Although I’m pleased to say that the majority of my clients are adopted from shelters and rescue groups, and I’ve never met one that would come close to that lame stereotype of “damaged goods”, I sometimes find it worthy of noting when someone is a rescue just to remind everyone that they are awesome.  Gemma is no exception.

A ‘Morkie’ (Maltese/Yorkie), Miss Gemma captured the heart of her Mom when Mom met her perched on the back of the foster’s sofa.  With those button eyes and salt-pepper fur that twirls around an amazing personality, it took 1.5 seconds to realize she was coming home.

A perfect match had been made as both Gemma and her Mom are fun, adventurous, surrounded by wonderful energy and are fabulous to hang out with.  I could’ve stayed there through breakfast lunch and dinner but instead I left with smile that lasted for days.  Thank you Gemma, Judith and Fairy Dog Mother Susan.

Bree & Pippin are freakin’ adorable.  There’s no other way about it.  They look out for each other, adore each other and kind of love their photograph being taken.  Pippin trims his own nails (honest!) while Bree prefers to keep the length (screaming at anyone who tries to cut them).  Bree also loves her ‘babies’ and falls asleep with her owl toy in her mouth, the owl’s muffled hoo-hooting singing her a lullaby.  And, of course, both doxies will do almost anything for a snack. 

Although Christopher the cat still resides in Florida (he moved in with his Grandma) he decided he needed to play a part in all this attention.  He has Vogue written all over him too.  All these animals live, love and nap together in perfect harmony.  I didn’t want them (or there mom) to leave! My very best wishes and love to you Holly!!  Austin will be awesome!

Heaven.  Sweet, sweet heaven.  It’s been a while since I’ve had a horsie client so you can’t imagine how thrilled I was to hang out with Paradox!  Horses, like seeing whales surface in the wild (I know it’s an odd analogy but it makes sense to me,) just take my breath away.

Paradox’s Mom described him as a “dork” and I couldn’t agree more.  He obeys the rules, is a Momma’s boy and is unintentionally comical.  Still, a gorgeous animal and I totally fell in love.

Under the oak trees sits a mound of hay which I was content to sit on and listen to him crunch and munch away.  He creates a tunnel in the hay pile and buries his adorable snout in there, dining in his self-made cafeteria.

When he wasn’t wearing his hay, he chased me around the yard, trying to make my pocket his automatic apple dispenser- hee hee!

I got carried away, fawning over him well after the stable wrapped it up for the evening.  At that point, “P”s Mom realized that I was as much of a dork as her boy- ha ha!  It’s true.  I’ll be the first to admit it.  Thank you, Rebecca for letting me get a thoroughly satisfying horse fix.  I was floating on a cloud made of hay. 

Chyna, a plump little pug of cuteness, has the most welcoming and contagious smile.  She’s sweet, kind, patient and gracious.  Her back legs and spine don’t quite work like they used to so she scoots around the house with the help of her parents and…a rolling bed they made for her.  It’s pretty awesome.  I kinda want one.

She is incredible and oh so squishable!

Cookie, with her adorable snout peppered with wirey strands, will forever appear the puppy.  A lovely and playful little girl who adores her sister, she danced around our session, up for anything.  The way she springs up on furniture and remains so attentive make her a perfect entertainer.  Las Vegas should most definitely be in her future.

For a household with two female dogs, neither had the desire to steal anyone’s thunder.  Both girls are considerate and caring, offering each other ample time in the spotlight.  True sisters at heart.

I was so excited to see Abby & Gracie again!  It’s been a year since I first had the pleasure of photographing them and although they are still delicious little truffles that you just want to gobble up, they’ve both been through somewhat of a metamorphosis.

Abby has realized that living in Florida and growing fur is just not the mix for her.  Medication for hypothyroidism and Fanconi Syndrome actually play a part in her new ‘do but as far as she’s concerned that’s neither here nor there.  She’s happier than ever (as if she could get any more delightful,) allows me to shape her strands into a Statue of Liberty crown and spreads sunshine wherever she goes.  I adore her. 

Gracie, who last year ran a campaign against photographers in the house, has turned a kinder face towards fame.  Gladly entertaining for the camera with her traditional teddy bear trim, she pranced around like a seasoned pro.  “Shall I turn my head this way?”  “How does my hair look?”  I’ve created a monster- ha ha!  I kid, I kid.  She was amazing!  Getting used to the shutter click from her Dad’s DSLR helped prepare for this role and she totally owned it.  She’s like a living stuffed animal that you cannot stop cuddling.  Sigh.

Thank you, again, Jaime & Michael for another awesome morning!

