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Treats and Photography

11/29/2023

Our grandchildren decided they wanted a Christmas photo with our dog, Talley, last year.

It was a riotous occasion.

Luckily, Talley is very treat oriented...for that matter, so are the kids. I find a good treat and food-oriented dog, can help to get attention when things get out of hand. But, there can be some drawbacks. Read on.

What Treats Exactly?

While I am not a treat-tester, I can tell you that our Talley girl has an extremely sensitive stomach. Since she was young, I have been very careful to try out a treat in a small quantity to see what her response will be. Talley eats a special diet and four small meals a day. It is no picnic when her stomach goes awry, so I am very careful.

That being said, I have found two treats that work very well for her, and that other dogs I have worked with and photographed seem to respond to and like as well.

Newman's Own Snack Sticks are great attention grabbers. They are smelly treats (not for us, but definitely for the dogs), and the sticks are easy to break into small pieces, which I do. I can get five smaller pieces from one snack stick to use in a session. They also fit well in my dog lure stick.

The great thing about these treats is not only their ability to become "smaller," but also the fact that they are low in calories. For some overweight dogs, extra treats are not always the best thing, but with the snack sticks, there are no worries of high added caloric intake.

They are also "clean" treats. You can pocket them, and you will have no sticky, gooey mess to clean out of those pockets.

By the way, this lure stick is awesome. It works great for training purposes as well, especially if you have a dog that pulls while walking. I use it in the studio a lot when photographing dogs.

Newman's Own Snack Sticks are grain free and come in a variety of flavors. If you ever have a problem with any product from Newman's (sometimes the distribution chain can be cruel for products that do not use strong preservatives, especially if not stored properly before sale), Newman's will take care of you and send you replacements.

Best of all, Newman's Own really does donate profits to charity.

Buddy Biscuits and Softies

Another great, low-in-calorie treat that is a favorite of mine is Buddy Biscuits. Specifically, I use the soft treats. The bag says it all: free of corn, soy, artificial flavors and colors, because we don't need to add any of these to a dog's diet.

Talley will do anything for a Buddy Biscuit peanut butter treat. So will any of the dogs in our household, for that matter.

Treat Moratorium

A while back I wrote a blog about the use and non-use of treats as part of what I do. Treats have to be managed well if used at all in a session.

I don't like to be dependent on them. They are more for reward, rather than to elicit a certain type of activity.

For instance, Talley does not receive a treat until she has performed some type of activity. In the studio, she will wait for the pop of the strobe, then leave her spot and come to me, sit, then receive a treat. She will then go back to her spot and wait for the next strobe.

Of course, client dogs have not grown up in a studio, and I don't expect this same behavior from them. But, I still like to manage the handing out of any treats, and keep it to a minimum (as needed).

Problems With Treats

Here are some of the reasons why I would prefer minimal treat usage in sessions:
(1) They promote drooling in some dogs
(2) Depending on the breed, treats can discolor the facial and mouth hair of dogs
(3) Dogs generally make a really strange facial expression when a treat is expected
(4) Dogs may focus on the treat more than the camera

Of course, in a session where a dog is expected to CATCH the treat as part of a photo, a crazy expression is a goal. But in all other portrait work, it's best to manage treats well.

To schedule a well-managed treat session with your dog, give me a call. I am right in the middle of holiday photo season, which is always a REAL TREAT for me!

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Grateful Thankful Blessed

11/22/2023

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I've taken a few weeks away from blog writing in order to keep up with my client work and family obligations. Both have been rewarding.

But, there are a few things I'd like to mention in the grateful-thankful-blessed scheme of things, so I've set aside this week's blog to focus on them.

Grateful For Families

I am grateful for all the families I met this year, who include their dogs in every facet of their lives, including this wonderful family, whose dog was a welcome part of their business holiday card portrait.

I can tell you that this boy loved loved loved his family and was so well trained it was a joy to work with him. Now if only the kids liked duck calls.

Thank you to all the beautiful families who trusted me to produce memories by the truckload this year!

Thankful For Good Outcomes

Since early June we have been dealing with senior dog and some horse health issues, and vet visits were plentiful over the course of the summer and into September for two of our dogs in particular. Both are 13 years old this year.

