
The SuperDogs™ at The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair

The SuperDogs™
Jumping over tunnels


Lava and Kat


The jumps.





Four years! Four years of gorgeous pups to photograph during the Customer Appreciation Event for Vaughn’s Bone & Biscuit Location.
We made it a little more celebratory this year with an overlay on the final photos. And lots of pups came out to celebrate!
Whenever I do an on-location photo booth with dogs, there are always a few surprises. This year we got a dog that wore spectacles, 2 that wore crowns and lots and lots of dogs that love their moms and dads so much that they were willing to give us their best smiles!
We had so much fun and are looking forward to next year! To see everyone’s gorgeous smiles, click through the gallery below:
Loud noises and sounds can really freak dogs and cat out, and a fireworks show is probably the worst noise monster a fearful pet can face. While our kitties seem to be pretty chill to any fireworks in our neighbourhood, I have a friend whose cat did not come out from under the bed for an entire day afterwards. And did you know that more dogs go missing during holidays featuring fireworks than any other day? So…seeing as we know nights of fireworks will be coming up in July, here are some ways to help your dog and cat stay a little more comfortable.
It’s a good idea to check for the dates of community fireworks displays during celebratory seasons, and make sure your dog’s collar ID and microchip registration are up to date. Big dates like Victoria Day, Canada Day, and New Year’s almost always have some sort of show in the respective cities within the GTA, so mark those down and make a plan.
When you know a firework display is scheduled nearby, or you see your neighbors setting up for a display, ask a friend if you can bring your dog over for an evening chat or movie – unless your dog finds trips even more stressful. Simply removing them from the situation may be the best option.
If leaving your home is out of the question for you and your dog, set up a safe space in your home. This is ideally a place where your dog is comfortable and the sound of fireworks is muffled, like a finished basement or an internal room like a walk-in closet. In our home, the bathroom seems to be a favourite for our cats when scary noises abount (think: fire alarm!) Spend time with your dog there, with toys and treats, well before fireworks season begins, not just the day of.
A happily tired dog is a more relaxed dog. Exercise your pup with fun play or a long walk so they are ready to nap when night falls. Make sure their collar or harness is slip-proof, because some people celebrate with firecrackers and other noisemakers before darkness falls.
This further muffles the sound and blocks out quick, flashes of light
Sit down to your favourite TV show and watch that together. Or, dance to music. Even things like a fan, can provide a familiar, alternate sound. Just make sure whatever you use is already familiar to your dog – even fans can be anxiety-causing if they are fired up without warning.
Soft, stretchy jackets and vests built specifically for a dog’s shape are reported to be effective at reducing anxiety. I suggest you slowly introduce your dog to their coat well before fireworks season descends. My parents’ dog has a Thundershirt that sometimes help – although not always – but they are worth trying.
Is your dog or cat’s quality of life suffering, or are they so panicked they could injure themselves, or you, while trying to escape? Dog trainers, dog behaviorists, veterinarians, and veterinary behaviorists can offer a range of options from counter-conditioning to medication.
Any other tips that you have found helpful? Please share them with me here.
We were back for a 3rd glorious year to celebrate the anniversary of Vaughn’s Bone & Biscuit Location. Every year this celebration gets better and better!
Once again, we did a dog photo booth, but we decided to warm it up a bit with a beautiful golden colour to remind us that Fall is the most beautiful time of year. It has had been a hard year for everyone and Anubha wanted to show her appreciation to all her customers who have remained loyal and supportive through the pandemic.
So much had changed in a year, and we were now confronted with handling an event with safety protocols. With lots of cooperation, graciousness and patience on the part of everyone, the event was a success!
It was such a beautiful day and we met lots and lots of pups. But this year was a first…we got to photograph 2 brave kitties who definitely had no trouble being surrounded by dogs.
What’s your favourite? Email me and let me know!
One extra little bonus tip because you know there would be something wrong if I didn’t remind you to make memories and take more photos of your dog! Put on your most stylish outfits, get outside and explore. Better yet, get photos of you with your pup in the Autumn colours, among the fall leaves. And if that sounds like the perfect day, I just might know the perfect pet photographer…
So, that will get you started in celebrating the most beautiful time of year! Did I leave something out? Email me and tell me which local places you love to take your dog during Fall!
Hello Summer!!
A combination of nicer weather and a city/province that has been in lockdown for soooo long can be a potent combination – lots of people and pups ready to step outside and into the heat!
Most of us know that it is wise to take short walks in the early morning or late evening when the sun is not so strong, to ensure that our pets have access to water and shade, and to never – never, ever – leave them in a car.
But even with all of the precautions in place, overheating can occur, and occur quickly. Do you know the signs of heatstroke and when your dog is in distress?
Petfinder shared this great graphic to get you started.
As of June 11, 2021, we are again able to photograph your pups outside! Yay! It has been so long coming and we cannot wait to see you. We schedule sessions early morning or late evening during the summer months to take advantage of the beautiful light and the cooler temperatures. It makes for a more enjoyable experience for you and your pet. Book your session today.
On Wednesday, August 5, 2020, you could feel that love was in the air in downtown Toronto as Miss Pickles & Tyson tied the knot at Stackt Market. It was a beautiful evening – not too hot or too cold – as the 2 pugs exchanged their vows. And I’ll admit, I liked this dog wedding more than most human ones.
