contemporary, lifestyle, on-location animal photography

if you read only one dog book this year… ~ {Ontario pet photographer}

June 21, 2011

i know it’s been a while since i posted a “things we love!” blog entry … sorry ’bout that. just too much happenin’ in these parts … and i knew that i wanted to write about this book as the next “things we love” blog entry. plus, well, i had to finish reading the book first, and frankly, i had to tackle the ending in small doses.

but trust me, if there’s only one dog book you read this year, let it be Steve Duno’s, last dog on the hill …

as you’d expect, i have quite a library of dog books. but as a published novelist for two decades, i confess i can be a harsher critic than many. i’ve got some high standards, both when it comes to writing, and when it comes to those i feel even have the authority to be writing books about dogs. needless to say, there are countless books on dogs in print, and out of those, many that — i believe — should never have met a printing press. admittedly, those are the ones that find their way — rather unceremoniously — on a quick trip via the blue bins to the curb in front of our house. “What? You don’t take them to a used book store? Donate them to the library?” sadly, no. i’m not about to waste someone else’s time with such tripe.

but once in a while, a genuinely solid piece of writing about dogs comes out … a story worth telling, written by someone who not only knows how to write, but has also learned a thing or two about dogs, and as such has some authority to speak about what he writes. Steve Duno’s story of his first dog Lou, and how this rescued mutt altered his life, is truly “unforgettable”. … beautifully written, never maudlin, perhaps a little embellished in places, but overall, a book that will remain the forerunner of all the “dog story” books on my shelf, as it will be difficult — if not impossible — to top.

if you’ve ever had that wonder dog, ever loved a dog so deeply you thought your life would end when theirs did, this is a book for you. whole paragraphs and single phrases are not only moving, but also touch you to the core …

” … because together, with this dog, things meant more.”

“Better to bear an unending line of sweet, tail-wagging idiots than to bury you again,” Duno writes to Lou after his passing. “Pity the dogs who follow a legend. I’m done searcing for your doppelganger.”

and as my girl Matea — my own wonder-dog and hero, and a dog i’m pretty sure Duno would be impressed with and no doubt see some similarities to his incredible boy — as she steps into her senior years, coping with spondylosis, Duno’s convictions and experience ring loudly for me. “Work is life. You stop working, you’re dead.” … and i realize i have to do more with my wonder-dog, even though her body can’t run and fly and jump and leap and hunt the way she used to.

so, thank you, Mr. Duno, for an unforgettable story, for some beautiful writing, and for the cry. i hope your heart has been touched as deeply by a new dog, just in a different way. as someone who has gone through the deep losses of a couple of very special dogs already, i can say that they are all legends in their own way, they all touch our hearts just in very different ways … we just have to be open to it. or maybe i’ve just been really lucky in dogs.

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7 comments

DianeLewisPhotographThanks for mentioning this book- will definately go and buy it- have been so dissapointed in so many of the other dog books out there. My heart dog Bailey lies here under my desk as I write this, he is 15 1/2, God help me when he leaves. I have him to thank for so much in my life, he started my career as a pet photographer, my true love and passion in life was found because of him. He has taught me more than any teacher could… and for that I am eternally blessed.ReplyCancel
David G.Great photo to go with the blog post!

