The Menagerie

Izzy and Cooper! Valentine's Day Photo shoots!

2012-01-19T09:20:00.000-08:00

I hope everyone had a great holiday and enjoying the beginning of 2012. My holiday travels took me to Orlando to visit my mom and to Deep Creek Lake to visit my boyfriend Adam's family. After a busy holiday season photographing so many great dogs (and their owners) I soaked up the relaxation and emerged feeling refreshed for the new year.

So now my work is to post the loveliest of the photographs we took. This series is of Izzy and Cooper, two Vizslas that spent a chilly, sunny morning in December on the Capitol lawn. They are both sweet and exotic and oh my, how they can run! I had to really turn up my shutter speed so I could get more than caramel-colored streaks running across the frame. We got great shot of everyone, including a the quintessential DC portrait in front of the Capitol building.

I also wanted to let you all know that I am organizing mini-portrait sessions at Wylie Wagg in Tyson's on Saturday, February 11th from 12-5pm. Come and get your sweet one photographed! It will work just like before where sessions are $65 (plus $15 for each additional pet) and include either two high-res digital images or $25 to purchase prints. As always owners are photographed for free! Email me at houndstoothphotography@gmail.com for more information or to schedule your appointment.

Also, I am part of a fundraiser for Lucky Dog animal rescue at Wagtime in DC on February 12th. I'll have my studio set up from 10-1pm. Sessions are $35 (100% of which goes to Lucky Dog). You don't have to make an appointment--just show up!

Photographs from Wagtime's 10th Anniversary!

2012-01-02T15:23:00.001-08:00

Worth a giggle

2011-12-05T13:10:00.001-08:00

Steve, Jill & Baxter

2011-11-10T05:44:00.000-08:00

Didn't Steve and Jill get married in the most picturesque spot? After being together for over 13 years, they got married this September at Lost Creek Winery near Leesburg Virginia. It was a small, family wedding that really represented the love they have for each other and the support of their family. And of course, their beloved Baxter was by their side the whole time! As you can see, he was very happy to be included in the festivities. I was so honored to be part of their amazing day where I could combine my loves of people and pet photography

I met Baxter for the first time while doing a Wylie Wagg photo shoot last November. Baxter was a perfect model--he has the most amazing honey-colored eyes--and we got lots of great shots from the day. I'm doing another shoot at Wylie Wagg in Tysons this December 4th from 12-5pm. I still have a few time slots open so let me know if you are interested by writing me at houndstoothphotography@gmail.com

Also, these illustrations on dog dream creations gave me a much needed laugh.

Hope you are all staying cozy on this foggy day!

La femme Nikki

2011-10-28T12:57:00.000-07:00

Isn't Nikki a beautiful dog? Her owner Sherrie, who is also quiet lovely, agrees completely. We spent one of warm fall afternoons walking around Shirlington and getting some great shots. Nikki was super shy in front of the camera at first but she really warmed up and by the end she was posing. People always ask if my job is stressful and I tell them it isn't because I always have faith that we will get the picture. And up until now, it's worked every time.

In other good news, Lola (from the previous post) was adopted! Her owners Adam and Cassandra are really happy that she is going to a good home with people who will appreciate her "Lolaness."

And what is everyone going to be for Halloween this year? I just took some really fun Halloween portraits with my friend Matt and his friendly pack which I'll put up here on Monday. Here are the ones we did last year that that made it into People magazine's pet section.

As always, I am behind on posting but really want to share some of the fun work I've been doing this fall so expect to see some more photographs soon. Also, I am starting to sign people up at Wagtime and Wylie Wagg for the end of November and early December so let me know if you are interested. I'll send out an email early next week.

Stay warm and dry this weekend!

Adopt Lola!

2011-09-01T07:43:00.000-07:00

Hi all! I am back from Costa Rica (amazing) and wanted to get the word out about lovely Lola, who my friends Cassandra and Adam have been fostering (their last foster, Chester, went to a great family in Mt. Pleasant)....

Lola (also know as Suzie Q by her friends at K-9 Lifesavers) is a wonderful 3 and half year old Southern Bell. Rescued from Vidalia, GA, Lola has had a rough beginning of life. Used by a backyard breeder for over two years, she was then abandoned to her fate and later found with a stick stuck in her mouth. Fortunately she was rescued by the K-9 folks and brought to the DC area where a new chapter in her life began. Unfortunately, while loved by everyone, Lola hasn't found a forever home yet, and a one year from her rescue she is now living la vida with her foster family and foster sister in Mount Pleasant, enjoying walks and the random squirrel and chipmunk chases (someone has to keep them under control). This Georgia peach is probably a black lab mix. Some think she also has some pit and beagle in her, given her funny and extremely devotional personality. Her foster parents just know that she has brought a lot of love and many (really, MANY) dog kisses in their lives. In spite of her first years of life, Lola is a loving girl. She is a little shy and at first tends to stay away from new people and new dogs, but give her some time and she turns in the silly dog that she is (her foster parents suggest to meet her at another scheduled time other than the adoption events, those can be a little overwhelming!). After a couple of months to become familiar with the city environment and work on her confidence, Lola is now looking for a family to call her own. If you're looking for a life long companion that loves yoga (she has the most fierce positions ever seen), green beans, and couches, please contact her adoption coordinator. You can find her contact info here (ask about Suzie Q). Lola would do great in a house by herself or with another dog after the necessary introduction, older children, and possibly cat-free.

Beautiful Wild Cumbe

2011-08-18T09:20:00.000-07:00

Cumbe is a wild animal! Just kidding, Cumbe is just about the cuddliest, friendliest dog that I have met but she does have those beautiful wolf eyes that make her unique. Matt and Laura, her owners, met Cumbe when they went to the shelter to pick out their first dog together. Cumbe came right up to them and it was a match well made. They think she is a Husky/Terrier mix and in my opinion, it's an amazing combination. I photographed them in Flenview, Illinois when I was on my midwestern tour in July (I visited St. Louis, Cincinnati, and Chicago in 10 days and had a lot of good times).

I've been on the road and I'm hitting the road again. I'll be in Costa Rica for 10 days and I'm hoping to photograph some of the monkeys that live in the jungle trees along the ocean. When I get back I am going to be launching a new blog which combines my pet photography work with my human photography work in an attempt to streamline my online world and post pictures more often. I have a lot of great pictures stored up from these past few months so expect to see some of them soon. In the meantime, I hope all of you enjoy the last few months of summer.

Also, I wanted to mention that Willy, of Willy and Shakes the therapeutic bunnies, has to have surgery to remove a cancerous tumor that is threatening his life. The surgery is $3,000 and their handler Sherri is asking that everyone donate $10 to help cover his bills. These furry guys have brought a lot of joy to the people they visit and Sherri works tirelessly to spread their bunny therapy. If you can help, please make a donation to the address below. Make sure to mention "Save Willy" if you are paying with a credit card or write "Save Willy" on your check.

