Dec 31, 2013
Brrrrrr! It was cold out there in Posh Pets‘ land yesterday. Add to that, the ice and snow everywhere and we had a recipe for wiggly butts (human and animal)! But, we had beautiful sunlight from the setting sun which lit up the small area where we photographed all of the available and up-and-coming adoptables this week. What a way to end our last session of 2013!
These beautiful guys and girls are all available from Toronto Animal Services – North Region and would love to meet you. The cat adoption room was hopping with people yesterday (always a good thing!), so we didn’t have an opportunity to photograph any of our precious felines this week. We’ll be back though…
See you all next year!
Oct 31, 2013
Are you an animal lover that enjoys a happy ending? Then I have a story for you!
For anyone who follows the Posh Pets‘ blog, it becomes pretty clear that I have a special spot in my heart for rescue and shelter animals. Each of those little furry faces are precious! And so, I volunteer with various organizations, taking pictures of their adoptables in the hopes that someone special will see their beautiful faces and give them a home. Truth is though, although each week many of the animals become someone’s pet, I often do not know what became of them. I choose to believe that they live out their lives in a home surrounded by love, warm, dry beds and full bellies…
So, it really warms my heart when someone reaches out to me and let’s me know how “my” adoptables are doing. That happened this week.
First of all, let me introduce you to this gorgeous guy…
I looked up my records and so I know that I first photographed him on the very last day of 2012, so December 31. As you can see, we had snow on the ground at Toronto Animal Services and I remember that we scooted outside briefly to photograph a lot of different doggies that day. But, just look at that face! He was beautiful and searching for the right home. Well, I am happy to share that he found it.
Sarah, who wrote to me this week, shared this…
Hi! My name is Sarah.
I was browsing your site and was very excited to discover that you actually photographed my dog Washburn (used to be Brock) back in January of this year when he was doing his, I think, first of two stays at TAS.
My heart skipped a beat at seeing his adoptable photo.
It was always in the back of my mind to contact someone that had contact with him about how much he’s changed both mine and my boyfriend’s life. When I saw his picture on your site I kinda clicked the contact button without thinking. We originally saw his picture on the TAS site when we were on our way to an adoption event and had thought he would be too big for our little apartment. (He was listed as a Shar pei/mastiff mix) Little did we know he was more pug than mastiff and a perfect little man. We haven’t looked back since he came into our lives.
I want to thank you for taking the time to give exposure to dogs like our little Wash. Without people like you these special animals would have a harder time finding their forever homes. I doubt I’d be able to do what you do as I would have to take everyone home with me 🙂
You’re simply amazing.
Awwww…Sarah, thank YOU! It was just about the nicest e-mail to receive. Sarah also included some lovely pictures of Washburn to show us how he is doing now. This is one happy furry face!
Photo Credit: © Sarah Sullivan
Image provided by Sarah Sullivan
Know any other animal lovers that could do with a little pick me up? Please share this story with them…you and they will be glad you did!
PS: If any of “my” other adoptables are out there…please feel free to reach out and say hi.
Oct 25, 2013
We returned from Italy last week to my favourite time of year. In case you haven’t noticed, Autumn is clearly upon us here in Southern Ontario and this season’s leaves have been spectacular! Especially, if you can photograph doggies in them. So, I was very excited to learn that our Project 52 theme for this week was “Fall/Autumn”.
What a gorgeous day it was on Sunday when I got to spend time with the beautiful Kona. She had such fun showing me all of her favourite places at the cottage…
She also treated us to her best imitation of a wolf howl (in response to my withholding the treats). Fall is just such a beautiful time of year…I can honestly say that it is my favourite season!
Next in our blog circle is Princeton New Jersey dog photography, Barking Lab Studio. Please travel around the circle and see what Fall looks like in New Jersey!
Oct 23, 2013
Well…the Posh Pets‘ gang is back! After spending 3 weeks in Italy (which was wonderful!), it is soooo nice to be home! In part, because it means that I got to see all of my furry faces at the shelter this week.
These bright, happy furry faces are available for adoption from Toronto Animal Services – North Region. Give them a call if you are interested in a meet-and-greet! Please take a look and share…
Aug 16, 2013
This week’s visit to Toronto Animal Services included photographing a whole clowder of kitties (and a couple of cute doggies)! I have missed photographing the felines because of the on-going youth camp taking place at the shelter – they take up the usual bubble area where I set up the Posh Pets‘ camera. But, there is a little outside enclosure where quite a number of them were enjoying the summer weather.