Thankfully, our group of great vets set protocols and testing that gave us insight into these issues, and helped us to decide on courses of action that ultimately led to success for all concerned.

At this writing, our Billie girl, has bounced back completely...(knock on something wooden). I chose her to be the model for my business holiday card this year, to celebrate the victory we've had over liver disease and IMHA.

By the way, this beautiful digital backdrop was designed by a fellow photography friend, Reinford Photography. Isn't it stunning! I have already used several different digital backdrop designs in cards for clients for the upcoming holiday season.

Blessed

I have been blessed this season to win several awards for my photography work. Most recently at Capture 2023, a Professional Photographers Association of Pennsylvania (PPAofPA) print competition held every Fall.

Our dog Talley is featured in the photo which won the Best Animal Portrait trophy. Talley will really do anything for food, and as she has been a part of my studio since she was three months old, she knows her way around lights and a set. Talley actually created this portrait herself...completely her idea.

Unscholarly Activity - Best Animal Portrait, Capture 2023

At this same competition, I also won a Judge's Choice Award for one of my illustrative nature portraits. Titled "Suspended," this is one of my favorite images taken this past summer. Chosen from 160 entries, this award means a lot to me.

I always feel very blessed for having this creative outlet to turn to in my life. It's given me an eye that doesn't miss much, and when it comes to life, we really don't want to miss anything.

Suspended - Judge's Choice Award, Capture 2023

My hope is that everyone reading this has a great Thanksgiving, and that you can find the things in your life that you are grateful for, thankful for, and blessed with as the year approaches its end.

Enjoy!

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Good Lenses for Great Bokeh

11/9/2023

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First, let's get this debate out of the way.

I could listen to this 50 times, and still have trouble pronouncing it when I go to say the word. Minor issue, I know, but if you are like me, you want to know how to pronounce things.

To Bokeh or Not To Bokeh? That Is the Question.

When I first started practicing my photography with 40 - 50 photos a day (snap, download, examine), with my 50mm 1.8 lens on a Nikon D300, many times I would strive to achieve bokeh--that creamy out of focus background that leaves your subject as the center of attention. Many times I would not be successful.

Often, I would capture small round circles of blurry light.

Chickens are not very cooperative subjects.

As my skills and knowledge increased, I realized that there was a huge difference between traditional bokeh and specular highlights (thank you Professional Photographers of America). We wanted the first, but not the latter. Especially if using any photographs in print competition.

That's when I did a multitude of research on various lenses, purchased a camera upgrade and began to achieve the objective pretty regularly.

My Favorite Bokeh Lenses

While you can achieve adequate bokeh with just about any prime portrait lens, my favorites are the 135mm and 85mm focal lengths. When you open up your aperture all the way, the resulting bokeh is creamy dreamy.

Here is a cute little Jack Russell Terrier taken with an 85mm lens at f2.8.

Jack Russell Terrier in Fall foliage.

The quality of this lens for background bokeh is great and reliable. It is not, however, a fast lens, and although I have taken action shots with it, I much prefer my 70-200mm for action.

The 135mm lens has been suggested to be the queen (or king?) of quality bokeh. The photo below is representative of the 135mm, with an aperture of f2.8.

Border Collie in Fall foliage.

Wall art for sure, don't you think?

There really is nothing like good glass to make your job easier, and to give clients wonderful photographs to treasure for years to come. But, in saying that I am not saying you can simply rely on these lenses to get you to a quality photo. Nope. Nope. Nope.

You also have to experiment, practice, know your camera, know when to use one lens over another, think about composition, have appropriate lighting, and tie all that together for a lovely portrait.

I personally love this look, but print comp judges may not. This is a look I create for clients and not for competition. Fall foliage is a great backdrop for exciting bokeh effects, so many of my Fall shots give way to creamy backgrounds.

If you are interested in some great wall art, with creamy bokeh backgrounds, there are other seasons coming up that lend themselves well to this type of photograph, including snow season and spring blooms season. Give me a call to schedule your appointment!