VCA Veterinary Referral Associates
500 Perry Parkway
Gaithersburg, MD 20877
(301) 926-3300

Attn: Melody / Accounting
(For Willy The Angora Rabbit !!)

Shark whispering and a few good links.

2011-07-06T13:20:00.000-07:00

This is incredible! I'm not quite sure what to think about there being a whisper for each animal group, but it's visually stunning.

Also, reading this amazing story about a bear who helped the allied forces in WWII.

And click here to see a picture of human-induced animal obesity and this cheetah cub is out of control cute.

Pop quiz--which of these baby animals isn't real?

2011-05-24T06:45:00.000-07:00

Sara, TJ and Co

2011-05-19T14:54:00.000-07:00

Going for a walk.

Juda and Nola have beautiful smiles.

Keyser is coy in front of the camera.

Siren was an unexpectedly good model.

I had such a nice Saturday morning photographing Sara, TJ and their crew of adorable pets at their lovely home in Fairfax, VA. I had met Sara and TJ before while photographing Juda at a Wylie Wagg photoshoot. This time it was nice to catch Juda in his natural environment and around the rest of his pack.

bless you!

2011-05-18T11:15:00.000-07:00

Wally, Willy and Shakes

2011-05-16T09:01:00.000-07:00

Remember Willy and Shakes, the therapeutic bunnies that made the cover of Rabbits, USA? Well, they continue to get themselves into even more interesting situations. In honor of their first story book, their owner Sherri invited Wally Amos (Founder of Famous Amos cookies in 1975) to come in from Hawaii and record an audiobook version of the story at MLK Library downtown. The entire library staff came out to welcome Wally, Willy, and Shakes and by the end of our time together, everyone was laughing with the crew's infectious good cheer. The bunnies continue to find themselves in exciting opportunities, so I will keep you all updated of their future activities of making the world a more cuddly place.

Adopt Chester!

2011-05-06T08:42:00.001-07:00

Chester posing for the camera.

My friends Adam and Cassandra are fostering this fine-looking dog named Chester and looking for a great home for him. Cassandra writes:

Chester is a lovely 4-year-old Tennessee boy. A perfect balance between a couch potato and a playful partner, Chester loves to cuddle with anyone who would give him attention. Other than being uniquely beautiful (our guess is some sort of Wire Fox Terrier mix), Chester is quiet and very intelligent. He knows "stay" and "sit", though sit usually turns into a "I'll just lie down so that you can rub my belly". He would love to spend time learning tricks (for food and/or love of course). Some other unique features are his natural mohawk (I know, how cool is that?) and his little puffy tail.

This bundle of hair and joy unconditionally loves humans and dogs of all ages. After just a couple of hours he was already sleeping and cuddling with his pit bull mix foster sister - a sweet and funny sight considering the fact that he's only 30 pounds while his sister is almost 60. His only Achilles' heel are cats. It's not that this Southern gentleman doesn't like them, he probably likes them too much: all in all he's a Terrier mix (and you might want to agree with him that they can be mistaken for big squirrels and who can resist big squirrels??).

Chester is now living in DC and can be seen playing around in both the Adams Mill and the 11th and Park dog parks. If you'd like to learn more about him and adopt him :) please contact Lara of K-9 lifesavers at lara.loveman@gmail.com. To see more pictures of Chester, please click here.

Thanks for that awesome write-up Cassandra!

Also, in a bit of pet and military theme, check out this comparison of baby seals and Navy Seals and this awesome series of dogs in combat (I especially love the first one).

More unexpected animal friendships.

2011-04-11T10:59:00.000-07:00

Suzi and Moppet in FL

2011-04-08T07:15:00.000-07:00

Moppet is younger but totally the spunky alpha.

Suzi had great model energy though.

My mom's friend Pam was pretty adorable herself.

I'm just back from a lovely two week get away to sunny Florida to visit my mom who just moved to the Villages, a giant retirement resort-like village. There are many great dogs who live the good life there with their owners and my mom was kind enough to arrange a photo session with her friend Pam and her two dogs, Suzi and Moppet. Each of the houses at the Villages has a little placard outside with the last name of the people who live there. Well, Pam's sign had two little other placards hanging off, with Suzi and Moppet's names engraved on them. I saw immediately that this was a tight-knit family and I had a great taking some fun portraits of them.

amazing.

2011-04-05T07:54:00.001-07:00

Which animal rides better?

2011-03-15T10:45:00.000-07:00

A few fun things for a sunny Wednesday.

2011-03-02T10:59:00.000-08:00

from Alexis Madrigal's Atlantic Monthly blog:

"Meet a baby Javan rhino, possibly the rarest infant mammal on Earth. Biologists estimate that there are only 40 or so Javan rhinos left in the world. Scientists worry they could be wiped out very soon by human poachers or a volcanic eruption.

The video and photo below were obtained by the World Wildlife Fund-Indonesia with motion-activated cameras. The cameras have been a boon for researchers trying to find rare species in the wild. Cameras don't smell like animals and they can stay in place for very long periods of time."

Also, I want one of these dogs too!

And this post from Hyberbole and a Half made me giggle.

If you haven't already, get a 50% discounted photo session from Houndstooth by reserving a coupon on the new group deal's website SampleFLY. Click here to for more details.

A few shots from the Lucky Dog Rescue shoot at Wagtime

2011-02-27T15:14:00.000-08:00

Aren't these dogs just amazingly cute? Isn't it awesome that we photographed them for such a good cause? I just found out that we raised $590 for Lucky Dog Rescue during our shoot two weekends ago. Thank you to everyone who came out and supported us. Also, if you didn't get a chance to make a donation before, you can always donate online by clicking here.

Really interesting (and sad) Radiolab story on human/animal interactions.

2011-02-24T14:24:00.001-08:00

Lucy from Radiolab on Vimeo.

Here are a few pictures of Lucy, a chimpanze raised exclusively with humans in the 1970's. She was able to sign her thoughts about life, take care of a pet cat and drink a gin and tonic, yet eventually got too strong and wild to be domesticated. What happens next is fascinating and haunting. If you are interested, listen to the free podcast on Radiolab (and listen to other ones too--they are all brilliant).

Happy belated Valentines Day!

2011-02-16T08:59:00.000-08:00

My brother with Monk (aka Rasputin the Mad Monk, aka Monkey) when he was a wee bit smaller than he is now.

Have you all seen the amazing NYtimes interactive dog photography feature on the Westminster. Take a look and you can see beautiful dogs from 102 of the 179 breed represented at the show. I definitely learned some new ones and enjoyed the photography of Fred Conrad.

And thanks to everyone for coming out to the Lucky Dog fundraiser on Saturday! I haven't heard an exact number yet but I know we raised a good amount and took some lovely photographs in the process.

