Apr 25, 2018
Spring has sprung! A sure sign that Spring is here in the Posh Pets® household is that we plan our annual vet visit with our favourite veterinarian. Yesterday, I made the phone call – I always phone early, long before the reminder in mail arrives – because their vet is one of the best and is in great demand. If we want to see her specifically, we need to book early.
I realize that I am very fortunate to have two kitties who do not seem to mind their visit to their docotr. To them, the vet visit is a new place to explore and to be made a fuss of. It may be a product of the fact that, although being rescues, they have always been healthy. Sure, there is the occasional needle, but Baxter is far too much a gentleman to complain and Panda purrs through the whole thing.
However, every dog and cat is an individual and, just like the people, there are so many of us that can get a bit nervous for a simple and routine check-up. I am one of those people, so I can completely sympathize with our furry family members who just do. not. want. to. go.
So, for those cat mums and dog dads who struggle with their pet’s anxiety before you even walk in the door, here are a few ideas to make the vet visit as stress-free as possible.
1. Start with the car
Make sure your pets are familiar and comfortable with riding in the car. Take them on errands or play days at the park so that they associate your car with fun and harmless activities. If they associate riding in the car with more than a trip to the vet, their anxiety will not start as early or be as prolonged. While this may be a simple idea for dogs, consider also getting your cat to go on short trips with you in their carrier. It will depend on their character and if they enjoy such things, but a car ride that is just that – a short trip with no stress – can be a great start to a stress-free vet visit.
2. Choose the right veterinarian/clinic
A good relationship with your veterinarian is a must! If you are uneasy or do not trust your current vet, it makes for a stressful situation for you. Do not underestimate how much in tune your pet is with your emotions; if you’re uneasy they will be too. In most cities, there are a number of veterinary clinics and hospitals, so you will often have a choice. If car rides are already fun for your dog or cat, you can expand your area of search. I know that for the first few years, we drove an hour to get to a vet that we felt comfortable with.
3. Be social
Call ahead and arrange for a visit to your chosen vet just to say hello. If their first few visit are fun, easy events with lots of attention and treats and, most importantly, without the poking and prodding that a normal visit entails, they will be at ease when it comes time for a real visit. Most veterinarian offices are more than happy to accommodate these visits. The staff at our clinic love meeting new puppies and kittens as well as the older, but new family members.
4. Gather the evidence
It might seem like a small thing, but have all of the information regarding your pet’s health ready for when you go for the vet visit. Bring in any samples you need. Keep good records of any changes in their behaviour. For example, there is a great difference between telling your veterinarian that your dog has experienced diarrhea a ‘few times’ and providing very specific times and dates. I have found that it can assist them in diagnosing a potential problem more quickly, perhaps avoiding costly additional tests if they feel they are simply trying to narrow it down a cause to some common symptoms.
Any other tips that you have found helpful? Let us know in the comments below!
Jan 27, 2016
If you ever felt that you needed an excuse for a
Posh Pets® session, a brand new puppy in your life is the perfect one! Little Murphy’s mom knew that the amazing puppy stage does not last forever and she wanted to book a session to capture the very essence of her baby boy. I remember when his mom first answered the door with Murphy in her arms and I squealed with delight – here was a wiggly, squishy golden retriever puppy! One look at the next image and it will be obvious that he is one cute little fella. He was 8 weeks old at the time, which is the age of exploring the world and a time to learn all about your new family.
Puppies are puppies for mere weeks. Portraits that capture the essence of that stage will be forever.
When I walked into Murphy’s home and saw this couch, I whispered conspiratorially to him, “I’m sure you’re allowed on that couch. Right?” Turns out that, for a short time, I was right 😉
We then headed outside. Of course, to head outdoors and be seen in public, one has to be properly dressed. Murphy selected a very dashing navy polka dot bowtie for his portraits in front of his residence.
Once that was done, we needed to spend time romping in the back yard, exploring all of the new sights and smells. Off with the bowtie and on with the action.
Take on sticks that are way bigger than you…branches that are attached to trees!
Sneak up on imaginary friends…
And take time to contemplate life.
And then back inside to wipe our paws and sit on more furniture we don’t normally get to enjoy.
By the end, our little model was pooped. He crawled into his bed and slowly closed his eyes to romp and play some more in his dreams.
Mom and Dad chose some gorgeous Wall Art and a Folio box to celebrate this special time in Murphy’s life. You can read about the experience from their point of view here.
Looking to start your adventure with a new, furry, little one in your life? The details are below.
POSH PETS BOUTIQUE™ SESSIONS
- Pre-session Design Consult that ensures we create images you will be thrilled with.
- The result is gorgeous custom artwork showcasing 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.
