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!
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If you're interested in adopting, fostering or just donating to the Victoria Bulldog Society, please visit them here.

xo
​wendy

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... 

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

'Twas a big day yesterday.
I had the privilege to be a pinch hitter for my sister Jill -- who's a very talented photog up in Tofino, BC -- and help out with a palliative session for her friend. One of her two beautiful rescue doggos isn't well and has been going through tests and treatments at a local vet clinic, but there's not much more medicine can do so it's now about enjoying what's left.
Of course I accepted... how could I not?
It was very last minute, but that's how these are sometimes. So much unknown can make planning hard, but when it needs to work out, it does. We met at a local beach, but with strong winds and pouring rain, it just wasn't going to work. So we took a little drive to find some shelter and hoped that the weather would give us a break... and it did. Two dogs, two humans and one photog (me) found a window of space and time amidst a rain and windstorm where sun shone through the trees onto a magical rock covered with moss under trees covered with lichen.
Thank you L, P, K + J.

UPDATE: December 14/21: I just found out lovely, little Lily passed away. Much love to her humans for rescuing her and giving her a life of unconditional love.

​A few hours later I was off to photograph 3 dogs. These would be former sled dogs coming into care of a local rescue. Three more dogs who were now going to be covered until animal protection laws. Bamboo, Meso and Saturn are #s 206, 207 + 208 in my decade-long project advocating for the adoption of former sled dogs. But numbers aside, they were beautiful beings, understandably nervous of all the newness in one day, but whose lives are going to change for the better with the love, care and support of a huge community.

​I'm no stranger to photographing dogs who aren't feeling well - both mentally and physically. I think most of my work follows that commonality. I try to branch out, but I'm always drawn back to them. "Them" being those who've been discarded, left behind... utterly in need of help. And this year, well I just realized that the bookends of my work this year have been palliative pup sessions - as well as one in the middle too. So when I think back over the year, along with the last 10+ too, it becomes more clear, that this is me. My place. I want to be that person who can be there with a camera, capturing moments that may be otherwise unseen. Being a part of that sadness while being able to see some joy in the memories that are created. To take that pause and hold that space in time. It may take a bit  to understand it all, but having lost one of our dogs this summer - not unexpected, but more quickly than expected - I wished I'd had someone there near the end, capturing our little Bella Boo surrounded by us and our love for her.
​xo

Daphne is the companion of my friend Maggie. Recently adopted after a being part of a cruelty investigation, Daphne has finally put on some weight and is building up muscle through lots of activity and hikes.
Daphne, like all Great Danes, is a gaggle of legs. She's also silly and funny and sensitive. She can be a bit shy, but she's learning to trust herself and others and the bond these two have formed is magical. I just love that they've found each other and will get to share some fun years together.

For the photo session, we met at a local park that Daphne knew and was comfortable at. Plus, it had tall grass. The kind of tall grass that a Great Dane can hide in. It would also obscure parts of her, just like she hides some of her personality. 
It'd been a hot day, but the magic hour found us so I was able to create images like I'd imagined. I'm a sucker for back-lit grasses, so Daphne got to play, meet some dog friends and show off some skills, but also just toodle along for a summer evening walk.

I've included a few photos from a recent session along with some words Maggie agreed to share about how she and Daphne met.

Thanks for visiting,
​wendy

A few weeks ago I got to meet Pow Pow.
The opportunity came from an old friend, who wanted to gift his humans with something to celebrate him, as Pow Pow wasn't well.

For dogs like Pow Pow that have been through the shelter system, re-homed, given away, discarded - I want to make sure they get to take up space in this world. I want to share their stories, their names and some photographs that give a glimpse into a moment of their life. If they were forgotten about at one time, I want to do my part to make sure they won't be again. And part of that storytelling is providing the photos in a digital monograph format so families can scroll through images in a way that helps tell the story of their pet, as I saw them.

For Pow Pow, this was him on April 15, 2021. Whatever health issues he was fighting, he had this evening to show me a part of him. He shared with me his silly, fun, inquisitive side. How he loves rolling on his back in the grass - sometimes with his frisbee in his mouth. Sniffing the ocean air. Chasing sticks into the water - and not bringing them back. Barking for treats. And moments of quiet and rest in the shade from the sun of the warm spring day.

Here are some of those moments... of how I saw Pow Pow and his family. 

Thanks to his friends (M+L) for providing me with the chance to meet this special guy, and to his family (L + P) for taking such amazing care, catering to all his whims and fancies and showing him true love, during this difficult time. 

Meet Massa, the bulldog with two perfect bottom teeth.
Apparently they're the only thing that won’t need vet intervention at this time. Actually, her teeth and her weight. Massa has a great body shape and is a comfortable 69lbs.

Sweet Massa had been living tied up outside until recently and if you know my advocacy work for sled dogs, you’ll know how I feel about this. (if you don’t, I invite you to visit www.iwasasleddog.com)
Massa is now in the care of the Victoria Bulldog Society (VBS) and being treated for ear and skin infections. She's also getting much-needed cartrophen injections and will be getting some big work soon - entropion surgery for both eyes as well as two surgeries for two torn knees. 
This gal has a bit of a road ahead over her.

When I met her today, I can tell you is that she is an absolute doll! She came right up to get a sniff, taking no issue with meeting me as a stranger. She also gave me some some bum wiggles because she was loving the bum scratches I was giving her. Our visit was short, but sweet and she had no fear of my camera (good thing because she's very photogenic!) and she showed off her adorable little ears by perking them up when I said her name - which is new to her - she's learning fast!
 
Thank you VBS for taking her in and helping her on her road to recovery. Once her medical issues are under control she’ll be available for adoption and no doubt, will find her spot on the couch of her new home... and never leave it.

VBS is currently fundraising to help with her medical care so if you have a moment, check out more about this girl as well updates on the great work of VBS at: www.facebook.com/VictoriaBulldogSociety

For the group photo below, the dogs sorted themselves out smallest to largest - Gerty, Tonic, Massa - or for you coffee drinkers “tall, grande, venti” .
Tonic is also featured in posts from December 12, 2020,  and both Tonic and Gerty in  January 2021 as well as the video "goobers, never-ending goobers" that I posted in February 2021.


And if you’re thinking ‘one of these dogs is not like the others’, that’s Harley. He and Gerty are permanent family members.
xo

Please click on each photo to see its full size.

Marlo --- though his physical ailments were getting the better of him, this ol' chap showed me the teeniest glimpse of the fun-time fella he used to be.
He still loved his orange ball.
He still loved treats.
He still loved his mom and his family.
​
Rest in peace and love sir, I'm grateful to have met you.
​
​