Have a great weekend! Go for a walk and look at the light through the trees. I'll just bet you will find bokeh there!

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What Color Is Halloween?

10/25/2023

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There are many colors associated with different times of the year, and different celebrations.

For instance, I say February...Valentine's Day...and you probably think RED hearts. Christmas? Some might say red and green, others could go with silver and gold.

When it comes to Halloween (and the Fall in general), there is one color that really stands out for me.

ORANGE

It's that whole pumpkin vibe.

But not only pumpkins. If you live in a spot where leaves turn colors, a very vibrant orange shows itself among the reds and yellows found in many wooded areas. Our sugar maples do a brilliant job of surrounding us with an orange glow.

Orange is really a color that doesn't get much press.

And then there's the debate on what came first, the fruit or the color, and was the orange named after the color, or was it the other way around? Not something we can solve here.

ORANGE CAST

I sometimes like to use an orange cast overlay in the Fall, to highlight a particular scene.

You can really pick up the feel of the season.

Since orange is a WARM COLOR, it lends itself to great wall art. I will often use the same technique in a number of photos, always thinking about images that would make wonderful pairings, complementing each other when hung.

To me, orange is a very earthy color.

Did you know that some Eastern religions regard orange as a sacred color? Orange is associated with purity, as it represents fire, and fire burns impurities away.

Orange is a high-energy, energetic color.

Life would be dull without orange.

Orange is one of the most dynamic colors to use in photography, conveying enthusiasm and confidence. It reminds us of sunsets, warmth and fire. The color orange can lift your spirit and give you a feeling of optimism.

Now, orange you glad you read this blog?

To set up your orange experience, give me a call (570) 575-1705, or use the Contact Form on this website.

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Photos For All Seasons

10/18/2023

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We happen to live in a spot that goes through the change of all four seasons. Spring, summer, fall and winter.

Lately, those seasons have either followed their stereotypical patterns...or not. It's anybody's guess sometimes what exactly the weather will be. Even our local weather persons are prone to do broad scale guessing: "snow between 3 - 27 inches," "rain and spotty showers depending on your location," "sunny and 80 for most of the day." See, no definitives.

It makes for some interesting times. I am CONSTANTLY watching the weather, so that client appointments can pretty much occur when we set the date and time. I always build in another "weather" day, just in case.

FOUR SEASONS FOUR PHOTOS

My favorite thing to do, is to take pet photos in every season and put them into wall art. It's a great alternative for dog owners, and doesn't necessarily have to occur in back-to-back years. After all, the seasons each have their own color palette. I've written about the different seasons and colors many times as part of the blog circle. Let me show you what I mean using the example of my own dog, Talley.

SPRING

Spring is a great time of year. It's VERRRRY green. That green is peppered with new birth--springtime blooms. It's a great time of year to find a non-rainy day and head to flowering locations, or even your own back yard. Above, Talley is lost in deep thought on a path full of azalea bushes and bushy grass.

SUMMER

Summer is my absolute favorite time of year. Bright sunshine, and fields overgrown with Queen Anne's Lace and Goldenrod can't be beat for capturing a Setter like Talley. But, there's also water options as well, for those that like to swim or fetch or just look for frogs in the pond.

FALL

By now you are starting to see the differences in the color palettes, and the affects those colors have on a dog's coat and overall ambiance. Of course in Fall, we have those red, yellow and orange glows not only in the leaves, but also in the background reflections.

WINTER

When the snow hits, it's time for fun. Whether your dog is an expert sledding companion, or just likes to root through the snow with his or her nose, there are plenty of great photos to be had in Winter. Talley LOVES the snow and especially likes snow tunnels that she can run through at a fast clip.

PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER

All four seasons captured during your pet's life can make for beautiful memories, and stunning wall art. Canvas or Art Blocks are my choice for wall groupings. Why am I telling you this?

NEW IN 2024

With the New Year brings new things!

I will be offering the "Season Sessions" photo package, specifically designed to capture your dog in all four of our Pennsylvania seasons. The package will include four 30-minute sessions, with flexible scheduling, up to four locations, and four 10 x 10 (one of each session) Art Blocks. Art Blocks are colorful canvas-like prints shipped ready-to-hang, and mounted wrapped around a wooden, solid face frame giving a sharp, clean edge with no loosening or sagging over time.