Oct 22, 2015
I love these two gorgeous golden retriever boys! Jake and Mack are an uncle-nephew dog duo who make their home in Toronto. Mack is a 4 year old bundle of excitement who loves his family, loves to get to know you and find out what you are doing, and loves his treats (he’s the slightly more portly of the two). So, when I showed up with treats in hand, needless to say, I was a hit. Jake is the more quiet and serious one. At 7 years of age, he has definitely calmed down, and now, he is facing some serious health issues. Which is why his family called Pets Photography – they wanted some lovely images of their boys while they were still together.
This gorgeous portrait of them on their family’s front porch was lots of fun to create. One of the first things clients will often tell me is that their dog is not reliable must remain on leash. I always assure them that is perfectly fine. It was the same with Jake and Mack. We were quite obviously at the front of their house without any fencing or other barriers to keep them safe. It necessitated using their leashes and those leashes needed to be held by Mom and Dad. In fact, the humans are actually hiding in the alcove to either side of that front door. The magic of post-editing removed any trace of them and the leashes in the final image. Which leaves everyone to stare and admire the amazing smiles on the *obedient* doggies.
There’s something wonderful about a dog’s smile, usually shown by them opening their mouth and letting their tongue come out. But, Mack’s tongue is epic. It certainly suits his goofy, fun-loving personality.
Every Posh Pets‘ session is a relaxed, fun affair and, if the dogs enjoy it, some running around and playing. It is wonderful to have images of your dog’s unbridled enthusiasm for a ball and the feeling of the grass between their paws. Capturing these two boys larking about with each other in their backyard was such a joy for me and them!
There is also plenty of time for quiet, reflective portraits. The kind of artwork that you will want to display proudly on your wall.
We often end a session with an image that is a ‘slice of life’. Here, Jake, after a session of playing, posing, sitting, eating treats and just generally being gorgeous, relaxes in his front hallway on the cool floor. Where he has so many times before.
Jake and Mack, thank you for welcoming me into your lives for those few short hours. It was quite honestly a joy to meet you and photograph you. In my memory, you will always be together, romping around and spreading happiness wherever you go.
May 6, 2015
This post is going to be HUGE. It is the third, and final, instalment of the Pampered Pooches festival and all of us at Posh Pets were thrilled to meet all of you! If you missed them, you can find Part 1 and Part 2 here.
With this many dogs, names are hard to remember. If you would like me to mention your dog’s name, please let me know in the comments below and I will update the post.
So, with without further ado, here are the rest of the cuties we met…
The sun came out in the afternoon and the dogs loved basking in the sun.
So many soulful, sweet faces!
A gorgeous greyhound!
This little girl was eager to please.
This duo were getting lots of attention wherever they went.
Nothing like a little white dog!
And a sweet poodle girl.
A little terrier with bows in her hair.
Everytime I look at this face, I smile. Samson, you are one cute pooch!
A little scruff nut came to visit.
As did a gorgeous malmute.
A happy Boston!
Tongues were out and smiles were big.
What a cutie!
A little more serious pose. I think he was worried that I might not hand the treat over 🙂
Such soft, clean hair. Not easy when you are white!
This little poodle had the most beautiful coloured coat.
Another dachshund…
Then the puppies came along…this frenchie was sooooo cute.
A beagle with soulful eyes…
A happy beagle boy!
Such a mournful look. Don’t worry…there are more treats.
Even in the chaos, you can still get a head tilt.
This little guy was just happy to be here.
Another frenchie puppy with the most awesome colouring…
Busy figuring out what else was coming…
There were lots of Bostons that came out.
Okay lady, take my picture.
I tell really good jokes 🙂
This fluffy GSD puppy named Dino came to visit us. Those little tufts of hair are just wonderful!
A sleepy customer…
Puppy. What more can I say?
And a wrinkled little brow. Just makes you want to cuddle them, doesn’t it?
Someone looks like they just got groomed for the event! One regal looking schnauzer…
A little shih tzu named Oreo who also looks like he had just gone to the salon…
Well, this guy let me know what he thought of everything!
Whew! I think I got everyone! Again, THANK YOU for coming out and helping to make Pampered Pooches a great success!
May 3, 2015
We had an absolute blast at the Pampered Pooches dog festival yesterday! THANK YOU to all of the lovely furry faces who came and visited the Posh Pets booth and for those who graciously turned on those smiles for my camera. What’s more, we had an absolutely gorgeous day of perfect weather!
We photographed a lot of doggies, so this is Part 1 of the pooches we met. I’ll also be sharing some of these images on the Posh Pets Instagram account. Now…I do not remember the names of all of these charming guys and gals, so if you see someone you recognize, please leave a comment below and let me know their name (of course, let me know which picture you are talking about). I’ll be monitoring the comments and will definitely edit the post with names as I receive them.
