Heart Dog Blog

Bark Buckle Up!

January 1, 2009 – 7:24 pm

On New Year’s Eve, there was a publicity event with Bark Buckle Up, to promote dog safety in automobiles. It was held in conjunction with the San Diego Auto Show, and there was news media and magazines there to photograph all the attending dogs.

There were a TON of Golden Retrievers! Just turned out that way I suppose. I was having a field day taking photos. (As you can tell by the amount of them in this blog post!!) Make that trying to. My canine assistant is getting all the more pissy about me paying attention to other dogs with my camera. God forbid I should want to kiss a nose! He’s such a smart dog, he’s totally got my number, and knows how to do little mischievous things to annoy me, and thus get attention.

Yeah, we’re making a New Year’s resolution on that one. And the barking. Again : }

Ah yes, yet more Bulldog puppy photos. Couldn’t be helped. Notice the little candy wrapper in his mouth! He was sure getting a lot of attention, I tell ya!

This sweet lab with the garland is a Service dog, too. I must say a bit better behaved than my boy that morning ahem… I love the adoring gaze.

One can never have enough Pug shots, either ; )

This blondie gal was so cute with her expressions. Her mom was telling me about how her lip gets hung up, and I made my funniest noises, and she did it!

Here’s my boy…yep, he’s expressive. You can totally tell what he thinks of having to model in the back of this Ford Flex hee hee!

A lot of the little dogs were modeling these new pet carrier products. They looked so cute and cozy in them!

I love relationship shots! Not so sure the Golden above is thrilled with all the kisses. And a third little girl even joined in on the love-fest! This last one I’m so glad I caught. So cute!

By admin | Posted in Dogs | Tagged Bark Buckle Up, Beagle, Bulldog, Cocker Spaniel, Ford Flex, German Shepherd, Golden Retreiver, Labrador Retriever, Pawyard, pet carriers, pet safety, pomeranian, pug, puppies, San Diego Auto Show, San Diego Pet events, San Diego pet photography | no comments No Comments | Add a Comment

Wandering in Balboa Park

December 22, 2008 – 3:08 am

Balboa Park is like my home away from home. There’s always a huge abundance of photo ops there, from dogs, to kids, to real colorful characters. I’ve been meaning to go to the museums more, but the lure of being out in the light taking photographs is just too much usually. The days are getting dark so early now, I feel like I’m chasing the light. Man, it sure is gorgeous just before the sun sets there. I managed to get quite a few images in my short time there late afternoon.

This gentleman was really good. I’d never seen him before, and even though I didn’t hear him speak, he looked Irish to me. He had quite a lot of character to his face.

This little fluff-ball was acting all tough towards Borias ha ha…

“I eat German Shepherds for breakfast!!”

…”see how ferocious I look! Be afraid! Be very afraid!!”

Then we came across this youngster, who’s eyes and expression attracted my attention. Very deep blue intelligent eyes.

Then I saw this little doll-face. She was still getting used to walking on her own two legs, and would teeter and tip over every few seconds. When she saw my dog, she had such a look of pure delighted fascination. Isn’t she adorable?

Some holiday theme shots of my sweet boy. I caught that lip hung up look that cracks me up. The pine cone…ok, he knows them by name. I thought it would be cute to get a shot of him holding one, so I asked Mr. Assistance Dog to please pick that one up. Talk about protesting. So then I take it, and suddenly he decides he wants it, and pushily tries to grab it back! Guess it has to be his idea. He can really be a fart sometimes ha ha! I love the shot, too, because it’s my favorite color of green all around : )

I got the idea to do a semi-out of sight stay, sitting him back in the Organ Pavillion seating. I thought he might raise his head enough to just get a shot of that, but I laughed when all I could see were his ears pricking out. Indognito!

By admin | Posted in Balboa Park, Photography | Tagged Balboa Park, child photography, children, dog photography, Dogs, Organ Pavillion, pomeranian, violinist | 5 comments Show Comments | Add a Comment

Christmas Canines from Holiday Pet Parade

December 16, 2008 – 6:49 am

Yesterday afternoon, there was a first annual Holiday Pet Parade, at the Hilton Hotel in the Gaslamp Quarter in San Diego. There were a lot of dogs! And not just dogs, but a pig, a cat, and a couple of huge bunnies. They were being carted around in a wagon, and while marching in the parade, and taking photos right and left, my dog noticed that those big lumps in the wagon weren’t canine…He was on a flexi, and I noticed right away that he noticed ha ha. It was pretty funny to see him do a doggie double take!

