As this morning dawns cold and white here and I take the dogs out for their morning potty breaks Caleb, my diva, stops.
He is a dog that would live his life on a couch getting belly scratches and pawdicures, so snow...much less cold is an affront to his nature.
The other two go out and do their business (Bosley still couldn't care less about the snow) but he just looks at me. After a few minutes of puppy mind control I realize he likely expects me to hold his bunny butt so he doesn't get his paws dirty... I unceremoniously lure him into the trenches with a chicken heart.
Yes. I'm that cruel.

I recently volunteered to photograph pets for a local animal shelter.
As usual the stories inside were heartbreaking. The staff of course do their best but a shelter is still a shelter.
After talking myself out of adding to the zoo I have at home I met this guy. He's old, 19. His coat feels just like my Ragdolls'. He's big, fluffy, and beautiful. And in desperate need of a quiet home to let him live out the life he has left.
The old furkids always get to me. I will never in my life understand how you can have a pet so long then just throw it away. While I will not get into my feelings on the various excuses that people come up with to justify the expulsion of a family member I have to say keep this boy in mind. If you know anyone who could offer him a 'retirement' home please please contact the Animal Welfare League of Kosciusko county Indiana.

Fall is amazing. Simply amazing. I know that some people are a bit depressed by fall but to me, the world is just yawning and getting ready to have a wee sleep. The colors, the scents, love it all.
The colors though are amazing for photos. That's why I'm doing fall mini sessions. There is nothing quite like a backdrop of brilliant oranges, yellows, and even browns... Okay, maybe the bright green seen in New Zealand but honestly, I'm no where close (and I've a fear of flying).

The time has come to put up the Evil Hound's swimming pool. Two of my three

dearly love water. They jump in it, run in it, lap it up, lay down in it, and one

even will dive for things in it.

But, all good things must come to an end so the puppy pool has been emptied

and put up for the year.

Caleb of course (he's the third, the one who's not a fan of water at all) is

pleased. He'd rather never get his paws wet or dirty and looks at his house

siblings like they've gone mad every time they splash around in that *shudder*

water.

Also, I'll soon be announcing my fall mini sessions. Short, fun, and full of color!!

But not really. I love fall. Adore

fall. LIVE for fall. It is without a

doubt my favorite time of year.

And, at least in my neck of the

woods, it's not really showing yet,


no crispness in the air, no blushing of leaves, but I know it's on it's way.

Even before I became a photographer I would pull out the camera in the fall.

It's beautiful, there is no other season that shows how alive the world is to me.

So, the awesome holiday notwithstanding, get out and enjoy it. There are

festivals to go to, rescue and shelter events to support.... Get out and do some

living.

******************************

Above I had mentioned rescue/shelter events. Two that I know of close to

Marshall county is Animal Welfare League of Warsaws AWL Fur Ball on

October 20th at Rice Toyota in Warsaw (check out their 'calendar' for more

and current details)

Aaaand PetsConnect's Peace Paws Festival on September 29th at Howard Park

in South Bend. Once again, check their site for current details.

You ever notice how your pets (mainly of the feline and canine variety) think it's the best idea in the world to go batdog crazy at approximately 10 p.m.? It never fails. My daughter will be in bed, dishes done, wine poured, and I'll be settling down to do some editing and it's like a switch goes off in their heads.
They can be knocked out asleep flat on the couch and I step into the office and it's like someone dropped firecrackers in the living room.
Everyone is at attention, the cats decide it's time for second supper (or fourthmeal...I believe they've seen too many Taco Bell ads) so start singing, and the dogs rush for the nearest, loudest, squeaka toys.
Occasionally I'll be graced with my boy Caleb's company under my chair. He'll contribute "the look" each time I have to SHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH into the living room You know the kind, you run out of breath as you near the end, sounding like a quashed tire. "You can play but DON'T BARK!" At which time I get the cursory "whatever" look followed by a few minutes of tumbles and growls.
Ah a life with dogs.

Oh today. Today was long. No shoots this weekend, planned that way on purpose. Hit the farmers market (amazingly divine Kountry Kitchen monster cookies anyone? why yes please) and then on to Michigan City for the Dog and Pony show.

Easy to get to, pretty much a giant L for me. Wonderful, wonderful people. I was familiar with the Reins of Life as I had volunteered for NIRHA years ago (Northern Indiana Riding for the Handicapped Association) in Donaldson. They do a great service, there is something about horses….

PetsConnect was there. They are a wonderful organization that has saved so many animals. I have to say Abel, one of their current fosters, loved to talk. Very expressive and if I’d have given him the chance he would likely have whispered ‘take me hoooooooome’ in my ear. But alas, I don’t think we could have worked out. But if you love a talker do check out that handsome boy on their website. And don’t mistake talker for barker, he wasn’t.

And remember, even if you can’t find room for another forever dog, 99.9% of rescues and no kill shelters are in dire need of foster homes. If you’re interested Google some in your area and drop them an email. Or if you have no room in your home but some time on your hands volunteers are generally appreciated as well. We take these places for granted but it’s only through the dedication and unending hard work of far too many under appreciated individuals that they exist at all. Don’t be afraid to offer what you can.

There were pet contests, some vendors, food, some kids activities. Very rounded BUT. It needs more. Everything there was going for good causes, I know for a fact that there are more horse and pet related business and shelters in the area. This is a great opportunity to do good. If it’s going to happen next year I’ll be there again and I’ll have spent the entire year letting people know about it and trying to get some more vendors. Well worth the trip.