Art Block samples can be viewed at my studio. They are true quality pieces, and a great way to honor your best furry friend.

For more information, give me a call, or check my website in the New Year for Season Sessions Package pricing under the Investment tab.

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Beautiful Bullies

10/11/2023

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Shelter dog after playing in the snow.

Bullies are very expressive dogs.

I love to photograph expressive dogs.

When it comes to wonderful expressions, I am never disappointed while photographing any of the bully breeds or bully mixes. Their soulful eyes, large grins, and talking ears are great ingredients for constructing a lovely portrait, like the one above of a shelter resident who loved playing in the snow.

Did you know that "Pit Bull" is not an official American Kennel Club breed? It's an overall grouping of dogs who belong to the American Staffordshire Terrier, American Pit Bull Terrier, and Staffordshire Bull Terrier breeds.

Here is a quick chart from dogsbestlife.com that gives you a look at what makes up various "bully" breeds.

Shelter Statistics

I think it would be safe to say that if you went to an animal shelter today to photograph dogs, a large percentage would fall under the bully or bully mix category.

Years ago this was also very true, and in my early days of shelter visits I met and photographed some beautiful bullies with extraordinary expressions.

The fact is, according to the World Animal Foundation, 32% of shelter dogs are those who fall under the category of "bully breeds." They also account for nearly 40% of all dogs euthanized in shelters on a yearly basis. Sobering facts.

One reason these statistics occur is, for many years backyard breeders overbred these types of dogs for easy cash, and unfortunately, in some cases, for nefarious purposes. The dogs began to be stigmatized and stereotyped based on these poor breeding situations, owners' lack of knowledge in training and/or poor training practices, and other preconceived notions and opinions applied to the entire population of bullies.

I know you've seen me blog this statement before, but I have never met a dog I didn't like, and I have never photographed a bully that wasn't happy, cooperative, playful, funny or beautifully expressive.

Expressive ears and rapt attention.

Tips for Some Great Ear Action

Need some great ear action when photographing your bully?

I find that sporting goods stores have the answer. Duck calls. There is something about the tonal quality of a duck call that really helps you obtain not only a head tilt (and undivided attention), but also VERY expressive ears. The one I carry in my camera bag is the Coolrunner Duck Whistle, $9.99 from Amazon. It's easy to use, can be hands free, and comes with its own string lanyard.

Have a beautiful bully that needs a great portrait? Give me a call.

In the meantime, have a great weekend and if you are in my part of the world, enjoy those colorful trees while you can!

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Staying Fit With Your Dog

10/6/2023

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Earlier this year (March), I wrote a blog on some of the best places you can take your dog for exercise. If you missed it, I recommend you catch up to 5 Best Places To Walk the Dog in the Endless Mountains. Again in June, I added Three Fantastic Local Dog Hikes to mull over.

Essentially I gave you plenty of places to get your fitness on. Today, I want to talk more about the types of fitness activities that benefit both you and your dog.

Safety First

I think it's important to note that not all dogs are ready to do a marathon or jog alongside a cycle from the word "go." Getting your dog to a prescribed fitness level, just like us humans, takes time. Start slowly and work up. Let your dog tell you how much and how intense your workouts should be. Watch for warning signs such as: excessive panting, pale or bright red gums, lagging behind a lot, vomiting/diarrhea, extreme soreness in the day after a workout.

Also, keep an eye on your weather. Stay away from the hottest times of the day in the summer (and pavement), making sure your dog is well hydrated. In the winter, booties can help alleviate ice/snow build up and exposure to road, trail or path salting for icey conditions.

Finally, bring plenty of water and a portable bowl for hydration breaks.

Fitness Options

1. Walking

Everyone can play this game. Walking is a great way to exercise, as well as build up to more intense levels of fitness work. When working with puppies, make sure you start slowly (15 minutes), working up to 30, then 40, then 1 hour. Remember, young puppies joints are not yet closed, and stressors can cause problems down the line.

