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!

Another great week of Valentine's portraits

I've had the pleasure of more great dogs on set this last week, and a handsome kitty too. Pepe is one of the resident kennel cats, and even tho the strobe lights still scare him (I can reliably get one shot off before he changes his mind out the whole idea) HE is the one who comes asking to have me take his photo. He is trying so hard to be a brave kitty! Here he is, with his rugged good looks: Spencer and Tara come to the kennel like clockwork for their baths and grooms - their mom takes great care of them and it shows. Tara (the black) is a retired show Cocker (thank you Eileen, for breeding such a looker - I remember the day/night she was born!) and Spencer (the chocolate) was adopted thru the local Rescue - he's worked his way thru the paces and is now a certified therapy dog. Tucker is certified too - a certified goofball. This loveable lug kept us all on our toes during his session, all in good fun of course. Tucker's Tongue is quite lengendary ... his shelter photo had a similar pose to this one: But he was ready to show his sweet handsome side too, once we explained to him that this was a Valentine shoot. Tucker is a "sprocker" - Springer/Cocker mix. And he knows how to work those Spaniel eyes! I had my first chance to spend time on set with Wire Fox Terriers. What a kick this breed is! No matter what they are doing, they do it with a single-minded vengence. Stunning looks too, as you can see in these three champions. Jay-Jay (CH Whimsicals Whodunit) Lovey (CH Belwood for Love of the Game) Bella (CH Libwyres Belles and Whistles) This week the studio will be open on Wednesday Jan 19 and Fri Jan 21 from 10 - 4, by appointment. Call 858/997-7135 to reserve your 15-minute session (leave a message if no answer). If there is enough demand, I'll have it open on Sunday Jan 23, as well - just let me know! I'm still working on transfering my main web site to a new server, I'll definitely be happy when that is accomplished and behind me. Until then, you can go straight to my photo site at http://dogbreedz.smugmug.com . BLOG SPECIAL OF THE WEEK: PHOTO PUZZLES - reg price $56.45 ... SALE PRICE $46.99 until 1/31/11 Create your own one-of-a-kind jigsaw puzzle from your favorite photo! This 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"). Makes a great gift for Valentine's Day, too. Safe ordering on-line thru SmugMug for quick delivery. To order, find your favorite photo and above the larger preview on the right side of the screen, click on BUY. Choose PHOTO PACKAGE from the drop down menu and scroll down to Photo Puzzle Special.

Monday Blog Update

It's been a great week - lots of beautiful animals all around! The Valentine's set this year has turned out beautifully. Indie took a moment to show off for me and test out one of the props. What do you think of her final image? The Valentine's set will be featured throughout the month of January in the mobile studio set up at Su-Et's Kennel in Santee, CA. Plain backdrops are available too, if you are looking for a simpler glamour shot. This is Goldie the Yorkie-poo showing an alternate background. What a sweetie! See my previous blog post for details of the January mini-sessions. This week the studio will be open on Friday from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm, by appointment. You can even call the kennel and have your dog bathed and/or groomed prior to their photo shoot - drop off in the morning and pick up in the afternoon, we'll handle it all (kennel phone 619/448-8760 for grooming appointments). Bennett was ready to show off on set too - as much as he complains about being brushed out, he asks for a good combing when he wants to be photographed. This boy strikes a pose and makes me fall in love with him all over again! Here he is, modeling our newest Valentine Card design: On Saturday my friends at the West Coast Cocker Spaniel Club held their popular agility trial at City of Industry. This venue is on dirt and under cover. However with no electrical lighting, it's a lousy trial for photographing in a traditional way. I like to go, not only to see old friends and to make new ones, but it also gives me a chance to practice my timing for taking the photos. This is Abby, a Beagle who just loved taking the obstacles - she teamed up with her mom Elise Smith. Abby q'd on this run and came in second in her height class. My web host is still MIA, so the main URL of dogbreedz.net is currently not loading - you can go straight to my photo site by clicking on http://dogbreedz.smugmug.com - or you can find me on Facebook at http://facebook.com/DogBreedz. My mini-valentine's are proving to be popular - I've already had a reorder from a dog with lots of friends! Details in my previous blog post. See you next week - hug a dog for me!

A New Year - already?

