I realize that if you come here, it's to see pretty pictures, not a bunch of words but i had to post today.
I am a craigslist addict. I love to browse it. I love looking at vintage furniture but also tend t head to the pet section.
And around this time of year the pet section is terrible.
Puppies, all types, all needing to go 'NOW' Cats as well but their numbers on their always depress me. But the puppies.
You can tell given their ages that they were most likely christmas presents.
Now, the cuteness worn off, the realities of house training and manner training kicks in so they get kicked to the curb.
Or, even better, 'Our old dog doesn't like it'. What a shocker, they are dogs, if you throw a young pup at an established single dog there will be some adjustments and *gasp* it might take effort.
I know this can be a sore topic but please PLEASE do not give puppies as gifts unless it's been very well thought out and agreed to before hand. Please.
These four legged creatures are each individuals but have one thing in common. They depend on us, they don't chose us, they don't buy themselves, they don't decide on their own to come into our homes. We do it all. When we do that, it's up to us to follow through with our commitment. If nothing else what does it teach your children? They are expendable? Not something I'd want my daughter to learn. So, before you go get that puppy on a whim take a trip to a local shelter. Look at every one of those faces, most barking frantically for attention. Make sure you can promise forever to the best of your ability. Of course, if the spirit moves you, you could give one of the animals in front of you a chance at a great new home. ;)

**Note, if your puppy purchase is planned with a responsible breeder you will have been thoroughly vetted prior to any of this (please note I did say responsible) and you will likely feel as if you've been interrogated by the FBI. This is for the puppy's safe being and most of the time (though not all) prevents any of the issues discussed above.

Remember how I was just talking about shooting in the cold and snow? Well, there isn't so much snow in this but it was negative 6 degrees windchill.
Didn't stop this girl from enjoying herself.

Winter is a slow time for many photographers. Even though of us that love snow as a back drop. So, I'm taking this down time as an opportunity to pull out my film camera.

Many think that film is dead, gone the way of the dodo but the truth is I see more and more people picking up a good old fashioned 35mm or TLR.

There is something special about film, it's got a look and a feel that is purely it's own. There is a romance to it, and of course, you need to develop the film to see how you did.

I shoot film for myself. I don't usually integrate it into my business as the time and cost is a bit prohibitive. Something I find fun is to order expired film off etsy or ebay. 90% of the time the photos turn out normal but sometimes you'll get some degradation which gives awesome effects to your photos. It's like christmas when you get the film developed.

So take this to say that not all photographers are winter phobic. The winter wonderland can be a stunningly beautiful backdrop if you can handle a bit of cold.
If not, whip out an old camera and rediscover some joys.

So, we are (as usual) wrapping gifts on the Eve. Bosley and his Great Paws find the task much to tempting so he is, Horror of Horrors, locked in the kitchen.
Now mind you, this is less then five feet from where I am wrapping. We are separated by a child safety gate so he's far from segregated.
After getting 'the look' under the gate for some time he decides to make his own fun.
Clu has a crate in the kitchen. She loves it and you'll often find her napping there in the middle of the day. But, she is small, thus it is small.
I do have a point I promise.
So, Bosley is out in the kitchen and I hear quite the ruckus, I glance out and see....no Bosley. Hmm... "Bosley?" Instantly a black speckled nose, followed by the rest of him emerges from Clu's crate. It's a lot like watching clowns exiting a car. Shaking my head in disbelief I return to wrapping, keeping one eye on the kitchen to catch Houdini in the act.
After a forlorn sigh he once again returns to the entrance of Clu's crate, drops nearly to his belly and heads on in. Moments later his head pokes out of the door.
How he makes himself fit, let alone turn around, is a mystery.  So, I've finally released him from his terrible torment in the kitchen and given all the dogs an early gift that they are now enjoying quietly.

Keeping them out of the gifts until morning...wish me luck.

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.