2. Hiking

Dogs need plenty of stamina in order to hike. Terrain issues (steep hills, rocks, creeks, etc.) can tax your dog's energy reserves. Starting slow and on easy terrain is highly recommended, adding more strenuous hikes as your dog builds up their muscles and stamina.

3. Jogging

Once your walks have built up to a longer level, you might want to add jogging to your dance card. It is not recommend to jog dogs strenuously until they have reached the age of one (again, those pesky joints need to fully close), but if you have a very high energy dog, working up to a nice jog pace might be a good thing. Jogging is NOT recommended for overweight dogs or dogs with arthritis, as it does put a lot of pressure on joints. Also flat-faced dogs may struggle with their breathing. Closely monitor your dog or ask your vet for their input as to whether or not your dog is a good candidate for jogging.

4. Dog Agility

If you think humans do not get a good work out copiloting their dogs through an agility course, you have not experienced true agility training. It's DEFINITELY a workout! If your dog likes learning new tricks, running and jumping, check out agility training near you.

5. Frisbee

This is a great activity for dogs who like to fetch. We had a Golden Retriever named Ollie who was one of the best Frisbee playing dogs we ever owned. It really helped to keep Ollie's weight down. There are also Disc Dog events, for when your dog becomes STELLAR at frisbee catching! Last week I saw a boy playing frisbee golf at a local park, using his retriever to fetch the frisbee and bring it back to him. Bonus: you learn how to throw a frisbee, and get plenty of exercise in the process.

Whatever you decide to adopt as your fitness regimen, including your dog strengthens that bond between you, and allows them to remain healthy and fit for years to come.

Click Into the Circle

I am part of a weekly blogging group of professional pet photographers located all over the planet. To see what others have blogged about in this week's topic (fitness), start here with Sandra of Sandra McCarthy Photography as she provides tips for Hiking in NH with your dog.

Then find the link at the end of each blog to click on to the next photographer, until you find yourself back here, and have completed the circle.

Have a great weekend! Can you believe it's Fall? Where did the summer go?

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A Different Kind of Summer

9/15/2023

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As we approach the true end of summer on September 23, 2023 (official autumnal equinox date), I can say that this season has been different in so many ways.

Starting with a mini-drought of seven heat filled days between 88 - 95 degrees in June, and ending (it seems) with endless rain and storms, it's one for the record books, but not one for scrap booking.

Loss and Light

When you are a pet parent, you know there are going to be times when our pets are going to need our support in a big way.

I always hope that if one of our aged pets has to leave us, it would be in summer. I want them to be able to enjoy the green grass, warm days, sunlight, and freedom that summer brings.

For us humans, that additional daylight also helps our moods, and can whack depression upside the head. Loss in the winter is SO VERY DARK.

No Vacation For You

It became very apparent to me that summer vacations of any type would need to be put on hold when the health of three of our dogs (all over the age of 10) became an issue. You know how they say things come in threes? Well there IS something to that.

We lost our Danny just shy of summer--May 2023.

Danny enjoying the grass, summer of 2022.

The weather was unseasonably warm, and I am so glad he got to enjoy summer-like days before he left us. Danny was 13. He had degenerative myelopathy, diagnosed at age 10, so we had some years of grace time.

Just after, in June, our scruffy girl Billie's bloodwork came back with a clear diagnosis of Immune Mediated Hemolytic Anemia (IMHA) and liver disease. As if one isn't bad enough, there were two things to combat. (Billie is pictured on the Adirondack chair in the first image of today's blog).

I immediately began to research and talk to people who had experienced this type of diagnosis, and put into place a new diet, feeding, and supplement regimen for Billie. She had to return to the vet's office every two weeks for blood monitoring. Those visits were over the course of the entire summer, and have just recently ended, as Billie's blood and liver enzymes are in a stable holding pattern at the moment. She is mostly back to her old self, but with IMHA, you have to be vigilant. Billie is 13.

Not to be outdone, our rough-coat border collie, Piper, decided he'd throw a urinary tract infection into the mix. Both he and his urine had to visit the vet several times over the course of July and August.

