 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  From Spain to Montreal to Victoria, it's been a big week for rescued Galgo, Dylan. He arrived into rescue care at Galgos en Familia in Malaga, Spain in July 2023. He was just skin and bones.   Over the six+ months he was in care in Spain he gained some weight and learned to trust again. So with the help of rescue parters and EGP's Golden Basket Project, this sweet senior made his way to Victoria, BC where he's now in foster, awaiting a home. Dylan is amazing. He was sweet and gentle even though he would've preferred pets and loves to posing. It was almost to the point of "click" goes the shutter and Dylan comes to me for a pet. His foster mom Heather then entices him back with a treat, then "click" goes the shutter and back Dylan comes for another pet. So yes, we took a number of breaks... (thanks Heather for the pic!)  If you meet Dylan, you will fall in love instantly. He's got the marks of age and a hard life -- little bumps and scars -- and eyes that tell a 1001 stories. He's inquisitive and interested and has the cutest tiger-striped tail. If you told him all your secrets he would just look at you with understanding because he knows. Dylan looks for reassurance, which is expected given what he's been through in his life. And he looks for it from humans. Kindness and softness will go a long with this brave guy. Our session lasted about an hour and he showed off his head tilting skills to the max. He isn't a sitter so we thought we'd try to get him to lay down on a soft bed. When our words weren't working, we enlisted the help of a spanish translator app so we could encourage him to "lay down" (tumbarse) in a language he was familiar with. And when we said it, he seemed to understand, but it still took him a few moments to relax enough... but down he went. And when he did, it was a beautiful thing. Here are some captures from our session on Sunday -- I like to include a variety so you get to see those little nuances and expressions that make him the beautiful, unique being he is. I wish Dylan all great things in this next chapter of life. xo For adoption info, please contact: Extraordinary Galgos & Podencos of Western Canada https://www.facebook.com/egpwesterncanada
                    
Arturo came over for an adoption profile photo session recently and since he was so chill about it we had time to experiment with the dreaded black dog on black background! I recently tried it with a fawn-coloured dog and really liked the look so I had an idea going in, but each dog is so unique and in Artie's case, he's a bit of a head wobbler so I have to work on pushing my settings a bit more for dogs who can't hold still, but I'm looking forward to adding this look to my repertoire. Thanks Artie! Arturo is being fostered with my friend Shannon so I've met him a few times now and he's just an amazingly sweet, chill guy. She's brushed his teeth, trimmed his toenails and has taken him on some runs in the forest and he's cool with it all... except cats apparently. No cats. I've included a few of Artie's adoption photos below, but his and Zorro's adoption photos can be found on my site here: home away from home But please check out the rescue that's helping these sweethearts into a life of love: Extraordinary Galgos & Podencos of Western Canada https://www.facebook.com/egpwesterncanada   
 That balance between time spent at the computer and time spent doing other things, like getting a good dose of fresh air and exercise has been a bit off balance for me lately. So when the opportunity to go on a hike with a friend came up, I was in. Horth Hill, here I come! The moment I pulled into the parking lot I was in awe of the gorgeous fall colours. Are they more vibrant this year? I don't know. Maybe because it's been raining, everything just looked super fresh and extra vibrant. Then Jill arrived with her OWL crew (Ollie, Wilson + Luke) - 3 Weims who are all about outdoor fun and adventure! I've known Ollie and Luke since they were wee pups and met Wilson as a young'un. Wilson came into their family as a medical foster after suffering a broken pelvis and other injuries after being hit by a car at 5 months old. And surprise, surprise, he never left! He's all healed up and keeps pace with his brothers no problem. All three have been to my studio for photos, but this was the first time I got to see them let loose and release the zoomies! It was magical. Up trails and down hills catching up and me catching my breath along pathways admiring vistas, fungi and a no-eyed dog photo ops (and outtakes) and waiting... and waiting... for one who led his own expedition into the woods treat stops band photos and dogs on a log finding light amidst the canopy and through conversation and by the end, the crew could've done it all again... and again. p.s. our route looks like a boot kicking a plastic shopping bag.  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!   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              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.
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  Luna (front) + Jackson 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 |
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