scruffy dog photography | best professional pet photographer blog serving Toronto and Ontario

Category Archives: other dog stuff

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2011 Kitchener-Waterloo Humane Society calendars ~ Ontario pet photographer

2 November 2010 – 9:59 pm

the KWHS calendars are available this week!

… and that’s one of my new favorite clients Macy on the cover. her mom enjoyed her calendar session so much earlier this summer that she booked a Standard which we shot just this past weekend … so stay tuned for more of this tough-girl sweetheart!

just as with last year, scruffy dog photography designed and shot the entire calendar. sessions were won by contestants who submitted photos of their pets earlier in the year. it should go on record that SDP has no say as to who makes the cut from the submitted photos. it is my understanding that these are narrowed down through voting by KWHS staff. photos are then posted on the KWHS site and put to the public for voting.

sadly, one of the winning entries — Jack, owned by Julie Owens — passed away from lymphoma and was not able to be photographed for the calendar. Julie now shares her home with newly adopted Molly, and as part of my upcoming 2011 shelter dogs program, i am extending Julie a discount on a scruffy dog photo session, should she choose to have Molly photographed.

in the meantime, the 2011 calendar is ready. calendars sell for $15, and all profit goes to the animals at the shelter … so, as always, feel free to throw in a little extra! there are a couple of ways you can get yours …

- you can pick up your calendar in person at the KWHS at 250 Riverbend Drive in Kitchener … BUT before you head over there, please take a moment and check out the KWHS Wish List — items needed by the orphaned animals. this includes everything from cleaners to office supplies, kitty litter and collars. maybe you’ve got some of this stuff lying around the house and can haul it over there when you go to pick up your calendar!

- you can go to their website right now and order online using their easy “Buy Now” button, and pay with PayPal. ($3 for shipping.)

- and for scruffy dog clients … if you’d like to pick up at the studio, or add a calendar (or several!) to your order, just drop me a line.

here’s a peak at what’s inside your 2011 calendar …

now … let’s help out those orphaned animals!

Waterloo Dog group walk ~ {Ontario pet photographer}

31 October 2010 – 2:01 pm

merrick and i enjoyed the company of more than thirty wonderful owners and over a couple dozen awesome dogs today …

… as we joined Tami Packham, Certified Educator Trainer, of Waterloo Dog, for an awesome group walk. (and yes, merrick’s up there.) it was a big group and hard to cram into a frame. next time we’ll try stairs, guys.

merrick made a ton of friends along the way, and hopes to enjoy playdates in the future …

… even if they’re a terrifying twelve-legged norwich tarantu-terrier …

i’d have taken more photos, but was truly enjoying the break. what an awesome morning! and coffee courtesy of Bark & Fitz. thanks, everyone! see you next month! and thanks, Tami, for such a great monthly group.

NOTE: for anyone at the walk this morning who would like a digital copy of the top image, let me know. you can’t tell from the blog-sized image, but it’s a good, clear image of everyone … if you happened to want a print of a bunch of nutty people with their dogs in Waterloo Park, that is.

By illona | Tagged group walk, ontario dog photography, Tami Packham, Waterloo Dog | Comments (7)

the most beautiful thing i’ve seen in a long time

5 October 2010 – 8:05 am

i just have to share a video by fellow dog photographer Anja Zaharanski from Germany. it is easily the most visually beautiful piece i’ve seen in as long as i can remember … touching me so deeply i seriously almost wept. it captures the essence of all the shared walks and hikes, the connection you share with your dog when out in the elements, the bond and the magic.

with so many clients and so many photos, i haven’t taken any time to teach myself video editing. this magical piece by Anja reminds me of how much I need to get some video of my girl Matea while she still possesses some of her vibrancy and power. this is the kind of artwork i can only dream of, one day, making of my girl.

enjoy …

and if the embedded video stutters or acts funky, you can go watch it on youtube or on Anja’s dogscanbark website.

By illona | Tagged anja zaharanksi, fellow photographer, rainy day video, video | Comments (13)

another article about vaccinations

17 September 2010 – 11:08 am

the subject of vaccinations is one i’ll likely revisit numerous times on the blog since it’s one that comes up a lot during client shoots and via emails from fans on facebook or followers of the blog or flickr. so when a new vaccine article came up yesterday through the Only Natural Pet Store newsletter, i thought i should share it here … (and of course, no scruffy blog entry would be complete without at least a little eye-candy) …

the latest vaccine article — The Vaccination Overview – is written by Dr. Jean Hofve, DVM and is a must-read for any pet-owner. it’s also been added to the The Truth About Vaccines page at the bottom of the scruffy dog blog.

the article is a great all-around overview, highlighting some of the advances made in the thinking regarding vaccination protocols … at least, advances with some vets. For instance:

Multiple studies have shown that the vaccines for parvovirus, canine distemper, and feline panleukopenia provide extremely good, long-term protection from disease—8 to 10 years or more. This is true whether your pet received the puppy or kitten series (with the last vaccine given at or after 16 weeks of age), or for older animals after a single vaccine.

as the caretaker for your 4-legger(s) and their only voice, please take the time to educate yourself on the need for vaccines, but also the very real dangers of vaccines and over-vaccination. as most of you already know, the original “scruffy dog” was lost at the age of only 4 years because of vaccines given at a time when he should not have received them. as such, it is a subject very close to my heart.

and as Dr. Hofve writes: “As much as we all love animals, nobody cares about your pet as much as you do—so it’s up to you to do the right thing!”

Note: although the Only Natural Pet Store is US based, it is a great resource for articles and information. check it out sometime.