How in the world did 2010 fly by so fast?! One of my hopes for 2011 is to keep up weekly posts on the blog - I've even set a Monday morning alarm on my iPhone to help me remember ... let's see how it goes! Christmas holidays are behind us and it's time to look forward. For the month of January I'll be featuring my Valentine's set in my mobile studio at Su-Et's Kennel at 10631 Prospect Avenue, Santee, California. This week coming up will be a Wednesday and a Friday shoot, from 10 am - 4 pm. Sitting fees of $30 get you:

15 minutes in front of the camera

a $16 print credit to use toward your photo order

proofs on line in 7-10 days

2 custom designed Valentine's Day cards in your on line gallery (one in 4x8 size and one in 5x7 size - no design charge)

a sheet of custom designed mini-Valentine's in your on line gallery (8 to a sheet - great for therapy dogs to hand out on rounds! - no design charge)

and a custom designed Valentine's Keepsake Ornament (available in my Zazzle store - no design charge). Your print credit can be used towards the Valentine's cards (full-size and mini) but not towards the ornament. Here is a look at one of my Valentine's designs for this year, and the set of minis: You can see the Valentine's Ornaments at my Zazzle store by clicking here. Look in the gallery called Dog Breeds Valentine's Ornaments. Yours will be in a different gallery and will have the year 2011 added to them. The back is blank so you can add whatever you like to it, such as your pet's name, with a marker. Still looking for that perfect 2011 wall calendar? Check out four of mine at my Lulu.com store. BLOG SPECIAL OF THE WEEK: Take a look at the one-page 2011 calendars listed at http://dogbreedz.smugmug.com/Calendar-Prints. Order yours today and save 10% off the original price. Use coupon code 2011Calendar at checkout - valid until 1/10/11.

On Sale for this week - Photo Business Card Holders - save $11.00!

The Tour was great - in spite of a broken foot and a major computer crash ... photos are still being edited and then I'll be booking locations for next year's fundraising photo tour. I have a very special sale this week for my pet friends - custom Business Card Holders in two styles - choose your favorite photo and have it stand alone or add a text embellishment: your pet's name, your kennel name, or your family name are all great suggestions! Our silver-plated business card holder measures 3 1/2" x 2 3/8" and its slim design is sized to fit comfortably in a pocket, grooming apron or purse. It is ideal for a thank you gift, holidays and more. Made from durable aluminum, it can hold up to 12 business cards. The photo is printed out on a high quality photo paper and coated with a waterproof enamel that is crystal clear and lasting. Regular Price: $24.99 plus $6.00 shipping to any country. SPECIAL PRICE: until Sunday September 19th you can order yours for only $19.99 and no shipping charge - that's $11.00 saved! To order, email DogBreedz @ yahoo.com and be sure to put BUSINESS CARD HOLDER in the subject line. I'll contact you to find out your preferred photo and style. Approximately 7 - 14 days for delivery.

2010 International Summer Photo Tour - Weekend 4

Oklahoma is OK! (pictured above: Indie and Bennett, American Cocker Spaniels and official Tour Mascots, let their hair down and dirty before their next bath) Weekend #4 of the DogBreedz.net Summer Photo Tour happened in Oklahoma - three full days of shooting, benefiting Okie Dokie Cocker Rescue. This was a very special stop for me. The director of this Rescue used to run Temecula Valley Cocker Spaniel Rescue in Southern California. By the time I began San Diego Spaniel Rescue in 2002, TVCSR had closed it doors when Anita Powers moved to OK, but her stellar reputation lived on. After 8 years of being e-friends, we finally met in person! It was like meeting up with an old friend - what a wonderful way to start the weekend! First order of business, tho, was to let Indie and Bennett drop their official duties and "just be dogs". Running in the local dog park was even better with the addition of swimming in the lake - so much fun for them! (pictured above: Charley Walker, the Pittie, throws a huge Holiday Hello your way) We had dogs galore and a kittie, too. A1 Pet Emporium hosted and developed a grand Rescue Event around our arrival. Saturday had 20 Rescue groups showing in the parking lot, with food vendors and "dunk the DJ" from a local radio station. We sure were glad to be inside in the AC however. And spending our time taking pictures - what could be better than that? A1 knows how to throw a party, that's for sure! (pictured above: Maggie Dickerson, the American Cocker Spaniel - it's so EASY to be a diva with Dogbreedz.net) I was fortunate enough to meet some more online friends. There's a great Cocker Spaniel community called Zim Family Cockers, with a very active online Forum. Two more e-friends, now are additions to my real-life Cocker Spaniel family! It's hard to remember the days before the Web, Forums, Facebook ... remember dialing a telephone and winding your watch?! (pictured above: Bailey Madoux the Miniature Schnauzer puppy, celebrating his first ever Fourth of July) With all the techno-things in our lives, it's easy to start depending on them. This blog post is a week late due to my not updating my virus protection in a timely manner. The bugs are gone from my 'puter and ESET is back in place, doing it's thing (and doing it quite well, I might add). I can concentrate on the dogs once again! Oklahoma was a wonderful stop on The Tour and I am looking forward to working the images and to coming back again next year. On to Weekend #5 - Memphis, Tennessee! (pictured above: Indie the Tour Mascot gives OK a full-nubbie salute) NOTE: The Summer Photo Fundraising Tour is a 3-month coast-to-coast International Tour to raise money for animal rescue organizations across the country. My biggest expenses on the Tour are hotel and gasoline costs ... if you or you business would like to help sponsor the Tour, contact the photographer at dogbreedz @ yahoo.com - sponsor one or more hotel stays or donate a gas card to help with expenses - your support would help multiple Rescues! Stops and sponsorships are also being accepted now for the 2011 Tour - let me know if you are interested.

