A day at the park with my girls

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Today I had a great shoot at New Edinburgh park, and decided to take some time to play with my own girls! As you can see, they've been a photographers dogs for quite a while now, and know the drill!

Teeghan

I'd like to introduce my recent Hopeful Hearts foster dog, Teeghan. Teegy has been with Hopeful Hearts for a little while now, but is absolutely terrified of people - just the mere sight of a new person down the street would send her bolting back to safety.            


Since I am lucky enough to work from home most of the day, I asked if I could take on Teeghan, and work with her one on one. She arrived at my place last Friday, and had the weekend to settle in and get used to me. Then it was down to business!


Jane Madigan of Inspired K9's  is a great behaviourist who offers her time to help some the dogs of Hopeful Hearts overcome their issues. Jane came out to visit us on Monday, and helped Teeghan learn to trust the human touch, and showed me how to guide her through her fears in the great outdoors. Just in that one day, this little dog made great improvements!

Throughout the week, I went further and further down the street on my short walks with Teegy, and on the last couple of days made it to the woods, where she had a blast smelling all of the new smells! The first time she peed outside on the front lawn was very exciting, and she is now doing it more and more, and using her pee pads regularly when inside. 

Photos to follow courtesy of Christine C Chambers

Today it was time for our first big adventure, with our friends, Gibson the Schnauzer and his family. We were cautious in taking her into the van (which is fully dog equipped - a great introduction to vehicles!).  And Teeghan went right up and sniffed the other passengers, who obeyed the "no touch, no talk, no eye contact" rules. 

We got out and let Teeghan run around on a long extend-a-leash, and that's where the real magic started. Teeghan ran straight after Sadie and into the water with her, then she came out, and started walking up to Gibson's human family members, Christine and Shirley. She let them pet her and give her treats, and then went back to play with Sadie in the water. 

I later attached a regular leash to Teeghan's harness, and the other end to Sadie, and let them run around together. Teeghan followed easily, and seemed completely comfortable with no desire to bolt away. 
The "dogmobile" was having some troubles, and after our trip to the park, had to go into the shop for a short while. Christine and Shirley offered to drop me off before taking the van in and sitting at Bridgehead to wait. I decided that since Teeghan was having so much fun, that I'd like to push it a little further and see how she did at Bridgehead. I was close to home and could leave if I needed to. 

Teeghan settled right down beside me and took in her surroundings. As she smelled all of the yummy organic cookies and treats at other tables, she started venturing around. I asked a couple of people at neighbouring tables if they minded her sniffing around them for experience, and they happily obliged. Teeghan sniffed shoes and hands, and even let a couple of people pet her! 

Later we came home, and I took her out to brush all of that shedding fur out. It turns out that Teeghan loves being brushed! One of the neighbours older kids came home, and after an initial bit of fear, she approached him cautiously for a sniff. I think kids will take a little longer for her to get used to, but she is making big steps! 

Of all the dogs I've worked with and had through my life, I don't think I've ever been more proud of one! I can't wait to see Teeghan grow more brave every day, and eventually find her forever home! 

Happy Birthday Biggie!

Today PhoDOGrapher is celebrating the 12th birthday of a wonderful and loving Pitbull named Biggie, with his friends Storm, Dixie, and Sadie.

We love you Biggie!

Dog Fancy: The Count of Montecristo

Sonja and Stephan, adoptive parents of this sweet 3lb Chihuahua Montecristo, sent me this great photo of Monte showing off his shot in this month's Dog Fancy! I think what he's telling us here is that he wants a cover! One day Monte.. one day! Thanks so much to Monte and his parents for this great shoot. We hope to have many more!

Here is the original image - Monte sitting so proudly on a pedestal. Just where he belongs!

Catching up...

Well, it's been a busy few months and I've neglected my blog a wee bit! 

Covering a few topics in one blog, here's what's new...

Once Upon a Fairy Tale was a HUGE success, raising much needed funds for the dogs of Hopeful Hearts rescue, and more importantly, a LOT of exposure for the wonderful group! We had many great vendors and attendees, including Renee Madden of 99.7 EZ Rock !

Thanks to the amazing team who put this even together. Especially important to me were Amy and Alicia, the Hopeful Hearts volunteers who made the amazing costumes for Prince Boscoe and Princess Portia, and the incredible background for my photos! 

Renee poses with Prince Boscoe and Princess Portia

Roz, Hopeful Hearts founder, poses with her handsome fur-son Prince Boscoe! 

Brock, Mai Tai (Adoptable!!) and Christine, a happy Hopeful Hearts family!

Amy, one of the creative Geniuses behind this event, and her sweet Princess AJ! 

Most images taken were of course, of children, however I won't be posting those without parental consent. If you are the parent of a child who attended the event, please contact me and I'll be happy to send a web version of your photo! 

New Arrivals from Lebanon!

Hopeful Hearts recently took in 5 dogs from Lebanon, all with missing limbs which gave them no chance for a life in their country. A group called BETA (Beirut for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) raised the money and organized the transportation of all 5 fully vaccinated, spayed/neutered dogs to Montreal, where the Hopeful Hearts team met them to take over the care of the dogs! These dogs are sweet natured, loving and fun! Although they have no real "training" they are very well mannered and willing to learn. Their fosters are working hard to teach them our canadian ways, and they are all available for adoption at hopefulhearts.ca

To find out more about each dog, you can click on their names below the photos.

And now I introduce.....

