Tails of the World 2023

Apr 4, 2024

In May 2023 we participated in the 2nd annual fundraising session called Tails of the World. In conjunction with 74 photographers from 14 countries, over $65,000 was raised for local rescues around the world!

(See the end of this post if you would like the chance to represent Toronto in 2024.)

Highlights of 2023

* We were thrilled to be featured by Susan Hay on Global News (click here)! She helped so much by shedding light on this important project.

* We expanded to 3 locations and were blessed with beautiful weather for all dates.

* We beat our previous goal from 2022 and raised $1400 for Fetch + Releash.

A Huge, Big Thank You

We could not have done it without the amazing pups and people who participated. So many got up early, travelled far, and followed maps to make this happen. And everyone was absolutely on time for their session!

So…without further ado, here are the 12 dogs respresenting TORONTO in Tails of the World book for 2023.

(Psst…want to see the rest of the 785 dogs and still raise money for rescue? You can purchase the book here.)

Beauford & Betty

two golden retrievers in Tails of the World Toronto

Peyton

Sophie

Pomeranian in Tails of the World Toronto

Guinness

Bernice & Walter

saint bernard and shih tzue in Tails of the World Toronto

Charlie

harlequin dane in Tails of the World Toronto

Maxwell

Whistler

Myca

bernedoodle in Tails of the World Toronto

Lulu

rescue dog in Tails of the World Toronto

We will be launching 2024 soon!

Get on the list and know when the applications go live!

Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming in Oakville | Grand Opening

Apr 1, 2024

This past Saturday Woof Gang Bakery and Grooming celebrated their Grand Opening in Oakville, Ontario.

Did you know that this is the first Woof Gang to open in Canada? Yep! And what a party it was!

A dog photo booth – woof!

We set up a little photobooth in the front window of the store and photographed all the pups that came in for a visit. There were puppies, seniors and everything in between.

Congratulations to Tanuj and her team on a wonderful event – a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon!

And now, onto the pups who showed up to party!

smiling corgi dog with a tail on a pink background

Follow us on Instagram to see the BTS.

Click Here

If These Walls Could Talk | Scotiabank CONTACT Photography Festival

May 12, 2023

Exhibiting at the Stackt Market from May 4, 2023 until June 1, 2023

Part of the annual Scotiabank CONTACT Photography Festival

Mural: Leyland Adams (leylandadams.com)
Photographer: Karen Weiler (poshpetsphoto.com)

The Mural: CNIB Dreams

Located at 1525 Yonge Street, Toronto

I had the opportunity to photograph Leyland Adams in front of his incredible mural located at the CNIB GTA Community Hub. Leyland is at the forefront of making art more accessible for all and his practice “prioritizes accessibility through the integration of tactile, sensory, and audio descriptive technology”. This is accomplished through the use of various textures found throughout the piece.

I loved hearing how at the official unveiling blind children were able to describe what they perceived in the mural, and how they could easily identify that there were trees, rocks, and water on this magnificent cityscape.

As Leyland says, the beauty is that this “type of art creates opportunities for discussions around accessibility and generates understanding by allowing people to see, hear and feel things they otherwise might be excluded from.”

Toronto muralist Leyland Adams in front of his mural CNIB Dreams

Street mural and dog photographer in Toronto

The Rescue Dog: Sunny

This project also gave me the opportunity to meet Leyland’s beautiful dog, Sunny. More than just a loyal companion, she’s family.

As a pet photographer who loves Toronto and its dogs, it was only natural that I capture the bond between them with the mural as a spectacular background. What made the moment even more special was when I learned that Sunny came into Leyland’s life through Fetch + Releash, the very rescue organization that I regularly volunteer with. It was a heartwarming bit of serendipity where the many worlds I live in came together.

dog photographed in front of Toronto mural by Posh Pets Photography

Sunny and Leyland Adams in front of his mural, CNIB Dreams

If you are in the area, please come down to Stackt Market to see these images printed on BIG 8ft x 4ft panels. Come see these and the other participating artists featuring the murals found in our great city.

We met Susan Hay of Global News Toronto!

Apr 20, 2023

In case you missed it, earlier this week I was featured on Global News Toronto as part of the Tails of the World book project. I was also asked to be filmed while photographing two dogs who will be a part of the project, Sophie and Myca.