Pet Parenting

I think each and every one of us has our own standards when it comes to being a pet parent. There really is no cause for judging others when it comes to what they will or won't, can or can't do in terms of their own lives and those of their pets.

For me, I just can't leave my animals when there is a problem, or even a hint of a problem. I want to be there should good turn to bad turn to worse, and to try to help combat whatever they are battling. So, vacation was out of the question for me this year, and I am happy to report that Piper is also stable with his health issue. Piper is also 13.

Still Had Fun

We still had fun this summer. Our grandkids came for a week of summer camp (both together for the very first time) and we survived and have the tee shirts to prove it.

The dogs and I summer-sunned ourselves when the weather cooperated, went on walks, binged some movies and series we have had on our watch lists forever, and generally took it easy.

Talley and I did a multitude of Therapy Dog visits at local facilities. Now, when I leave without her, she peers at me through the fence somewhat miffed.

I am hoping I can get back to the beach next summer. I'd like to find a place that welcomes dogs and take both Talley and Billie along for the ride and adventure. I am keeping my fingers crossed that all of our dogs stay healthy through the remainder of the year.

Autumn is just around the corner, and I think, for the first time in a long time, I will welcome it.

Click Into the Circle

I am part of a weekly blogging group of professional pet photographers located all over the planet. To see what others have blogged about in this week's topic (my summer vacation), start here with Nicole Hrustyk, the Las Vegas dog photographer behind Pawtraits by Nicole, as she provides her dog-friendly travel checklist and offers downloadable PDF pet sitter instructions.

Then find the link at the end of each blog to click on to the next photographer, until you find yourself back here, and have completed the circle. It's a small circle this week, but you won't want to miss it.

Have a great weekend!

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Puppy Grooming Tips

8/18/2023

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So you have a new puppy. Congratulations!

I love puppies, that goes without saying.

Our puppy Lilah, who came to us at 8 weeks old, is going to be 11 years old in November. Time flies. AND, our puppy Talley--again 8 weeks old when she arrived in our home--turned 3 years old in April.

One thing they had in common? They both were not too keen about grooming.

Puppy Talley

Puppy Lilah

Basic Starting Tools

Despite the fact that most puppies may not be completely happy with grooming, it is important to get them used to the "idea" of it, and the various tools and actions that help them (and us) stay clean and unmatted (in the case of long-haired dogs).

Beyond the very basic items of puppy shampoo and perhaps a coat conditioner (rinse off or leave in) I always start the process with wipes. Petkin Petwipes (or any you choose) from Chewy have a nice, clean scent and puppies get used to you wiping them down very quickly. I will normally do this every second day for very young puppies. I give a small treat before I start, and a second small treat when I am done. Puppies learn very quickly that if they indulge the grooming process, another treat is on the way when it's over. You want to make the process a pleasant one.

Once some real coat starts to appear, I use the wipes only on feet, ears, around mouth area, and stomach. I then switch to a Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush, alternating as needed with a soft-bristled brush (Click Here for my favorite), and a dog comb (for long, thick hair you need wider spaced teeth/for short hair you will want thinner spacing between teeth). I prefer stainless steel combs with a good grip handle. The one linked above has both wider and thinner spaced teeth for various hair lengths. In the case of all these tools, I use a very soft hand and start slowly.

Lilah's coat at age 2

Adding To Your Grooming Toolbox

As puppies grow into adulthood, you will need to add other things to your toolbox. Specifically:

nail clippers
coat clippers
thinning shears
regular scissors

If you've been diligent about your initial desensitizing work with your puppy, as s/he grows they will be more accepting of these new tools.

Safari makes a great nail clipper in two sizes (small/medium and medium/large). I love the great grip on the handles. I also prefer a scissor-like nail clipper to a guillotine style.

I purchased an ONEISALL body clipper from Amazon, and I have to say, not only has it lasted for my needs, but it is VERY quiet compared to industry clippers. I have dogs who are sensitive to noise, so the fact that the clippers are quiet and also CORDLESS, is a huge help. I use the clippers to trim around ears, neck, bottoms of feet and sanitary areas.

