- St. Cloud, FL pet and dog photography -
Chester is a lively old chap indeed. He’s tough as nails, set in his ways and finds no shame in directing all the attention to himself- hee hee! 
And I wouldn’t have him any other way. His Mom stumbled upon him as a puppy (in a way that was truly meant to be) along the side of the road, moments after he was struck by a car. Her persistence with the emergency clinic on the subject of whether or not her new friend was going to make it paid off. “Listen here, pal, he’s going to make it.” (Go Mom!)
Fourteen years later, he loves to sit out in the yard, soaking up the sun and his favorite past time is conquering his Buster Cube. And let me tell you, he’s a master at it. He knows how to roll it, fling it and strategically plunk it out of his bed in the just the right way to get the reward of delectable morsels inside. Yep, he’s smart. And, yep, he knows it. 
He has gorgeous amber eyes that are highlighted so nicely by his salt and pepper maturity. He talked a lot during our session about how he wanted me to give him treats every millisecond instead of taking his picture and when I would give him a photo break, he’d go on and on about how I needed to be photographing him and not his brother, Duke. Ha ha! His personality reminds me of the cantankerous but oh-so-endearing main character of last year’s animated hit, Up and I couldn’t get enough of him!
The only unfortunate thing about Chester is that, like too many dogs nowadays, he is battling cancer. His parents are taking the very best care of him and based on our photo session, it’s apparent Chester is conducting business as usual…telling that no good, son-of-a-cell where it can go with it’s symptoms. Were he human, he’d make an awesome Army Colonel with his natural shield of armor and a tenacity we could only wish to possess. As far as his troops, Chester’s parents have the support and wealth of knowledge from the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine Foundation’s Chase Away K9 Cancer resources. If you or somedog you know, needs that same support or would like to donate to the cause, please visit www.chaseawayk9cancer.org In the meantime, Chester is going to go about eating his salmon, working on his tan and perpetually entertaining those around him.
Chester’s brother, Duke, is a hoot. He’s a goofball and he has that doh-dee-doh personality which just makes you giggle and pinch his cheeks. He loves his Chuck-It and loves to work on deconstructing the ball when he brings it back. You’d never know it until you witnessed it but those angelic eyes and innocent face can make mincemeat of a toy in 2.5 seconds- ha ha!! Were he human, he’d be a surgeon, the way he expertly navigates the stuffing and locates the innards of a toy under his anesthesia of doggie drool.
One of his favorite activities that day was sitting down with a good toy and just getting lost in it. I’m the same way with books so I totally understand. It’s an excellent way to spend a lovely morning. He has a pink piglet nose, an adorable little mole on his chin and a hilarious ensemble of lips and teeth that keep me laughing while I work on his photos.
Duke is soulful and sweet. He enjoys a friend and a good belly rub but is also content entertaining himself and using that wonderful imagination I’m sure he possesses. He’s also not fond of thunderstorms. At all. I know what that’s like and it’s no fun. Luckily our session fell on a pleasant weather morning. 
Watching the dynamic between Chester and Duke is pure brotherly love, exemplified by this awesome game they play…Chester calls the game “You have the ball, I want the ball, Now give it to me or face total destruction.” Duke calls the game “I have the ball, You want the ball and I’m going to try not to give in this time”.
Thank you Patty & Justin for inviting me to capture your kids in all their glory. It was a perfect morning, we outsmarted the thunderstorms and your dogs won me over! I just adore them!
She loves chasing the ball because that’s where the fun lies. If you raise your arm, she immediately bolts in the direction it looks like you’re about to throw. When the ball makes landing, she is already there…waiting for you to come fetch it from her. 
Tank is a wonderful Lab/Pit mix. He’s smart and has an independent personality but loves the comfort of his human family whom he has to keep tabs on at all times. 
He’s regal and distinguished, just gorgeous, but the way he carries himself is unmistakably “man”. 
Thank you Naomi & April for letting Tank roll into my week!
Romeo (he sure is!) is the most handsome young man. A Chocolate Lab and new brother to Dolce, he’s a riot to play with and I know Dolce will be so happy when she’s all fixed up so she can run around with him again.
He has the sweetest little doh-doh face and I just wanted to pinch his cheeks over and over! He also has lovely sea green eyes that I got lost in. Certain sunlight brings out his auburn highlights (which are natural as he does not need to see a colorist like the rest of us…if only…sigh) which altogether makes his outside as wonderfully colorful as his personality within.
Thanks for all the puppy love!
Jackson is a giant sucker for a frisbee. Or, rather, whoever is throwing it for him is the sucker. He is tireless and determined and SO very focused on the task at hand. It is incredibly fun to watch him play! 
And, ladies…when this handsome bachelor is not retrieving colorful objects and keeping in shape by swimming 3,000 laps he works with children. Lemme hear it… “Awwww” 
Maggie is also a big player in the community service world. She, too, is a registered R.E.A.D Dog and makes many visits to area hospitals, special needs centers, schools and nursing homes. She loves a good game of frisbee (of course) and if you promise not to say anything I’ll tell you a secret…
She also looks dazzling in her blue towel- I mean- her majesty’s robe. Yes.
These guys just rocked this session and it is a complete fun fest working with them. Both are members of Therapy Dogs Inc. and are stellar citizens of the community if I do say so myself!
The above are my favorite features of this awesome due. Olive’s caramel eyes (yum!) and Austin’s multiple dew claws on each foot. It’s so crazy- ha ha! I told Austin his mom was a Hemingway cat and he threatened to knock my lights out. 