Thank you for your review of the book. Good job.ReplyCancel
AnoukI agree with you completely. I firmly believe that each and every dog is special in his or her own way. I think that sometimes the grief of our dogs’ deaths is so profound we aren’t willing to open our hearts up to really love and appreciate the dogs that come afterwards.
I didn’t realise you were a crime novelist. I will have to order your books (although after having read all the Harry Hole books by Jo Nesbo in quick succession and then finding myself freaked out by the dark I’m restricting myself to books without murders for a couple of weeks).ReplyCancel
inkpuddleAs someone so very tired of every dog owner and his brother thinking he is qualified to write a book about his personal favorite pup (thanks a lot, Marley & Me … not), I appreciate the review. And when I’m up for another dog-centric read, I will definitely look for this one first.ReplyCancel
Liz uribeThank you for letting us know, I just got A Dog Purpose, it hasn’t arrived in the mail yet, but I will get this one too, hopefully they have it here..”even though I shouldn’t be having more cryes, I already have my own issue to cry about… But I guess I like to torture myself. I read Mayas’ first rose and I cried so much, it’s also very beautiful and fast to read.ReplyCancel
Debra DucoteyI am going to buy that book as soon as I get the chance. My own wonder dog Sasha left this earth on Jan., 18th 2010. I have a new dog now, but its just not the same. I am still searching for my next wonder dog, will I ever find her/him? I hope to God I do, I miss Sasha more than anything!ReplyCancel
LauraThank you. I am picking this up on my way home from work today. I can already sense I will sob uncontrollably while reading this, so will hide out with my two monsters who won’t judge me for my tears.ReplyCancel

happy Father’s Day to Buster’s dad! ~ {Toronto pet photographer}

June 18, 2011

meet Buster … an amazing, proud, old man, who is surrounded by a truly amazing amount of love.

Buster’s shoot is a Father’s Day gift, so i hope these images and his blog entry are a real surprise.

from Toronto, Buster came to our neck of the woods for his shoot because — like a number of our clients — his owners really liked some of the settings that they have seen on the blog.

14-year-old Buster is suffering from degenerative myelopathy — a progressive spinal cord disease which is affecting his mobility. but in spite of some rests, this boy was rarin’ to go during the shoot. in fact, Sara and her sister claimed that they hadn’t seen this old man move so fast and have so much fun in a long time, especially once we got out to our natural setting. you could hardly hold him back!

on the way between the graffitied train tunnel and our favorite shooting spot, i made sure to stop at a small park to capture the last of the wild flox. when scouting earlier in the day — checking out the state of the latest graffiti — i passed this amazing patch and just knew that we’d have to make use of these pretty flowers for our tough pitty boy, so i way-pointed it on the GPS in order not to miss it later that evening during our shoot. and at that point, with the late afternoon sun, it was glorious.

“woof!”

and then, up to the infamous tunnel of trees for this old boy …

i’d like to take a little time to talk about our Honor Sessions™. from the very infancy of scruffy dog, sessions for aging dogs or dogs in failing health have always been given priority. after losing my own boy at only 4 years of age to sudden, vaccine-induced lymphoma, with very few photos of him, i know how important these kinds of sessions can be. as such, when it comes to our Honor Sessions™ it doesn’t matter how full the scruffy dog schedule is … we make the time.

Honor Sessions™ are for honoring our amazing 4-leggers, honoring the bond we have shared, celebrating the love they have given us … and for these sessions, the clock stands still. we do whatever it takes to capture as many unique and powerful images as possible of your beloved pet … and we strive for as much variety as your pet can muster … where we sit and talk, sharing the experience … and through it all, truly honor your pet, the love and bond that connects you, and the lifetime you have shared together.

at the same time, i always advise people not to wait too long to make that booking for their dog. i’ve had numerous Honor Sessions™ where the clients wished they’d booked a year earlier, when their dogs were still relatively vibrant and able to run and catch a stick, or just walk amongst the grasses. to me, those are the memories best captured. but still, many wonders can be worked even with a pet who is relatively immobile, as i’ve done in many Honor Sessions™ in the past. (and by the way, if you don’t already receive the scruffy dog newsletter, drop us a line, and we’ll rectify that, pronto!)

but back to Buster … during our shoot, you’d hardly know he was struggling. this big-hearted, never-quit boy was on the move … he had things to sniff, trees to pee on, and lovely long blades of fresh grass to mow down …

in fact, he was so determined to eat this entire field of grass, it was nearly impossible to get just this one shot of him not eating!

yup, still licking his lips from his salad-bar experience as we headed to the shore …

Buster, it was a true pleasure and delight to meet you, and an absolute honor to photograph you. i hope i have done your courage, strength, and great will-power justice through these photos

Sara and family, i look forward to hearing from you, and i hope this is the happiest Father’s Day ever, for all of you and for Buster most of all. you have a large gallery of images to sort through. do not hesitate to contact me for help, and i am here if you would like to set up a studio consult.

and Buster, you three-toed wonder … dude, you’re the best. just keep on keepin’ on!

