pudding Dog, and the Spotted Dick.

The Dalmatian is AKC recognized (since 1888) and is a member of the Non-Sporting group.
The Dalmatian is UKC recognized (since 1914) and is a member of the Companion Dog group.
Dalmatian Club of America, Inc. is the official Parent Breed Club for the Dalmatian in the USA.

Shop for Dalmatian gifts at Zazzle: click here!

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

Shop for Dalmatian greeting cards at GCU: click here!

Busy Busy Busy!

What a fun month April was! If this is any head's up on what the Tour schedule is going to be like, I'll be hopping all summer long! So what HAVE I been up to? Take a look ... April started off with a private shoot, won at an English Springer Rescue America fundraising auction last December. Springer Grace and English Cocker Annie (my God-furDaughter!) were wonderful subjects for the day. Here is Grace in a pensive moment: Next I went down to Chula Vista where Doggie Days in Paradise hosted a shoot to benefit Greyhounds2Go. This day care has such nice clients and the staff is tops! One of my favorites from the day, here is Scuffy the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel loving on her momma: Then it was time to pack up the car and head thru the Eastern Sierras, destination: Reno, Nevada. This was my first multi-group adoption event - the Karen DeSouza Memorial Super Pet Adoption Event and Festival. It was a great day with wonderful ESRA friends and animals galore! At this venue I hosted free photo shoots. Between my time in the booth I roamed the event and took candids. Photos are still uploading (it was quite a day!), but here is one of my favorites - a 5 month Boxer pup looking for his new forever home that weekend: Back in Southern California, next up was a visit to Yorba Regional Animal Hospital in Anaheim Hills. What a facility - wow! My assistant for the day set up this shoot, and the beneficiaries were Boston Buddies and Angels Under Our Wings - two groups that I have a fondness for. We were busy from start to finish with just enough time to take in a quick lunch. This is Sadie, a Cocker Spaniel girl who was adopted from Angels Under Our Wings. She loves to pose for my camera (I've lost count of how many sittings we've had since she picked her new family!): You'd think I'd be ready to hang up the camera bag by this point - but nope ... I was due in El Cajon with one of my regular haunts with my friends at Camp Bow Wow. We (Indie, Bennett and I) enjoy going there! Meet this character - Eddie the Bichon/Shih Tzu mix: May kicked off with a booth in Walnut, CA at the Gateway Cities ESS Club annual Specialty. This was an ESRA fundraiser and a free shoot for the rescue dogs participating in the ESRA Parade of Rescue. Meet Coco, a gal who is thrilled to be in a home with a family who loves her as much as she loves them: Tomorrow has me off to Seattle and Anchorage to deliver Cocker Spaniels to their new homes. Back to San Diego to love on my own fur-kids and then east to MN for a great Cocker Spaniel event: the 2010 Upper MidWest Puppalooza!

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!

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!