Big-top Bruce!
Bouncy Bruce!
Bubble-blower Bruce!
Bestie Bruce!

All appropriate nicknames for this sweet frenchie who's currently in the care of the Victoria Bulldog Society where he's taking applications for his new family.

Bruce is a bundle of frenchie energy. At only about 1.5 years young, he loves to play and run and he can hop like a bunny too (see video at end of photo gallery)!
He had a slow start with some basics, however, he's a little sponge and ready to learn... especially for a treat! 
He showed me his high-fives, his curiosity and bravery (with the tunnel), the little 'face' on his back end, his love of squeakys (which he'll destroy in mere moments). his beautiful ripples and folds, and how he blows bubbles!

This little guy will need a dog buddy in his new home... one that can handle is playfulness, because he plays and plays and plays. Though he apparently also naps hard.
Bruce is also a water lover I'm told and should he get the chance, he may just hop in the shower with you!

On his way out Bruce got to meet neighbour Baz, the rescue greyhound and Nina, a rescue from Korea. (see video at end of photo gallery)

​I love Bruce. 

Thanks VBS for helping this little dude along his journey. Sometimes it takes some not great things to happen for our dog friends to end up with the great things.
And this little guy has more great things to come!
​
If you're interested in adopting, fostering or just donating to the Victoria Bulldog Society, please visit them here.

xo
​wendy

The wasp nest.

​The faces. 

There were times I felt I had been transported somewhere very far north (or south)...

... or felt moody and dark.

There were times of remembrance,

and watching the water come in and cover the green rock,

and being captivated by the birds.

And I didn't forget my rocks.

I've decided I'm ready to open my studio back up for photo sessions.

The shut down wasn't really intentional, but between Covid and life, I felt tired and in need of a chance to kinda 'let go', explore, experiment with tools I was intimidated by. To see if I could give myself another way, besides photography, to express myself through art. 
And not for anyone, but myself.

So for the last year it's been used as an art space where my friend, B, and I set up a regular weekly practice following the prompts in Cat Bennet's Making Art A Practice. We drew, painted, collaged, used pine needles as paint brushes, tried out monoprints and used the time to experiment with a variety of processes, except photography. It gave me - someone who can't draw worth beans - to help see other forms of art as an exploration, without an end game in mind. Putting the camera down meant I had to try to visualize differently and not just rely on what I've always known when using a camera. Maybe tapping into another part of my brain. Having an opportunity to open up and splash a big splotch of paint on a piece of paper hanging on the wall was a form of catharsis.
Pick up brush.
Dip in paint.
Paint drips on floor.
Swoop onto the paper.
No fear.
Allowing without controlling. 
Whether that be me, the paint, the brush. Remove the preciousness.

Each session ended with a recap, without judgement. It wasn't about how 'good' the art was, it was the doing, what each other saw in our creations. Just putting pen/pencil/paintbrush/charcoal to paper and seeing what happens. 
But also, not overthinking things.
I can't recommend it enough. 

And though I still don't think I can draw - at least not in the traditional sense - I can see a style of my own, whether drawing from my mind or trying to replicate line drawings I find interesting. And with my dog's pretty strict snuggle schedule, drawing and doodling is something I can do with him snoozing at my side on the sofa.

Last month, for the first time, I participated in my own Inktober -- a month of daily drawings done in October --  and though some days were pretty tough to get motivated on I would at least sketch something rough that I could go back and Sharpie. It was about starting and completing something just for me. So between Inktober and the practice with B, I've pushed away my fear of drawing/painting and though I don't think what I created is bad or good, it just is, now existing as part of me and my art practice.

So, my studio is open again for photography, whether it's portraits with pets, humans or collaborations. Though I'm working to figure out a plan for opening it for other creative practices too, so if you want to come draw, paint or photograph sometime, let me know!

Thanks for stopping by,
~wendy
xo

Kenny.
This little gem was taken to the vet a few weeks ago to be euthanized. 
Thankfully the vet knew they had a superstar in their midst and they contacted the Victoria Bulldog Society to see if they could help.
And VBS stepped up, because even though Kenny has a few issues - IVDD, skin issues and a wee bit of a cleft palate - they're all treatable. 
And he's the happiest little guy!

