6/26/12: Breedz Wanted to Photograph

BREEDZ WANTED for June/July 2012 If you have one of the following breeds and would like a complimentary session before July 15, 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:

Bloodhound

Bolognese

Boston Terrier

Bullmastiff

Field Spaniel

Icelandic Sheepdog

Kangal Dog

Puppies, adults and seniors - I need them all! They must conform to breed standards, but they don't have to be show dogs; purebred-looking pets and rescues are available for this offer as well. Contact me to arrange your free private photo sitting. Shoot participants that are chosen for a 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 from the free session. Studio sessions will be held at my Santee studio and location candids are available at San Diego area parks or beaches. If you are in the SD, CA 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 (playing, walking, everyday life with your dog). Does your dog do a job, sport or fun activity? That is a possible shoot, as well. I look forward to hearing from you! Top Photo: Bloodhound - GCH Quiet Creek's Kiss And Tell at the Santa Ana Kennel Club 2011 Show. Sunday September 25, 2011 in Cerritos, California. Bottom Photo: Boston Terrier - Rio Johnson in Richmond, Virginia.

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 ...

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

Moving on to the German Shepherd Dog Specialties - FUN!

Last weekend was all about the little dogs ... this weekend I'll be playing with the big dogs! This is my second year as Show Photographer for the regional German Shepherd cluster of specialties - 3 shows in 2 days, obedience and conformation.

On Saturday I'll start off with the German Shepherd Club of America regional specialty and that will be followed be the annual San Bernardino/Riverside German Shepherd Dog Club shows. The full weekend is hosted by the SBRGSDC. I get to visit with some of the nicest people I know at this event. If you are in the area, stop on by Hotel Claremont, in Claremont, CA. Whatever you are doing this weekend, I hope it's a great one for you!

Top Image: Mariner's Smooth As Silk. Owned by/Bred by Debra Kaser, Joyce Shelp, Cindy Tellefsen.
Middle Image: Nick Clayfield Paladin Valentino. Owned by William Lee. Bred by Dr Gloria S Rice, Sharlonna McGaha, D Kaser and J Shelp. Handled by Sharlonna McGaha.
Bottom Image: Schatzmar's Anytime. Owned by/Bred by Bob & Darlene Ghigleri.

Bring on the Cavalier King Charles Spaniels!

I think this is going to be a FUN weekend! I've been asked by my Cavalier King Charles Spaniel friends to set up at their summer celebration party and take some portraits of the cute Cavaliers ... and boy do I *l*o*v*e this breed! Proceeds from the shoot will go to Cavalier Rescue to help with their work. I've also partnered with them to photograph their intake Rescues from this area - professional photos really help the dog to stand out on the adoptable pages of the web site. There are a couple of things that make the fundraising shoots a little different from the similar mini-shoots here at the studio, besides the donation to a Rescue organization. The three most popular sizes (4x6, 5x7 and 8x10) of prints purchased from fundraiser shoots are priced lower than my regular scale and the pet parents get one free 8x10 for each purchased session. And the timing couldn't be better, as the Cavalier is on my "Breedz Wanted" list for this month (you can read about that by clicking HERE)!

Enjoy YOUR weekend - and I'll "see" you online on Monday!

Memorial Day 2012

Memorial Day was officially proclaimed on May 5, 1868 by General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, and was first observed on May 30, 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. After World War I the holiday changed from honoring just those who died fighting in the Civil War to honoring Americans who died fighting in any war. Several southern states have an additional separate day for honoring the Confederate war dead: January 19 in Texas, April 26 in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and Mississippi; May 10 in South Carolina; and June 3 (Jefferson Davis' birthday) in Louisiana and Tennessee. You can read more about Memorial Day history at The US Memorial Day web site (which is also where I pulled up these facts).

1 Town + 2 Thrift Shops + $7.00 = 3 new Cocker Collectibles!

Wonderful Additions to My Cocker Spaniel Collection

I can't believe my new finds! Being from the East(ish) Coast (Upstate New York), I'm a little less than optimistic when entering an estate sale, yard sale or thrift shop in Southern California. Seriously - a super antique dresser on the east coast may be found at a garage sale for about $50 ... out here it would go for over $500. Collectibles also have the "West Coast markup", usually. And when I narrow my search for something even harder to find (Cocker Spaniel collectibles) - well, let's just say that in SoCal I usually end up not spending much money, since I usually can't locate anything in my teeny tiny interest range.