If you are interested in bringing one of these gorgeous furry faces into your home and life, please contact Toronto Animal Services – North!
Aug 13, 2013
Is there anything quite like the unbelievable cuteness of a puppy session? All of that roly-poly goodness combined with snuggles and little legs can’t take them very far? I don’t think so.
So, it was with absolute delight that I spent an early summer afternoon in Toronto photographing petite Paddington during her cute puppy stage. The head tilt alone left me hopelessly in love. And when we got her running…well, it took everything I had not to simply plop her in the car and take her home with me. (In a way, I guess I did – one of Paddington’s images currently graces the masthead of this blog.)
It has been a few months since we took these images, so of course, Paddington has grown into a beautiful corgi girl. I get to see her quite regularly as she belongs to the owners of the pet supply store I frequent for my own furry faces, and she is almost always there to greet me with a kiss. But, her family is so very glad we were able to capture these images while she was still young. Come along and I think you will agree that it was worth it.
If you are considering having a Posh Pets Photography puppy session for a new furry face in your life, don’t delay! The puppy stage is brief, but photographs can capture it forever.
Aug 10, 2013
There is still a youth camp going on at Toronto Animal Services this week and the dogs are having a lot of fun learning new tricks. And this week, I had 2 awesome students help me out with the adoption photos. They were great, showing off the sit and stay skills they have taught the dogs. The pictures are gorgeous!
These guys are all available (or will soon be after the camp concludes so they are not on the website quite yet) at Toronto Animal Services – North. So feel free to contact them directly if you would like to inquire about adoption. They will also be featured on the Posh Pets Facebook page during the week!
Jul 30, 2013
If you have been missing the weekly updates of the adoptables Posh Pets Photography meets each week, there is a reason – we’ve been spending our time being a New York City pet photographer…
Now, if there is one thing you notice at first glance is that New Yorkers LOVE their dogs! So many cute, furry faces out on the streets enjoying the city life. As a tourist and a pet photographer, I am always walking around with my camera. It is therefore only natural that I would stop a few and ask for quick picture. Hope you enjoy this little peak into our travels through the eyes of the dogs…
We spent some time walking through Manhattan which is where we met 2 year old Panchetta. She was enjoying the gorgeous weather, patiently waiting to cross the road with her human at 86th and Lexington. A Boston in New York!
Then I met Markus, a Tibetan Terrier who enjoys his walks on Park Avenue. He was sporting his new summer cut. When I asked if I could take his picture, I was told that Markus loves to strike a pose and show us his best smiles. He certainly didn’t disappoint!
This is Jessie, an absolutely breathtakingly gorgeous Italian Greyhound. She and her human were enjoying the sites and sounds of The Boardwalk at Coney Island/Brighton Beach in Brooklyn. She took a little time to warm up to me, but after a thorough examination of my camera and copious amounts of scratchies later, she was ready to show off her model-worthy good looks. Jessie is 10 years old…love the senior dogs!
Last, but certainly not least, was appropriately named Fluff who was enjoying the evening in the company of his little human. His mom graciously allowed us to photograph her happy 6 year old boy!
Looking for more to do in New York City?
Here is a list of the top 100 things to do in the Big Apple, many of which can be enjoyed with your dog. Happy travelling and exploring!
Planning to go further afield?
If you are someone who loves to #travelwithdog, you should also consider documenting your travels with flydographer.com. Learn more about them here.
Jun 18, 2013
The Lost and Found Dog Park at Toronto Animal Services – North is complete! The colours are absolutely gorgeous which I will be using the park to show off all of the adorable adoptables I meet each week (they even somewhat match the Posh Pets Photography colours – it was meant to be).
If you are looking for a new friend, TAS – North might just be the place where you find each other. Each of these lovely guys and girls will also be featured on the Posh Pets’ Facebook page in the coming days, so head on over there for more information such as age, breed and ID number.
And now, without any further delay, here is the first group of dogs to enjoy the new park with me!
