Happy Thanksgiving

dog bell, originally uploaded by phaird.

For all you spending quality time with your family this week, I hope you remember your dog. We're heading north and will be bringing Toby to Grandma's house. He is guaranteed to be spoiled with leftover turkey and the fixin's.

Updated my photo site

Keeping toby busy, originally uploaded by phaird.

For the past 6 months, I've been hemming and hawing about updating my website. Well, I finally did it. It use to be a catch all for my art and photography but now it's focused on being a great pet photographer. Weather it works or not, it yet to be seen but check it out.

www.fredlevyart.com

Dog Park on trial

A park friend gave me a press clip from a newspaper about the Delaney Park. The Mass Division of Fisheries and Wildlife are considering banning dogs completely and will be holding an informational meeting about these changes, Tuesday Nov 18th at 6:30pm at the Hale School. I would encourage every dog owner in the area to come and here what they have to say. They seem to have taken a sweeping response complex issue.

UPDATE:
I wasn't able to go but anyone who did, could you please comment here about what happened so everyone can know the outcome. Thanks

Brown eyes

Brown eyes, originally uploaded by phaird.

This dog is one that is always at the park, running around, with the long yellow leash still connected. She's so great. I don't know her name or her owner but she is a regular that I look forward to seeing. Always excited and happy to be there.

I just love this photo. Her ears are perked up because of something exciting going on. Her light brown eyes always makes her stand out. I've got some other shots of her that I really liked because those bright brown eyes really pop out.

A commitment

We love our pets. We enjoy every moment that we spend with them and think about them when we're away. What is less tangible is that commitment that we've made. For most animals in good homes, it's a great life. One with happiness and love. But our lives change all the time. We move, we have kids, we get new jobs. For our pet though, we are still the center of their world. We matter more then anything because without a family, they are lost. I think that's why making a commitment is so important. We have to know that we've taken on the responsibility of our pet and that is for their entire life. Most of us will out live our pets. If you get your dog as a puppy, you will see a complete life form around you. That is an amazing thing and something that everyone should take seriously. Everyone should enjoy the life they've taken responsibility for. If you change jobs, meet your future spouse, have kids, that shouldn't take away from a pet owners responsibility.

My readers love their pets. They are their family. My dog just turned 7 and is living a great life but I know he is middle aged. I take my responsibility very seriously. That is why I try to give my pets as good a life I can. And they, in return give back to my family so much more.

Blue, post chemo

Blue, post chemo, originally uploaded by phaird.

This is Blue, one of the long time regulars at the Acton park and part of the family of Aussie's that all come to the park every. He just turned 10 years old and has been diagnosed with lymphoma, a cancer that you can get from a tick. He's been fighting since March and it's been a long road for Blue's family.

They are real pet lovers, with 2 dogs, 2 cats and a horse and have now had to go down this road of caring for an aging pet. Fortunately, having a friend who is a vet at Tufts University, they have been able to get informed help and been able to ask lots of the right questions. Things like knowing what to look for in tests the hospital wants to give.

Blue has been on chemo for the past month and has responded well to it. He has come back from loosing weight and being listless to now where he's gaining weight and showing signs of his old self. He has been getting the treatment every week but since he's doing so well, he will move to an every other week treatment. This is good news.

Blue's mom has been sending out detailed weekly emails and has added me to the list so I will be following Blues progress. There is no cure but to be able to have a life of comfort is all that blue and his family can really ask for. She is also keeping records of the process so those who have dogs that have to go through this will have a guide to work from.