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Internationally-renowned, award-winning animal photographer Illona Haus created scruffy dog photography inc. as the province's premier pet photography business in 2007 ... the first of its kind in Canada ... and, still today, continues to serve clients across Ontario, the US and the world. Based in Kitchener, Ontario and photographing exclusively animals for almost 20 years - both commercially and for private clients - Illona is considered one of the world's leading and most influential pet photographers.

 

To learn more about scruffy dog photography, its creator, history, and the scruffy dog experience, feel free to browse through the menu above, and scroll over a decade's worth of blog entries below!

 

Please drop me a line! I'd love the opportunity to capture stunning, creative, one-of-a-kind photographic memories of your 4-legged loved ones to treasure in artwork for a lifetime, and show you just what makes the scruffy dog experience second to none.

goodbye sweet Riley ~ {Toronto pet photographer}

it is with a heavy but settled heart that i bring you the sad news of the passing of yet another member of the scruffy dog family. and for those who aren’t entirely familiar with how we run around here, all of our clients become scruffy family members, as the hours spent during our photo shoots develop a bond and an understanding that can be seen in no other light than: “family“.  you can see Riley’s original blog post here.

it’s always sad when one of my clients loses their beloved 4-legger … but at the same time, i often feel settled in the fact that these dogs have lived fabulous, loved lives, regardless of their beginnings — whether purchased puppies, shelter dogs, or puppymill.  and Riley was certainly and deeply loved in his 17 years of life with artist Shelley and her now-grown sons.

as Shelley writes: “… we said goodbye to our beloved Riley.  He had a great life and a gentle death.” what more could a little scruffy ask for?

i’ll never forget our afternoon stroll in the park that pleasant fall day … Riley soaking up all the sights and smells, Shelley deeply connecting with her boy, and poor Daniel lugging my equipment.  this little dog had an undeniable connection with all of his humans.

i know that a number of the scruffy dog followers will always remember Riley as the little scruffy dog with the ears.

this boy certainly had a way with his ears.

i think he could tell entire stories with those ears.

to Shelley and Daniel and Josh, you know my heart is with you during this empty time, but have faith that Riley’s spirit and energy still surrounds you.  i look forward to seeing you soon.

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  • Annie (Milikin)what a gorgeous beastie. So sorry to hear of his passing. I’m sure he had a life filled with love, fun and compassion. As well as many happy memories it’s wonderful that his people will have so many amazing pictures to remember him by;)ReplyCancel

  • Cindy MaysMy heart aches for Riley’s family as tears fell scrolling through these beautiful pictures. I too lost a fur baby boy not too long ago after 17 1/2 years and I only wished I had the beautiful memories in print that Illona has blessed you with of Riley – cherish them and know that he is prancing in the grass of heaven waiting for all of you.ReplyCancel

  • sherry bolesI am so sorry for this family’s loss.

    He was absolutely adorable! I know all these wonderful images are a huge comfort and lasting treasure to his family.

    In the passing of my four-legged babies, I am always comforted by images of them that I can still hold. …A good reason to get those babies photographed! 🙂ReplyCancel

  • Lori E.Love the photo of Riley and his boy. What a moving tribute.ReplyCancel

and here’s Chili ~ {Ontario pet-exclusive photographer}

as promised, here is Chili Pepper, Roy’s big (but younger) sister …

even though she has a little more wind resistance than wee Roy, she’s got way more leg … so it’s work for the little guy to keep up … a combination i’m more than familiar with.

Chili is two years old, and sporting a lion cut.  although spectacular to shoot in profile …

it can be downright impossible for portraits.  in her booking information, mom, Patti, was clear about wanting shots that showed off  Chili’s beautiful brown eyes.  but how to achieve that when this big girl resembles a black version of the easygoing, lunch-taking sheepdog in Roadrunner and Wile E Coyote?

sure, you can wait for the right breeze, and i captured a few of those photos … but those can be few and far between when your subject starts mimicking a bobble-head on the dash of a pickup along a back road of washboard as she tosses her curls into the breeze with the hopes of catching site of something, anything down the shoreline.  so, lucky for me, i had an extra hair elastic!

and when she lost that, i had a rubber band.

Patti assured me that she often does this with Chili’s bangs, so i knew the look wouldn’t appear unnatural.

for a Porty, she didn’t venture into the water too much … not a retriever, she’d go in just long enough to cool her butt ….

obviously, the best way to capture Chili’s eyes was to shoot her at a full run …

but then she’d loose her hair elastic, and … well … it was back to that timeclock-punching sheepdog look.

even moreso than her brother Roy, Chili loves her beach …

although rarely sitting still for long …

thanks, Chili and Roy, for showing me your beach …

and Patti, i hope you’re enjoying your double-wide gallery.  i’ll see you soon at your studio consult!  enjoy the rest of your vacation!

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  • leesiayour action shots never cease to amaze. what a gorgeous session – and those eyes in the seventh one down!! you’ve done it again. 🙂ReplyCancel

  • sherry bolesCongratulations on the great job of capturing those beautiful eyes! You got a wonderful mix of action and still shots with this beauty!ReplyCancel

  • Don StrausMornin’ Ralph………Mornin’ Sam.
    Great shots!ReplyCancel

Roy ~ {Ontario pet photographer}

on this long summer weekend here in Ontario, while a lot of you are enjoying the cottage, i thought it was appropriate to share some beach photos with you all.   so, this is Roy …

and that’s his big sister, Chili, behind him, but you’ll meet her later.  this blog entry is for little Roy …

although Roy and Chili reside in Waterloo, i met them for their shoot out at their cottage along Lake Huron, and thank doG, since it was during our hottest week in July.  as i drove west to the cottage the temperature gauge on the scruffy dog mobile dropped slowly but steadily, and we were afforded a 5-degree drop in the heat and some welcome breezes down on the beach.

enough breezes to give Roy a little lift …

this little 7-year-old Havanese boy was quite at home on the lake.

taking little dips in the water when he needed to cool down …

mostly he was happy to follow the water-line, dabbling his toes, as we made our way down the shore

and then catching the afternoon rays whenever we stopped.

Roy could be a bit of a poser …

… and other times a little shy.

but with his beach-camouflage intact, Roy took the shores by storm …

we shot until sunset … and who doesn’t like walks on the beach at sunset?

you’ll get to meet big sister, Chili, next.  stay tuned.

thanks for showing me your slice of beach, Roy!  hope you enjoyed the rest of your vacation!

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  • useakmeNice pics – what camera/lense do you normally work with?ReplyCancel

  • Sarah KimmelNice dog and nice picture……….i luv it.ReplyCancel

  • Janice CraigWhat a great location. Can’t think of a better place to spend a summer afternoon. Beautiful pictures!ReplyCancel

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