May 20, 2013
This week was a big group of furry faces! As our usual location is currently under construction, we took to the front lawn of the shelter to get our posh adoption photograph. So nice to see lovely green grass and have a moment to be outside!
Some of these furry faces have already found their forever homes – most notably Cheyenne who is 18 years old! We wish her and her friends the warmest congratulations and a life filled with love and belly rubs. However, if you see one here that you would like to meet, please contact Toronto Animal Services – North directly. I also encourage you to “like” and follow the Posh Pets’ Photography Facebook page…there are always tons of updates there!
Until next week…!
Feb 22, 2013
Having been away for a week of vacation seemed like a long time. So, I walked into the shelter this week to find that there were a few more dogs than usual to photograph. Not only that, but it was freezing outside, so we had to be quick!
There are some beautiful furry faces this week and I am sharing all of their lovely faces here. If you see someone you like, please contact Toronto Animal Services – North directly. There is an off-site adopt-a-thon this weekend, so it would be good to call ahead and see where the particular dog or cat you are interested in will be. That way, there is no disappointment 🙂
I also have posted a few details about each of these adoptables on the Posh Pets’ facebook page. Check that out here.
So, here we go!
Jan 22, 2013
It was a wee bit cold yesterday when I photographed these guys…not that any of them really noticed it! And the kitties were all warm and cuddly enjoying their day away from the elements.
This week we had 3 dogs and 3 cats to photograph…please take a look and share their beautiful furry faces far and wide! It would be nice to find them all their forever homes. They are all available at Toronto Animal Services – North and you can contact or visit them to meet these wonderful animals. There is also a little more about each guy or girl on the Posh Pets Facebook page (ID numbers and such).
See you next week!
Jan 15, 2013
Here are the results of my weekly visit to Toronto Animal Services – North. We were a little dirtier this week as the snow has all melted and left a field of grass and mud. But the dogs had so much fun!
These furry faces will soon be available for adoption, but you might not find them on the TAS site (yet!). If there is someone you would like to make an appointment to meet, please contact TAS directly. All of their ID numbers and stats are also on the Posh Pets’ Facebook page. See you next week!
Jan 11, 2013
Here is Posh Pets’ first edition of Project 52 for 2013, named Seasonal Fun!
Depending on where you live, you are in the throws of Winter or Summer. Or, maybe you enjoy something more temperate all year round. But, for those of us who enjoy seasons, I find that each one has its own, unique beauty. In Toronto, we have finally received a respectable amount of snow and I was determined to get out there and photograph it for this week’s theme!
While Posh Pets‘ has its wonderful private and commercial clients, I like to “give back” by volunteering to photograph adoptable dogs and cats at the local shelter each week. This is a work that I enjoy immensely! When it comes to the dogs at the shelter, I photograph them almost exclusively outside, no matter the weather! This is because, not only is natural light beautiful, but it gives the dogs an opportunity to enjoy the fresh air and feel the snow or grass between their paws. Those few minutes of attention, treats and the great outdoors often translate into moments of unbridled joy. And, there is always one dog who seems to love it more than any other.
This week, that dog was Rocky. He is a lovely 6 year old german shepherd who is available for adoption from Toronto Animal Services – North. The pent up energy created in the shelter environment means that walking him initially can be a bit of a challenge. He likes to pull a bit in anticipation of getting somewhere awesome. But, after a few minutes of exercise and love, he is a different dog – our return walk to the shelter had Rocky walking beautifully like a proper gentleman. If you are looking for a loyal companion, then please consider an older boy like Rocky – there are many ‘Rockies’ just waiting in shelters around the country, the continent and the world.
But, for now, please enjoy Rocky’s ‘mini-session’ highlighting all of fun of winter!
Here is Rocky when we first made it outside. At the sight of the snow, Rocky began to rub and roll in the snow in sheer delight! This was such a joy to watch!
Then, the running began. Dogs love to feel the wind in their fur and I love the look of the snow flying behind him and the look of happiness on Rocky’s face!
A little tired from his romp, Rocky stopped to listen and enjoy the world around him. Isn’t he gorgeous? This boy should be in pictures!
And, after some more rolling in the snow, a graceful portrait. I love his snow-covered muzzle in this one!
And finally, Rocky’s adoption photo which will help him find his forever home!
And there you have it – the beauty of winter through the eyes of a dog! Now, please continue through the blog circle to see what the other photographers in the group came up with. To start with, please check out Melbourne Dog Photographer, Ragamuffin Pet Photography and see what Caitlin has for seasonal fun in Australia!
Dec 11, 2012
Amid all of the excitement generated by Darwin, the “IKEA Monkey” on Monday, we were able to photograph a “perfect 10”. Five lovely cats and five wonderful dogs…all looking for their forever homes. They are all currently living at Toronto Animal Services (North Region), so please contact them directly if there is a furry face in here that you would like to meet in person. As always, there is also a little about each of them on the Posh Pets Facebook page!
Nov 14, 2012
This week we had marvellous fun photographing the loveable adoptables at Toronto Animal Services! Lots of doggies are coming up for adoption and you get to see a sneak peak here – and there are even a couple of cats this week too! They are all waiting to meet you at Toronto Animal Services (North Region), but as usual, you can find a little more information about each of them on the Posh Pets’ Facebook page too. Thank you for sharing their pictures and their furry faces…it helps them to find their forever homes!