Enjoy the beautiful weather and your loved ones! XOXO

Nothing says love like these guys...

2011-02-11T08:36:00.000-08:00

Feline love.

Sammy.

Keiko.

Here are the pictures of Keiko and Sammy, two beautiful cats who live with a lovely woman named Shoba. We had a great session together and I was struck by how dignified these cats are and how nicely they welcomed my presence one chilly winter afternoon.

Also, I want to remind you all about a shoot I am doing tomorrow from 12-4pm at Wagtime in DC to benefit the awesome Lucky Dog rescue. Sessions are $20, drop-in (no appointment necessary) and all proceeds go to Lucky Dog. Come and get your pets photographed!

Some laughs while I'm away.

2011-01-12T10:32:00.001-08:00

Willy and Shakes are famous!

2011-01-03T18:52:00.000-08:00

When Sherri contacted me this summer to photograph her two therapeutic Angora bunnies, William and Shakespeare, she mentioned there would be a possibility they could be on the cover of Rabbits USA, a nationally-distributed rabbit magazine. Well at the end of 2010 this became a reality! And these guys really do deserve the publicity. Sherri brings Willy and Shakes, both rescue bunnies from the House Rabbit Society, to hospitals and nursing homes in the DC metro area. This gives them the opportunity to give and receive love (to do what they do best is how Sherri puts it). I'm honored to have a couple of photographs featured in Rabbits USA and to have met Sherri, Willy and Shakes in the process.

Feeling the love...

2010-12-21T06:09:00.000-08:00

I love this picture! Also I love that Smike (below puppy) has found a new home. :)

This puppy needs a home!

2010-12-17T06:33:00.000-08:00

Could this puppy be any cuter? If you have fallen in love then you are in luck because someone abandoned this little guy out in the snow and he needs a good home. If you are interested or know anyone who can foster for a while, please let me know at houndstoothphotography@gmail.com

Oh how this picture makes me happy!

2010-11-10T12:04:00.001-08:00

Goodbye Jack.

2010-11-04T08:55:00.000-07:00

Sherill with Jack

Sweet Jack

It's always one of the hardest parts of my jobs to photograph such happy, energetic dogs and then hear later that something has happened. I photographed 16 year-old Jack two weekends ago and we had a great session with his owner Sherill. He wore a black bow-tie and looked like a little Frank Sinatra. Sherill, who is lovely, and I had a great conversation about changes and transitions and how hard it can be to let go of loved ones. I was really happy with our meeting and the photographs as I walked out into a beautiful Saturday afternoon.

And then I got an email a few days later from Sherill saying that after our photo shoot Jack had fallen ill and that four days later he passed away. I was so sad to hear about the passing of this sweet dog. The love I saw between him and Sherill was so touching and I know how difficult this must be for her. But I am glad that our timing had worked out so perfectly to document some of Jack's last days with Sherill.

When I asked Sherill how she will remember Jack and she wrote:

"I first held him the day his eyes opened and he made me laugh every day of his life, except the last. He was far too smart for his own good. He had a habit of unzipping purses and suitcases, grabbing whatever the most embarrassing item was, and racing about the living room with it. If I cried, he kissed away my tears."

That makes me teary to read. Again, I am so honored to have met Jack and been able to photograph him so close to the end of his long, dear life. I know he will be greatly missed by many.

A little more to love...

2010-10-27T13:10:00.000-07:00

Oh how I love Cyrus's tongue hanging out :)

They said that Molly didn't like to be photographed, but I think she did great!

It was so great to meet Sanjay and his lovely family which includes two huuuuuge loveable dogs, Cyrus, a Newfoundland Terrior and Molly, St. Bernard!

Oh my!

2010-09-17T07:45:00.001-07:00

I'm not sure who took this picture but I LOVE it and hope to meet one of these dogs soon!

Happy Friday!

Rescuing Ophelia

2010-09-13T11:47:00.000-07:00

Ophelia really liked her new bone!

My good friend Adam has a new dog in his house! His roommates Adam and Cassandra just adopted Ophelia. She was adopted from the fabulous K9 Lifesavers but still not too much is known about her. Originally rescued from a high-kill shelter in Georgia, they think she is about two years old and is rumored to be an Australian Cattle dog mix (I think she looks more like a pit bull but she does have great brown spots and that adorable patch around her right eye).

Always with rescues there is an element of surprise, so everyone was overjoyed to find out how that she is so completely awesome. Ophelia is extremely laid back, playful, affectionate with people, calm around other dogs, super intelligent (we had her sitting within a couple of minutes) and has an awesome little bob tail. As she wandered around their back yard saying hi to each person, she gave off the vibe of a dog who is just happy to be alive and in a good home. I am very happy for Ophelia and everyone in Adam's house and selfishly excited that I get to know her better because she made a great first impression.

Cooper!

2010-09-03T11:54:00.000-07:00

Gosh, who doesn't love a puggle? It's really taking the best of two very good worlds and putting them together in a very compact, adorable package. I had so much fun with Cooper and his owner Amy over at the Shirlington dog park in Virginia (if you haven't gone there, you must check it out. There is a fenced area where dogs can play in a little river bed and every kind of dog breed you can imagine goes milling about). Cooper has a lot of energy and likes to move around but we still managed to get a few great shots of him that captured his outgoing personality and natural sweetness.

Happy Labor Day! I hope everyone has a great weekend.

2010-08-25T11:52:00.000-07:00

I'm I'm back from Peru and behind on posting photographs from a very busy June! (Isn't August supposed to slow down a little?) I also have some fun ones of all kinds of crazy animals in Peru. Keep checking back and in the meantime enjoy this darling video of a Slow Loris who reacts exactly like I do when someone stops scratching my belly :)

Off to Peru...

2010-07-01T08:41:00.000-07:00

I'm going to be in Peru for a month but I wanted to leave you with a few images I took with my friend Vince's magical horses and dogs. We got caught in the rain and it only seemed to help the pictures. xoxo

Buster's goodbye.

2010-05-28T18:31:00.000-07:00

Ah, it is with a lot of emotion that I post these pictures. A few weeks ago, I was contacted by a woman named Victoria who told me about her friends Anita & George and their 3 year-old boxer, Buster. Buster had been fighting for a cancer for a while and the latest round of chemotherapy had not been effective. The cancer had spread to his lymph nodes. They predicted he would only live a few more weeks and Victoria wanted to give her friends a photo session.

When I went to meet with them, I was nervous that Buster would be frail or tire easily during the shoot, but instead I was greeted by this loving, energetic dog. We spent a lovely hour together and he was a perfect model. I could really feel his sweet energy coming through into the pictures. Also, the connection between him and George & Anita was so apparent. They told me about spending Buster's last weeks on the beach in Maryland--one of his favorite places--and took me down to the dog park so I could meet all of Buster's friends.

