A good shake

A good shake, originally uploaded by phaird.

What an amazing day. When our weather has been all over the place between cold and wet, to warm and humid. Today's weather was perfect. Not too hot or humid. Just enough of both.
The dogs were loving the pond today. They were all running in, chasing balls, or just cooling off. Even kids and grown ups were in, knee high. One new dog to the park that Toby was getting along with (Toby had a good day), was really confused about the water. He seems to really confused that he couldn't walk on the water. He was really enjoying himself even though Toby kept trying dominate him (and everyone else).

Did you say CHEESE!

emma on the move, originally uploaded by phaird.

Well, my big idea for photographing people and dogs at the park last Sunday was a bust. Toby was NOT on his best behavior. So much so that an over zealous dog mom got in my face when I put Toby back on his leash. Anyone who I did ask refused because they were in their dog park best which means they were wearing their grubbiest clothes. I didn't care about that but they did. I did get my best dog park friends to let me take some pictures but I guess I'm going to have to ask people ahead of time for now. If you want to be part of the process, just leave a comment to let me know.
I'm not too upset. It's just a minor setback. I've got lots of other projects going on so I'm excited that I've been using my camera so much. I've even been video taping which is a whole new level for me.
I'll be at the park this Sunday if all goes well. See you there.

Another day we didn't make it

_MG_1232, originally uploaded by phaird.

Toby just got into the park today when he heard the very busy Maynard Gun Club. I know it seems crazy that a gun club that is over 4 miles away would bother my dog. Anyone who asks what is wrong doesn't even know what that sound is. It's so distant and faint.
But Toby. He knows. He HATES it. We just got into the park, did some business, and then as soon as he heard the first shot, he was back in the parking lot. At this point, there is little I can do. I didn't have my leash with me and even if I did, I end up dragging him along, he's not happy; I'M not happy and I have to walk him around for 1/2 hour in the woods to get him to start to calm down, IF we make it that far.
It was a gloomy day anyway. The park was quiet. I was just hoping to start photographing people and their dogs today. I brought in my sample pictures and knew I could get a few more people to photograph. It's just a minor setback. I really planned to photograph next weekend so if you read this and are normally at the park; make sure you are ready to get your picture taken. It's going to be fun. The pictures are turning out really great so far. I've only got 3 but I really want to do a lot more. I'm hoping to photograph about 25 people and dogs and end up with 15 or so really great photos.

Emma on the run

Emma on the run, originally uploaded by phaird.

It was a beautiful day this last Sunday. Because of Mother's Day, it was a little quiet but many of the regulars, like Emma, was here.

With the sun shining, it was not too hot or too cold, it was perfect for all the dogs. Some have lost their winter coats already and others are still holding on. The swimmers got to swim and the runners got to run so overall, it was beautiful at the park.

Emma's dad was explaining that Howard Stern might become my competition. He's been talking on his show about how much he is getting into photography but instead of taking all his new camera gear on the road, he has been taking photos of his dog. I don't think he's going to quit his day job so I think I'm all set.

Building new photos

As most of you know, I'm working on building up my portfolio which has given me a flood of ideas.  One is to create a diptych of a dog and it's owner.  I'm hoping that fans of my dog park blog who see me at the dog park would be interested in being photographed but I'm also making a bigger call to everyone and anyone who will let me set them up and photograph them.  My idea is to photograph a portrait of the human and then do a portrait of the dog with the owner behind them.  This might be a little tricky.  Most dogs want to be looking at their owner or go to them if not wondering off to do their own thing.
This photo is of Bill and his dog Tyson, a little rat terrier.  I'm excited about the outcome and think it would make for a good series of images.  The plan is to set up a shoot day at the dog park on May 22 at the S. Acton dog park.  The dog park  is always full of dogs on Sunday morning so anyone who wants to bring their dog can get a photo done and I'll create a diptych of each. Everyone can get a digital file of the final edit of those I use or if you want it printed, I'll make it available as well for a small printing fee.
Leave a comment if you're interested.
This post was first on my main site's blog.

Run in the park

Run in the park, originally uploaded by phaird.

It was a beautiful morning at the dog park. Quiet because of Easter, but still a good crowd came out. Holiday or not, our dogs need their exercise. There was still areas that was really muddy but the grass is starting to take hold of the earth so it wasn't nearly as bad as the weeks before. The warmer weather added the extra moment where you could just stand around, gab with friends and watch the dogs run.
Of course, the dogs were loving it too. Most took advantage of the pond while others rolled in the mud. I watched a Golden walk out of the park looking like a brown lab, she had so much mud caked on her. A lot of dogs still have their winter coats still and will be getting trimmed soon. Another great step into spring heading for a hot and exciting summer.

Spring is slowly coming to the east

Bernese getting a but scratch, originally uploaded by phaird.

Even though we had around 4 inches of snow on Friday, it all quickly melted away and the sun is warming up our little park.
It was a really nice morning at the park. Toby and I came early, sloshed through the mud and went for a walk up in the woods. Toby wasn't on his best behavior but once he had his walk, he did okay. Last year, I started coming early to keep him from being overwhelmed and this spring and summer, I'm going to do the same. There is also a group of early birds I don't normally get to see and am looking forward to getting to know their dogs too.
There was a lot of energy at the park and the dogs knew it. Everyone was running around, playing chase and having a good time. As things thaw, I think the dogs start to pick up the scents of things that were buried under the snow all winter. I love seeing all the different dogs who don't always make it during the colder months. I hope to see even more as the grass gets greener.