Facebook Comments

8 comments

Sallylove the one where Buster is peering out the car windowReplyCancel
Julie weisbergThis choked me up a bit, it reminds me of the last bit of time I had with my 17 year old dog, Otis. I think calling these Honour Sessions is perfect. I love the image of Buster walking away and seeing his old worn, knobby elbow and tail. It says it all in that one photo. Your love for dogs always comes thru in your images. Old dogs are the best.ReplyCancel
Deborah FlowersOh … my dog drank water from my hand too ?ReplyCancel
Deborah FlowersI just had to tell you how sweet and special theis session is to me. I love this handsome senior baby dog. I just lost my 14 year old Pit on Memorial Day, so needless to say I cried all the way through this fabulous post. Thanks so much for sharing.
~DeborahReplyCancel
Holly Garner-JacksonI love the name you chose. The Honour session, it so depicts what you are trying to achieve and achieve it you do! This is a wonderful set for Buster and his family. What a wonderful Father’s day gift.
My favorites are the one where he is walking away from you into the woods and the last one in the car….
Perfect shoot!ReplyCancel
Donna LukerWhat a beautiful old man! He looks like he’s been well-loved.

You make wonderful images no matter the setting. I really admire your work!ReplyCancel
LoriLove this session Illona!!! Beautiful boy!ReplyCancel
LizLovely…. Love love love the ones in the grass and the little flowersReplyCancel

our Woofstock winner(s)! ~ {Toronto pet photographer}

June 17, 2011

once again, thank you to everyone who stopped by the scruffy dog booth this past weekend at what had to be the best Woofstock ever. fabulous weather and even more fabulous dogs! if you haven’t already checked out the awesome faces that visited us, check out the previous Woofstock blog entries … all three of them!

but enough yapping … i know everyone wants to know the winner of the draw for a free scruffy dog photoshoot. as always, my girl Matea — second scruffy in command around here — picks the winning ballot every year …

she takes her job pretty seriously … sniffing carefully through them all. in fact, we had one booth visitor — upon learning that Matea is the official picker — use one of the liver treats to “spike” her ballot … rubbing the treat over every square inch of the hopeful ballot. i’m not sure if this is the one that my girl ultimately chose; she’s not easily swayed.

but she was mighty proud of her pick, regardless.

and the winner of this year’s scruffy dog photo session is …

… Isadora P. and Wolfgang, the Irish Wolfhound! figures Matea would choose another big, leggy wirehaired. she’s often been mistaken for a wolfhound herself.

but not to be outdown by his sister, Merrick wanted to pick a ballot too, and given that he’s still in the training stages, learning lots from his big sister, i could hardly deny him.

so we have a second winner …

Melissa M. and her little King Louis, the chihuahua. as runner-up, i’m offering $50 in scruffy dog dollars, to be used for your little King Louis towards a shoot or prints and products … however you like.

i look forward to meeting these two 4-leggers, but as i mentioned in yesterday’s newsletter there were so many amazing dogs i met over the weekend whom i would love to meet up with my cameras … gorgeous, beautiful beasties! … all of them!

also, if you didn’t receive yesterday’s newsletter, drop us an email — info@scruffydogphotography.com — and we’ll rectify that pronto.

have an awesome, scruffy weekend, everyone. and scritches to your 4-leggers from me and the scruffies.

Facebook Comments

4 comments

RachelAdorable! I can’t wait to see the Wolfhound. 🙂ReplyCancel
KarenWhy can’t they draw the 6/49 lottery this way?ReplyCancel
Cindy MaysThe cutest drawing everReplyCancel
BeckAAwwww … you are just adorable!!! you and you scruffies really get me going! Best photographer EVER! PS thank you for naming me your number one stalker lol. It’s a honor (just don’t tell anyone else about my scruffie dog psychological problem … I’m not crazy otherwise).ReplyCancel