I received an email a few days ago from Anita telling me with great sadness that Buster had passed. To commemorate him, they are taking his ashes to spread on the beach that he loved so much. From seeing the dedicated and love they shared, I know how difficult this time must be for them, and I wish them the best during this transition. Although he is gone, I know that this sweet dog will live on for a very long times in all of our hearts. I am honored to have shared one of Buster's last afternoons with him.

scoopy the dog.

2010-05-05T07:10:00.000-07:00

oh man, things have been so busy these past sixth months and i admit that i have fallen behind in my menagerie blogging. i have been remiss in leaving out photos of all these great sessions i've been having and i want to remedy that. my goal is to go back through and post a few photos from each shoot and give a shout out the the great pets and people i get to meet through this funny job of mine.

today it's scoopy!

Tank the tank.

2010-04-27T08:35:00.001-07:00

oh how i love a bulldog puppy! (photos taken in and around the awesome shirlington dog park.)

Breathtaking baby giraffe.

2010-04-04T08:47:00.000-07:00

Everyone has someone they want to be when they grow up and I think that person for me is Sharon Montrose. She's an animal photographer based out of LA and her work is beautiful and stylized and full of wonderful animal expressions and moments, with some very exotic animals. In this video she photographs a precious 3-month-old giraffe and talks about how photographing animals helped her to reclaim her love for photography.

She expresses a lot of how I feel about my work with Houndstooth. I've also taken pictures since I was 15, and have gone through so many phases with my work. It's a true passion for me because I have struggled with it. Sometimes when I am shooting, I am so completely in the moment and feel unbelievably powerful, and then other times I've been so frustrated that I can't find the inspiration to capture something the way I know it can be captured.

I had also resigned myself just to have photography as a hobby, but then my life took a shift and and Lara and I decided to start Houndstooth. Although I knew I loved animals and I loved photography, I was unprepared for how much I was going to love photographing animals. In our sessions, these animals exude so much postivity which makes me happy and makes the owners happy. The photographs always show me a bit more than I can see with my own eye about how uniqueness and beauty of each animal.

Now it's almost been a year since Lara moved back to the midwest and I've been running Houndstooth on my own. So many of the administrative structures have already been established, so I am much freer to just enjoy the photo shoots and the work that results. I feel lucky that I have such fun work and I know that this feeling will keep bringing Houndstooth new opportunities...maybe even opportunities that involve a baby giraffe.

Wylie Wagg once again.

2010-03-30T10:18:00.000-07:00

Despite having to reschedule our Valentines Day shoot because of the snow, we ended up having a great day and I got a ton of great photographs. I love working with Wylie Wagg! Thank you to everyone for coming out.

Surfing alpaca

2010-03-16T07:21:00.000-07:00

I love Peru for so many reasons (I lived there for over two years with the Peace Corps) because it always surprises me and this story is no exception. There is an animal trainer and surfer who has not only trained his dog and cat to surf with him, but now has gotten his pet alpaca "Pisco" to correr tabla (Peruvian slang for surf) with him. Peru has some of the best surfing in the world and is home to some of the worlds finest alpacas but I never imagined that the coast could meet the mountains in this way. Ah, innovation. Click here to see a newcast with live action surf footage but I warn you it's in Spanish

A sweet political moment...

2010-03-12T07:47:00.000-08:00

This is Cody, the cocker spaniel puppy of a nice man named Ted who lives over in the Capitol Hill area. He hired me because years ago he took a great picture of his other Cocker Spaniel, Lucky (14 years old), and wanted to have a picture of Cody to put by its side. We concentrated on capturing Cody's boundless energy and cheerful nature and selected the above photograph to share a frame with Lucky's photograph.

A few days after receiving the photography, Ted decided to make a few copies for his neighbors who are friends with Lucky and Cody. One of these neighbors is Senator Dodd from from Connecticut who has a house a few blocks away, whose daughters love these dogs. Upon seeing the photograph, his daughter Grace (age 7) kissed it and her nanny made the promise that she will kiss it every night. How is that for political endorsement? :)

Lucky dogs.

2010-02-22T13:27:00.000-08:00

Here is a sampling of portraits I did for a fundraiser for Lucky Dog animal rescue hosted by Wagtime Pets. Everyone at Lucky Dog and Wagtime does a lot for a lot of great pets coming from tough situations and it was awesome to see so many people come out for a good cause. And a lot of cuteness occurred on my studio paper, as evidenced by the above photographs. Thanks to all for coming out!

I want to give a special shout-out for Kuma (the first dog in the set--with the HUGE black, beautiful head) and his owner Karyn. She has created this great little contraption called The Bag Bag, which attaches your plastic bags on your leash. It seems like such a simple thing, but I have spent many walks with plastic bags coming out of my coat pockets (or worse, not having a bag when you need one) and have decided that its quite functional. Karyn and Kuma are also just nice people so it's good to support more of that in our world.

Also, I am doing another portrait session this Sunday at Wylie Wagg in Tysons, VA. It's the make-up for the Valentines Day sessions that were canceled due to the snow. I have about three more slots if anyone is interested in getting a few sweet shots of your pet. Please contact me at houndstoothphotography@gmail.com for more details.

I need one of these in my life.

2010-02-11T17:17:00.001-08:00

Sadly, I don't know who took this photo or where I can find this dog but it makes me happy just to look at it. Does anyone out there have a Shar-pei they need photographed? Pretty please?

Bella bounds.

2009-12-22T08:38:00.000-08:00

These pictures were taken by my dear friend Emily of her beautiful rescue dog extraordinare Bella. One of my favorite parts of the blizzard was watching all of the dogs in my neighborhood play in the snow. Does anyone else have any pictures? Send them to me and I'll put them up here.

Wow.

2009-12-17T08:33:00.001-08:00

Photo by Matthew S. Gunby/Associated Press

I was so amazed when I heard about Tillamook Cheddar, the dog in NYC that scratches and rips canvases into amazing abstract designs. Then I found this article this morning about all sorts of animals who are expressing themselves artistically and earning good money in the process. It really helps me to confirm my ideas that animals are creative just like us, yet so few are given the opportunity.

Dondi & Co

2009-12-08T18:24:00.001-08:00

These photos were taken at the beautiful Bethesda home of a very lovely lady and veterinarian named Dondi. The first thing that amazed me about the day is how she can have two adorable rottweilers and have her furniture stay white and beautiful. I also pretty impressed that we got everybody to look at the camera and show off the cuteness.

Thanks to Amy for her post about Houndstooth on her great wedding blog, The Relentless Bride.

Also, Doga is a very real thing according to this article in the New York Times. The photos made me giggle--a lot. Has anyone tried this before? I have a hard enough time getting dogs to look at the camera and helping humans get into downward facing dog. But hey, I keep learning that anything is possible.

Happy holidays!