All this to lead up to a fantastic couple of hours spent with my room-mate (and my Cockers' favorite groomer!) at two different thrift shops in our small-ish town of Santee, California last week. I'm seriously watching my spending while I catch up on some unexpected debts (a wonderful Rescue supporter was the Sponsor on a 3-month fundraising tour I scheduled in 2010 - and his life was cut short by a drunk driver before he could fulfill his part of our quest). I had $10 in my pocket, saved up designated as "mad money" and I was thinking it would be spent on a dinner out with a dear friend of mine. Until I entered these local thrift shops, that is!

The photo above is of a wall ornament - unfortunately a previous owner had used some sort of spackle on it, and any maker's mark on the back was no longer visable. But other than a speck on the nose (and the spackle-stuff on the back) it was in great shape. It wasn't priced, so I added it to my basket to ask about it at the front counter.

This adorable planter was at the same thrift shop as the wall ornament. The little guy on the right has a small nick in his outer ear, but other than that, it is in pretty nice shape. If any of my blog readers know anything about Napcoware, this Cocker planter is marked C7201 - I'd love to hear more about this piece! An initial search online gave me only limited information. The planter and the wall hanging together ran me $4.00 - who could say no to that?!

Rusty, written by Nason H Arnold. Published in 1930 by Lothrop, Lee & Shephard, Co. - Rusty is a Cocker Spaniel, and even tho this book is in poor condition, for $3.00 it happily found a place in my collection as a starter issue. As I find better quality editions, I'll trade up, offering the lesser book to another Cocker collector. Gotta start somewhere, right?

As I mentioned, I really don't expect to make many "finds" in Southern California. While on that Tour I mentioned, I loved stopping at various thrift and antique shops along the way. In Ohio, one stop yielded 5 Cocker items ... all with great prices! A beautiful red/white parti Cocker stayed with my friend Julie in Minnesota. She provided a wonderful working vacation for me (and Indie and Bennett!) while I did some healing from a broken foot. Her dining room table became my "office" every day and she was SO diligent about not bothering me while I worked on photos that needed to go out. Her nursing instincts helped me to not over-do things (which I am prone to do) and allow the healing process to do its thing. And Julie's two beautiful Cocker Spaniels were so patient about sharing their home with my kids (the cats, not so thrilled ...).

This wonderful pair was also a part of my Central Ohio jackpot. I'm hoping to find an artist friend to paint them up to match my parti babies, Indie and Bennett. There are no maker marks on them, so their history is bound to remain out of my reach. But they just had to come home with me!

What are some of YOUR favorite dog collectible items? What breed do you look out for? I'd love to hear from you - and I thank you for enjoying my new finds with me!

5/21/12: Breedz Wanted to Photograph

BREEDZ WANTED for May/June 2012

If you have one of the following breeds and would like a complimentary session before June 15, 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:

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

American Staffordshire Terrier

Berger Picard

Sealyham Terrier

Bichon Frise

Puppies, adults and seniors - I need them all! They must conform to breed standards, but they don't have to be show dogs; purebred-looking pets and rescues are available for this offer as well.

Contact me at DogBreedz (at) yahoo (dot) com to arrange your free private photo sitting. 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 from the free session.

Studio sessions will be held at my Santee studio and location candids are available at San Diego area parks or beaches. If you are in the SD, CA 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 (playing, walking, everyday life with your dog). Does your dog do a job or fun activity? That is a possible shoot, as well. I look forward to hearing from you!

(pictured here: Penny the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and Lucky the Sealyham Terrier)

May 2012 - Catching Up on The Blog!

I looked at the date of my last post and all I could think (at the time) was WHERE did April - and half of May - get to?! And then I sat down to pull some images to share with you, to chronicle what I've been up to while absent from The DogBreedz Blog. After I pulled all of the images together, my question was answered ... but first, let's get on to the good stuff, the images, shall we? I know that's why you keep coming back!