The lovely couple and their guests were hosted by Love Shack Toronto and the Belgian Moon Brewery. Wedding Favours were courtesy of Pupfectionery, and the gorgeous florals were from Flower Treasures.
And no dog wedding would be complete without friends. Tyson and Pickles were supported by their well-dressed attendants (click on name to see their Instagram accounts):
It was a who’s who of dogs from all over Toronto who came together to celebrate two pugs.
See all the action (the dresses! the colour scheme! the processional!) in the attached album. You can click on each photo to see them up close.
For Toronto dogs and cats, it is much more difficult to adjust to the heat. Even when we find that we are uncomfortably warm and there is no option for air conditioning, our bodies help us to cool down by sweating. Our pets are not as fortunate; not only are they wearing fur, but their ability to sweat is limited to their paws and an open-mouthed pant. Summer safety is our responsibility.
While heat is the main cause for extra pet safety precautions in the summer, just staying out of the sun will not guarantee a safe pet. Here is how you can help your dog and cat stay safe this summer:
Want to capture all the summer time fun with your pup and kitty? Sign up here for the Tips for Taking Drool-Worthy Pictures of Your Pet With Your Phone – a free pdf showing how to work with your phone to get great imagery. Have fun out there!
On Sunday, September 30, 2019, Hound & Purr celebrated their 1st anniversary. The day was busy with 3 events:
1. A dog fashion show put on by the Little White Dog;
2. A meet-and-greet with some of Toronto’s famous pups (Maximillion, Dexter, Prince Louix CXIII, and Java); and,
3. A chow down, hosted by Puppy Gang Fresh Foods in which Arson the Dalmatian came off victorious.
You can click on each photo to see them up close. Enjoy!
Saturday, August 17, 2019 was the date selected for the 6th annual Swissridge DoodleRomp. Looking at the weather during the couple of days beforehand, it was forecasting the worst of weather. I had therefore emailed the organizer to ask her if we had a Plan B in case of terrible rain. She, of course, had thought of everything, but ended her email with “It never rains for long on this special day 😉“
I’ll be honest; I was not so sure. We woke up on Saturday to torrential rain where I live. But, as we made our way north to the Pinetree Pet Care Centre in Guelph, Ontario, the skies began to clear. By the time we arrived, we had sun! She had been so right.
Each year the pups and humans of Swissridge get together to have one huge play date and raise money to support the training of a therapy dog for a special child. This year was no different.
It is a tradition to take a ‘group shot’ during the last half of of the event which is always a challenge with so many pups and people. A wide-angle lens is a must!
I really love this next photo. This is the moment after I called out, “we got the shot!” and everyone released their dogs. Luma ran straight for me – she knows who has the treats.
It is always remarkable to me how well the doodles behave with one another. One large off-leash park and not one scuffle. That is due, in large part, to the attention each human pays to their dog. If someone is getting a little too excited, they can easily be brought outside the fenced-in area for a moment to calm down, before trying again. I wish all dog parks had owners like these!
I had a small booth this year and it was busy. As a result, I did not get out to photograph the dogs as much as I would have like. However, enjoy this small gallery of the fun event. See you all next year!
Here are some of the sunny, bright summery photos from the day!
We had a ton of fun last Saturday with Andrea Bertucci, a real estate agent who serves the Leslieville area, at the first Park & Bark event of 2019. For those who do not know, Park & Bark is a dog festival and outdoor market that works its way around Toronto parking lots on select Saturdays throughout the year. The event is free and well-behaved dogs of all shapes and sizes are welcome. There will be 3 more events this year, so be sure to check one of them out!
This past Saturday, the weather was near perfect and the dogs were plentiful. Andrea and I shook paws with lots of happy dogs, met awesome owners, doled out treats and gave cuddles. We photographed so many great pups and raised money for a good cause – the Toronto Humane Society. What a wonderful way to spend a Saturday!
Here is a roundup of the visitors we met…
We had some bonafide dog celebrities show up and show us their best side. This is DEXTER and pretty mum who coordinated their denim outfits just for their photo. He is kind of a big deal in these parts – Dexter was named #TorontoTopDog for 2019! But for all of his fame, he is really a down to earth kind of guy. Go follow his Instagram (@dexosaurus) to follow his adventure and see where you can meet him next. (hint: it is the biggest dog festival in North America)
Next, was GUCCI and WINTER, also known as @thefloofywoofs on Instagram. Photographing dogs in a parking lot with lots of other pups and distractions around is never easy…getting two together is even more of a challenge. But these two made it happen because they are stars!
BEAUFORD (@bisforbeauford) is a senior snout near and dear to my heart. While we have *known* each other for years on Instagram, this was our first time meeting in real life! Three years ago, Beauford was given a devastating diagnosis and prognosis. Since that time, he has been checking items off of his #bucketlist, all the while defying the odds. It was so good to see this precious boy! And his winning smile is second to none!
These two are best friends in real life and absolutely had to have a photo together. HARLEY is the tri-colour corgi on the left (@harleythecuriouscorgi) and MYLO, Duke of Eglinton (@mylo_corgi) is the Pembroke Welsh Corgi on the right. Both smiley, happy boys eager for their model turn!
Not to be forgotten is CHARLIE (@charchar_westie) who also chose to wear denim for the occasion.
There were so many more beautiful, happy, furry faces, so take a look through the whole set here. The first one is ALICE, the sweetest little puppy who, even though it was her first time at such an event, showed she is a natural when it comes to being photographed.
Want a chance to have your pup, kitty, ferret or… photographed in studio by us? Find out about our in-studio sessions, below.
Available on only select days during the year. Shorter sessions perfect for those looking for a couple of portraits of their favourite family member. Find out when the next one is by signing up for the invite list.