Fur flying love scratches

Fur flying love scratches, originally uploaded by phaird.

Ah to be back in the park. It was such a nice summer day. A little muggy but the sun was out, not super hot, and dogs all around. There are ball dogs and water dogs and stick dogs but in general, it breaks down to two types. Dogs that love other dogs and dogs that love people. This gal is a people dog. Before I took this photo, I was squatting down, shooting other dogs. When I put the camera down, She was standing right in front of me, waiting for a butt scratch. Very cute.
Toby was over the moon about being at the park again. No cone of shame so he got to run around, jump in the pond, chase other dogs and just be a dog. He has really been wanting to go to the park for a while now. I've been so busy with photo events on the weekends, that this weekend was the first time in 3 weeks we've been at the park. It's going to be a crazy summer so I'm going to be real hit or miss at the park but I'll try to keep up with posts and events.

Welcome back Sunday

June has been a crazy month for me.  I've been setting up my photo tent at different dog events which has been keeping me really busy.  Whisker Walk and Bark in the Park were both a lot of fun and I got to meet all kinds of great dogs and owners but I miss my Sunday at the park. It's the one day a week just for Toby and me to just be.  This Sunday, I'll be at the park again, camera in hand and dog at my side.  I'm still looking for people and dogs to photograph for the diptych project so if you're interested, drop me a note and I could come by some time since the park is not the best place.  Most people I've talked with aren't dressed for their picture.  I'm not worried because it's just fun and a portfolio builder for me.

Whisker Walk this Sunday

I won't be at the park this sunday.  Now that the nice weather is here, there are a lot of dog events going on and I'm going to try to get to some of them.  This year starts off with me actually setting up a booth at Whisker Walk which is a really big event.  It was the first event I did last year and even with lousy weather, I was really busy.  Now with GREAT weather expect, I should be totally slammed. If you're in the area, stop by.  I'm setting up a portable studio and will be doing 5x7 photos of dogs for only $25.  It is a lot of fun and every animal friendly group will be there.

Toby posing for test shoot for this years Whisker Walk

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.