The experience was both nerve-racking and exhilarating. As a professional pet photographer, I am used to being behind the camera, but being in front of it was a whole other thing. However, I was thrilled to be able to share my love of photographing the dogs and cats of Toronto, as well as the work I do for Fetch + Releash.

See some of the photographs we produced, the behind-the-scenes, a recording of the Global News segment, and information on how you can be a part of the next Tails of the World project.

The Featured Photographs

The one thing I did not worry about were the models. I’ve worked with Myca (the bernedoodle) and Sophie (the pomeranian) numerous times in the past, and they always knock it out of the park. The bonus is that, when these two appear, no one looks at me anyway

bernedoodle dog posing in front of Toronto's skyline

pomeranian with hair blowing in the wind in Toronto

bernedoodle running on the Toronto boardwalk

Behind The Scenes

(click on the photos to enlarge them)

Global News Segment Recording

Watch the 3-minute segment here by clicking on the link or the photo of Sophie.

Global News (link)

pomeranian on driftwood on Toronto's waterfront

Want to get involved?

We are fully booked for the 2023 Tails of the World project, but think you might want to be involved the next time? Sign up here to get advance notice of when we launch it next!

Tails of the World 2022

Mar 27, 2023

In April 2022 we embarked on our first fundraising session called Tails of the World. In the end, we raised $1100 for Fetch + Releash and, in conjunction with 65 photographers worldwide, over $25,000!

(See the end of this post to see how you can be a part of 2023.)

But first, let’s look back at the dogs and humans of 2022.

It was a cold, windy day in early April when we met up with all of the hero pups of Toronto who were helping out the less fortunate.

It started out as a misty morning for our first doggies…

Warry

Lucky

dog in front of Toronto skyline in Ontario

Gnocchi

By the afternoon, the sun started to peak out at times. And we shot until the sun set.

Coyote + Ariel

Cheeko

Max

Mister Teddy

Mishka

Gregorio

Nahani + Sofie

Toronto's Tails of the World pet photography promotion

Rosseau

We will be launching 2023 soon!

Get on the list and know when the applications go live!

The SuperDogs™ at The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair

Nov 25, 2022

A couple of weeks ago I had the great pleasure of watching The SuperDogs™ in action up close! It is always my favourite event at The Royal (as it is known) and I wish I had had time to see more than just the one show. I don’t know what – maybe because I truly love animals – but I actually teared up a couple of times when they were able to complete their performances. I’m a soppy mess, I know.

The dog arena at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto

The SuperDogs™

I got a chance to speak with David Acer who is the creative director of the SuperDogs™ and was really happy to hear that while the crowd obviously loves cheering on their favourites, it’s not about competition. When it comes down to the performance, “the dogs are really just going out there and having fun”, he said. And the crowd is encouraged to cheer whether or not a rail is dropped or a trick missed. Seeing that a large portion of the audience are children, this is a great lesson to learn in a informal, fun way.

Jumping over tunnels

This was the first event and you realize just how fast these dogs are. Not only at running with great speed forward, but also at making all the necessary calculations to clear the hurdles. Seeing them bob up and down is pure joy.

Lava and Kat

We were also treated to these two who have a freestyle dance routine. Not only is it a great demonstration of Lava’s intelligence and athleticism, but it really showcases the bond the two of them have. I mean, they danced together with more style and grace than most people.

The jumps.

This event is always a crowd favourite! All the dogs go through the jumps with the last one being the highest. And each round, they add a rail. The expressions of the dogs are the best – they range from great concentration to pure joy and exhilaration at having gotten over ‘clean’. They are all fast, so I didn’t catch all of them in flight, but here’s a selection:

dog performing agility at Royal Agricultural Winter Fair

SuperDogs at Royal Winter Fair in Toronto

Photographing speedy dogs inside an arena with not the best lighting is a challenge for the photographer and the equipment. But what a wonderful way to spend an afternoon! See you next year SuperDogs!

Bone & Biscuit Customer Appreciation 2022

Oct 25, 2022

Four years! Four years of gorgeous pups to photograph during the Customer Appreciation Event for Vaughn’s Bone & Biscuit Location.

Photo booth for dogs!

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!

Want to see the full gallery from the dog photo booth?

We had so much fun and are looking forward to next year! To see everyone’s gorgeous smiles, click through the gallery below:

Thanks so much for all of the fun – hope to see you all again next year! And in the meantime, I love following you all on Instagram.

