… alas …

he is sorely mistaken …

much more of the fabulous Norbert coming soon.

we actually started indoors for our shoot … get some home shots in before getting all wet and dirty at the quarry.  and owner Allison did a super job of tiring these two out before our shoot, taking them out for a good hike and then a vigorous visit with 4-legger friends after.  so these two were calm and willing models from the get-go, as you’ll see from their bedroom series.

at the quarry, i was so happy to see an entire hill of this knee-high grass, already dead and dried … the perfect backdrop, especially for a black dog.

also at the quarry is an old abandoned weigh scale … the rusted platform made an awesome backdrop.

but, of course,  the main reason you go to the quarry is for the water …

i’m told Riley’s not as into the water as his lab sister Stella, but he was still willing to get in there and fetch a stick or two.

of course, every high-energy dog needs to cool his engines at some point … flaps up …

back at home we snagged the last few rays of daylight and the brick of the garage wall for Riley’s Scooby-doo impression …

thanks for being such an awesome model, Riley.  you were fab!

and stay tuned for Stella’s fabulous blog entry next …

like any good lab, Shelby loves water.  and it doesn’t matter where that water is, especially when the weather is as hot as it’s been this summer.  so, i thought it would be fun to grab a few shots of this girl cooling off in the fountain outside of Kitchener’s City Hall.

of course, we checked first to be sure there were no “no dogs allowed” signs posted … and Shelby’s leash was removed in post for most of her shots.

we also snagged a few shots in front of the old, historical Public Utilities Building across the street …

but then, yup, back to the water.

and a little showing-off to wrap things up.

thanks, Shelby, and Michelle and family, for indulging me.  i hope you enjoy Shelby’s images in her gallery.

or maybe a little of this?

with the temps soaring into the upper 30s these past few days, and the humidex nudging that oppression up over 40 — that’s 100+ degrees for all of my good friends across the border — well, ask any dog and, in between the drooling pants and hangdog looks, they’ll probably tell you it’s just too doggamn hot.  unless, of course, you’re able to scoop up the very last kiddie pool at Toys R Us … and don’t even bother trying Walmart or Zellers or Canadian Tire.  they’re all out.  but blessed Ashley down at the Toys R Us was Merrick’s savior today with the last dusty pool kicking around the place.

i’m not sure, but i think he kinda sorta just a little likes it.

as for my saner girl matea …

this crazy dog will collapse and luxuriate in the deepest, muckiest, slimiest, smelliest, scummiest puddles she can find on any trail … but no way will she get into a shallow pool of clean water.  however, give this girl a hose …

and you’ve utterly and completely made her day.

so, do what you have to, but stay cool!