I usually photograph other people's dogs, but I recently took some time to photograph our Mr Coco. 

Being 14 and basically blind and deaf, I've been meaning to get some portraits of him because I know all too well, time isn't always on our side. Plus, he's not a superfan of my camera, it's easy to put off.

But I've been doing more palliative pet photo sessions lately so I figured if all went well, it would be a chance to work on the photo I wanted for our wall, as well as be a bit of an experiment -- to see if I could capture him as I do for other people's pets.

It was just me and him in the studio, and if I'm being honest, it was kinda tough.
Partially because he's not really comfortable in my studio anymore. He used to love it because he'd get treats and had a special bed, but that's no longer enough and it's now just kinda confusing for him. And he doesn't like the slippery paper of the backdrop so he didn't want to stand on it for very long.

And all that got me thinking...

Am I capturing him how I see him? Like really see him? Or am I capturing some other, more fearful part of him? Do others see him as I do, or how he appears in the photos? Are those the same thing? Is he enjoying this in any way?

And that led me to ponder... 
Do I capture other people's pets as they see them? How much do other people want to see their pets as I see them?

Really, this experience opened a bit of a can of worms in my brain, but at the end of the day, that's part of what being an artist is. There's self doubt, there are questions that may never be answered, but I know this: 1) I love photographing pets, including my own, and 2) I consider it an honour to be able to share someone's pets through my lens and my eyes.

So, here are a few more photos from my session with our Mr Coco.
Thanks for stopping by, ~w

walking the same routes I've walked so many times before
looking up, up
​looking down, down

​and looking into the eyes of Maisy

Thank you so much to all the doggos who came out for a Howl-o-ween photo mini photo session and helped raise $700 for Victoria Bulldog Society!
xo

2 days
19 sessions
30 dogs!

Thank you so much to everyone who came out to the Valentine's mini photo sessions fundraiser! It was a first for both VBS and myself, but with lots of help (especially from some very adorable doggos) we raised just over $1300 for the Victoria Bulldog Society!

Being the first Friday in February, I've decided it's the official, unofficial start of Fridays at Fleming, a weekly photo essay of my visit to Fleming Beach/Macaulay Point here in Victoria.

I've been going for about a year now with my friend Shannon, her dog Tica and sometimes my dog Mr Coco joins us. Sometimes my husband comes too. Recently I've started bringing my camera again because even though I know this place well now, each time I visit it's a bit different and I want to try to capture that same, yet differentness. Translating what I see and feel.

​Here is installment one:

It all started with two seagulls just sitting on the boat ramp,
but then dogs were headed in their direction so that moment of peace was short. 
The water was so calm -- literally the calm before the storm as the wind gusted up to blow-the-lid-off-a-garbage-can level in the afternoon.

Tica had her first treat on the picnic table.
Mr Coco wanted to be carried for a while.
We trundled along and happened to meet up with our friend from a couple weeks back, Rowan, who stopped in for treats. There were more dogs, crow friends, a face in the rocks.
​A sky that tells a different story every time I visit.
Little surprises along the way and a seagull who could strike a pose.
A very happy dog and her stick, little Uncle the Schnoodle puppy and then Sophie, who was one of the friendliest dogs I've ever met, stopped by to say hello.

Then we were back at the docks where a little one checked out the scenery and then the geese flew overhead.

I had my first real and true Galgo at the studio today. Her name is Lili and she's a recent transplant from Spain after having ended up as a discarded hunting dog at a shelter.

I've been following the plight of the Galgo (Spanish hunting dog) for a few years now. They remind me of my sleddie friends... used and then discarded. Those who survive the hunting season but are no longer wanted can find themselves set loose to fend for themselves, dumped at shelters or tortured and killed. Those that make it into a rescue and eventually a home then have to learn to navigate our random domestic world. But they can do it with bells on and become beloved family members. 

With rescues in Spain overwhelmed with the volume of dogs in need, they are doing all they can to fit them into their past-capacity shelters and keep them safe, fed and cared for. Sometimes they can adopt directly, but they often need the help of other rescues like Extraordinary Galgos & Podencos (EGP) and  Extraordinary Galgos & Podencos of Western Canada (EGPWC) to help them find loving homes.

Which is how lovely Lili made it to Victoria. Although this young girl was pretty nervous of being in a new space and me moving around with my camera, when it came to treats she had no issue! And I discovered she liked the sound of a cat meow! She was super gentle... and calm through it all. The cutest thing is that she's apparently quite a lap dog at her foster home and is quite connected with her foster human, looking to her often for reassurance and ear and face rubs. Together they're working on her confidence and in the month she's been in Canada, she's come a long way... though she's apparently still not a fan of this west coast winter!