Nov 8, 2012
When I first conceived of Posh Pets Photography, I had determined that I would “give back” by volunteering my talents as a photographer to photograph adoptable animals. It was a great plan, but I was plagued by three questions:
- One, would anyone accept me as a volunteer?
- Two, would I be able to take photographs of shelter animals of differing dispositions in unfavourable circumstances?
- And three, would it ever make a difference in the lives of these little furry faces?
So hesitant was I to offer my services that it took months before I plucked up the courage to walk into Toronto Animal Services to inquire if they needed anyone with my skills. As serendipity would have it, the shelter manager herself happened to be at the front desk that day, and as I stumbled badly through my “pitch”, I thought for sure she would say no. Her answer was immediate. When can you start?
That was in November of 2011…a whole year has passed since then! In that time, I have had the privilege of working with the wonderful staff at TAS – they have been integral in the success I have found in doing this week after week. I have also had the joy of meeting so may wonderful furry faces and watching with happiness as they, one by one, find their forever homes. Truthfully, some days are better than others. Sometimes the weather is glorious, the dogs and cats perfect models, and it is like I cannot take a bad photograph. Other days, it is raining, cold and we have the challenge of photographing a shy and fearful dog. But either way, those few moments of belly rubs and treats results in a photograph that will be posted on the website for the world to see.
Which brings me to Buddy.
I photographed Buddy this past summer on June 11, 2012. We took his image in what I call the “courtyard” at TAS…not as picturesque as it sounds. He was a bit shy, bewildered really as to how at 10 1/2 years old, he now found himself abandoned. I knew we had to get a special picture of Buddy for this senior to have a chance at adoption and, as I recall, I worked with him for quite a while. When I returned the next week, I was told that Buddy had gone to rescue. This made me happy as he would have a better chance in their hands, but I was sure that that was all I would hear of him. You see, I don’t often get feedback as to what happens to the animals after they go to rescue, and I didn’t expect Buddy’s situation to be any different.
Until last week, that is, when I received this e-mail…
Alfie (formerly Buddy ) was not put out on the adoption floor as he had been pulled by Speaking of Dogs. His photo was that of your beautiful work so I recognized immediately he had come from TAS North… While the old man of 10 1/2 was scraggly, emaciated and in serious need of medical TLC your photo exemplified his gentle, loving soul through his soft brown eyes. I can only imagine how difficult he would have been to adopt given his condition with the usual quick point and shoot. Thanks to you & Speaking of Dogs he came ‘ home ‘ to us and lived two spoiled, adored months of squirrel chasing, hugs and lake trips.
Thank you for offering your time and care to those who need it most.
My eyes welled with tears when I read these kind words. Not only had Buddy (now Alfie) found a home, but he had enjoyed the last two months of his life surrounded by love and comfort that only a home can give. And…the writer had said that my image had made a difference!
I was moved to reach out to Alfie’s mom and asked her for permission to share some of her thoughts on the time they had him with him. She wrote me back with these words…
Two months or two years seems like a blip in time but we could not have imagined our lives without that boy. Total lover – a leaner if you will. Was our pleasure to shower him with love and dignity. Life is about quality not quantity. Seniors have so much to teach us about life and love.
Such truth in those words. And so, thank you to all of you who foster and adopt abandoned animals, especially the seniors. Thank you to all of the shelter and rescue organizations that give these furry faces a second chance. And thank you, dear blog readers, facebook followers and all of you who reach out to me to let me know how the story ends for these lovely pets – I truly appreciate it!
I will now leave you with Buddy’s image. Looking at it now, it is not the best one I have ever taken. It won’t ever win any awards. But, it got Buddy, as Alfie, a second chance. And that, quite simply, is good enough for me.
I am not alone in volunteering for a shelter organization. Posh Pets Photography is a proud member of HeARTs Speak, a global network of animal photographers, artists, authors, graphic designers, and advocates who believe in the power of collaboration to reduce the number of adoptable animals unnecessarily euthanized each year. Artists. Helping. Animals. For more information on HeARTs Speak, please see their webpage by clicking here.
Aug 28, 2012
There was a whole gaggle of furry faces that passed in front of the Posh Pets‘ lens this week! And each one was adorable and is eagerly awaiting their forever family to come and find them! There is a little more info on each of these future pets on the Posh Pets’ Facebook page, but please contact Toronto Animal Services (North Region) directly to arrange an introduction. And thank you to all that share their lovely images…it really does help in finding them homes.
Jul 18, 2012
It was a hot morning on Monday when I went in to photograph this week’s adoptables. Dog tongues were hanging out as we found some relief in the shade of a tree. Even the indoor kitties with their fur coats were evidently feeling the heat – I watched as one guy had all four paws in the large water bowl and was happily creating a wave pool with his paw, while simultaneously drinking. His feline friends looked on with curiosity mingled with disdain as he played with their water source.
So, with that, here is this week’s line-up…they are all available and eagerly waiting to meet their forever families at Toronto Animal Services! There is more information about each and everyone of them on the TAS site as well as the Posh Pets’ Facebook page. Please share their furry faces far and wide and let us know if one comes into your home – we love to hear the happy endings!