Holiday Loving at Wagtime and Wylie Wagg

2009-11-30T14:05:00.001-08:00

Happy start to the holidays! Here are a few selects from some of my pet store portrait sessions at Wagtime in Mount Vernon, DC and Wylie Wagg in Tysons, VA. They are, in my humble, pet-photographing opinion, two of the best pet stores in the DC metro area and I love working with their clients. I wish I could have included a select from each session because there were all great, but here a few of my favorites:

Chance looking just fine in his santa hat.

Photographing Lilu made me want a French Bulldog in my life!

Tasha did so well at her first photo shoot.

Ah, Pensky, you're are just too much wonderfulness in one animal.

This was my second time photographing both Jack & Buttercup. I still can't tell who is cuter.

Brave Autumn & Aubrey were the only cats of my in-store photo sessions.

Knightly & co--cuteness in family form.

Hannibal Mays has quite a name because he is quite a dog.

Cookie is a prince of a little dog--so fun to photograph in his holiday sweater.

Cat massages--caring or creepy?

2009-11-19T10:06:00.000-08:00

My vote is creepy. I could actually only watch this one once because her intensity started to scare me.

Also, check out this lovely assortment of hanukkah photographs. I feel a little Christian-centric in my holiday photographs of late but I would like to world that I photograph all animals, regardless of race, breed or religion.

Lily the ring bearer.

2009-11-09T07:44:00.000-08:00

Lily holds a meeting with the flower girls to go over last minute details...

Game face on...

Success!

I was so happy to photograph the wedding of Polly and Andrew in Little Rock, AR because there were so many cute things about to day! They choose to serve pies instead of cakes, had saw player perform their processional, and even left out a table of board games for all their friends and family to enjoy during the reception. But my favorite was that they got their tree walker coonhound/beagle mix Lily to serve as the ring bearer. She did such a great job of carrying those rings down the aisle and then sitting patiently during the service. It was a great coming together of my worlds (pet and wedding photography).

P.s.--Another amazing thing about Lily is that she helped Polly to recover from being very sick two years ago. Polly, who had just come out of a coma, had to recover her muscle strength to walk. Of course, Lily was insistent that she do this and became Polly's cheerleader and coach. So beautiful!

Kenya and Beckett

2009-10-02T21:33:00.000-07:00

Family outing.

Rob and Beckett

Kenya strikes a diva pose.

It was great to hang out with Rob and Kyeh and their dogs Kenya and Beckett at their home near Ballston. They live right next to a park where the dogs had a chance to run around for a while and a nice little stream where they could cool off. I had been thinking a lot about Seattle before the shoot (I was paddling in the ocean around San Juan this time last year) and it turns out they just moved from there. They totally have the relaxed West Coast vibe that makes me think that life is really about being outside with the ones you love. If I had to give out awards for the day, I would give sweet Beckett "Best Behaved" and to Kenya "Future Supermodel." She knows how to work it in front of the camera :)

Get the Scoop.

2009-09-30T07:36:00.000-07:00

I got this trailer for the amazing looking new show Rescue Ink (starting on National Geographic this fall) from Daily Dog Scoop. I met Scoop's owner Lauren while taking pictures at Adam's Morgan Day and I am so impressed at her ability to compile entertaining and thought-provoking pet news from around the world. I'll definitely be checking back in.

ps--I don't know if it's my emotions or the change in the seasons but I teared up a few different times during the trailer. There is just something about seeing such big tough-looking guys with tiny little kittens--it warms my heart.

More animal cruelty!

2009-09-28T12:05:00.001-07:00

Sometimes it's good to have a laugh, even if its at a cute animal's expense

2009-09-28T11:57:00.001-07:00

A few faces from Adams Morgan Day 2009

2009-09-27T17:38:00.000-07:00

Rodney's Goodbye

2009-09-17T09:33:00.000-07:00

Isis and Rodney.

Rodney down by the lake.

Sweet Rodney.

Oh this last photo assignment was a little bit emotional! From the moment I first talked to Isis on the phone about her decision to move to the West Coast and give Rodney to another family (one with acres of land and kids and another dog), I knew it was important to take these pictures. She said that although she knew she was making the right decision, it was still a really hard one and that she wanted these pictures to be a tribute to all the time they had spent together.

The pictures that resulted from the session were all so beautiful. It was one of those sessions where I felt like I could just get out of the way and let the beauty and sweetness of their relationship come across in the pictures. Isis is a lovely lady who knows how to listen to her intuition and follow her heart.

It's a funny cast of characters. Rodney is a sweetheart of a dog who is lucky to have been rescued by Isis (he was past his euthanization date at the shelter) and now to move to a lovely new home. I am photographer who is invited into many of these tender situations and is sometimes able to make photographs that help ease transitions like these.

We talked a lot during the session and Isis and I totally connected on the idea that life works out the way its supposed to and that the right people and animals make their way in and out of our lives when we need them. We just have to keep an open heart in the process. I wish her the best of luck in California and the same to Rodney in his new home.

Etel and Titus

2009-09-08T01:54:00.000-07:00

Titus just moved to Turkey!

Etel with Titus.

Oh, it's been a little hiatus from The Menagerie while getting certified to teach yoga this month (you can read more about this adventure here on my other blog). But I managed to have a few great sessions this month, which I will start to post over the next few weeks. These pictures are from a shoot with my friend Etel and her dog Titus in her Bethesda apartment. They were taken just two weeks before both her and Titus moved back to Turkey and I was happy to capture some of her last days in DC. Etel is an amazing energy healer and I wondered a few times if Titus didn't have a few powers of his own.

Also, please mark you calenders! This Sunday Houndstooth Photography has a booth at Adams Morgan Day Festival in the Pet Zone on 18th Street NW behind Columbia Road and Florida Ave. I'll doing mini-photography sessions with the help of Toni and her dog-training team at Anytime Canine. Come by and I'll take a few professional photographs of your pet in my portable studio and stay to sample a few of Toni's homemade dog treats. It should be a good time.

ENZO!

2009-08-08T07:06:00.000-07:00

Enzo outside of Whole Foods.

Julia and Enzo.

He loves his purse.

I loved photographing Enzo, the cutest little Yorkie dog and his beautiful owner Julia! We had so much fun doing the shoot in her Thomas Circle apartment where she fed me Russian gingersnap cookies (she's from Russia) and we got some great shots of Enzo and her together with our studio set-up. After we braved the rain and took pictures outside of Whole Foods with a stream of onlookers who kept commenting on Enzo's very obvious cuteness. I love the greens and colors of the flowers in the first shot.

Bentley Boy

2009-08-02T19:11:00.001-07:00

Bentley is such a charming Shitzu that I had trouble picking just a couple photographs to show here on the blog. His name really suites him--he is dignified and stands out in a crowd for being such a lovebug, especially when he's playing with his prized stuffed lobster. It's no wonder that his sweet owner Kelly says that all the employees at Wylie Wagg are so in love with him. After a few photo shoots with him, I feel the same way.