In April of every year the El Capitan Stadium Association hosts the Lakeside Rodeo in the small East County town of Lakeside, California. It's a major event, the largest fundraiser for the Association and the crowd was out in force, enjoying the weather, the entertainment and the atmosphere. This was my second year attending. I have to say, as an animal lover, I think Barrel Racing is my all-time favorite event at the rodeo! My gallery of 2012 Lakeside Rodeo images is online at http://dogbreedz.smugmug.com/Non-Pet-Photography/Lakeside-Rodeo-2012.

I finished off April with my annual booth at the Springer Spaniel Specialty in Walnut, California. I take ringside candids in the AM hours, chronicle the Parade Of Rescue (celebrating the past year's work of English Springer Rescue America, Inc), and take portraits in my booth. The Springers participating in the Parade get free sittings, and all others make a small donation, benefiting ESRA. While a lot of Springers passed in front of my lens, a few of the two-legged family members had candid shots captured as well. I love this one - notice her stuffed animal? It's a Springer! The Parade photos and candids are online at http://dogbreedz.smugmug.com/EventPhotography/ESRA.

The next day it was off to the Lake Mathews Kennel Club show in Chino, California. Much less windy than last year's event! I was able to visit with a lot of my show friends and clients - capturing some great movement shots of favorite breeds and a couple of new (to my camera) breeds. Pictured here is Gordon Setter GCH Blazen Mackhyber's Cosmic Voyage, owned by Martha Dorward - he took Best Of Breed this day - congratulations! All Lake Mathews photos from this day are online at http://dogbreedz.smugmug.com/Dog-Shows/Lake-Mathews-Kennel-Club-2012.

In between my time with the animals that I adore, I spend some time with people sports, as well. Sports photography is one of my first loves, starting back in high school. This is an image I call "Third in Sight!" starring a player from the Volcanos, a part of the Santana National Little League. All Little League images can be found at http://dogbreedz.smugmug.com/Non-Pet-Photography/Sports.

And a weekend that had me in absolute, 100% triple-A HEAVEN! I was asked by a wonderful photography friend (Marty, of Photography By M) to fill in for him at an agility trial in the heart of stunningly beautiful wine country of Temecula, California. Combining two of my all-time favorite things - sports photography and dogs - you can imagine why I was positively over-the-moon with this opportunity. Jumpin' K9's hosted an ASCA sanctioned trial weekend and the fur was flying! Pictured here is Jumpin' K9 instructer Cindy Valdez's Australian Shepherd Latte in 16" Open Jumpers. Don't you just get caught up by the intensity in this Aussie's eyes? All photos from the weekend are online at http://dogbreedz.smugmug.com/Agility.

Rescue is very close to my heart. Since stepping down as Founding Director of San Diego Spaniel Rescue in 2009, I've contributed to various causes through fundraiser shoots and donating professional photography for animals available for adoption. Meet "George" - the day he met me on set it was just hours after being sprung from a local shelter by the local Cavalier King Charles Spaniel rescue. Even with wind-tossed hair and still getting his bearings he is a stunning boy!

Wednesdays have continued to be busy days in the Santee, California studio. Free sittings are offered to clients of Su-Et's Kennel who are scheduled for baths, groomings or nail trims on most Wednesdays (weather permitting). From a recent sitting, this is Scottish Terrier puppy Peter, enjoying his crib. (I have to give a special shout-out to my friend and client, Kate, for donating this wonderful vintage crib to my props - I LOVE it!)

One Wednesday a month I take off from the studio and spend some time with my friends at Santee's Farmers Market where I talk to folks about pet photography options and also showcase my homemade Original Clip-N-Tote Bags. These are great for so many uses! Show peeps can find them retail at Davis Animal Products' dog show booths and they are also available online at my Etsy Store. Strong canvas construction, with an overlaying layer of printed fabric, the center of the Clip-N-Tote Bag is roomy, and the two outer pockets are deep and convenient for storage. Handy O-rings attached to the carabiner clips make an easy to find spot for keys or leashes. A friend of mine uses hers at the grocery store, clipped to the front seat of her cart: coupons, hand sanitizer and keys are all organized and easy to find!