Apr 4, 2013
Please meet Kate, who I had the privilege of photographing last week. She is a 4 year old, dark-haired beauty currently enjoying life with her foster mom in Toronto. But…she is really looking for her forever home. If you would like to find out more about Kate, check out her profile on the Canadian Dachshund Rescue site and contact them for more details!
Look at those soulful eyes…
Here, Kate strikes a pose…
She really is a gorgeous furry face with tons of love to give!
Mar 29, 2013
I had a bit of surprise this year when I was invited to Brampton to speak to a group of students who were learning to cartoon. My friend, Daniela Easter is an award winning artist as well as a personal friend of mine. Apart from her private commissions, she founded and, for the past 9 years has run, Progressive Art for Progressive Kids in Brampton, an art school that helps young people develop their skills and exposes them to the various mediums and forms of art. For the past few months, they were learning how to cartoon!
Given that I provide some of the images of the animals that are used as a basis for the cartoon, Daniela asked me to come and speak to her students. I have to be honest – it is kind of intimidating to walk into a class room of 8-12 year olds who can draw. Really draw. Especially, if you are someone like me who cannot draw anything recognizable. However, photography is just a different medium and Daniela thought it would be beneficial for the kids to meet another working professional in the arts.
They were such a great group of students who were eager to know my process to create beautiful photographs of animals. Equally intriguing to them was the work I do with shelters and rescues. But, I think the highlight for everyone was when I taught them how to howl like a dog! (Yes, making a fool of oneself is an occupational hazard.)
So, it is my complete pleasure to showcase some of the artwork that was produced by this group of young artists!
We’ll start with the photo. This is the original image of an oh-so-cute puppy! (There were lots of awwwwwws when this little face popped up on the screen.)
And the cartoon renditions by Nicholas…
…Grace (who signed her artwork – good girl!)…
…and Avi (who also signed his name).
They then moved onto a playful, little kitten! (This image received an equal amount of awwwwws.)
And the cartoon renditions by Nicholas…
…Prerna…
…and Jessica!
I told you these kids are good!
Should you have a budding artist in your life, please go and check out the curriculum for Progressive Art for Progressive Kids. It changes regularly and covers a lot of ground, so you can nurture that creative spirit!
And, for recent updates and other cute images of furry faces, come on over to the Posh Pets Blog and see what we are up to!
Mar 3, 2013
When I heard that Dachshund UN would be making its debut in Toronto, I was very excited! The thought of 36 doxies in a room … well, these are ideas that make a pet photographer happy! If you don’t know what all of the fuss is about, check this link here.
So, as you can imagine, on Friday, March 1, my husband and I showed up with camera gear in tow, to watch the 7 p.m. performance. The curtain rose and we were greeted with this scene.
The crowd applauded the appearance of these guys. The amazing thing was to see the variety and different personalities of the individual “delegates”. Hard to imagine, but those wee dachshunds were able to interact with the crowd – albeit a wiener-dog crazy crowd. Who knew that so many people could be enthralled with simply watching dachshunds being themselves.
The first to be noticed was Mexico. Sitting, ahem, standing in the front row, he had tons to “say” to anyone who would listen. He was definitely the most vocal of the entire group!
Then the guy from Chile raised his head. He was the largest of the group and situated front and centre, he was hard to miss!
This little guy representing Ghana was Simon. This much I learned from the lady standing in line with me as she was oh-so-proud of her grand-doggie as he did so well!
The delegate from Italy was a quiet, beautiful soul. I loved her coat and colouring!
Netherlands thought the whole thing was pretty funny…
…and shared the joke with Zambia (look at that face – he had it all evening!)
I caught the delegate from Argentina napping (I wonder if this happens in ‘real’ UN sessions?).
But, Kyrgyzstan was alert and eager to follow what was happening around them.
Slovenia listened thoughtfully while others “spoke”. This little guy stole my heart with his quiet, gentle demeanour.
But, the most gorgeous award has to go to Cuba. Whoever owns this gorgeous pup…thank you for sharing him or her with us!
That’s a brief round-up of the highlights! I have so many other images to go through and I will try and share some of those in the coming days. And I have to apologize, I do not know if the delegates were boys or girls – I simply picked a gender on what I thought they looked like. If anyone knows these pups personally, please let me know and I will definitely update!
In the meantime, today is your last day to get down to Harbourfront and see these dachshunds for the last time! The performance begins at 2 p.m. and admission is free on a first come, first admitted basis.