Thinning shears are used for tops of feet, to assist in particular hard to remove matting when it appears (typically back of legs in long-haired dogs), and I use regular scissors very rarely, but have them for quick clean ups of leg and tail fur.

Talley's Phyllis Diller look

Groom What You Like

Often times, different breeds of dogs will have a special way in which they are supposed to look. Personally, if I want that look, I will take our dogs to a professional groomer. But, in the meantime, it's a good thing to keep coats clean and unmatted, nails trimmed, and vigilance toward ridding your dog of pests (ticks/fleas).

I tend to like our setters to look a bit haphazard, with a longer and fuller coat than usual. They are not show dogs, so I'm not under the gun to keep them to a breed grooming standard. I don't hunt them in the field, so I don't look for a field trim (to keep burrs and other sticky weeds from embedding in the coat).

When I was growing up, there was a comedian named Phyllis Diller (I am definitely aging myself now), who was known for her eccentric stage presence and very wild hair. Our dog Talley channels Phyllis.

I can groom Talley upside down and sideways, and she will still look like she looks in the photo above, but her coat is soft and tangle free and she is happy. When we go on therapy visits, I make sure her paws are clean of excess fur, her nails are trimmed and she is combed out. I use a leave-in conditioner (my favorite is Buddy Splash Lavender and Mint), which allows her to smell really good, even when we don't have time for a bath.

I am happy to report, Talley and Lilah are good-to-go with grooming these days. Remember, start early and easy and you won't have any problems as they grow up.

Click Into the Circle

I am part of a weekly blogging group of professional pet photographers located all over the planet. To see what others have blogged about in this week's topic (puppies), start here with Greater Boston-based dog photographer Donna Kelliher of Donna Kelliher Photography, as she draws upon her 20+ years as a professional, positive dog trainer to share her Top 5 Puppy Raising tips.

Then find the link at the end of each blog to click on to the next photographer, until you find yourself back here, and have completed the circle.

Have a great weekend! Enjoy!

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For the Love of Mutts

8/4/2023

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Did You Know?

Growing up, my grandfather used to call all mixed-breed dogs "mongrels." While he did not come from the UK (he was Italian) where the term has been predominantly used, he was familiar with the term, also used by his parents.

In the United States, people tend to call mixed-breed dogs "mutts." And if you want to be in the same circles as breed registry folks, you might want to stick with "mixed-breed," "mix" or "cross" to align yourself with their lingo.

Jack Russell mixed-breed puppy.

Family Mutts

My family was notorious for finding, housing and loving mutts. From as far back as I can remember (maybe age 5?) I remember my grandfather's dog, Boston Blackie, who was neither black or from Boston. I have no idea how he got the name, but I do know that Boston Blackie is a fictional character created by author Jack Boyle in his first book published in 1914. My grandfather may have read the book.

Blackie was a rambunctious, scrappy, scruffy dog that seems to me to have been a larger version of Benji. My only interactions with Blackie was to play tag. He was great at that game.

Then there was my Uncle Bob's dog, Pudgy, a German Shepherd mix that looked almost exactly like the photo below.

Benji photo courtesy of Brandon Camp for People Magazine.

Pudgy's claim to fame was his innate ability to locate, wait out, and capture ground hogs on my uncle's farm. He would then deliver them, often alive, to the back door. I was between the ages of 6-9 during my time with Pudgy and had many interactions with him. He was a kind, gentle and loving pup, always ready for an adventure. So much so, that he swam across the Susquehanna River on a daily basis (my uncle's property was adjacent to the banks of the river). One day he swam home with a turquoise-studded collar and my uncle figured out Pudgy was sharing his time with another family. He never did find out who, but he left the collar on. Pudgy always came home--once accompanied by a cute little female beagle-type dog who had her puppies in my uncle's garage. He was a proud papa.

When we moved to Germany for five years, we had a Spitz mix, who I also named Pudgy, in honor of the great dog I knew at my Uncle Bob's (that, and I was not very inventive with names). My uncle would keep me informed as to his Pudgy's antics through letters, and I would, in turn, keep him up to date on my dog. My Pudgy was obtained free of charge from a man with puppies in a box on the corner of a major street in Frankfurt. I pleaded with my mother to "please have a dog."