One of our first visitors of the morning was a bit of a celebrity. This is Tiffany the pom who is known for her purple hair and her style. She’s also a darling sweetheart.
This little black beauty posed with her front paw raised.
A gorgeous husky with a winning smile!
We were thrilled to have Emily and Bachaesh visit our booth! Emily runs an amazing dog-centric blog called Give a Dog a Bone. If you are looking to find out the latest in all things canine, you should follow her blog!
Those eyes! That smile!
A mini-schnauzer with a perfect pair of blue shoes.
The first of a parade of little white doggies was Jinx, looking dapper in his cute striped shirt. Rescued from an uncertain future, he is now very much loved.
Jinx was with his sister Angel who was sporting a tutu (which you can just barely see). On her back, it reads: rescued and spoiled. I love happy endings.
An intense gaze…on the treat I was holding!
This darling lost her left eye quite recently. But, she hasn’t let it slow her down!
This little guy just made me want to pick him up and give him a cuddle.
This pug was willing to work the camera for food.
A shy little sweetheart.
A curious little fellow.
Some of the little ones preferred to be carried around. These two chihuahuas were more than happy to meet people – and it is much easier when you are raised up off of the ground!
More little white dogs than I could count were walking around all day.
Our first long-dog of the morning…
Dexter, Kimchi and Dudley paid us a visit – so much corgi cuteness in one photograph!
The doxies were out in full-force during the festival!
Harley, the little rottie puppy has got the human-paralyzing head-tilt down pat already.
Nothing like the smile of a golden girl!
Fuzzy and Furby came prepared for the gorgeous weather with their own sun visors. These two have personality to spare!
Thanks again to all of those who came out! Make sure to share this post far and wide so we can ensure that all of the little doggies see their images. And stay tuned to this blog – we’ll be posting Part 2 soon!
Nov 26, 2014
Phew! It has been a rather busy Fall in Posh Pets land – so many cute, wiggly, furry dog faces to meet and photograph. And we had some of the most beautiful scenery to create portraits in with what was a gorgeous Autumn in Toronto. I cannot wait to share all of these sessions with you! (Hopefully, the imagery will keep us positive as we face another winter in Southern Ontario.)
In the midst of all of this, I also had a couple of days to catch my breath and spend some time with the amazing Barbara Breitsameter of Poppyblue Photography. If you are not familiar with Barb’s work, you should definitely go right now and check it out! Barb is a Certified Professional Photographer, a Platinum Photographer of the Year for both 2013 and 2014, and a platform speaker for Imaging USA (National Convention). However, even with all of those accolades, she is an amazing, warm, down-to-earth, humble person who is more than happy to share her knowledge with those willing to learn. I felt so privileged to have the opportunity to mentor with her. Barb, thank you so very much from the bottom of my heart!
So, you are probably wondering what did we do? Well, I have good news! I have finally finished editing some of the images we created together and am ready to share them here on the Posh Pets blog.
First of all, here is one of Barb’s own dogs, Fern. Fern is a Bernese Mountain Dog puppy…gorgeous from head to toe. She had been at the vet for a small procedure just the day before I met her, so I expected a quiet, dopey puppy. Nothing could be further from the truth! Fern wagged her tail and strained to greet me. By the second day, she was my awesome model.
The great thing about a mentoring session is the opportunity to go beyond your comfort level and try new things. In this case, I wanted to master studio photography. Knowing that Barb has won awards for her studio work, I was keen to get inside her brain and learn everything I could. Barb lined up some amazing models for me to photograph and guided me in the lighting. It was a great chance to experiment with so many pieces of equipment. Of course, I spent a good amount of time simply snuggling with the models 🙂
Two of the most perfect, roly-poly, frenchies (french bulldogs) I have ever laid eyes on! I literally squealed with delight when they walked up to the studio!
And then we had four of the most gorgeous basset hounds to photograph! They arrived in their very own, professionally wrapped vehicle…these guys are celebrities on the show circuit!
We also did some outside photography which is definitely my forte. Again, these two snuggle-bums!
And then Summer…she became our model after a rather serendipitous stop at the local veterinarian. Her Dad was so gracious to give us the opportunity to work with a lovely golden retriever puppy!
Last, but not least, I really have to thank Barb a ton for this last image. It seems appropriate that one of the last photographs a pet photographer from Canada could take was a dog holding a maple leaf. Not only did Barb help me by setting this up, she showed me how she would edit it. The result is simply stunning!
