contemporary, lifestyle, on-location animal photography

are you doing this?

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or maybe a little of this?

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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.

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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!

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meet Oakley …

he’s a lazy, King Charles Cavalier spaniel … or so i was told. i was also told that he wouldn’t run, and often needed to be prodded just to keep up on walks. and sure, there were many times during our 3+ hour shoot when the O-man refused to do anything but lie down. still, at scruffy dog, we have ways to motivate …

with family here in the K-W area, Oakley’s mom and dad decided to come here for their shoot, so i took them to one of my favorite shooting spots where we could take advantage of a variety of scenery.

the story behind Oakley is that he almost caused a divorce. Cheryl wanted a dog, but Mike didn’t … one of those it’s-me-or-the-dog scenarios. but guess whose dog Oakley ended up being?

we had a great afternoon … in the woods …

… by the water …

… and more running, in spite of the mosquitoes which you can actually see in the photo below, flying out of speedy Oakely’s way.

Oakley was a great subject …

… even though he lay down on the job a lot.

and i was so pleased to discover that my favorite purple flowers are now in full bloom, and should be for the rest of the summer. they’re my absolute favorite as a backdrop so you’ll likely be seeing quite a lot of them over the summer in the blog.

we shot into the early evening when the light is the most spectacular … although Oakley would never have noticed in between his cat naps.

thanks, Chery and Mike and family, and thanks Oakley, for a fun afternoon. i hope you enjoy your gallery of images, and i look forward to seeing you at your studio consult.

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16 comments

KRaeMy dogs just absolutely love kitty pools, the photos of Merrick reminded me of them, I hual out the pool everytime I have my camera and time on my hands. You mentioning that Matea likes grungy water holes makes me want to ask if you have ever read the Hank the Cowdog series? Hank the cowdog loves taking a “bath” in Emrald Pond. (which is the overflow of the septic tank)
Anyway, GREAT picutes!ReplyCancel
Marci LiroffI literally cannot stop laughing!
Yay!!ReplyCancel
LizThese are AWESOME!!! I love all of them and both are good ideas for keeping doggies cool!ReplyCancel
stephanieThe final one of Matea is priceless! Enjoyed every single one…..ReplyCancel
CourtneyOMG that fifth one of Merrick – I laughed until I was crying!ReplyCancel
SydneyHahahah Fantastic!! Cody doesn’t like the kiddy pool much, which is weird cause he will dive head first into any body of water he can find, puddle to ocean, swamp to creek. Merrick can cheer anyone up, these pictures are fantastic, shaggy little water monster. I am hoping it will cool down tommorow, this heat wave is murder on my poor black dog.ReplyCancel
KamalaLast one… awesome!!!!!ReplyCancel
Utskiha-ha! Now that looks like tons of fun!ReplyCancel
Frank, Jr.love it! many moons ago I did the same for my cocker, but now that we’re just a short way from the lake, it’s not really needed. Merrick’s really getting into it, so glad to see. hope the heat breaks soon for you & the dogs.ReplyCancel
tee4tiaJust hilarious. I don’t know about you, but when I see Merrick filled with complete joy like this, it’s just overcomes me.ReplyCancel
Marcia AguiarYou and your dogs are awesome, Illona!ReplyCancel
AnitaFinally some rain here this morning! Autumn’s sure pleased, her short little face has been doing a sub par job on the cooling front (even with her personal dog fan blasting in the direction of her bed)!

We were thinking of a kiddie pool for her yesterday but were in the same boat…they’re all sold out everywhere!