And I am very happy to say the May issue of Dog Fancy features a full page photo of mine - check out the Puli on page 48! For those of you who like to plan ahead: Brown Trout will be using three of my images in their calendars for 2013. And for the Agility Addicts in my fan base, my first 2013 Calendar has gone live in my Lulu store - enjoy!

Well now, it is obvious to all of us exacly why April (and yes, half of May) has flown right by! I'll try to do better with regular visits and updates to this Blog for you. Thank you for visiting and enjoy the photography of DogBreedz.net!

Project 52-13: Imitation is the Sincerest Form of Flattery

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 "Imitation is the Sincerest Form of Flattery". 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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What a great topic for me this week! While there are many pet photographers that I admire, I have been attracted to a style utilized by many photographers lately (not just in pet photography) - so I chose to imitate the style in general, rather than a particular photo. The photos I am talking about have a contemporary feel to them: a bit contrasty in the exposure, with colors that seem to just POP off the screen and scream "look at me! look at me!". Last weekend I photographed the anniversary "pawty" for Camp Bow Wow El Cajon at Woodglen Vista Park in Santee, California and it felt like the time to jump in and give the style a tryout. Here is an example of one of the adoptable Chihuahua's from San Diego Chihuahua Rescue that day to show you my usual final result and how it looks with the new styling borrowed from some other photographers:

I had fun learning some new techniques! While the full-on extreme look is a little more than I like for my own personal style, I love having the new tools in my bag o' tricks and a slightly less "in your face" working of the photos is likely to show up more in my portfolio this year. I hope you enjoy the rest of the photos from this event, also worked with my new "look at me!" imitated style. (click on any blog photo to see it in a larger size)

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Thanks for visiting the Project 52 Blog Roll for Week #13. Now, please do take a moment and click thru to the blog of Nashville Pet Photographer Kelly Coyle of Sweet Silver Photography. If you keep clicking through to the next photographer, you'll end up right back here. Enjoy the photos and give YOUR pets a hug from me. Remember: Every Moment Matters!^TM

3/27/12: Breedz Wanted to Photograph

BREEDZ WANTED for March/April 2012

If you have one of the following breeds and would like a complimentary session before April 15, 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:

Miniature Schnauzer

Akita

Silken Windhound

Keeshond

Wirehaired Pointing Griffon

Kerry Blue Terrier

Puppies, adults and seniors - I need them all! They must conform to breed standards, but they don't have to be show dogs; purebred-looking pets and rescues are available for this offer as well.

Contact me at DogBreedz (at) yahoo (dot) com to arrange your free private photo sitting. 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 from the free session.

Studio sessions will be held at my Santee studio and location candids are available at San Diego area parks or beaches. If you are in the SD, CA 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 (playing, walking, everyday life with your dog). Does your dog do a job or fun activity? That is a possible shoot, as well. I look forward to hearing from you!

Project 52-12: Vintage

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 RETRO/VINTAGE. 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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Well, it's been a busy month behind the camera ... busy enough that I've had to let my blog lag and now it's time to start making up for that! I've been playing with some layers, textures and overlays for retro effects and when this challenge theme came up, it seemed a perfect match for getting back in the game. With Easter right around the corner, Indie gave me a great idea for my photo to match the theme of the week. Here's a scrapbook page, starring Kodak's Canyonview Little Miss Independent herself, replicating what we think an Easter photo from years gone past would look like. Complete with antique lace and pearls!

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Thanks for visiting the Project 52 Blog Roll for Week #12. Now, please do take a moment and click thru to the blog of Nashville Pet Photographer, Kelly Coyle of Sweet Silver Photography. If you keep clicking through to the next photographer, you'll end up right back here. Enjoy the photos and give YOUR pets a hug from me. Remember: Every Moment Matters!^TM

Project 52-7: Mood

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 MOOD. 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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You'd think that with a topic as wide-ranging as "mood" it would be easy to come up with some images to fit. I can easily look thru galleries of past photo sessions and find finished images that would be perfect. But that would be cheating - besides sharing great images with you, my Blog Followers, the goal of this project is to take NEW pictures to fit a pre-chosen theme and to grow as a photographer. But ... looking thru those galleries gave me just the inspiration I needed to get me going. The dogs and I went off to play at the local dog park and the mood was:

... PLAYFUL!

... and FRIENDLY!