Mercy

Tatiana

Max

Ruben

Roo

Thank you Hopeful Hearts and BETA for giving these sweet dogs the chance at life that they deserve!

Fosters!!

Once again I've ended up with a sweet little foster dog for a while.. Paco came to use from a shelter where he was due to be euthanized because he was too nervous for anyone to want him. Have you been in a shelter? I'd be nervous too! 

Paco is slowly learning to "be a dog" and not be so afraid of people. He loves and needs lots of exercise, and once he's had it, he's calm and relaxed, and can take in the world around him much better! Paco would love to be a miniature exercise partner to someone who wants a small dog with the stamina of a bigger one!

You can learn more about Paco on his Hopeful Hearts profile. 

Of course, those who don't know will be happy to hear that my last foster, Otis, was finally adopted into a wonderful home! 

He was the most difficult to give up of all the dogs that have come through my life, and I miss him like crazy but am SO happy to know that he's living the good life with his new family. 

A while ago, Hopeful Hearts foster Mel put up a great post about fostering on her blog, Furry Four Legged Foster Friends, touching on the difficulties of fostering and giving up a dog, the rewards, and finding the right home for your foster.

Many people wonder how we do it - give up a foster dog that has so hugely impacted our lives. Let me tell you it has nothing to do with thicker skin or an ability to "detach" ourselves. Giving up a foster is just as difficult for us as it would be for anyone else. But we know that by fostering we've saved a life, and that's well worth the pain we suffer in parting with our beloved dogs. 

Here are some things you can do to make parting with your foster dog easier for both you AND for the dog!  (Thanks for my boyfriend Dave for taking most of these photos while I concentrated on the dogs, and friend, Larkin for taking the one of Otis and me!)

Spend some extra time together, and have a good cry if you need to, but do it a good few days before the change.

Otis and I were very close and spent a lot of time together at events, at home and on our long and very memorable walks. Giving him up was painful at the least, but I couldn't let him think that anything about this transition was bad, even though mom was sad.

We spent a long morning cuddling the weekend before his departure, and I must admit I bawled like a baby. However, the next day I shook it off, and spent the week going for extra long walks and playing with him and his friends, smiling and happy. If you give the dog any sign that you're upset about what's happening (and he WILL know), then it's more likely that the dog will worry about the change, and not transition as well. Don't forget that more often than not, the emotions that our dogs are showing, are reflections of our own emotions. 

Bring his stuff.. A dog's favourite toys, bed, anything that smells like home, is very comforting. In Otis' case his bunny was especially comforting for him because he shared it with Sadie, his best doggy friend. Having her smell with him kept her close! Also, his new dad Roy went above and beyond (see why I chose him?) and bought his crate that he was already using with a donation to Hopeful Hearts, so that he didn't even have to get used to a new crate!

Now, do what dogs to best - go for a walk! Walking is the most natural way for a dog to "migrate". We took Otis to his new home, unloaded his stuff, and Roy and I took him for a good walk around his new home. He got his exercise, and got to walk with both his new dad and his foster mom, until he was comfortable with either of us. By the end of the walk he was tired, content, and ready for a nap in his crate - where ever it happened to be!

Bring a friend! Otis was happy that his foster mom was there for the walk to make the transition easier, but no one understands a dog and makes him feel comfortable like a doggy friend does! Having Sadie with him for his migration made everything ok. He knows that she trusts her humans and so should he! They got to play one last time and enjoy their favourite activity together, which all but made them forget that they were in a strange place with strange people. (Not that you're strange, Roy!)

Stand back and watch. As much as you want to say your last goodbyes and spend as many of those last minutes as possible together making sure your beloved fur-friend knows how much you love him, this time is for him being comfortable with the NEW family. Resist that urge and watch him get to know his new family. The more comfortable they are together, the easier this transition will be! By the end of the walk, you want to see how happy your foster is with his new family. 

Once we were back in the house and warmed up after our walk, I fed Otis because he tends to stop eating when he's nervous. He ate his food right up without hesitation, which told me that he was totally FINE! I gave him the fresh marrow bone that I brought for him (and bull pizzle to his own little foster brother, Tiny Tim or "The Don"), gave him a quick hug goodbye, and left without looking back. 

THEN I got into the car and cried again... but with the knowledge that this special dog found a special home, and he would live out the rest of his life there VERY happily! 

I'm now extremely thankful to have regular updates from Otis and Roy, and to be invited to a spring barbecue as soon as the weather warms up! Thank you Roy for being the subject of this post, as well as an AWESOME dad to Otis!

OK I have to say it...

And they all lived happily ever after.....





Until next time!

Brit

PhoDOGrapher at "Once Upon a Fairytale"

The PhoDOGrapher will be at a great event for kids, on March 27th from 11:30 to 4:30. Bring your Princes and  Princesses out for all sorts of fun!

Tickets are $20 each and admit one child and accompanying parent.

Photos with Prince Boscoe, the handsome Great Pyranese, or Princess Porche, the dainty Long Haired Chihuahua, will be $10 each.  visit www.hopefulhearts.ca for more details!

New Hopeful Hearts Puppies!

Wonderful momma, Daisy Mae of Hopeful Hearts rescue, gave birth to 9 beautiful puppies this month, and I had the pleasure of photographing them last night! We also got to name the pups - each in memory of a Hopeful Hearts dog that has passed away in 2010.

Please welcome.....

Gracie

Shandy

Kennedy

Phantom

Hana

Apollo

Mingo

Lea

Mai Tai