2010 International Summer Photo Tour - Weekend 3

DogBreedz hits the road! (pictured above: Lilly Ehrhardt the Yorkshire Terrier goes high for a better view of the fireworks) Weekend #3 of the DogBreedz.net Summer Photo Tour flew by in a whirlwind of activity. This stop benefited Cocker Spaniel Rescue of East Texas and was hosted at the Sugar Land store of Natural Pawz. The Fourth of July/Americana set was a huge hit while the plain backdrops came in handy for folks who are planning ahead for ... Christmas Cards! (pictured above: Chad Trahan the Great Dane puppy, ready for his close-up) This two-day shoot was packed to the max with dogs of all breeds and sizes. Singles, pairs and foursomes, they paraded in and did their best "good dog!" poses. The Rescue volunteers came out in force to play with the dogs (and owners) and to help keep things running like clockwork. No cats or other critters this weekend, but the canine variety was awesome! (pictured above: Cabo Meeks welcomes me to The Yard) We had openings for private shoots while I was in the Houston area, and I also made a stop in Austin for a private sitting on my way out here. These shoots are fun and relaxed, allowing me to capture the dogs in their own homes, where they are most comfortable. A handful of props and some portable backdrops come along for the animals that are ready for something a little more formal. (pictured above: Sweetie Stanley strikes a demure pose in a private sitting) Basic private shoots are an hour to two hours, with my mobile lighting. On location at the pets' homes or out and about, I end up being everyone's favorite "Aunt Peggy" when I show up with my special treat bag. Although, sometimes the ducks at the pond are a bit more interesting than I am! (pictured above: Lucky Joliloeve keeps one eye on the ducks - no funny business, Quackers!) Weekend 3 of the Summer Photo Tour is now a happy memory. I'm busy at the computer editing some fun photos (Santa Barbara - almost finished!) and getting ready to head north. Our next stop is a three-day shoot at A-1 Pet Emporium in Oklahoma City, OK, benefiting Okie Dokie Cocker Rescue. Private shoots will be available on Thursday June 24 and Monday June 28. Catch you in Oklahoma! (pictured above: McDuff Collins snuggles with some special friends at home) NOTE: The Summer Photo Fundraising Tour is a 3-month coast-to-coast International Tour to raise money for animal rescue organizations across the country. My biggest expenses on the Tour are hotel and gasoline costs ... if you or you business would like to help sponsor the Tour, contact the photographer at dogbreedz @ yahoo.com - sponsor one or more hotel stays or donate a gas card to help with expenses - your support would help multiple Rescues! Stops and sponsorships are also being accepted now for the 2011 Tour - let me know if you are interested.

2010 International Summer Photo Tour - Weekend 2

DogBreedz' final SoCal shoot for the Tour! (pictured above: Chevy Fasani showing his American support) Weekend #2 of the DogBreedz.net Summer Photo Tour was a relaxing, entertaining day in San Pedro, CA. This stop, at Dee O'Gee's Grooming on South Weymouth, raised funds for Take Me Home, an LA-based Boxer Rescue. We had a variety of sets and some fun new props to test out before hitting the road to continue touring. (pictured above: Frankie Reynolds - you're never too old to love the Summer holiday) Some of our doggies and their pet parents came down from Santa Barbara for this shoot: they wanted to capture some great portraits of their fur-kids while I was still shooting in Southern California. Everyone stayed for lunch and we had a wonderful day socializing while raising money for another deserving animal organization. It is always heart-warming when on-line friends from out of the area make the trip for one of my photo sessions. (pictured above: Gracie Reynolds - she's addicted! At only 12 weeks old, this was already her 5th DogBreedz.net photo shoot!) Weekend 2 of the Summer Photo Tour is over now - it was a great way to wish Indie, Bennett and I "Bon Voyage" as we turn the truck east. Our next stop is Saturday June 19 and Sunday June 20 at Natural Pawz in Sugar Land (Houston) Texas, with an opportunity for some private shoots in Austin Texas on June 17 & 18. The Sugar Land shoots are in support of Cocker Spaniel Rescue of East Texas. See you in Texas! NOTE: The Summer Photo Fundraising Tour is a 3-month coast-to-coast International Tour to raise money for animal rescue organizations across the country. My biggest expenses on the Tour are hotel and gasoline costs ... if you or you business would like to help sponsor the Tour, contact the photographer at dogbreedz @ yahoo.com - sponsor one hotel stay or donate a gas card to help with expenses! Stops and sponsorships are also being accepted now for the 2011 Tour - let me know if you are interested!

