- 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!