Teaching a baby wolf to howl

2009-07-28T10:59:00.000-07:00

I think my goal with this blog entry is to overwhelm you all with cuteness. So please check out the huge interactive reader dog gallery on the NY Times website. There are so many photos and stories-- it makes me remember how important pet photography is and what a great job I have here with Houndstooth.

Sasha's New Arrivals

2009-07-20T21:31:00.000-07:00

Four of the five puppies...that's Monkey staring up at us.

Monk saying hello to my dad.

My family Swissie dog Sasha just had puppies--five healthy ones that are getting so big so fast! I went up to visit them in MD this Sunday and gosh, what can you say about puppies except that they are ridiculously cute. Every one of us has one that we have fallen in love with and given names (Monk, Monkey, Spot, the Girl, Boy #4). Sasha is doing a fairly good job at being a mama although she was so excited to see us that she wouldn't let them eat while we were there. (I think the fact that every time he comes, my dad brings her double cheeseburgers from McDonalds may have something to do with that too :)

I just found a few more pictures from my Peru trip

2009-07-17T13:54:00.000-07:00

This was the painter's cat who lived at the artisan market. You can see the dash of blue paint on his face.

This dog lived at our hostel--a sweetheart.

This makes me laugh every time I see it.

2009-07-15T12:41:00.000-07:00

A Passing...

2009-07-14T06:04:00.000-07:00

Ann with Pickles.

Pickles and Wheatie.

I recently received this email from Ann, one of our first customers with Houndstooth. Her cats Pickles and Wheatie, both 17, had been struggling with cancer and passed on this last May. After our session in January, she wrote a beautiful letter about her experience that we featured here on the Menagerie. We were very touched by her story and her eloquence at describing the difficulty of caring for her "guys" (as she called them) as they got sicker, as were many of our readers. With this new letter I know that once again, Ann's words describe an experience that is a such a natural and difficult part of loving a pet. Thank you Ann--we will miss Pickles and Wheatie as well.

Gracy

***

Gracy,

Sadly, Pickles and Wheatie both died in May, five days apart, on May 13 and 18.

Pickles took a terrible turn for the worse one day and began having seizures---three before I got him to the vet. He had another unexpected one there after they had given him drugs to stop the seizures. There was really nothing they could do, so I went back that afternoon---he was there for a few hours---and he was euthanized. There was no decision on my part because he was suffering so much (he was also sort of coughing or having trouble breathing---they didn't understand what). But it was very sad and I stayed with him---"my heart"---for a long time after he died, holding him most of the time, as I did when the doctor gave him the shot. Obviously his lymphoma had spread to his brain. It was all so sudden, not that he wasn't sick and I knew he would die, but such a change from night to the next morning.

Then a few days later, Wheatie didn't seem like himself one night. I tested him with catnip, which he was crazy about. And after one leaf, he wasn't interested. It wasn't like him at all. I did the same thing the next morning---no interest, nothing like he had been in the past---all I had to do was walk through the door with some of the fresh stuff and he could smell it and started to cry for some.

Anyway, I took him the next day to the vet, and she noticed his breathing was a little labored. She said he wasn't the cat she had known. Then she took an x-ray and there was a spot in his lung, likely the cancer from the huge tumor on his leg had spread. She said it could be pneumonia, but it didn't look like any pneumonia she had ever seen. So I was left to make the terrible decision of whether or not to euthanize him. I figured I would probably take him home for a few days, if that, and be back again because he had gone further downhill. It was a very tough decision, but probably spared him suffering. I held him too as he died and stayed with him after. On the plaque on his box of ashes, it says, "Everyone loved you, Wheats," and they did. For Pickles, I wrote, "My Heart."

I loved those cats so much. I can't imagine ever having another cat I care about as much as I did Pickles. I cry as I read this message over---I miss them.

If you still want to use my story after this sad ending, please, feel free to do so. You can't know how happy I am that I had you take those photos. I treasure them. They are a huge gift of remembrance. Just today I found a great book to put many of them in. And, of course, some are sprinkled around the house in frames.

Ann

Pictures from Wagtime's Reopening Party--so fun!

2009-07-07T10:08:00.000-07:00

I've heard this one before.

2009-07-01T08:06:00.000-07:00

EAU CLAIRE, Wis. -- A Wisconsin teenager using a classic excuse for evading schoolwork missed a class trip to Peru despite his tale being true: The dog ate his passport.

Officials at Chicago's O'Hare airport told 17-year-old Jon Meier the chewed-on document was fine, but authorities in Miami rejected it and wouldn't let him board the southbound aircraft.

His family's 1-year-old golden retriever, Sunshine, chewed a corner of the document, obscuring some numbers. Meier couldn't get another passport in time to join the trip with his Spanish class from Eau Claire North High School. The 12-day trip ended Monday.

Meier says he can't blame anyone, not even Sunshine: "I love her too much."

--From the Washington Post

Let's find this dog!

2009-06-30T13:36:00.000-07:00

Molly, the sweetest pup on the planet, was stolen from in front of the P st Whole Foods yesterday, 6/29, at 6pm (she was in her owner's care at the time). Molly and her family have been Art's clients for years -- this is obviously devastating news and it's heartbreaking to think what might happen to her. Please keep an eye out!

Molly is a 4 year old Vizsla, about 60 lbs, with short, red/rust hair. She is very friendly and responds to her name. She has a scar inside her right hind leg and wears a pink nylon collar with cupcakes on it. Owners are offering a reward. Please contact the owners, Tyler and Laurel, at 202.885.9534 OR 415.505.3857 (or Art: 202.437.7462 or me: 202.255.0730).

I <3 Dingo!

2009-06-26T09:06:00.000-07:00

Kirk and Dingo--a match made by animal rescue.

I met up with Dingo and her owner Kirk last week at the Capitol building. I grew up in DC and have since been living here for the last year, yet I still find it hard to make it to see the sites. It was a really beautiful, sunny morning and Kirk and I had fun coming up with new places to pose Dingo. She would sit for a few minutes, let me take the shot, and then get up when she was ready to move on. If I was falling back to take pictures, she would stop and want to wait for me which melted my heart. She's sweet and has a lot of presence, and I can totally see why Kirk loves her so much (and why his thoughtful girlfriend Katie thought to surprise him with a Houndstooth session for his birthday).

Also, do you all know that today is "Take Your Pet to Work Day"? Did anyone do it? If you did, send me pictures and I'll post them on the blog.

Maggie May & Bobby McGee

2009-06-16T05:58:00.000-07:00

This is Shannon and her two Scottish Terriers, Maggie May and Bobby McGee. We photographed them as a surprise for Shannon's father, who has always wanted to see a professional shoot of these three together. We wish him--and all the fathers out there--a very happy Father's Day!

