Monday Morning Sneak Peek - Orange Empire Dog Show 2014

What a wonderful year 2014 is starting off to be, complete with a gorgeous SoCal day for my first dog show outing for the year! Orange Empire Dog Show weekend for 2014 is completed. Little Liza (Bravo's It Started With A Whisper), Border Terrier, made her show debut with Sueannette Maniscalco on the end of the lead and proud momma Jeri Harrison hiding ringside. Liza went Reserve Winners Bitch both days.

Liza at 3 months old, learning how fun a photo session can be!
Darling Leia (Su-Ets A Midsummer Night's Dream), Scottish Terrier, had another great weekend enjoying herself strutting the ring, taking Winners Bitch both days, with proud mom Sueannette as owner/handler.

Leia at 2013 Great Western Terrier Association
The handsome Cannon (CH Derrydown Can Webe Frank), Dandie Dinmont Terrier, took Group 4 on Saturday and Breed on Sunday (handled by Sueannette with parents Kathy & Gary Myers and Karen Dorn cheering on from ringside). I melt every time I look into his big brown eyes. Congratulations to my nieces and nephew - and to their beaming parents!

Cannon showing his stuff at 2013 Great Western Terrier Association
This stunning boy is Bearded Collie #9: GCH Wigglesworth Thriller (call name Johnny). Bred by Sharon & Jeff Ipser. Owned by Anna Marie Yura, Dawn Symes and Sharon Ipser. He strutted his stuff all the way to Group 4 (Sat) and Group 3 (Sun). I sure enjoyed his look in front of my camera! You can see more of Johnny here on his web page.

GCH Wigglesworth Thriller. 2014 Orange Empire Dog Show. San Bernardino, CA.
Once finished with editing, all photos from this show will be posted online in their galleries at: http://dogbreedz.smugmug.com/Dog-Shows/OEDC-January-2014

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Due to the higher demand for my services 2014 is bringing a few changes to DogBreedz.net, hopefully to the benefit of my wonderful clients. I've been overstretching myself lately trying to honor everyone's requests and that has meant falling behind, even if only by a day, on self-imposed deadlines. Toss in the occasional techno-glitch and then the backup is painful for you AND for me. I love that my images are being sought after by so many and thank you all for making my success a "problem" to deal with! I do not want to raise my prices at this time so instead will be implementing the following changes.

New for 2014:
- I will continue to cover tax and shipping on print orders (my small way to thank you for choosing my images for your walls, albums and print ads).
- I will be accepting a limited number of ringside requests per show. Get your requests in to me ASAP to secure your spot in my shooting schedule!
- While at a show sight I will be limiting the number of private portrait shoots. Again, make your requests prior to running into me on the show grounds to secure your personal shoot.
- I will be expanding my availability for your private portfolio shoots, both in studio and on location. There will be a $30 reservation fee (non-refundable) that will be applied to the cost of your chosen session. Email for your appointment time.
- I am expanding my availability to shoot as official show photographer for Specialty Shows. If your club is in need of a photographer, please do let me know.
- I am on the lookout for some horse events to shoot at. If you are a hunter/jumper or rodeo person, please let me know - I'd love to attend your practices or competitive events!
- If you are a photographer in need of a second shooter or on-site assistant, let's talk!

My main website will be updated in February with these changes. THANK YOU for being a part of my success and I look forward to helping you showcase YOUR pets - cats, dogs, iguanas, tortoises, birds, horses and more!

Weekend Roundup: Bahia Sur Kennel Club

It was a day of seeing old friends and making new ones. The show grounds for Bahia Sur Kennel Club's annual show is always so pretty in photographs. The weather on the other hand can be either oppressive (hot hot hot!) or summery (still hot, but with a very comfortable breeze). Luckily for me on my Sunday visit the show grounds were very summery and breezy. Ahhhh!

Beckham (GCH Winfree Dream Boy At Rosecliffe)is now officially a favorite of mine. What a darling ECS he is. So ready for smoochies and hugs. Of course, he is a "parti" in my mind (but in reality, he is a very handsome orange roan). English or American, I just love me some Parti Cockers (swoon)! Moving over to the Herding Group, I got to spend time with Paladin Artemis Nike Clayfield (pictured), who was a friend of beautiful Indy who I got to cuddle up to in West Covina in April. Demi (GCH Derrydown Double Indemnity) the Dandie Dinmont Terrier strutted her stuff for me again, all the way into the Terrier Group Ring. Layla (Brussels Griffon GCH Sleepyhollow You Can Do Magic Bear) was very happy to just let her hair down and play with me in the shade when she was done in the ring. Also pictured is Dalmatian Milla (Tateland Sandlapper's Good Fortune) and Scottish Terrier Shelly (GCH Blueberry Shall We Dance). Border Terrier Tatum and Scottie Pieter were my puppy nephews in attendance, getting the feel for the show ring and getting ready to show the world what they are made of.