Two brothers, two different personalites (of course) and two beautiful specimens of the feline world.

Zacc exudes an air of confidence that so many people could only wish to have.  He demonstrates an enticing balance of charm, attention and aloofness that keeps you drawn in.  A panther-like presence tells you your dealing with more than just a house cat, thank you very much.  And, he dazzled me with his beauty throughout the entire session.

Tyler is shy but no less enchanting.  He has striking blue eyes which contain a vulnerability that’s nothing but endearing.  And, once he realized how much fun I was, he let it all hang out…with the aid of herbs.

He took an incredible fancy to the catnip his Dad provided.  I’ve never seen anything like it.  Throwing his inhibitions to the wind, he became enamored…I got hugs (both paws around my neck), kisses (I swear, it was so funny!) and sweet nothings whispered into my ear.  I was dying, I’ve never seen a cat do anything like it!  I wondered if he remembered the next morning.  He said he was going to call…maybe he’s just busy.

I had a wonderful time working with both of these boys and clearly they are naturals in front of the camera.  Thank you, Lonn & Lew!

The last time I saw Dolce, she was ambling around with a torn ACL.  Five surgeries, another torn ACL, acupuncture and lots of love later, she trots around like a champ.  You gotta love a good comeback.

She loves to swim just about as much as she loves all the attention in the room.  I was happy to give it to her…and divide it amongst her siblings when she wasn’t looking.

The last time I saw Romeo, he was an innocent little lab puppy.  Now he’s about my size, goofy as anything and such a big lug, it’s hilarious!  He aims to please, loves a snack (or three) and stays far away from the pool.  Those puppy dog eyes have not disappeared, however, and I don’t think they ever well.

Leo is my new BCFF.  He couldn’t wait for his turn in front of the camera and to say he hammed it up is an understatement.  He is the ever-present, ever-entertaining and most gracious host.  Playful beyond words, he provided an endless supply of laughter and amazement during our session. Leo, like Dolce, also loves the pool…table.  He swats around in the pockets inviting the ball to come out play.

Al (below) is the more reserved, cautious and serious sibling of the cat duo.  If Leo is the charming sales rep, Al is the bookkeeping and numbers guy, enjoying the company of his ledger and private office.

He was a little camera shy at first, but after he interviewed me and I laid out my plan for a killer kitty session, he was all about it and I was thrilled to have won him over. 

Thank you, Cheryl, for an always-wonderful time with your animal fam!

Okay, seriously with that face.  You’ve got to be kidding me.  Saffy is a cupcake that I almost slathered with icing and ate up, num num num!  A Puggle of nine years, she’s got those melty brown eyes and a puppy mug sprinkled with wise maturity.  She’s matter-of-fact, super chill and I had way too much fun with her!

Her expressions are subtle in variation but they speak volumes and most of her words are spoken through her eyes.  She’s a sucker for cookies and enjoys lounging in the sun room watching all the goings on along the street.  She’s patient, relaxed and even-keel but is in no way lacking spunk.  She simply lets it spill around her and soar throughout the room without having to act it out.  I don’t know if that makes sense, but it’s all I can do to describe her presence.  She’s pretty awesome.

Oh, and she’s 100% hysterical.  I laughed A LOT while working with her.  And, the fact that she doesn’t laugh back makes her even funnier.  When she nestled into the chair cushion with lips all awry, I couldn’t contain myself.  She’s just too much!

Thank you, David & Mark for a truly wonderful morning.  Saffy rocked it. 

Oh Beaumont and that happy face!  Beaumont is a PomeraniHAM for the camera.  He loves getting his photograph taken and his smile is contagious.  He also loves flying up onto chairs to lounge around, the prospect of possibly obtaining a treat and striking a pose.  He’s soft and adorable and a little fluff of sunshine.

He’s persona resembles a golden Hollywood icon, a Gable, Grant, or Kelly (his little Pom footsteps definitely qualify as a dance number).  Confidence abounds but it’s not over the top.  He’s up for anything and his glass is always half full (of charm) so you fall in love with his energy.

And, on occassion, you catch him being introspective or lost in intellect and you just take in the beauty. 

Thank you Eddie & Kenny for a fab day with your Bobo!

I am honored to have photographed and written the biDOGraphies of these wonderful creatures in the hopes that it will bring at least one person to a shelter or rescue group.  Supporting adoptable pets and shelters is a huge passion of mine and when these guys get a chance to reach more people…in print…in sweet, sweet color it just makes me smile real big. 

THANK YOU PLAYGROUND MAGAZINE for being SO AWESOME!!!  The spread looks amazing!