Experiential Marketing

Small business owners, entrepreneurs, agencies and creatives directors! Experiential marketing events involving celebrities, influencers and the public are our speciality. Especially if they include dogs or cats.

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Help Your Dog Stay Worry-free During Fireworks

Jun 7, 2022

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.

little dog on bed nervous about fireworks

1. Plan ahead.

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.

2. Create distance.

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.

3. Set up a quiet safe space.

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.

4. Go for a long walk well before dark.

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.

5. Close windows and curtains.

This further muffles the sound and blocks out quick, flashes of light

6. Turn on the TV, music, or white noise.

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.

7. Try an anxiety wrap.

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.

8. Consult a professional.

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.

The Bone & Biscuit Co. Third Anniversary | October 2, 2021

Oct 5, 2021

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!

Pet-Friendly Photo Booth

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.

Want to see the full gallery from the dog photo booth?

As usual, pups seem to have come out ahead. See everyone’s beautiful faces by clicking through the gallery below:

brown chocolate labrador with canadiana bandana

Thanks so much for all of the fun – hope to see you all again next year! And in the meantime, I love following you all on Instagram.

Experiential Marketing

Small business owners, entrepreneurs, agencies and creatives directors! Experiential marketing events involving celebrities, influencers and the public are our speciality. Especially if they include dogs or cats.

Contact Us

3 Local Ways to Celebrate Fall With Your Dog

Sep 27, 2021

Temps are getting cooler and that means it’s a great time to get out and about with your pup. As a dog photographer, I’m so happy to live, love and laugh with pups at all the best spots around Toronto and the GTA so I’ve put together a list of my favorite dog-friendly places below.

What’s your favourite? Email me and let me know!

1. Grab a drink on a dog-friendly patio

Toronto recently changed the by-laws so more places have the option to have dogs on their patios. And with some (finally!) cooler temps in town, it will be more comfortable to sit outside in a cozy sweater and get a drink. I love this place because of it was one of the first breweries to welcome dogs. It’s also super cool because of the name – Black Dog Brewing. If you haven’t been before, seek out Snoopy, who is the original black dog.

2. Go south to an island

Okay, so not that far south. As everyone here knows, but sometimes forgets, Toronto has its own island(s) that are accessible by quick ride on a dog-friendly ferry. The fall ferry schedule still offers lots of options for coming and going from the island and when you get there, you can create the iconic photo of your pup with our wonderful skyline.

3. Get out of town and take a hike

Southern Ontario has so many gorgeous conservation areas to explore and Autumn is the perfect time to visit. I first visited Kelso when I tagged along with Otis and his mum to photograph them. Dogs love to hike on the trails and smell all the smells. People love it because, if you choose to hike up to the top, you have a beautiful view of the area and the Fall colours. And, if you get to the lookout in time, you can enjoy the sunset together.

girl and dog at lookout at Kelso Conservation Area

4. Take more photos

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!

A Fall/Autumn session with your pup? Yes, please! (Psst…it’s our busiest season, so make sure you plan this now.)

POSH PETS BOUTIQUE™ SESSIONS

Where it all begins

Pre-session Design Consult that ensures we create images you will be thrilled with.
The result is gorgeous custom artwork the life your pet shares with your family.
A personal Ordering Consultation to ensure you select the right images from the gallery.
Please note: The Creative Fee covers time and talent to photograph a maximum of four (4) subjects, which can be any combination of people and up to two (2) pets who live within the same household. Additional subjects may be photographed for a small additional fee.
Examples of portraits from Posh Pets Boutique™ Sessions can be found here.

Book Now

Enjoy the Toronto Summer | Preventing Heatstroke in Dogs

Jun 9, 2021

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.

If you and your dog live for the summer…

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.

POSH PETS BOUTIQUE™ SESSIONS

Where it all begins

Pre-session Design Consult that ensures we create images you will be thrilled with.
The result is gorgeous custom artwork the life your pet shares with your family.
A personal Ordering Consultation to ensure you select the right images from the gallery.
Please note: The Creative Fee covers time and talent to photograph a maximum of four (4) subjects, which can be any combination of people and up to two (2) pets who live within the same household. Additional subjects may be photographed for a small additional fee.
Examples of portraits from Posh Pets Boutique™ Sessions can be found here.

Book Now

Dog Wedding in Toronto | A Tail of 2 Pugs

Aug 6, 2020

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):

Mini
Chelsea
Nala
Max
Bacon
Archer