Back in December I met and photographed a lovely English Bulldog named Tonic. She was in the care of the Victoria Bulldog Society (VBS) and awaiting dental surgery. She needed it badly. So many of her teeth were just rotten and the inside of her mouth looked incredibly painful with inflammation.

Last week, the old sweetie got her dental surgery and while under anesthetic she got her ears cleaned and some lumps and bumps removed. She's doing amazing - her stitches come out this week and although her ears are still giving her problems (currently under investigation), she's living it up by trundling around her neighbourhood, meeting new friends,  looking as cute as ever... and napping.

I met up with her again and finally got to meet her foster brother Tanker and Gertie, the permanent fixture with VBS.

When I arrived, all three dogs came up to me to investigate and the first photo below is the result. Catching dogs in that moment of investigation and interest in a new person can work to my advantage. And although I caught a couple more of the three of them together - a little more posed with a bit more help from Mel - this was completely unposed and it gave the dogs the chance to show their true, interested selves.

A couple visitors came to the park while we were there - Rio and Casper - so Tonic and Gertie greeted in their bulldog-y way. All snorts and snuffles and awkward play. 

We finished off with a group photo, showing Mel, the founder of VBS who does it all. 
​
These photo sessions are part of a larger project coming up (which I'm so excited about), so can only share a few photos  at the moment. I hope you enjoy!​

Today I met Tonic, an English Bulldog in the care of Victoria Bulldog Society. 

This girl has thankfully landed in the lap of someone who can help her and ensure she gets the medical care she needs... and yes, that includes a dental.

I fell in love the moment I saw her waddle down the grassy hill. She's almost 11 and pretty deaf so getting her to actually look at the camera was a bit of a challenge, but it was fun making sounds and confusing everyone at the park. 
She was a bit drooly (see photo below) and a lot sweet.

I'm hoping she'll be part of a larger project in the new year (fingers crossed), so for now, I share these two images.

If you're interested in learning more about her, or donating to her care, you can visit their facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/VictoriaBulldogSociety

My first written magazine article and cover photo in one!

I came across Wunderdog on Instagram when they put out a call for submissions to the first issue of their new magazine. So I did some research to see if I thought it'd be a good fit for my story following former sled dogs since the 2010 Whistler sled dog cull, and I really liked their messaging, so I submitted.
Nina, the editor, and I had some back and forths to flesh out how the story would fit and in that time the first issue was launched. I thought maybe they'd moved on, but Nina reached out again and we got to work... the best part about the delay was then getting the cover!

I'm not gonna lie - condensing the last nine years of this project into 400 words was tough. I'm not a writer so I agonized for days and weeks trying to include a mix of everything I've learned and photographed over this time. I submitted a whole bunch of photographs and let them choose - I just couldn't. And the cover... it was tough to decide about using an existing photo or getting something new, but we went with new (and it was an excuse for me to visit and photograph Chich again!) I had no idea which image they'd choose, but am in love with the one they did. This wee dog with the big eyes and perky ears not only draws you in, but when you learn she was a sled dog, it's an opportunity for learning about sleddies.

Thanks to Wunderdog Magazine for helping share the plight of sled dogs as well as sharing the stories of the sleddies on an international scale!
This magazine is just beautiful to hold and it holds so many interesting stories from all over the world featuring pet art therapy to what rescues are doing globally during the pandemic - and the paper it's printed on is thick and matte and showcases the photographs perfectly.
It's a piece of art in and of itself.
Wunderdog isn't available in Canada, but you can order direct from www.wunderdogmagazine.com.
​For more on former sled dogs: www.iwasasleddog.com

kids, rats, cats and friends
watching enid play with the flame, draw, and take photos
lyra markered herself and dressed up in all the toques and scarves
then we played headbanz, watched funny things on youtube, and talked

Started 2020 off with some forest bathing, mud bath style... a walk in the woods with dog friends and human friends...

​As part of my on-going advocacy work for sled dogs, the full photo set can be found on my sled dog blog!