One of the VBS volunteers brought Kenny over for a photographed with love session and he was so much fun. Could he sit and stay? Not really. But those who know my style, know that's not a biggie. Kenny did show me how he loves treats, his toys (especially tug!) and getting some bum and neck scritches. 
He can catch treats and I'm sure turns into quite the cuddle puddle when he's sacked out.
His side eye is on point, he's got a classic wunderbite and a pointy little tail that doesn't stop wagging (please watch video at the end of the photos).
I think he should've been wearing a cape though because he can even do a superman pose!
​
Pretty sure Kenny's motto is play hard, nap hard.
Thanks to the VBS for helping this little man!

For adoption info, or if you want to donate to help with Kenny's vet bills, please contact the Victoria Bulldog Society!

And last but not least... Kenny, in slow-mo and real time... 

Have you ever been to a bulldog parade?
Yeah, me neither.
But when I heard there was one happening this morning I just had to go and check it out!

The Victoria Bulldog Society set it up as a chance to take a little walkie and celebrate the hallowe'en season.
It was also a chance to introduce Lemon, their newest addition to the VBS crew. Lemon is the sweetest little being! From the moment I arrived, she came over to investigate and stayed for loves. She LOVES LOVES! And when all was done I lifted her into Mel's car (she's a wee bit heavier than a flower) and she fell asleep with her chin resting awkwardly on the console as Mel and I chatted afterwards. GAH!

Some squishies showed up in costume, some not, but they all showed up and it was so cute I thought I could just lay down on the grass and die happy. Even honourary squishy Hudson showed up!

My volunteer photography usually leans more towards shy or fearful dogs, so being amongst a bunch of social butterflies is a different experience. They all wanted attention and as soon as I would crouch down to try for a low-angle shot, someone would inevitably trundle over to check me out for treats or some bum scritches.
This made for lots of photo bombs and a few smudges on my lens. 
But I wouldn't have it any other way.

Yes, there was lots of drool, a symphony of squishy noises, and a couple even tried to join in on the soccer games with the kids. Those that wanted to play, did. And others just sat and observed, did some stealth-sniffing or looked to whoever had treats on offer.

We even tried a group photo... bless them all for their patience! 

I tried my best to get photos of them all and I hope I did... and I wish I'd gotten everyone's name - I like to make sure I get names - but that fell by the wayside. So until I can put names to faces, please just enjoy the photos for what they are... a bunch of cute dogs on a nice fall day who are all very much loved by their humans.
And every dog got to take home a stuffy!
 
If you know my style, you know, I share a lot of photos from sessions to help give a better sense of the personalities of our dog friends. Today was no exception.
So here are 100 photos.

Thanks to everyone for coming out and sharing your squishy with me!

~wendy
​xo

p.s. Don't forget... if you're looking to adopt, Lemon is the sweetest little lemondrop you'll ever meet!

A recent assignment for Wunderdog Magazine meant a trip to Tofino where I got to spend time with my niece, Bebe (pictured above), and meet some new friends (of the canine variety)!
-
​Here are phone snaps of some of those friends including Panda, Rosco, Noodles, Cowboy, Marley, Sally, Cricket and Cedar.

Thanks to the great folks of Tofino for letting their dogs come out to play!

Check back here, or stay tuned to Wunderdog Magazine for news of their next issue and my piece!

Gavin, Joni and Felix (l-r).
I had the pleasure of photographing this super fun trio and their humans recently. Joni (centre) is a Rough Collie and Gavin and Felix are Smooth Collies. 
Joni acts a bit more distinguished from her two (very energetic) brothers, but I think she gets zoomies too!
There was lots of running, playing, barking during this session. 
There was also bear scat (!) and lots of no-seeums. LOTS of no-seeums which made re-touching a bit of a bear.
With the end of summer on our heels, this evening proved to have perfect light, highlighting the floof and casting a golden glow over a beautiful family.
xo

*** Victoria Bulldog Society has a matching donation drive happening until Saturday!***
I popped over yesterday to drop off some bottle donations, and got to meet the lovely JACK, a handsome new arrival who's just had some incredibly extensive (and expensive) dental work done and is still feeling under the weather. CHARLIE, aka, the gremlin because he talks and grumbles to humans and toys; GERTY, VBS ambassador who didn't want photos this eve, just bum scritches and loves, and HARLEY, the VBS honourary bulldog!

The VBS relies on donations and is experiencing a much higher number of people contacting them to surrender their bulldogs. The more funds they can raise, the more squishy faces they can take in and ensure they get they medical care they need so they can then be adopted into homes who love and appreciate these sweeties and all the fun times* they come with.
*fun times can include (but are not limited to): snorts, grunts, daily cleaning, snuggles, laughs and LOVE.

Visit the VBS facebook page on ways to help!!

And, because every visit is a photo op...