2010 International Summer Photo Tour - Weekend 1

The 2010 Summer Tour has BEGUN! (pictured above: Indie Mundell testing out the 2010 Tour Set) 23 Fundraisers - 11 Rescue Groups - 3 Months - 2 Countries - 1 Photographer and her two pups ... add them all together, shake well, and you have the Summer Photo Tour from DogBreedz.net. The Tour has begun with our first two stops this past weekend. Saturday was in Carpenteria, California for the 2nd Annual Second Chance Cocker Rescue Reunion Picnic. Sunday found us set up at The Pet House in Goleta, California for a day-long shoot, also for SCCR. (pictured above: Hope Carvalho at Toro Canyon Park shoot) Saturday was beautiful! Toro Canyon Park was a wonderful setting for this early afternoon BBQ picnic. Second Chance had very tempting raffle items available as well as beautiful hand-crafted doggie blankets for sale. The food was beyond yummy and the dogs beyond gorgeous (but we all know that I'm partial to those Cocker kids, anyway). Indie and Bennett were perfect photographer's dogs - being patient in their private suites and greeting all the humans who came by. Sometimes I think they are more well-known than I am! (pictured above: Jax Van Orsdel at The Pet House shoot) Sunday - another gorgeous day (is there any other type in the Santa Barbara area?!) ... and Indie, Bennett and I headed out to The Pet House located in Goleta. The staff was friendly and the products were fun to browse, but I was there to work so I cut my shopping short. A nice variety of doggies paraded through, along with some Cocker Friends. Second Chance Cats was set up in the next area of the store for an adoption event, so I had a chance to play with some great cats and kittens on set too. Indie provided extra incentive for pups to perk their ears for me, as she was VERY hopeful for a chance to play with lovebirds and parrotlets that were on display in the store - and let us hear her enthusiasm when she thought it might prove worthwhile. (pictured above: Foster Kitten) Weekend 1 of the Summer Photo Tour is over, leaving great photos, wonderful memories, and two tired pups. Our next stop is Sunday June 13 at Dee O Gee's Grooming in San Pedro, CA. There are still sittings available - contact the photographer at dogbreedz @ yahoo.com and schedule YOUR pet for a photo session, benefiting Take Me Home Boxer rescue. See you in San Pedro! NOTE: The Summer Photo Fundraising Tour is a 3-month coast-to-coast International Tour to raise money for animal rescue organizations across the country. My biggest expenses on the Tour are hotel and gasoline costs ... if you or you business would like to help sponsor the Tour, contact the photographer at dogbreedz @ yahoo.com - sponsor one hotel stay or donate a gas card to help with expenses! Stops and sponsorships are also being accepted now for the 2011 Tour - let me know if you are interested!

Cocker Spaniels are such Charmers!

The story went out on the Cocker Forum at Zim's. My friend Terri at American Cocker Spaniel Rescue in Washington State received a phone call from a SoCal shelter - a sweet Cocker that she had adopted out a couple of years ago was in their care, dropped off in the night box! We may never know how little Candy went from a loving home to the shelter, but one thing was certain - Candy was definitely going back to her Rescue group. Terri moved heaven and earth to find a way to get her home. In the meantime, a wonderful Cocker owner in Alaska had fallen for a 12 year old senior from Florida that was looking for a new home. I had volunteered to get Aussie to her in Alaska. Since I was going from San Diego to Seattle as a stop over, this adopter offered to pay for Candy's health certificate and flight with me! Problem solved! A dear friend from English Springer Rescue America lived in the same town as Candy's shelter, so she handled all the paperwork and the shelter went over and above to help us out. My flight landed in Seattle and Candy was home - after charming EVERYONE she met at Alaska Airlines! Last I heard she is convincing her Foster Daddy to make it official and become her FurEver Dad. Way to go, Candy! Back to Aussie - she was doing some charming of her own - between computers being down in Orlando at checkin and someone in Florida falling in love with her, I receieved a phone call letting me know that Aussie would not be joining me in Seattle. Cocker Spaniels are such Charmers! Yes, my laptop traveled with me, so I could continue editing photos from the recent shoots. Here is Lucy, a darling Schnoodle (Schnauzer/Poodle Mix) who sat for me at Yorba Regional Animal Hospital. Also working on the Rescue Parade photos and the Camp Bow Wow pix. Gotta get back to the editing - have a great week!

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!