So many cute outfits on the dogs! I didn’t know where to point my camera! There was a candy striped dyed pooch, and this neon green “Grinch” Brussels Griffon featured here. He looks a lot like my stepdads dog. Then there’s Tink, the doxie with the harness with wheels. I photographed her early this summer at a Pets Are Wonderful Support party. I just love her spirit! She gets around really well in her little prosthesis.

By admin | Posted in Dogs | Tagged Australian Cattle Dog, Borzoi, Boston Terrier, Brussels Griffon, Dachshund, Disabled pets, Doxie, French Bulldog, Gaslamp Quarter, Hilton Hotel, Holiday Pet Parade, Holiday Pet Photos, pekinese, Persian Cat, pet photography, San Diego pet photography, Yorkie | 3 comments Show Comments | Add a Comment

Bullies!

December 14, 2008 – 12:17 am

I love bully breeds. So stout, and lots of personality. I always dig capturing images of pitbulls showing them as the cool dogs they are, despite the reputation and hype. The little pit pup here is Charlie, just three months old, and had the stamina of the energizer bunny. I don’t remember him once laying down while he joyfully played with whatever dog was up for it. I love his green eyes. I wanted a good close up of him, but he just never stopped moving long enough!

He’s got a good dad, too. He’s in for putting up with a lot of opinions. I saw it happen there already, with some older man going on and on about how he’s “dominant”, because he jumps on other dogs when he plays, and is using his teeth. He’s a puppy! He thought puppies should hang back, and be cautious and afraid. I commented that Charlie had a good temperament, and that’s what you want to see, that bold, outgoing nature, not what he was suggesting. Charlie is gonna be a good dog. The adorable bulldog is Tiger Lily. What a cool name! She obliged me for a few close ups. Cuteness!! It was very entertaining to watch her play with other dogs. She would use her face as a battering ram, and just push her opponents around. Look at all those wrinkles! I kept calling her a “he” accidentally. Sorry Tiger Lily! I can tell you’re a girl. A very sweet girlie!

I didn’t find out the name of the Husky. He’s got gorgeous eyes, though, eh?

By admin | Posted in Dogs, dog park | Tagged bulldogs, dog park, Dogs, husky, pitbulls, San Diego pet photography, Siberian Husky | 1 comments Show Comments | Add a Comment

Dog Beach

December 12, 2008 – 5:28 am

I had a little time before an acupuncture appointment for Borias, so I thought I’d spend it taking some photos at Ocean Beach dog beach. It’s where I whip out my 100-400 lens, because being in a wheelchair, I can only go so far, and can’t get down on the sand. This also annoys my dog, since he’s terribly “velcro” and won’t leave me to go down by the water, but wants to really bad. So he gets frustrated and barks. A lot. Then he’ll dig as an alternative behavior after being told that’ll do umpteen times. So he made a really deep hole in the sand, and it was funny to see the occasional dog come up and look quizzically at what he was doing.

The day was extremely windy, which tended to blow my long lens around a bit. Not to mention me! But what a gorgeous day. The wind was making a wonderful spray off the waves. If it wasn’t for my dear dog’s barking, it would’ve been a very relaxing time ha ha.

This sweet dog is Nova. I thought she looked a bit like the dog of another pet photographer, who’s blog I frequent. http://cowbellyblog.com

This guy was having so much fun romping with his dog! He kind of looks like Tom Cruise…

Of course, had to snap a few of my pride and joy!

By admin | Posted in Dogs | Tagged dog beach, dog photography, Dogs, pet photography, Pets | 1 comments Show Comments | Add a Comment

Chewie and Pignon

December 2, 2008 – 5:09 am

Funny names for a couple of funny dudes. I didn’t know how to do that symbol to put over the “n” in Pignon’s name. It’s pronounced “Pin-yawn”, Spanish for pine nut. I took their photos over Thanksgiving, too, but figured I’d give them their own post. They’re Brussels Griffons, and own my stepdad. Pignon makes an adorable sound that’s somewhat between a growl and a whooo, and makes a howling face while doing it. I find it endearing, but I think it gets a bit irritating when he keeps it up all through our turkey meal. Can’t really blame him though, getting spoiled with lots of scraps!

Chewie thinks he’s tough, but really isn’t. He can’t stand Borias, and barks at him constantly, even rushing him sometimes. They both look like Ewoks, don’t they?

Those top four are Pignon making his noises. Gotta love the feel of a wet beard in the hand….

Chewie regarding my aiming my camera at him suspiciously. Below I thought this one of Pignon looked cool in black and white, with one of those edgy borders. I have yet to make a print of one of those, interested to see how one looks.