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Thanks for visiting the Project 52 Blog Roll for Week #7. Now, please do take a moment and click thru to the blog of Karen Weiler of Posh Pets Photography, located in Toronto. If you keep clicking through to the next photographer, you'll end up right back here. Enjoy the photos and give YOUR pets a hug from me. Remember: Every Moment Matters!^TM

2/14/2012 - Specials of the Valentine Week!

CURRENT SPECIALS

Shop and Save!
Have you been wanting to get a DogBreedz Cotton Blanket, Greeting Card or other fun goodies? Now is the time with these current specials.

***** Dog Breedz Cotton Throw Blanket: Save $40 on either size! Expires 2/21/2012. Use one of my images or submit one of your own.

***** DogBreedz Photo Galleries: 10% off orders of $20 or more (tax and shipping excluded). Use coupon code Feb142012 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. Coupon expires 2/28/2012.

***** DogBreedz 2012 Wall Calendars and all items at Lulu: Free Ground Shipping. Save up to $50 on your next order through February 17, 2012. The fine print from Lulu: Enter coupon code FLIGHTLESS at checkout to receive this deal. 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 February 17, 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 Gift Items from Zazzle: 14.02% off all orders for one day only (today)! The fine print from Zazzle: Enter coupon code HAPPYLOVEDAY at checkout in the "Zazzle Coupons/Gift Certificates" box 14.02% of the product net sale price will be deducted when one or more qualifying products are purchased and the coupon code HAPPYLOVEDAY is applied at checkout. For most products, the net sale price is the price of the product (excluding shipping and taxes). For Zazzle Custom Stamps, the net sale price is the difference between the price of the Zazzle Custom Stamps (excluding shipping and taxes) and the face value of the postage. Offer is valid until February 14, 2012 at 11:59pm PT. 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 Gift Items from Zazzle: Free Shipping on all orders over $50 through March 31, 2012! The fine print from Zazzle: enter coupon code FREESHIPFORU at checkout in the "Zazzle Coupons/Gift Certificates" box To qualify for this free shipping offer, one or more Zazzle products must be purchased with a net sale price equal to or greater than 50.00 dollars. The coupon code FREESHIPFORU must be entered during checkout to receive the offer. The free shipping offer is for standard shipping to U.S. addresses only. Shipping charges will apply to oversized orders and orders being shipped on an expedited basis or outside the U.S. Offer is valid through March 31, 2012 at 11:59pm PT. Your order must be placed during that time to qualify for this special offer. This promotional offer may not be combined with any other Zazzle promotional or discount offers. Offer valid on Zazzle.com only.

*****Visa and Mastercard Gift Cards: FREE shipping on all gift card orders of $75 or more! The fine print from GiftCards.com: Get free 1st Class shipping on all Mastercard and Visa gift card orders of $75 or more! Use code CUPID2012 at checkout. Offer good until February 14, 2012. Happy Valentine's Day from GiftCards.com!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

2/13/12: Breedz Wanted to Photograph

Reminder: BREEDZ WANTED for Feb/Mar 2012

If you have one of the following breeds and would like a complimentary session before March 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:

West Highland White Terrier

Airedale Terrier

South African Boerboel

Irish Red and White Setter

Olde English Bulldogge

English Foxhound

Puppies, adults and seniors - I need them all! They must conform to breed standards, but they don't have to be show dogs; purebred-looking pets and rescues are available for this offer as well.

Contact me at DogBreedz (at) yahoo (dot) com to arrange your free private photo sitting. 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 from the free session.

Studio sessions will be held at my Santee studio and location candids are available at San Diego area parks or beaches. If you are in the SD, CA 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!

Project 52-6: Noses

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 NOSES. 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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As soon as I heard the topic for this week (Noses) I just knew Bennett was the dog for the job! I really don't know if the image even NEEDS me to patter away about it. I tend to think it speaks for itself ...

Working on this assignment reminded me of two foster dog photos in particular from years' past, so I thought I'd share them with you as well. Enjoy!

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Thanks for visiting the Project 52 Blog Roll for Week #6. Now, please do take a moment and click thru to the blog of Terran Bayer of Westway Studio - just up the road from me here in Southern California. Enjoy the photos and give YOUR pets a hug from me!

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