If a kangaroo and a mouse had a baby...

2009-06-03T20:50:00.000-07:00

Wylie Wagg--Round II

2009-06-02T20:03:00.000-07:00

Vince.

Kizzy.

Balto.

We had another great session at Wylie Wagg this Sunday. Both the customers and the staff are so sweet. Thanks for having us out!

This Sunday at Wylie Wagg

2009-05-26T19:50:00.000-07:00

We are returning to Wylie Wagg in Tysons this Sunday, May 31st from 12-4pm for a special spring photo session. The sessions take 20 minutes and we are including a free 8x10 print in the session fee. Email us today to sign up.

Anytime is a good time for a dog party

2009-05-19T12:29:00.000-07:00

The birthday boys.

Buffy the agility course slayer.

Last Saturday, Lara and I attended our first dog birthday party for Kiki and Nemo organized by Anytime K9. We thought it might rain but it turned out to be a beautiful day. It was quite a well attended little fete, that had a dog agility course, doggie bags for each guest, and a dog-friendly birthday cake. The added bonus was that the event raised money for the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria. We had a lot of fun photographing the guests--thanks for inviting us to come out!

Gloria and the puppy

2009-05-18T12:16:00.000-07:00

Gloria with the puppy in the town square.

He looks like he has a strong spirit to me.

I photographed this puppy while in a very small town in the jungle. I was really taken with the little girl Gloria, who was mute, and expressed herself by taking me by the hand and making me photograph whatever caught her eye. At one point she led me over to the edge of the town square and pointed to this little guy. Being a dog in Peru is a lot tougher than it is here in DC, so let's all send out wishes that he grows up healthy and strong.

Best,
Gracy

A few pictures from the Peruvian jungle

2009-05-08T21:28:00.000-07:00

I recently returned from spending a month taking pictures for a documentary in the Peruvian jungle. I worked with a team of five filmmakers outside of Iquitos and got to experience so many different parts of life down there from hammock naps to shamanic traditions. Suffice to say that it's an amazing place that can get quite hot at noon and has some of the best fruit juices I've ever tasted. I was also lucky to photograph a few exotic animals as well as meet some lovable dogs who were guarding our hostals. Below are a few photos from our trip to a jungle lodge. I'll be posting more in the days to come so keep checking in.

It's good to be back with you all!

Abrazos,

Gracy

The three-toed sloth claw...

and face! So beautiful...

I love the curl in this monkey's tail.

A weird penguin and a weirder documentarian

2009-04-07T10:22:00.001-07:00

Wild women of yesteryear

2009-04-06T12:22:00.000-07:00

I recently came across some vintage postcards and noticed an interesting motif. Thank you ladies, for making my job look easy.

Man is mauled by lions...and loves every minute

2009-03-28T14:24:00.000-07:00

Monkey See Monkey Do!

2009-03-24T10:29:00.000-07:00

Found photograph.

2009-03-22T10:16:00.000-07:00

My friend Phil gave me this picture because his dad is a collector of all things old and filled with character, including boxes of found photographs and negatives. Unfortunately not too much is known about the origins of this photograph, which leaves me to wonder about these men with their hats and trusty companions and if perhaps they might be resting after a hard day's work building the biggest doghouse their dusty midwestern town has ever seen.

A day at the zoo.

2009-03-19T20:34:00.000-07:00

I was admiring this Red Panda from far above and then suddenly he climbed right up to my level to let me get a good shot with my 50mm lens.

These Kori Bustard birds are supposed to be shy, but this one came over to meet me and show me his puffed-out chest feathers. Could we call that flirting?

Lately, I've been thinking about my spirit animal and although I haven't decided yet, I want to put the Flamingo on my short list for their yogic abilities. These pink, social birds can stand on one foot for up to an hour at a time and like to take naps with their beaks tucked under their wings. I think they have a lot they could teach me.

--Gracy

Impressive.

2009-03-14T07:47:00.000-07:00

(Xinahuanet Photo)

The worlds largest litter of 18 Dalmatian pups is now 11 weeks old. Here they are going for a walk with their (probably very tired at the time) owner Adam West. Can you imagine having all those extra mouths to feed these days? I guess they couldn't either because West and his wife decided to only keep two of the little guys, Red Boy and Ruldolph. They admit to crying when the others left for their new homes, but wanted to make sure they had the "best start in life." Touching. Read more about it here.

Billy Budd.

2009-03-13T08:24:00.000-07:00

Billy Budd.

Meet Billy Budd and one of his owners Ronnie (below photo). Billy is Portuguese Water Dog shared by Ronnie and her next-door-neighbor, Liz. Liz's birthday is coming up in April and Ronnie decided to get a few surprise portraits made of Billy. I was excited to spend more time with such a sweet PWD and it affirmed my idea that the Obama's made the right decision. Billy was so well-behaved and good at posing for the camera.

Ronnie describes how Billy got his name and how she and Liz adopted a dog together:

"First, as to his name, Billy Budd is the title of a Herman Melville novel and a Benjamin Britten opera about a good, but innocent sailor on a whaling ship. All pets in my family have always been named with a "B" (Bobby, Buttons, Bonnie, Beau, Belle, Blackie, Blakey, Bogie, Bailey, and on and on). So when we got a Portuguese WATER Dog, he had to have a nautical name beginning with a B. Hence Billy Budd.

As to the decision to share him, it's not really that big a deal. Families "share" dogs all the time, why not friends and neighbors. As it happened, I had had a previous dog, Benny, who Liz was taking care of while I was away when he died suddenly of adrenal failure. So, after an appropriate time of grieving, we went together to the pound where we found Billy (whose name then was something else, I'm sure). He was grossly underweight, had never been groomed, and was riddled with parasites ("He came with his own pets", my vet said.) He was extremely timid and frightened at first, he suffered terribly from separation anxiety and he chewed and bit his way through towels, shoes, windows and doors. But, over time, has become the handsome gentleman you met the other day. "

Billy with Ronnie in their Chevy Chase home.

--Gracy

Don't be afraid of Yetti

2009-03-09T20:00:00.000-07:00

Yetti with his sheep pillow "Ba-Ba" the day after he peed in David's (Molly's boyfriend) bed. Doesn't he look angelic??

My dear friend Molly is moving to St. Kitts and although we will miss her, there are a couple of guys in the Carribean who are eagerly awaiting her arrival. She writes:

In 6 weeks I will be moving from my lovely home in the old country of the USA down to a beautifully shabby tropical paradise to be with my soulmate David. When I went to visit him in St. Kitts a couple of weeks ago we picked out this little man from a herd of other little bearded collies. I knew as soon as I held his furry little body in my arms that I was in love.

I wanted to name him Elmo, David wanted to name him Ham, but we settled on Yetti, although he seems to be anything but a giant monster of the snow as he lazily sits on the green grass near the sea.

