A DOGS LIFE

THE CHOSEN

You already know how much I love dogs.  Funny how my 

first dog, who shall remain nameless, sent me straight to the

doctors with a diagnosis of dog allergies.  It was no furry or

house dogs.  Well, nameless was a Pomeranian devil named

Buffy.  She was a humper.  No leg was safe, ask Tim from

Morrow Florist.  His leg was her favorite.  Maybe it was the

slight turn at his ankle.  

Books, magazines, anything with pages was gone.  After six

months...so was she.  The nail in her coffin was when she 

chewed my Beatles album collection.  Fifty albums and she

acquires a taste for the British.  

To be fair, Buffy was a gift.  I believe there has to be a 

connection between you and your dog.  Gifters  don't

usually know your lifestyle or likes.  A mismatch always

ends up a disaster for both of you.

Shelly was my first "chosen" dog.  I found her at a pet store in

Kaneohe, Hawaii.  They handed her to me backwards.  When I 

turned her around and saw her face, it was love at first sight.

It was Mother's Day and she would cost me $950.  I didn't have

the money and they couldn't hold her for me.  I called every day 

for 5 days to see if she was still there.  I had just done a photo shoot

for the mural artist, Wyland.  I was hoping for an advanced check.

As you can see... she became mine.  

This is where my love for photographing dogs began.  No matter 

where or when, if I had my camera, I would shoot them.  

Unfortunately, I lost all my negatives on my last move.  All I have left

are  prints from photos and digital images from my new cameras.

Shelly's litter.  I had to help her with each birth.  They had to be

recorded for order of birth and markings.  It was difficult for Shelly.

I didn't know that she was ill at the time.  

Charlie, 4th born, youngest boy.  He was born with an infection

in his left eye,  a result from Shelly's illness.  I sold the other

puppies, but kept Charlie, knowing no one would want him.

It worked out for both of us.

My sweet Charlie 

Bailey, an Australian Shepherd

Dogs at play

Winston, A Royal King Charles Spaniel.

On his owners desk at work.

Roland, a Retriever

Paco, man of the house

Mine, mine, mine

I think I can, I think I can...

No I can't

A Christmas shoot with Angus

He has since passed

Kaya and Charlie 

They were inseparable 

My favorite of Kaya

Kaya and Charlie 

After a snow storm at Swan Lake

A Yorkie house guest

English Sheep Dog at a Perry Dog Show

Under a blow dryer

Store owners dog, at Crestone, Colorado

Bearded Wheaton Terrier at Manitou Springs, Colorado

I did a photo shoot at a doggie day care and adoption center.

Some were waiting to go home, and the others were waiting

for homes.  I'm lucky to have had my dogs in my life.  I wish

for everyone the love a dog can bring to your life, and for the 

dog,  to be chosen by the right person.

All we need is love

I've used this photo many times before.  It's my favorite memory 

of Shelly.  She loved to run up and down the beach, chasing

Sea Birds.  She'd spend hours staring at the ocean.  Everyone,

 either a person or a dog should have day like this.  

I've been blessed.

2013