Enjoy these sneak peeks while I work hard at all of my images for the day - and be sure to let me know when YOUR beautiful show dog will be in a California ring!

Top Photo: BEST OF BREED - German Shepherd Dog #6: Paladin Artemis Nike Clayfield. Bahia Sur Kennel Club 2013 All Breed Dog Show. June 16, 2013 in Chula Vista, California. Bred by/Owned by Hazel Maloney, Dr Gloria Rice and Sharlonna C McGhaha. Handled by Sharlonna C McGaha.
Middle Photo: BEST OF OPPOSITE SEX - Dalmatian # 8: Tateland Sandlapper's Good Cortune, RN (call name Milla). Bahia Sur Kennel Club 2013 All Breed Dog Show. June 16, 2013 in Chula Vista, California. Bred by Dr Anita L Tate and Kimberly Humphries. Owned by Heather Appleman and Tristan Davis. Handled by Tristan Davis.
Last Photo: BEST OF BREED - Scottish Terrier #8: GCH Blueberry Shall We Dance (call name Shelly). Bahia Sur Kennel Club 2013 All Breed Dog Show. June 16, 2013 in Chula Vista, California. Bred by Kathi Brown and Susan Getgood. Owned by Sueannette and Andrew Maniscalco. Handled by Sueannette Maniscalco.

DogBreedz.net Sneak Peeks: 12/31/2012

The last Monday Morning Sneak Peek of 2012!

As I mentioned in my last Sneak Peek, December is a slow month for the studio as I turn my attentions to implementing my birthday resolutions and getting ready for Christmas celebrations. With the actual Holiday behind us it was time for a DogBreedz tradition: the Last Chance Holiday Shoot! For some, finding time to take Christmas photos of their pet just didn't happen during their own holiday preparations. For others, their new family member just joined the crew as part of the celebrations in their home. Whatever the reason, the Last Chance shoot has been popular through the years.

The studio was busy with dogs wanting to keep celebrating the "howlidays". Here are a few sneak peeks from the day, while all the images are being prepared for proofing. Reilly (Glen of Imaal Terrier) was happy to open one more present. Grace and big brother Merlin (Scottish Terriers) snuggled for a family portrait, an annual tradition. Sunny (Cocker Spaniel) looks to be thinking "... and to all a good night!" on his first Christmas in his new fur-ever home.

And I can't seem to have a studio shoot without Indie and Bennett (Cocker Spaniels) wanting to get in on the action! They each model their new Christmas Collars (did you really think I could spend 4 days on a photo shoot fundraiser at PetSmart without coming home with something for them?!) and Indie breaks in a new Christmas prop.

Have a safe and happy New Year's Eve celebration! See you "next year" here on the DogBreedz.net blog!

DogBreedz Weekend Roundup - 6/25/2012

Sunny Southern California - just meant for location Pet Photography!

What a great week I've had - nothing like beautiful weather to make my time with your pets even MORE enjoyable! It may be challenging trying to make a living working for myself in California, but after growing up in the snow it sure is worth the extra effort it takes to call Southern California HOME.

On most Wednesdays I offer free mini-shoots for clients of Su-Et's Kennel (free with a groom, bath or nail trim, scheduled in advance). I get to see so many wonderful dogs throughout the year at this location! So here's a question for you ... what do you get when you cross a Chihuahua with a Scottish Terrier? No, not some exotic designer dog - but you do get 100% grade-A Stinkin' Cuteness! Take a look at Daisy as she strikes a patriotic pose and tell me if you don't agree!

Bennett has been refreshing his basic training by joining his Cocker Spaniel friend Flirt for weekly sessions, training with a CGC test in mind. I enjoy spending time with Flirt's parents and a morning in the park (in spite of the fact that we are working) is a great way to start the day. Flirt just received her "Therapy Dog In Training" vest and a photo session with her modeling it was in order.


I was visited on-set by two darling young Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. I originally met these two at a fundraiser shoot earlier in the month so I knew what to expect. They were perfect models for their less distracting private shoot at my studio in Santee. Here is a sneak peek of Harry, the younger of the two:



On Sunday I trekked up to Long Beach and enjoyed a day with my roommate where we were surrounded by Terriers of all kinds at Great Western. My main clients this day were Border Terriers and Scottish Terriers, but I had some time to visit the American Staffordshire Terriers in the ring as well. Pictured here is Best of Breed - American Staffordshire Terrier #25: GCH Alpine's Highwayman (call name Jelly). Great Western Terrier Association of Southern California Terrier Group Show 2012. June 24, 2012 in Long Beach, California. Owned by Zane Smith, Ed & Karen Thompson, CI Lefloch, J Branch and S Janga. Bred by Ed & Karen Thompson, Dan Nechemias and Lois Claus.

