in fact, the final challenge for the group’s 2010 project was a ‘handing-over-the-reins’ or ‘passing-the-torch’ challenge for those die-hard 52-Weekers who are continuing with another year-long project through 2011 and perhaps switching dogs for their project.   since the passing of the project from matea to morley from 2009 to 2010 was a leash-theme …

… i followed my same theme this year with merrick to matea …

of course, knowing i had this challenge coming up, i’ve been working hard with merrick on his ‘fetch’ command, but it’s still not strong enough for him to actually ‘bring’ me matea.  when she refused to budge, he let go.  but you gotta give the little guy props for trying!

i’ve mentioned the 52 Weeks for Dogs project on the blog before, but for those who don’t know about it, 52 Weeks for Dogs is a “project-oriented” flickr group that was launched at the start of 2009, the premise being to envision, set-up, shoot and share a specific photo each week.  what had originally started as something i intended to do as a one-year project for my girl matea, ended up being a bit of a phenomenon.  within weeks of its inception and completely unpredicted, the 52 Weeks for Dogs group became an extremely active, vibrant, tight-knit community where its generous members share everything from dog-information to photography tips, and everything else in between.

of course, 2010 was supposed to be morley’s year.  it started off strong …

… but sadly, morley’s brain tumor took him from us in april.

because merrick had been rescued as a companion for morley during what were to be his final months, it seemed only fitting that merrick should continue morley’s 2010 project, and the deeply sympathetic members of the 52 Weeks group agreed.  so, without missing a week in the project, merrick made his appearance …

… with a bath photo as well, of course.

we had a blast throughout the year.  merrick overcame his incredible fear of the camera (as you can tell!) — of course, it doesn’t hurt that i’ve got just a little experience in that department — and like many members of the group who commit to photographing their dogs weekly, the year-long project produced some of my favorite photos of the little goober, photos i would never have had if not for the commitment to the group.

but now it’s matea’s turn.  this girl means the world to me, and as she enters her 9th year, i’m looking forward to redirecting my cameras onto her again.  it’s time for merrick to hand over the leash …

… even though he makes it amply — and loudly — clear that he doesn’t like playing second fiddle.  i think in 2011 merrick is going to prove a greater challenge in matea’s photo sessions than matea will!

thank you to everyone in the the 52 Weeks for Dogs group.  YOU are what makes this group so sensational and you’re a pleasure to share photos and more with.  and to those of you not continuing with a 2011 project,  you know we’re going to miss you somethin’ fierce!  happy new year to you all, and all the best to you, your 4-leggers, and your photographic endeavors.

but this little guy definitely pays it forward, applying the adopt-don’t-shop maxim himself by adopting most of his predecessor morley’s toys.

no need to go out and buy a slew of new toys when there are so many great ones close at hand to enjoy and give love to.  you’ll notice that ms. fishlips was well loved by morley, took a beating, saw some minor surgery, and is now thriving with great doses of merrick-love …

but with merrick, there’s a very fine line between love and pure chaos …

so merrick says, adopt, don’t shop! … because there’s nothing better than a pre-owned, pre-tested, pre-slobbered-on, pre-squeaked, pre-tattered and pre-loved toy.

as I lay in bed last night, an image suddenly formed in my mind which i felt would answer the challenge perfectly.  all that was left was to figure out how to execute it with all three scruffies.  i shouldn’t have continued setting up the shot beyond the initial click.  the first one nailed it …

… my lounging girl, a disdainful aslan looking on, and merrick — a constant blur in our world.

enjoy your weekend, everyone!  i hope it’s not a blur!

added note for all you techies: no, there are no special effects or extra photoshopping tricks here. this shot was accomplished through a slow shutter speed and good dog-wranglin’.

as a pet photographer, it’s often easy to get so wrapped up in pointing your cameras at other people’s dogs and cats that you forget to capture those special moments shared with your own … or, as is the case lately, to even take the time to enjoy those special moments with my own scruffies.  i’ve been so swamped with shoots, administration, and post work, that i haven’t spent enough time with the scruffies who share my life and studio with me.  so this afternoon i took a little time away from the desk and played ball with merrick.

first the tease … i let the dog’s out, but forgot the ball.  it’s like the little monkeynuts reads my mind; he knows i’m coming with the ball vs. just letting them out to do their business …

and then the madness ensues …

if this next one doesn’t crack you up, well, you should  probably check yourself for a pulse … 

of course, there are always some misses when it comes to merrick … but he’s learning to focus.

these shots were actually taken as part of a project i’m doing for a group on flickr (probably the #1 online photo management and sharing site).  52 Weeks for Dogs is a group i started almost two years ago at the request of a number of flickr friends after i started my own 52 weeks project for my girl matea.  basically it’s about taking a photo of one dog every week.  the group is populated with a variety of photographers of varying talents and is a fabulous and busy pool of doggie information.  who knew it would take off and become the beast it has?  unfortunately, its popularity has forced us to close its doors temporarily in order to maintain that intimate feel, and new members are admitted as there is room, and at the beginning of each new year for the new project.

anyway, i have to thank the 52 Week group for so many of my favorite photos of merrick — without the challenge of our weekly photos, i know i wouldn’t have dragged out the camera except for client shoots.

so, 52 Weekers, these are for you!  merrick loves ya!

and for those of you who haven’t ‘met’ merrick yet, this boy has been with us less than four months.  we rescued him off of a puppy mill/farm where he was used for stud and clearly had been beaten and kicked around for the first five or six years of his life.  you can read more on his story here.  hopefully it’ll make you rethink pet stores, kijiji, classified ads and backyard breeders.

you’ve come a long way, baby!  (this taken on day 3 after we snagged him … terrified of the camera … using sweet morley as his security blanket) …

hope you’re all enjoying your weekend with your own scruffies, and taking time to enjoy the balls life throws ya, whether they’re curved or not.