Thanks for following along on this little pet photographer’s adventure. I am always so happy to be able to learn new things and then incorporate them into my business and client sessions. If you are thinking of a Winter or Spring session for your furry face, now would be the time to set this up. In fact, given how busy this Fall was, if you really have your heart set on capturing the colours of next year’s Autumn, contact me and we can get you on the books NOW. Your first step is to contact me here. I so look forward to meeting you and your furry family members!
Sep 10, 2013
Wow! Lots of furry faces to photograph at the shelter this week! We photographed them all yesterday when it was nice and cool, before the heat wave hits today.
They are all available from Toronto Animal Services – North. Although some may not be quite in the adoption pool yet, feel free to call TAS directly if you would like to meet anyone from these pictures. The furry faces will also be featured on the Posh Pets Photography facebook page throughout the week.
Everyone have fun and stay cool – we’ll see you next week!
Feb 27, 2013
I was back at Toronto Animal Services – North on Monday and the weather was definitely milder! Which was a nice change from the previous week. Photographing some other wonderful wagging tails and furry faces is always a highlight of my week.
This little troupe is available from TAS – North, so please contact them directly to inquire about them. As always, there is some information such as ID number and other little details on the Posh Pets’ Facebook page. Enjoy and see you next week!
Jan 18, 2013
When Sarah first called me to book a session with her puppy, I had no idea what a special dog I was about to meet. All owners gush about how great their dog is, and it goes without saying that each one is definitely special. But, Ryder is a little different – for he was the fulfillment of a wish Sarah has had since she was a little girl.
You see, a couple of years ago, Sarah was diagnosed with cancer. As she began to undergo treatment and take up the fight against the disease, her mother found a book where, as a little girl, she had written down her dreams for the future. One of those dreams was to have a golden retriever puppy. Truth be told, Sarah had never given up on that dream and now that it seemed that life had thrown her a curve ball, she was ready to make it happen.
And that, in short, is how Ryder joined Sarah and her family. Ryder may not be a puppy anymore, certainly not in the technical definition of the word, but he is definitely Sarah’s “heart-puppy”. RP (short for Ryder Puppy) has been with Sarah through everything and anything, and to witness the bond will give you goosebumps. It is often remarked that the strongest relationships are created through adversity, and I am told that Ryder would simply lie with Sarah as she went through endless treatments, offering the silent comfort that only a loyal dog can. In many ways, as Sarah’s mom says, “he saved us all”.
And so, one crisp autumn Saturday morning in Rouge Park, we all took a walk with Ryder and Sarah to document the relationship of a girl and her dog. Gratefully, Sarah is in remission now and therefore looks forward to many more beautiful walks with her RP, but it was important to her to capture the beauty of the relationship as it is today. We definitely created some gorgeous imagery, but I think you would agree that the most beautiful part of these images is the story that goes with it.
Ryder, thank you for letting me into your life and giving us the privilege of photographing you and your family. Your love, your loyalty, your being…you are a beautiful soul. I wish you many more romps in the park and beautiful walks with Sarah by your side…
There’s nothing like taking the time to make memories with your dog. If you too would like a session like Ryder’s, contact us below:
POSH PETS BOUTIQUE™ SESSIONS
- Pre-session Design Consult that ensures we create images you will be thrilled with.
- The result is gorgeous custom artwork showcasing the life your pet shares with your family.
- A personal Ordering Consultation to guide you in selecting 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.
Oct 19, 2012
Of all the seasons, I love Autumn. The golden light. The leaves. The colours. And what a spectacular Autumn we have had in Southern Ontario – the trees look as if they are on fire! So, I was very excited to hear that our theme for this week was “Fall”.
Last weekend, I was priviledged to spend time with the gorgeous Ryder during his custom photography session. Ryder is a golden retriever and was therefore absolutely at home amongst all the colour around him. This is definitely one of my favourite images of his session and one that I think that not only shows off Ryder’s beauty, but also the beauty of the season!
And, who can resist the smile of a dog? Even a simple headshot looks amazing in the Fall!
So, that’s the Posh Pets images for this week! Next in the blog circle is California dog photographer, Lisa Van Dyke. Please follow the link to see her image for this week and keep going around the ring to see the images from the rest of the Beautiful Beasties gang!
Dec 16, 2011
We are a little late this week, but here the current residents at the Toronto Animal Services (North Region). As always, you can find out a few details about them by visiting the Posh Pets Facebook page or the TAS.
First, we have the graceful felines…
And now, we have our many dogs looking for homes!
See you back here next week!
Nov 11, 2011
This week’s challenge was to have a person in our pet portraits. And so here is this week’s image of the love of a girl for her dog.
As always, this is a blog circle, so please check out Stephanie Madeline of Chase & Snap to see how she person-alized her image this week. We’ll see you all next week!