I'm also re-working some organizational tricks to help me stay on more on-track with phone calls and projects. I'll be getting back to sending out my newsletter on a monthly basis and am wondering: what would YOU like to see in a regular newsletter? You can let me know on this page: http://dogbreedz.net/NewsletterInfo.htm (and thank you in advance for taking the time to let me know your thoughts).

What did you do this last week with your pet? I'd love to know, feel free to leave a comment! I have a full plate of at-the-computer editing to do, so I had better wrap this post up and get to it ...

Valentine's Day and Your Pet: Keeping Everyone Healthy

Our dogs are our best friends, our cats demand to be spoiled and served like royalty. We can't help but cater to them! With Valentine's Day less than one week away on the 2012 calendar, here are some tips to help keep everyone safe and lovin' the healthy vibes this year.

PetMD.com has 5 Pet-Conscious Tips for Valentine's Day that bear repeating year after year. I chose this article to link to, because it also tells you the proper methods for artificial respiration and cardiopulmonary respiration (CPR) for your pets, should anything happen.

The AKC website has some great printable lists! For this holiday these are especially appropriate: dangerous household items and foods and hazardous plants.

You can still indulge your dog's sweet tooth - but do it with something that is healthy for him (and even delicious for you!). Here is a recipe from the good folks at Pawluxury for Homemade Valentine Peanut Butter and Carob Biscuit Treats. Yum! (note: these are made with whole wheat flour. I avoid wheat about 90% of the time in my Cocker Kids and 100% of the time in the dogs that have any wheat sensitivities. You can successfully substitute white flour in this recipe, although you might want to cut back on the liquid just a bit (-1/4 to 1/8 a cup) to help keep the denseness of the final cookie.

I didn't forget our feline friends! Kitty's love their special treats too. Take a look at three purr-fect treat recipes from Catster.com: Nik Nak's Valentine's Tuna Treats, Catnip Heart Cookies, and Kitty Valentine Sardine Treats.

If you are like me, you are a chocolate lover, and will outright swoon at just the right chocolate dessert. Here is one I just have to try ... I could almost eat it right off the screen: Chocolate Decorator Cookies as posted at Chocolate, Chocolate and More Chocolate.

I would be a bad bad friend if I didn't put up a recipe that combines chocolate and peanut butter (a combination my roommate loves). Give this one a try if you love PB&C: Peanut Butter Cup Brownies in a Jar. Easy to make, yet elegant to present!

Not a chocolate person (really, they do exist!)? Then try this to-die-for recipe from Apron of Grace and make some delectable Rose Bouquet Stawberry Cupcakes to sweeten up your Sweetest Person this Valentine's Day.

If you are into fun (easy!) hand-crafted goodies, this project really struck a chord in me: Stuffed Paper Hearts (special thanks to Michele at The Scrap Shoppe for telling me about this craft, and the cupcake recipe above)!

Do YOU have a favorite something-something for Valentine's Day? A recipe (for you or the pet in your life)? A tradition? A favorite memory? I'd love for you to share it in my comments section below! Happy Valentine's Day!

Top: Scottish Terrier Puppy; Bottom: Himalayan Cat

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

Here, Kitty! Kitty! Kitty!

Here, Kitty! Kitty! Kitty!

DogBreedz isn't only about Man's Best Friend. Move over, Rover .. it's time to pay homage to the felines in our lives!

A friend of mine has a 14 year old "kitten" girl named Mollie. Lately Mollie hasn't been feeling very well and she was diagnosed with kidney issues. She is on a 2x a week schedule for subcutaneous fluids and her mom had been taking her into the vet for these sessions. What a difference they make in Mollie! She is herself once again, full of energy and mischief! But those car rides - they are torture to both Mollie and her mom. Caroline (the mom) decided it was time to learn how to do the Sub-Q fluids at home and she turned to me for her education. After 8 years of running a local dog rescue, and 9 months of my boyfriend's Springer being on twice daily fluids, I felt confident helping out. But I had the added issue of Mollie really not tolerating people in her home. She turns from an adorable fluff ball into a kitty-Cujo - those teeth can rival any angry dog!

My sister does a lot of cat rescue on the East coast and had a wonderful hint for me - and since it works so well, I wanted to pass it on to you. Do you know how a mother cat lifts and carries its young, by the scruff of the neck? Not only is this a good way for Mom to get the job done, without the benefit of opposable thumbs, but to the kitten, the pressure from mom's mouth is a signal (instinctual? physiological? psychological? is this an accupressure point?) that relaxes the kitten.