When we moved back to the United States, Pudgy went to live with my German uncle in order to have more stability, since we would be moving around a bit in terms of my father's job. To this day I remember what a loving dog he was, and a true companion at a time when I needed one most.

Famous Mixed-Breed Dogs

Higgins was the dog that played Benji. He was rescued from a shelter. He was a spaniel mix whose expressive face made him perfect for the movie industry, but Higgins got his start on the television show "Petticoat Junction," the theme of which I can sing at full volume to this day.

In 1937, a sailor adopted a dog, then proceeded to take him aboard his Coast Guard ship, the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Campbell. Not only did Sinbad, a "possible" bull dog/Doberman mix, live on board, he also became an official member of the Coast Guard, and the mascot of the ship. He served for 11 years, was part of several battles in World War II, and earned five ribbons of valor. He spent the final years of his life at the Coast Guard Lighthouse Station in Barnegat, New Jersey.

Spike, the dog that played Old Yeller, was a Labrador retriever/mastiff mix that came from the Van Nuys Animal Shelter in California. He was adopted by Frank Weatherwax, the trainer of another, very famous, purebred dog-- Lassie.

There are many other examples of mixed-breed dogs used in movies and television--often adopted by trainers for their unique looks, temperament or traits--who came from local shelters.

Sinbad photo courtesy of The National Archives

Old Yeller photo courtesy of Walt Disney Productions and Fanpop

Mixed-Breed vs Designer Dogs

There are a lot of blog posts and a lot of discussions surrounding the topic of designer dogs. What exactly is the difference between a "mutt" and a designer dog?

Think of it as intent. Many mixed breed pairings are accidents at best. An unplanned litter of puppies suddenly appears imminent after a female, not-spayed dog escapes her enclosure/yard/collar, and meets an unneutered male dog along the way. Oooops. Strays can often be pregnant when found, if the timing was right for fertilization while they were a stray.

Designer dog pairings are planned events, with the intent to produce the best world of the two dogs chosen. For example: Labradoodles - the combination of Labrador retrievers and poodles, hope to have the temperament of the Lab and the not-so-much-shedding coat of the poodle. Designer dogs are an intentional mixing of breeds.

As The Spruce Pets notes: "The designer dog label today is used to market hybrid dogs, which may (or may not) be more healthy, cute, trainable, or other fill-in-the-blank claims. Shelters sometimes label mixed breeds as a designer breed to promote adoptions. Puppy mills jumped on the designer dog bandwagon to create boatloads of interesting mixes they sell for high prices."

My Famous Mutt

Having owned quite a number of mixed-breed dogs, currently our most well-known mutt is Billie. Billie's images have been exhibited in International Print Competition, where a version of the image below, not only merited, but received Image Excellence designation. Her image was featured at the 2022 Imaging USA exhibit in National Harbor, Maryland.

Billie was a stray, who was found wandering a northern county with her sister Molly. Billie was pregnant when found and went on to have six puppies at the shelter, which were all adopted. We know and keep in touch with two of the adopters.

Not one puppy looked like the other, which sometimes happens with mixed breeds. Here is a photo of five of Billie's six pups.

There is no doubt in my mind that you cannot go wrong with a mixed-breed dog. Approximately 53% of dogs in American households are mixed-breed, and 80% of shelter dogs fall into this category. (Source: DVM360)

If you own a mutt there are two chances to celebrate that fact every year on July 31 and December 2, both of which recognize National Mutt Day. Beyond that, celebrate your dogs every day, no matter their breed.

Click Into the Circle

I am part of a weekly blogging group of professional pet photographers located all over the planet. To see what others have blogged about in this week's topic (Mutts), start here with Las Vegas dog photographer, Nicole Hrustyk, of Pawtraits by Nicole, as she spotlights a recent session of Nadia, a stunning Akita Husky mix.

Then find the link at the end of each blog to click on to the next photographer, until you find yourself back here, and have completed the circle.

I hope your summer is going well. Have a great weekend! Enjoy!

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For the Love of Mutts

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(c) Copyright I Got the Shot Photography
All Rights Reserved