I'm thankful EGPWC reached out for a photographed with love advocacy photo session and look forward to the partnership and meeting more of their rescues. They may be a small group, but they're a committed one!

Here's what Lili's adoption profile says:
"Lili is a 4yr old galga from Fundación Benjamín Mehnert (FBM) in Spain. She arrived in Montreal on December 17th and travelled to Vancouver Island as a foster while we search for the right home for her.
Lili is very shy but once she gets to know her people, she’s a very sweet girl that loves affection. We believe she would do best in a quiet detached home with another calm dog and patient people to help her feel safe in this new world of hers.
If you feel that your home would be a good fit for Lili or you’re interested in learning more about her, please get in touch!"

And also like the sleddie community, there's a great sighthound support group locally who meets regularly for walks. It's adorable.
For adoption info on this LOVELY LILI: https://www.facebook.com/egpwesterncanada

#freethegalgo

*​a seagull
​*high tide

​*a dog
*a fence

*​the crow the crow the crow

*the salty sea
*a mixed up sky

*wind and waves
*other birds

*mountains and buildings
*a kayak, a boat, a ship

​*not necessarily in order

Three bulldogs in my studio at once? Sure! What's the worst that could happen?!
We die from combined cuteness overload? 
ok, I'm in.

Well, no humans died, but Lemon, Ruby and Tito worked their cute magic that's for sure. 

This intrepid trio is currently in the care of the Victoria Bulldog Society. 

• Lemon (brindle) is about 7 years old and currently reviewing adoption applications. She's got quite a licker on her, so you'd best be ok with kisses. And oh yeah, she loooooves belly rubs.
• Ruby (black/tricolour) is 11 1/2 and almost fell asleep with her head in her hands while I rubbed her head and is a GEM! Each time I would start to crouch to get to her level to photograph, she'd come over to me for a pet and then maybe trundle back to where she needed to be.
• Tito (white/brown) is 4 and is Mr Cool. He's a big, smart, sweet and gentle guy with polka dots on one side and Rorschach test-looking spot on the other in case you want to do a little psychoanalyzing with your friends! But ultimately, Tito will is a bestie just follows you around and loves to be loved. 

Photographing adoptable dogs for me isn't just about an adoption profile photo. To be honest, I'm not sure how much weight they carry because I've known dogs to be adopted from some pretty sketchy photos. Whatever floats your boat and gets the dog adopted, I say. But as the person behind the camera who's thinking about how photography can help adoptable pets, I want these photos to work for the dog... for the rescue... for advocacy, for fundraising, or to just celebrate the dog.

So, to end 2022, I went out with a big, bundle of bulldogs who are loved and getting the care they need and deserve.

Thank you to all the people I've met who are loving their animals and helping to make this world a safe and loving place for everyone.

~wendy
​xo

For more on the Victoria Bulldog Society: 
facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VictoriaBulldogSociety/
instagram: @VictoriaBulldogSociety

Jackson and Luna stopped by the studio just before Christmas for a little session together. These two sweethearts are in care with the Victoria Bulldog Society, though neither are adoptable at the time of writing this. Sweet Luna is in palliative care due to an inoperable cancer and charming Jackson is on medical hold. Shortly after Jackson's arrival he required extensive dental surgery which took some time to heal from. Well, he got that sorted out, but now he has an ulcer in his eye that is being treated and monitored with the with help of their vet.

As Jackson and Luna are in foster at the same home, I was asked to try and get one of them together. 
One thing I've learned about bulldogs (and pretty much any dog!)... if they don't want to do it, they won't. So with the help of a VBS volunteer, we managed to use our charm and wit... hahah! I kid!... it was patience and treats and patience and treats and a break outside, then more patience and treats. And it worked! I got a few more captures of these two together, but those are being held back to keep private, just for the family. 

I hadn't spent much time with bulldogs prior to volunteering with VBS, so these recent sessions have been quite immersive. Mel, the director of VBS has been a wealth of info on the breed and the laundry list of medical issues that now seem more like common "features", than just one-offs, easily treatable issues.
I even wrote and photographed a piece on Mel and her penchant for bulldogs for Issue #5 of Wunderdog Magazine:  https://www.wendynesbitt.com/blog/squishy-faced-wunderdogs

If you want to learn more about VBS:
facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VictoriaBulldogSociety/
instagram: @VictoriaBulldogSociety

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