Fridays at Fleming, vol 3, aka "why do seagulls stand on one leg"
For this week's Fridays at Fleming, I actually went on a Tuesday as my Friday buddies weren't going to be available on Friday. No matter. When you go on different days, you see different people. It was very cold and icy this day. Frost covered the docks, and while I watched a crow work away at something I almost wiped out on a nice patch of ice. The ice made some beautiful patterns in the puddles, though it confused Tica to the point she had to bite at the ice as it cracked under her feet. The wee robin that watched us. Someone's been building a collection of bottle pieces in one of the bunkers. A rock that looked like a duck, and then an eye was put on it and it turned into a dog. And then we met a new dog. I got his name but didn't write it down. He was very friendly and very drooly and had incredible head tilts. Though the sun had melted the frost from the docks, something in the water off the beach caught Tica's eye so we didn't do our usual walk on it. A blue recycle bag was bobbing in the water. She just couldn't understand what it was... and she wanted to know... but there was no way she was going to go get it. So I did. Because throwing rocks at it didn't work and trying to reach out to grab it with a bit stick only gave me a soaker. So off came the shoes and I walked on my winter feet -- not the tougher feet of summer when I walk around barefoot -- over the cold rocks and into the water a few inches up my leg. And the answer to the question "why do seagulls stand on one foot" became clear. The water wasn't so bad really. I'd do it again. The rain had been starting and stopping.
And then drizzling. And then stopping. We met a wee pup. An Icelandic Sheepdog. And then a dog in the distance. Shannon wondered if she knew it. Lacy maybe? Almost. Her name is Rainey. She was out for a walk with her cousin Flaka, a transplant from South America who seemed to only care about one thing. Her stick. The light drizzle was getting my camera a bit wet. Trying to keep the lens mostly dry, we ventured to the marker where a gull was hanging out. It flew away when Tica arrived, but clearly wanted back because as soon Tica wandered away, the gull swooped back through my frames as I was trying to photograph some Common Mergansers out on the water. We hit the beach to explore for a few minutes then it was on to the dock because Tica was feeling brave today. I watched the haze of drizzle with my eyes and then through my camera. Thanks for stopping by! ~w 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 Tica wore her peace beads on our walk today.
Some may just think they're wooden beads strung together by her human, but they're actually magical. Not only did Tica make friends with a giant bear of a Bouvier named Bizou, she also decided today was the day to walk all the way down to the end of dock. We've been walking at Macaulay Pt for about a year now and though Tica always wants to walk onto the dock on the way to the parking lot, though she only ever makes it a little ways. Sometimes 10 ft, sometimes 5, once she made it about 20ish. We do offer treats to see how far she'll go, but her fear always ends up overriding her love of treats and she lets us know she's had enough and will turn herself around to walk nervously back to shore. Not today though. There was no turning back. With some soft milk bones on offer, she put her bravest feet forward and made it all the way to the end where she got some "Yay Tica!" treats and I got a couple photos in and then she realized where she was and decided to head back. So we did. It was a big day. Along with Bizou, Tica also met little Leeroy the Boston and Bodhi with the balls (the built in kind), who she flirted with. She also spotted Sidney, the seal who hangs out there too. Throughout all this dog-ness, the sky and clouds made for an intense backdrop for this Friday adventure at the point. The places you go to all the time.
The places where it seems like it's always the same, because it's familiar. You see the same people. The same dogs. The sky, the birds, the boats. The scene. But maybe your eyes are searching for something different. And that's one of the beauties in this life for me. There's always a way to see the same scenes differently. *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 It was December 20. The day known as "Suzy Day" in our home.
The day our little Suzy passed away in 2013. The day I go visit her in our backyard and place a rock on her grave. But this December 20 I couldn't. It was so quiet that morning when I woke up. No sound coming from cars on the roads and a different sort of light coming in through the blinds. Between the cold temperatures, having to dig trenches for our little dog and making sure the bird feeders were well stocked, I planned on spending most of the time hibernating inside. Except I saw my grasses. Tall and marking the place of that new garden bed. I'd planted them in the front yard so they'd catch the setting sun. I've yet to trim them ever because I love to look at them swaying in the breeze. They are the holdouts. And this day they inspired me to spend a bit more time outside, with camera in hand. Though I didn't venture from my yard. The snow was light and feathery and I could sweep it with a broom. It landed on the delicate remnants of plants, filled all the nooks of the yard and created a roof over the pet cemetery, seemingly offering extra protection for our missed friends, as well as blanketing Suzy's special resting spot. It brought contrast and definition to an otherwise monotone yard of lives well-lived and new ones waiting to regenerate, where it stayed for days until the rain and warmth melted it away. This wasn't a change of season, it was just a change in days... in weather. An opportunity to see my yard with different eyes. An impermanent art installation that vanished as quickly as it arrived. Reminding me of life's impermanence. 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 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 |
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