Sister Kat told me to get a wooden clothespin (the kind with a spring in the center that you pinch to open) and to use it in the same place the momma cat would grab to lift a kitten. With Mollie's head covered so she couldn't see me and swaddled in a blanket to keep those claws at bay she was still tense and vocal about the indignities of being man-handled in such a way. The moment I applied the clothespin - she immediately relaxed her muscles and didn't have anything else worth complaining about! It worked! And with Mollie relaxed in her mom's lap, I was able to finish her fluids in less than five minutes. I hope this magic tip works for you when needed, too.

Kitty Condolences

If you remember my last blog post, a fellow graphic artist Cindy lost her beautiful cat Missy after sharing many years together. Her story and photo of Missy were touching, I felt moved to do some artwork to the photo. Cindy enjoyed the final result so much, she turned it into a pet loss sympathy card in her online store. I enjoy collaborating with other artists from time to time. Here is Cindy's card:




Dog Shows: German Shepherd Dog Specialty & Scottish Terrier Specialty from GWTA

San Bernardino/Riverside German Shepherd Dog Specialty

The San Bernardino/Riverside German Shepherd Dog Club held their annual back-to-back Specialty show in Claremont, California earlier this month. Added to the eventful weekend was the German Shepherd Dog Club of America's Regional Specialty. Mix it all up, and you get a lot of regal German Shepherd Dogs on site! The official winners' photos were up a few days after the show. All candids are online in proofing galleries on my photo site (there are three albums, one for each show during the weekend). This is one of two youngsters who came and entertained us during the break on Sunday - cuteness overload!

Scottish Terrier Club of California and National Rotating Specialties

Scottish Terrier/Great Western Terrier Association photos are being worked. This will take a while! When they are ready, each class will be uploaded as they are finished into my online galleries.

Here's a look at what's in store: This is Paloma's Caramel Brulee. Cara seems to be telling judge Mr. Gary L. Doerge why he should be choosing her for his final four (she took third in the Open Bitches class this day).

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

Havanese

Pyrenean Mastiffs

Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs

Boykin Spaniels

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.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 look forward to hearing from you!

Coming up:

Ongoing: Studio Portraits in Santee; July 1 - Cocker Spaniel Club of Orange County Specialty in Long Beach; July 2 - Kennel Club of Beverly Hills in Long Beach; July 13 - Fundraiser Portraits at Camp Bow Wow in El Cajon; August 13 & 14 - South Bay Kennel Club in Torrance. 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 - or just take a look on the right-hand side of this blog page.

See you at the shows!

Valentine's at DogBreedz.net

Last Saturday was a fun Valentine's celebration here at the DogBreedz.net studio in Santee, CA. I had three much-loved family pets come to sit for me and we all had so much fun on set! Brandy is a senior Poodle. She lives with her adopted momma in a local senior facility - I just love it when our family members can stay together like this! Then Sarah Jane and Jesse James were treated to a session, gifted to them by their groomer (thank you Aunt Jeri!). She figured that so many of their extended family have been in front of my camera, they deserved a turn too. From Su-Et's breeding, they are retired from the show ring and now rule the living room in their home. This Wednesday February 9th I'll be set up at Camp Bow Wow El Cajon from 2 pm - 6 pm. Come on by for the final Valentine's shoot of 2011! The Santee Studio will be set up Friday and Saturday, February 11 & 12 from 10 am - 4 pm for $30 mini-sessions (and free sessions for local Foster pets). I'm working on some new designs for St. Patrick's Day - I hope to start offering them soon. Stay tuned!

Back in the Saddle Again - post-Flu

It's been forever since I've come down with the flu-bug - I had forgotten about the "run over by a truck" feeling and how even your aches can have pains of their own! Well, it's all over but the after-cough and I was able to celebrate with a few cuties on set this past Saturday. Lady Bug is a rescue doggie. She's been living with her favorite family for about 8 years now and keeps her retired dad busy (his job is to provide a lap for her to settle on when she's done being an expert mouser in the yard). She is a TINY thing, with a HUGE personality! Meet Lady Bug: And this is Grace, a show puppy Scottish Terrier who is proving to her mom that she is every bit as adorable as her brother. She has left the awkward stage far behind her now! Last, but far from least, is Grace's brother, Tim. These are two of the happiest, tail-waggingist Scottie pups I've met yet. Little Darlings! It won't be long before they are taking the show rings by storm. This week the Santee studio will be open on Wed, Fri and Sat from 10 am - 4 pm for 15 minute mini-sessions. Valentine's is still the featured theme and I'm looking forward to seeing more beautiful cats and dogs on set this week. And my big news of the week - the main website is back online! It's being tweaked and fixed up, but at least it comes up when the URL is entered once again - YIPPEE!

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!