Toby back at the park

_MG_1545.jpg, originally uploaded by phaird.

Had a short visit to the park this Sunday. Toby and my boy, Isaac, came to the park this morning. That meant, I had to focus on them then the people and the dogs. That's okay though because it's rare, that I can convince Isaac to come with. We tried to go for a walk up in the woods but since we were moving at a 3 year old pace, I was getting eaten by all the bugs! This photo was taken on the way up to the woods.
We tried to hang out but neither one was really up for it. Isaac got tackled when we first got in by a big dog that just loves kids. Isaac was a little scared but got over it quickly. I know it's a dog park, not a kids park so my boys are just going to have to deal with this once in a while.
I was just glad to be back. I hadn't been for 2 weeks and missed seeing all the dogs. We got to see another black and white little dog that kinda looked like Toby which was nice.

More early mornings

_MG_0773.jpg, originally uploaded by phaird.

I've been super busy with photo events, I haven't had time to post lately. Last weekend I spent the whole weekend at Pooch-a-Palooza. It was SO hot but I'm hoping it was worth it. I've got some new photo clients out of it so that is good.

I'm hoping that if the weather is good on Sunday, I'll be back with the early morning crowd where Toby is happy and can chase a ball without feeling overwhelmed. Everyone has been so nice and there have been funny stories popping up. If there are thunder storms heading in though, I can't do it. Toby will be totally out of here and I'll be either dragged out or he'll just run off and hide. That already happened once and I don't want to do that again.

The early morning group

_MG_0585.jpg, originally uploaded by phaird.

Okay, don't be mad. I have been coming to the Acton park the past few weeks but most of you haven't seen me because I've been going between 7-9am. I've met a good small group of people who's dogs are great and are much better with just a few dogs wondering around. Toby has been so much better with the time too. He has been excited to get in the car to head to the park. He's been wagging his tail when he's interacting with the other dogs and has made fast friends with everyone. I'm so much happier for him. The only down side is getting up so early on a day I know I could sleep in.
This little guy remind me of Eeyore from Winnie The Poo. That face is amazing! He got up on the table on his own and just hung out.

Puppy and the last snow

Acton Dog Park-130324-04.jpg, originally uploaded by phaird.

I'm so looking forward to April and seeing all the green back on the trees again.
This is another pic of the Golden Retriever puppy that was at the park. He's such a friendly little guy. He went up to everyone and wanted to play with all the dogs. Even my grumpy old guy was good about it so that says something.

And they call it, puppy love

Acton Dog Park-130324-11.jpg, originally uploaded by phaird.

Sunday was all about the golden puppy. This little guy was taking everyone on. Especially the submissive other golden. They were having such a good time. I think this is a different golden puppy at the park. I wrote earlier of another Golden Retriever puppy that has been coming to the park but this little guy came with someone new (from what I could tell).
I'm guessing when they meet it's going to be a huge puppy love fest of jumping and playing. Can't wait!

First 100 posts

bulldogs playing, originally uploaded by phaird.

This was taken back in Feb 09. It was the 100th photo I took and about the time my neighbor at the time loaned me her spare Canon 5D. That camera has a larger (full frame) sensor and offered a lot of control my older Nikon camera I was shooting with didn't. That was the beginning of the end of film for me because I could get what I wanted without compromising. It wasn't soon after that I finally went out and got my own 5D. I had to sell all my old film camera gear to get it but it was totally worth it.
These 2 bulldogs show up at the park now and again. It's pretty rare but they have such a good time.

Almost 6 years

hunter and chagall at acton park, originally uploaded by phaird.

I've been shooting at this park for over 6 years and even though some days are a blur, every weekend I make it to the park is a great day. When I started, I was still shooting film and processing and printing my prints. (now that's retro). It's weird looking back but since I didn't make it to the park on Sunday, I figured I'd go back and look at some of the 1500+ photos I shot and think about who I don't see anymore or those that have passed on; both people and animals.
This is Hunter and his mom who were huge supporters of my blog and book idea (still want to happen). Kinda crazy but more eccentric then anything. A good heart and loved her dogs.

Bailey wouldn't sit still

Bailey wouldn't sit still but I got a nice shot anyway, originally uploaded by phaird.

Bailey is a young dog that came with his dad and human brother. He was so cute and was running around just keeping himself entertained. Some dogs run around in packs and play with each other. Bailey was just happy running around in the snow, checking in with his family and then running off again.
That is one of the beauties of the park. This is the one time of the day for the dogs that they get to run and play with no rules. They can just run around and be a dog. I just love that about the park.

Lando with his mom

Lando with his mom., originally uploaded by phaird.

I brought my boy Isaac to the park and found out that Lando, really loves little people. He loves them so much he wants to come up and lean up against them and play. That's why Lando's mom came over to make sure Isaac wasn't at the bottom of the dog pile. He was a really loving dog who doesn't know how big he is.
Funny how that always happens. Dogs don't know their size. My little dog thinks he's the biggest one at the park and big dogs just want to be lap dogs.
Just got to love it.

Best friends greeting

Best friends greeting, originally uploaded by phaird.

another fun shot from this weekend. I saw this happening and had to shoot it. It was a great moment of dog and owner greeting. So happy to see them come together. Warmed my heart on the chilly morning.

Kids playing with the dogs

Kids playing with the dogs, originally uploaded by phaird.

Sunday at the park was a lot of fun. It was another day where it had a light snow but the sun was still bright. I got to meet a few fun dogs and nice people but I had to cut it short because I brought my youngest who didn't think the pond was as fun as going to the beach.
These kids were running around having a great time with all the dogs.