Now I when I move to St. Kitts I have another love that is waiting for me with wet kisses and lots of carino (Spanish for affection). Welcome home Yetti, don't get too big, I'll be there soon, I love you.

A love to last a whole bunch of lifetimes

2009-03-09T09:10:00.000-07:00

My friend Chris Beam at Slate Magazine explains just how long dogs have been our best friends here.

Mesmerizing!!!

2009-03-04T18:23:00.000-08:00

Worth the wait

2009-03-03T15:49:00.000-08:00

At first photographing Gracie, an adorable five month-old Shiba Inu, felt a little like the above photo, but by the end of our session it was a lot more like the one below. It's always good to remember that dogs are territorial animals and need a little time to get used to our cameras and lighting set-ups. Alas, she was a little sweetheart of a dog and we were happy to spend time with her and her owner Kim in their lovely DC condo.

Not just dogs and cats...

2009-02-26T16:32:00.000-08:00

Our friend Lauren's hamster at the HSBC bank opening.

Keep these two dog noses together!

2009-02-23T10:03:00.000-08:00

We received this email (excerpted below) from a woman pleaing for help in keeping her two Labradors together in a good home. Please read this story of these two healthy dogs that are losing their home and family. It's such a sad consequence of our changing economy that families can be broken apart, when they are what brings us most comfort in times like these. Hopefully one of you lovely readers has an innovative way to help this family. We're going to be thinking about it over here.

--Gracy

From the email we received:

"They were raised together and pine without each other. The Lab rescue have already said that they would probably separate them, so this is my last resort. Both doggies are in great health, have been spayed and have ID chips implanted under the skin.

Cookie turned 3 December 10th and Cookie is my mellow-yellow, and just loves her tummy rubbed. Coco is adorably funny and lives for her "ball". She also loves the water. Cookie loves lots of attention. Both doggies are loyal and love to walk. They have been raised with my 3 kids running around all over the place, and have survived Sammy's constant hugging and love of 'dress-up', so they are fantastic family dogs.

This is by far one of the most difficult decisions I have ever had to make, but under the circumstances I have no choice. Please, Please forward these pics to all you know and help me find a great home for these fabulous doggies. They are just adorable and it's heartbreaking to let them go. In a perfect world, I hope that we could find someone local so that we can still keep in touch and visit them. I pray that someone somewhere can help us keep Cookie and Coco together, and love them just as much as we do. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart.

Desperate to find loving home.

Already housebroken, trained, love kids, neutered, up to date on shots. But must stay together!

Contact: Katherine at: kjmorris74@yahoo.com

America's Next Dog Model

2009-02-17T10:26:00.000-08:00

Harris the Chihuahua puppy.

Chibi.

Sonoma.

Buttercup.

We would like to introduce you to some of Northern Virginia's cutest dog models. As you can see, it's hard to choose our favorite. Thanks to Wylie Wagg in Tysons for offering a great space and introducing us to some of their charming customers. We look forward to setting up another shoot with them in the spring.

Now you see me, now you don't

2009-02-16T09:57:00.000-08:00

The UnDog and the NonCat

2009-02-15T16:43:00.000-08:00

A friend of mine recently bought two baby flying squirrels. Flying squirrels, I said, why? But then she sent me this photo and it all made sense. How cute is that?

It got me wondering if there were many out there looking for companionship outside the traditional cat and dog relationships. According to the New York Times, enough to warrant a trends piece.

This Made My Day:

2009-02-13T13:26:00.001-08:00

Why Cats Are the Second Most Popular Thing On the Internet

2009-02-11T19:27:00.000-08:00

So you want to know how to fend off a shark?

2009-02-11T19:23:00.000-08:00

Maybe a little unrelated...but useful all the same.

My name is Ch. Clussexx Three D Grinchy Glee, but you can call me Stump

2009-02-11T10:35:00.000-08:00

That's right. Who cares about new tricks when he old ones work just fine. So proves Stump, the 10-year-old Spaniel that just took Best in Show.

Bird by city bird

2009-02-09T13:17:00.001-08:00

I spent a sunny late morning watching birds (and ice skaters) at the sculpture gallery in DC and was quite charmed by the little flitty guys.

Coming home, a friend sent me this story about a man caught trying to smuggle two pigeons from Dubai into Australia. It surprised me and made me think about eating lunch outside at Farragut Park this summer. Amidst the many other young professionals grouped in clusters, I also noticed a few fat pigeons weaving between us and begging for lunch leftovers. Still, it was nothing out of the ordinary for a city park. Then I got busy at work for a while and started eating my lunch closer to the office.

One cloudy day I ventured back over to the park and found it almost deserted of people and big clumps of feathers scattered over the sparse grass. The whole place had a weird feeling about it. When I sat down on the ground, I finally saw them. The flock, which had grown in numbers, swooped down low toward the center statue and then changed their direction toward the spot I had claimed to eat my lunch. They looked starkly territorial and I decided that I wasn't going to challenge them (I have seen "The Birds" a few times). Jumping up, I ate the rest of my leftover pad thai in my office and could never work up the nerve to go back again.

I sometimes think about that park and if the pigeons takeover was as successful as they planned and if rival pigeon groups from Dupont may have been responsible. Being both a lover of people and animals, I don't want to blame anyone. Stuff like this happens when we have so many creatures living in such a tight space and we rarely speak the same language to work out territory disputes. It's my hope that this time of tension has passed and that the city birds and city people of downtown DC have found a way to make lunchtime work for everyone.

Gracy

New friends

2009-02-07T05:44:00.000-08:00

Sasha.

McKinley.

Pompey.

These are just a few shots from our Valentines Day sessions at Wagtime Pets. Take a look at our updated website gallery to see more of these dashing canines. Mil grazie to Lisa and Ofer, who run a great business and made us feel like part of their family right away.

We are doing more of these mini-sessions this month at Wylie Wagg in Tysons on February 14th and at the Posh Pooch in Bethesda on February 22nd. Contact us to sign your little (or big) one up.

Why the dog left home

2009-01-30T13:41:00.000-08:00

Quick contest--tell us what kind of cat this is? We are so impressed with its size that we have decided to give 15% off a session for anyone who owns a cat this big.

Hilarious and informative, thanks Slate!

2009-01-28T15:39:00.000-08:00

Mix it up

2009-01-28T10:20:00.001-08:00

McKinley is so much better thanks to all these generous people.

Thank you to the Montgomery County Humane Society for inviting us to attend their Meow Mixer fundraiser last Saturday. We indulged in a few Kitti-tini's (MCHS's signature drink) while making the rounds to play with their cute adoption cats and dogs. We also got the chance to chat with people who are committed to making sure that these animals find good homes. The event was a fundraiser to pay for McKinley's recent surgery to remove an ear polyp. He has made a nice recovery, although the MCHS people say that he may always have a slight head tilt. Kind of endearing if you ask us.