Have you ever met or seen a Croatian Sheepdog? Well check out this beauty, IVY! I had such a fun session photographing her this past week, and I was advised that she may be a bit shy! Well guess what, not with me! 🙂 I love this girl!
Here is a sneak peek of her struttin her stuff!
I’m a little behind on my blog posts, but it is never too late to share these two beauties, Score and Zoe! These White Eskimo dogs were a pleasure to photograph and super stunning.
Enjoy a sneak peek of Score and Zoe’s photos! 🙂
People ask me all the time, “is it more difficult to photograph a puppy or a child?” What do you think? I will say this, I have much more experience photographing dogs, I know their behaviours and what to expect. I can do it with my eyes close, well maybe not. 😉 Children on the other hand can be so uniquely different from one another. Different things motivate them and they are not always in the best of moods, etc. Having said this, my heart always melts when capturing shots of a dog or puppy with his human siblings. Two of the most innocent species on Earth, and I wouldn’t change a thing from this session. These three were super awesome to photograph. Even though it proved to be challengin to capture them all at once, you can never take away from the authenticity of their reactions and appearance.
Now that I have my first human baby in the house, I can get more practice on how to bribe them for tricks. 😉
Enjoy a sneak peek of Brody and his sistas! 🙂
This years Mutt Strutt is also a very special one. Xander was a dog that was cared for a loved by all the volunteers and staff members of the Oakville Milton Humane Society. If you have the OMHS Calendar you’ll see Xander, the big beautiful Rottie – a smile on his face, eyes filled with trust in spite of all he had been through, and his heart overflowing with love. Chosen as the poster boy for May because it’s “Be Kind to Animals” month and no one better deserved that than this handsome boy.
Xander had been hit by a car and left for dead until a good Samaritan called the OMHS. His hind legs would not work. The officers rushed Xander to an emergency veterinary clinic where he began his long road back to good health. Someone donated time for Xander to have hydrotherapy at the pool in Guelph and OMHS staff faithfully drove him for his treatments.
A chiropractor worked with Xander and said that once Xander was adopted, he would continue to provide his service free of charge for the rest of Xander’s life.
Through all of the treatment and struggles to even stand on his hind legs, Xander was unfailingly friendly no matter what. Goofy as can be, he touched the hearts of everyone. He was praised by Rottweiler-lovers and swayed the minds of Rottweiler-skeptics alike.
And then, 8 months ago the adoption bell rang the best news – Xander was going home. He had been adopted by the most amazing couple – Lara & Mike – both caring, dedicated, experienced, and wise beyond their years. They understood Xander’s needs and they loved him unconditionally.
It was the “happily ever after” we want for every animal.
But then tragedy struck. Xander suddenly developed cancer and it was terminal. Xander left us as the sun set on the last day of April, not quite making it to his month in the calendar.
Xander was an incredibly special dog and while Lara and Mike are devastated, they wanted to do something positive in Xander’s memory and so are walking in the Milton Mutt Strutt on May 24th in his honour.
If you would like to sponsor Xander’s Walk so that the OMHS can continue helping the abused, abandoned and neglected animals in our community, go to: http://www.gifttool.com/athon/OurTeamPage?ID=2044&AID=2971&TID=20692
Come join us this Sunday, May 24th at the Milton Mutt Strutt & Spring Fair! I will be there with my family in full support, wearing a shirt with Xander’s photo in his honour. My heart breaks for his family and for him, he deserved so much more time on Earth, but I’m happy his last few months were in the care of a loving home.
Included during the event are awesome vendors, silent auctions, dog shows, kid zone and most important, DOGS! The proceeds go to helping the animals in need at the Oakville Milton Humane Society, a cause and a place dear to my heart. I will be there with my trusty camera and I will also have a booth, come on by and visit. Leash Out will have a special promotion designated for this day.
I hope to see all of Milton there and we can’t wait to meet all the doggies!
by Sandro Avila