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Tag Archives: “Grand River”

a couple of faces from the other week ~ {Ontario pet photographer}

18 August 2011 – 9:01 am

as i mentioned the other day, things are pretty busy here at scruffy dog headquarters, and it’s hard to keep up with any blogging.  so here are a couple of great faces from shorter shoots the other week.

first up, Buddy …

and if this big boy looks happy, you bet he is!  he greets you with big smiles and wide tail wags …

it actually took a bit of work to get Buddy wound up; he would have been quite satisfied to just sit or lean on you and receive all the attention you’re willing to dole out.  but what dog doesn’t like a good stick?

thanks for introducing me to your wonderful boy, Grace.

next up is Cooper …

Cooper hails from Bright, and seemed to quite enjoy the change of scenery for his session.

this gorgeous boy had never been in a river before, so our shoot was as much about capturing great images of this handsome boy as it was to introduce him properly to water.  i’d say it was a success…

thanks for making the trip to Waterloo, Cooper.  it was great meeting you and being part of your introduction to bigger water.

By illona | Posted in clients & sneak peeks | Also tagged , , , , , | Comments (4)

oriana’s a momma

22 May 2010 – 7:50 pm

meet oriana …

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these photos were taken exactly one week before she popped.  grandma Sue was expecting lots of puppies but not quite as many as she’s helping to nurse right now.

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twelve squirming white fuzz balls … i heard them just now over the phone as Sue got the formula ready for them!  Oriana had fourteen but, unfortunately, two didn’t make it, and the delivery wasn’t easy … a C-section was required and the milk has been slow to come … so grandma Sue has been up through the nights feeding the babies.

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i’m glad we were able to get these shots of momma before she burst … a lovely, late afternoon before i had to rush off to training class with Merrick.

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and let me tell you, at one week before popping, this girl was taking her much-needed breaks during modeling …

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you’ll be seeing more of Oriana and big brothers Chance and Theo soon … and of course, puppies!!!  but this first photo shoot was just for momma.  can’t wait to meet them all, Sue!   … and see this sweet girl again.

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By illona | Posted in Uncategorized | Also tagged , , , , , | Comments (4)

this is Kava

17 March 2010 – 12:03 pm

meet handsome Kava …

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this Gift Certificate shoot has been a while coming … knowing that this mal needed a snowy backdrop, Kava’s parents waited for just the right day.

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and they agreed that the area around the scruffy dog headquarters was as good a place as any as far getting some great shots of this gorgeous boy.

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it was a gorgeous afternoon, with some glorious sun.

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and there’s always room to run in this neck of the woods.

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and how gorgeous is that coat of Kava’s?

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Kava even sang for me when coaxed with enough treats.

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i should mention — since i am asked this frequently by viewers of the blog — leashes and long-lines are removed from images ordered by the clients.  i can’t possibly remove  them from every single photo; i’d be at it for days.  in this case, the line used is one that i bring to any shoot where the dog can’t be entirely trusted off-leash … 60′ of light climbing line that could easily hold a horse, yet is light enough to let the dog run.

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in Kava’s case, he’s generally good off-leash, but after scaring up a bunny and taking chase during the shoot, the line was put back on for safety’s sake.

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besides the long-line, i always bring treats … gooooood treats apparently. here i’d given Kris a few to entice Kava away from the camera.

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thanks, Jen and Kris for a lovely afternoon … i hope you enjoy Kava’s images for years to come.

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and thanks, Kava, for being so willing.

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By illona | Posted in clients & sneak peeks, products and promos | Also tagged , , | Comments (13)

those red dogs again

28 November 2009 – 10:37 am

you met them here first, now see them again! those crazy red dogs Jake and Diesel …

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these crazy dogs belong to trainer Diane Holmes of Holmes on Hounds in Toronto.

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with a full shoot in Toronto a couple of weeks ago, you’re probably wondering why you’re seeing them again.  well, this was a first for me … the first time that i wasn’t completely satisfied with the images shot during a session.  mind you, the finished images from that first shoot turned out better than i’d initially anticipated they would when i first previewed the images after the shoot, and Diane was thrilled with the results from that first shoot … but i knew the true potential of these wild and gorgeous dogs.

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when shooting in Toronto, the park was crowded because of the last warm weather of the season … kids, dogs, walkers, and gawkers … sometimes the dogs were distracted, other times bystanders were getting into the frame. the light was also extremely harsh, with long sharp shadows cast everywhere by the leafless trees.  so … i invited Diane to my neck of the woods for a second session because i happen to think ‘my turf’ is pretty fantastic.

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… especially for red dogs.

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of course, the downfall of doing this second shoot is that now Diane has a HUGE number of images she has to sort through and choose from!  i know i didn’t make it easy for her.

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the red dogs thoroughly enjoyed their outing in spite of a long hike in the morning before the shoot!  lots of rough-housing …

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and rolling …

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and team-sniffing.

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and when that Diesel girl gets her crazy on, she sure can rip!

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thanks, Diane, and thanks Jake and Diesel for an absolutely fabulous second shoot!

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By illona | Posted in clients & sneak peeks | Also tagged , | Comments (4)

the big red dog

3 October 2009 – 5:56 pm

meet the most handsomest red dog .. evah!  big boy Brewer.

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this blog entry is a little late, and it’s a little big.  i’m simply unable to narrow down the choices of images to share.  i mean, with a face like this …

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… so less words, more pics.  after all, what more do i need to say about this handsome boy?

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this young boy tore up the place.  for those interested, these shots were taken along the trails near the scruffy dog studio … always a great place for some scenic shots.

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of course, i think Brewer is happy no matter where he goes …

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Brewer was a wonderful model … even at only 14 months of age his obedience  was solid and his connection to owners Jamie and Steph was wonderful to witness. and of course, i’ve always got a thing for hunting dogs.

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from the scruffy dog studio area we headed to Brewer’s home and a nearby cut wheat field …

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gotta love a dog who loves his momma.

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and then back home …

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… onto the forbidden couch.

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i just love it when clients break the rules for the sake of a photo shoot.  thanks Steph and Jamie, for a wonderful shoot and for introducing me to your amazing, amazing ridgie boy.  i’m sure he slept well after our long afternoon.  i look forward to our studio consult and seeing your boy in print.  i might just have to grace my own studio walls with his gorgeous mug.

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By illona | Posted in clients & sneak peeks | Also tagged , | Comments (5)