Sadie September 29, 2008
How gorgeous is this little chocolate lab that loves to play? I know! Sadie is a ball hog and a thoroughly delightful playmate. She has impeccable manners too.
And she is a monster for the rawhide bone. Her favorite, at least when I was there. It’s a good way to make it look like you’re not tired when you really are…from playing fetch. (I’m on to you, Sadie).
I had a wonderful afternoon with her entertaining me. It was most playful and relaxing at the same time and we narrowly escaped a pesky storm so it turned out great! By the way, Sadie’s Mom runs a kick-butt beverage catering service, Bar Fly, which also happens to be behind Dog Fest: The best dog street party in downtown (or anywhere, if you ask me). It’s coming next spring so check it out!
I’m back! September 24, 2008
I know, it’s a bit later than expected…sort of. I worked a little later than expected in TV land, going into early September. Then I zipped it down to south Florida to be with my grandma during a surgery she had. She has joined the pink ribbon club but she seems to be recovering quite nicely. She is spunky and fiesty and told that silly breast cancer where it could stick it so we’re hopeful it won’t be coming back if it knows what’s good for it. Then of course, I made a visit to the ER myself the following week with an appendix scare and then, only after I took it easy per doctors orders was I finally able to start catching up with everything on planet Earth. I’ve been back for week or so, playing with fabulous dogs that I haven’t had time to gush about until now. So, the next post, I promise will have pictures of cutie patooties galore!
I know no one is probably very interested in my medical history but I had to provide the reason I’ve been MIA for so long and missing my doggies! But yes, I am back and ready for this fabulous weather (and crisp leaves to roll around in) that fall will bring! Cheers! 🙂
Sasha & Goldie July 14, 2008
I first photographed Sasha last year when she was an only child- hee hee! She was a shy and playful and we had a good play time. She now has a little sister. And we know what children do to us…They make us mature and wise and mellow, which is exactly what she exuded this time.
She still has a playful spirit but she had such an increased air of maturity about her, allowing her new sister to fill the role of puppy. She spent some quiet time relaxing and taking a few breaks to give it back to Goldie when Goldie started in on her 😉
Goldie is an energetic mix of what a DNA test says is Chow (her ears give it away for me). I’m willing to bet the house that there’s a big chunk of Golden Retriever in her too. She compliments Sasha very well as differing personalities often do. She’s (pardon the expression) ballsy and not in the tennis kind of way, charging into the center of fun like a well-groomed gladiator. Her thoughts start in the body and the mind catches up, evident in the way she leaps and pounces without caring for what lay ahead, be it cushions or Sasha or people. And I certainly don’t mean the undisciplined kind of jumping, she’s taken her obedience lessons to heart. But she has a definite personality of a tom boy with a mind of her own. 😉
She also is the only dog I’ve ever known to actually CATCH lizards. Yes, most dogs here in Florida chase them but it’s strictly for sport and that’s only because they can’t catch them like cats can. Goldie catches them. Talent show anyone?
She loves to create fun, thoroughly enjoys a good swim to cool off and is always on the lookout for an opportunity to start a game of tug or tease-the-sister. 😉
Sierra
Sierra is a Rottie-Shepherd mix with a super sweet demeanor. She thoroughly enjoys relaxing on the patio, smiling her definite Rottie smile. 🙂
She enjoys cookies although she settled for crumbs as she’s on a bit of a diet 😉 A true sweetheart and an excellent friend, I had a very mellow and relaxing session with her by the pool. Thank you, Sierra!
Octavious July 9, 2008
Ladies and Gentlemen, Octavious. All week long before our session I found myself wandering around my house singing his name to the tune of that Dannon “Activia” commerical. “Octaviouussss!” (I think I should stop leaving the tv on when I’m not watching it.)
The funny thing is that Octavious does not eat yogurt (to my knowledge) and “activities” are certainly not on his agenda for Sunday mornings. 🙂 He wants to do what normal people do on Sundays…nothing. I don’t blame him, he’s really good at it- hee hee!
He likes to lounge by the pool in his favorite chair. And when it gets a little warm he likes to go inside and lounge. He loves to be around his Dad!
Octavious was an absolutely wonderful sport ,despite his not having any interest in sports, and sat outside with me on this quite morning while I told him how handsome he was. He photographs beautifully and was a joy to work with.
A Whole Lotta Love July 8, 2008
Yes, there are six dogs in this post. And, yes, all six are part of the same household! Self-proclaimed “foster failures” 🙂 , their people-parents have done an amazing job in providing them all a wonderful and loving home, creating an incredibly harmonious pack of superb characters.
BETSY
This lovely Aussie mix lives for the frisbee. She’s wonderfully energetic and easily steps into the role of yard boss when her siblings are running around willy nilly. She darts out super fast to catch a flying disc and is very determined when it comes to practicing this craft. A true sportswoman. 😉
BRUTUS
Brutus is another Aussie mix but with quite the opposite demeanor. He will skip around for a few steps but mostly prefers to observe the common folk as they practice their plebian play rituals. He is serious, reserved and wise. Oh, and he’s a sucker for cookies 😉
RILEY
He’s just hilarious! He’s Mr. Shy upon first introductions but that soon gives way to the totally silly character he is. The comedy for Riley results from the fact that he doesn’t know he’s funny. Kind of like the dude who always has a piece of spinach in his teeth and never knows it or wears mismatching neon colored socks…and you love him simply because of it. 😉
JACKSON
Goofball central! ha ha! Jackson is absolutely adorable, with his blocky lab head and his un-ending energy. He LOVES playing and he doesn’t even need you to help. He will entertain himself for hours. In fact, while I was working with one of his siblings by the pool, I caught site of him out in the yard…by himself…running back and forth with the frisbee, completely caught up in the moment he created for himself. It’s awesome.