Adorable shots, I’m glad Merrick got his pool:)ReplyCancel
Lindathe hose shots are hysterically funny!ReplyCancel
LainerOMG! These are so hilarious! I love the last few shots, but the Jack Russell jumping around in the pool makes me want to buy my frenchie a small pool. It’s been oppressive here in Connecticut too. Love this series. Awesome job!ReplyCancel
Holly Garner-JacksonWay too cool and funny! Your kids have the best mom! Were you tossing a ball to Merrick or was he just absolutely going bonkers over the pool?ReplyCancel
MargaretLove-love-love ’em!!! Stay cool, all of you!!!ReplyCancel

10 comments

SylviaI love the puppy-in-the-grass series, but I love the last photo the most. So sweet!ReplyCancel
LizGreat shots, but my absolute fave is the last one. It’s awesome!ReplyCancel
Lindai think the top photo is the best dog photo i have ever seen. it is absolutely stunning.ReplyCancel
JanetAnother super shoot! Amazing!ReplyCancel
SydneyFantastic!!! I love Labs and this guy is beautiful. #3 and the last one are my favorites! Fantastic~!!!ReplyCancel
eloiseLovely set. I particularly like that first one.ReplyCancel
SimonLovely set!ReplyCancel
JenniferLoving #3. 🙂 What fun, and my gosh what gorgeous scenery, you make me want to come visit! Those flowers!ReplyCancel
Holly Garner-JacksonHello Wrigley! Sweet shots especially the 2 overheads.
I wonder if he was named Wrigley because he was so wrigley as a puppy? Do you know?ReplyCancel
CynthiaBYou are amazing! You have such a skill and you captured our boy perfectly! We cant wait to see him on canvas either!! Thank you againReplyCancel

13 comments

JaneLove your photos. Really want my Cav to have a Scruffy Dog session!! Shame about the distanceReplyCancel
SydneySuch a cute dog! What a wonderful bunch of photographs, though my favorite is the last one. I absolutly love this shot and wish I had a similar one of me and Cody, the angel, the comp, everything is stunning and heartwarming. I also really love the low POV forest path shot, it is stunning. You always give such a wide variety of shots, it is beautiful to see.ReplyCancel
Holly Garner-JacksonWhen a dog can make you smile it’s a good thing. thanks for a great start to my day illona! These are great!……as usual 😉
BTW, FYI those flowers are Crown Vetch.ReplyCancel
IdilLove love love the second photo with the ears flying, but they are all fantastic photos! Looks like it was a beautiful day for a photo shoot and you chose perfect locations for this cutie. Very nice backgrounds in all of the photos. Oakley’s happy and excited face is just too cute 🙂ReplyCancel
tee4tiaI’m in love with Oakley. Cavaliers are such love bugs, and your photos just make him shine through.ReplyCancel
Joan DeMartinHi Illona!
Great shoot of Oakley! Love your work!!! Rachel just raves about how talented you are-and I agree!

Don’t know whether you’ve checked out my blog, Bocci’s Beefs or not, but take a look and become an official “Follower” if you will 🙂 http://www.boccibeefs.blogspot.com.
Also check out my sister’s photography website at: http://www.reneedemartinphotographyanddesign.com and let her know what you think. She a long-time, multi-media artist and has been doing photography for about 15-20 years, but just got this website up and running.
I’m about to list your website and blog on Bocci’s Beefs.
Thanks,
Joan and BocciReplyCancel
Susan HumphreysGorgeous photographs as usual Illona. I love the ‘farewell’ shot at the
end. Super little dog!!ReplyCancel
MarlaLoved this! That last shot is so fitting for the farewell 🙂ReplyCancel
Loriwhat a dramatic entry into the family~i’m glad he ended up bringing them together rather than the opposite! (and, really, as cute as he is, how could he have done otherwise 🙂
those purple flowers do have great photographic-element-potential, delicate and wild-looking at the same time!ReplyCancel
LainerThe best picture is the one in the woods. Nice job!ReplyCancel
AndaOh, wow, Oakley’s set is marvelous!ReplyCancel
Vicky (tv writer)Incredible series, Illona…what a beautiful happy dog! My favorite is the one of him flying along, with his ears like propellers…!

I love how you tell stories with your words and images… you captured this day so perfectly.ReplyCancel
LizOoooh I love this shoot. So much coluor and so many yummy sun flares. I love the shot of Oakley running with his ears flapping in the breeze. Awesome!ReplyCancel

what are you doing to beat the heat? ~ {exclusive dog photographer}

i love me wrigley ~ {Waterloo dog photographer}

lazy oakley ~ {Ontario dog photographer}