All tuckered out with dad on the couch, digesting mass quantities of turkey! It’s a dog’s life.

By admin | Posted in Dogs, Photography | Tagged Brussels Griffon, dog photography, Dogs, pet photography | 2 comments Show Comments | Add a Comment

Thanksgiving

November 28, 2008 – 8:20 pm

I hope everyone had a wonderful Gobble Day (cuz that’s what we do, gobble up lots and lots of food!) I had hoped to take a lot of photographs, but my family are into football, so everyone clustered around the big tv set in the too dark living room. I managed to drag my ten year old nephew out for a little while, and got some of him I like. My mom said she didn’t have many of him with her, so I snapped away while she grabbed him to her, and teased him by biting at his ear ha ha.

We’re very thankful to have our mother this holiday. She’s been fighting her second round of breast cancer, going the holistic route. So far so good, the cancer is in check, and she feels and looks great!

I’ve also been playing around with borders and distress effects. I like grungy frames. These are distressed templates here. What do you think?

And I got some of Jaden witih Borias, and they’re possibly my favorite ones to date of them together. Cuuute! Borias was under the table, looking hopeful that he was going to partake in the feast.

Hope everyone had a wonderful and blessed Thanksgiving, and are recovering nicely with unbuttoned trousers!

By admin | Posted in Family | Tagged Borias, child photography, dog photography, Jaden, photo borders, Thanksgiving | 4 comments Show Comments | Add a Comment

Canine Characters

November 24, 2008 – 5:28 am

I spent Saturday late afternoon at the Balboa Park dog park. The light was scrumptious, and being a weekend, the park was really packed. Makes it super hard to figure out what dogs to focus on, and tires me out wheeling here and there chasing them ha ha. It always seems to happen that just as I take the camera away from my eye, a dog does something I really want to capture. Murphy’s Law.

The black and white mix, I’ve taken photos of before. I think he has the most intense, gorgeous eyes. His name is Hank. He’s a cool dude. He and the yellow Lab, Daisy, were having a grand time, playing King of the Mound.

\Hank would do the extreme head tilt when his dad asked him where his friend “Milo” is. Love those ears!

I cracked up watching Daisy dig after a tossed rock, getting her nose coated in dirt. Borias does that when I throw rocks in sand or dirt, just keeps digging where it is. Funny quirk.

Then there were a whole bunch of Huskies, from some meetup group. Once again, the mound of dirt proved very alluring, and these two characters got into the act.

Then there’s Crash. What a great name for a Bulldog! And it really fit him…

And for major cuteness factor, we have last, but not least, these two. I’m usually really good at figuring out mixes, but the one on the right I just can’t seem to guess. He sure is adorable, I wanted to scoop him up and plant kisses all over his little face!

By admin | Posted in Dogs, Uncategorized, dog park | Tagged Bulldog, dog park, dog photography, Dogs, mutts, Siberian Husky | 2 comments Show Comments | Add a Comment

Sophie

November 23, 2008 – 6:48 am

Believe it or not, this is a puppy! What a beautiful Newfie. I met her walking with her dad in Balboa Park, and I just had to take some photos of her. Sophie’s her name. If I remember right. You don’t see Newfies that often, so this was a treat. That sure is one big pup!

This one cracked me up…I made one of my funny noises, and that’s the face she made. How endearing!

By admin | Posted in Dogs | Tagged dog park, dog photography, Dogs, Newfie, Newfoundland, puppy | no comments No Comments | Add a Comment

Dog Park Cuties

November 16, 2008 – 6:17 pm

The dog park along the bridge going into Balboa Park is one of my favorites. Though the grass is lumpy, and it’s hard to chase after good shots, especially when I’m not using a telephoto lens. The days are getting so short now, with the Daylight Savings. Not being a morning person, it makes for a really short day it seems.

Though the weather hasn’t caught up here in California. It keeps switching back and forth from cold and cloudy, to hot and really, really dry. Very strange.

The pug and peke were together. I was making my usual funny noises to see what expressions they would make. There was a weim that got completely wigged out when I made a rasberry at him, leaping back and looking at me like I was some crazy woman lol.

Here’s an attempt at panning, which I’ve been playing around with.

By admin | Posted in Dogs, Photography, Uncategorized, dog park | Tagged cattle dog, dog park, dog photography, Dogs, pekinese, pug, San Diego pet photography, Weimereiner | no comments No Comments | Add a Comment

Welcome to the Heart Dog Blog!