MAGGIE
Maggie was petrified of the camera at first although you’d never know it by the way she was hoggin’ it by the end of the session. She just needed a little reassurance from Mom and then it was off to Hollywood. ha ha! She also loves, guess what…the frisbee! And is quite the competitor when racing with her sister of the same litter, Sydney (below).
SYDNEY
A little angel who loves a good game of disc-chasin’ in the yard but also enjoys being the shy girl that she is and cuddling up on the couch. She has a very sweet demeanor and compliments her sister very well. They are an adorable and totally lovable team.
This was an amazing two sessions and I had a wonderful time with these dogs. They are all rescues and all came with their own harrowing stories that would make you sick just thinking about it (Riley, for example was found in the garbage as a puppy. There goes that lump in my throat.) So, to see them in all their glory, living their full potential as incredible, loving and unique dogs just makes me so happy. A big applause for their “foster-failure” parents as I couldn’t think of anywhere better they could’ve ended up. 🙂
Harmony Doggie Easter Egg Hunt March 25, 2008
Happy Easter! Last weekend I celebrated Harmony, FL‘s First Annual Doggie Easter egg hunt. Woo hoo!
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I bet your wondering why a dog would care or want to find a plastic egg…this, my friend, is the neatest part. There were actual dog edible Easter eggs!
Yesiree dog, they are hollow molds of gourmet dog biscuit coated with carob in a delightful array of spring colors. And they smelled delicious. Okay, okay…I tried a bite so there! The outside tasted like ice cream sprinkles which I do enjoy. I did pass on trying any of the biscuit inside- I promise.
Gentlemen dressed in their Saturday best.
Will the real Easter bunny please stand up?
This bloodhound puppy was egg-static about the treat he found! (these jokes are horrible, I’m aware.)
Even the local sandhill cranes turned out for the festivities…either that or they were just looking for their eggs. Okay, I’m pretty sure a rotten tomato will come flying out of my computer in a matter of seconds so I will spare anyone who reads this the continuing pain of my early morning quips. 🙂
This was a great event and everyone had a lot of fun. Harmony, FL is located near St. Cloud, is an environmentally conscious community (yay!) and has some pretty neat events year-round. I recommend checking out their Dark Sky Festival on April 5th because when was the last time you were able to actually see all the stars in the sky at night?
Hawaii Part III (Oahu continued) January 7, 2008
When not at “home” playing with Kina, Kea or Marley (the severely precious baby daughter – an actual person that lives upstairs with her two wonderful parents- that the dogs diligently watch over), I met some other friends on the island.
I found this cutie residing by a group of shrimp trucks along the east side. Ain’t nothing better than some hot shrimp from a trailer on the side of the road. I had a plate of lava shrimp that were absolutely divine. Mmmm…..
A doggone good sunset on the North shore.
Who needs balls when you’ve got coconuts?!
And in the absence of coconuts, your very own leash will do. 🙂
I spent a lot of time reading and photographing on the beach. And that suited me just fine. 🙂
Hawaii Part II (Oahu)
After official business was taken care of in Maui, we hopped over to Oahu to stay with friends. My dog fix was soon taken care of just before I went into hospital-worthy withdrawals.
Kina’ole (or Kina, below left whose ears are always up) and Keau’Kea (or Kea, below right whose ears are always down) are the resident ball players and babysitters of this Haleiwa property where our friends reside in a studio apartment.
Our friend’s apartment sits between the stilts of an upstairs home, a sidewalk’s distance from the beautiful breaks of the North Shore. Just heaven. Anyway, Kina is the Mom (get out! Yep, it’s true) and definitely has the independent spirit I find in my own pit. Kea is the very different looking daughter (a recessive lab gene perhaps?) and she is SO sweet.
Pondering Kea.
Happy Kea.
Sleepy Kea. 🙂
Quintessential Kea.
Kina (Mom) guarding her ball even though she wants you to throw it really bad.
Pretty girl Kina.
Mistress Kina.
Above, is what is characteristic of Kina and why I absolutely love her. I slipped out of “bed” early one morning to use the bathroom and found that another woman had quickly taken my place. Within seconds she had fluffed the pillow and squeezed under the blanket. A blurry photo is all I could muster as my eyes were barely open and the light was not yet full morning. But I needed to get proof of this crime. ha ha 🙂 Although the dogs are owned by the friendly folks upstairs, they tend to sleep with whoever closed their screen door last. I found this fact delightful as I was seriously missing my dogs at this point. 🙂
This picture of Kina is what Hawaii was all about for me: Never needing to turn on the air conditioner, always being able to leave your doors open and your bike unchained, a hammock, flip flops, the most beautiful plants, afternoon sunshine and the time to just sit and think.
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