Procrastination wins!

I'm sure after this long period of time since my last blog post (I wonder if this will be some kind of record for bad blogging) anyone who had read my posts in past has moved on to other things. Other blogs, facebook, twitter, and now Tumblr. So many options for wasting our time. That's ok, I will blog for me... ;o) In a year and a half since my last post (wow!), much has happened. Frankie settled in and has taken retirement from the racetrack very seriously, sleeping for hours a day, making his large fenced in back yard his own, and learning some "normal dog" tricks. He has been my muse as a model for many photographs. He is likely more familiar to the world than I will ever be, as his antics can be followed on flickr, facebook, Photobucket, and several Greyhound forums and websites. He has been in 2 Greyhound calendars, and hopefully a third next year. Many people now look forward to "Frankie Fridays", which is part of my 2011 Photo a Day Challenge I have embarked on this year. We are all smitten with this quiet, sweet, loving, and handsome boy. Until next time...

Frankie arrives! (In search of a Window ~ Part 2)

Once the decision to adopt a greyhound had been made, and even managing to get my family on board, things progressed very quickly.

I contacted 3 adoption agencies by email. The first didn't return my email, the second and third said they didn't adopt to my area, that it was too far for their home visit.

I was becoming discouraged and thought maybe the gods of fate didn't want me to have a greyhound. Further encouragement from my greyhound owning friends Felicity and Cheryl led me to contact Needle-Nose Greyhound Adoption, who works out of Campbellville, Ontario. They were willing to travel to the great white north of Orillia to meet me.

Now we had to decide what kind of dog to get; male, female, age, colour, size, personality? With so many dogs needing to be adopted you could practically tailor them to your liking. We had always had female dogs, I'd heard that males were a bit "goofier" for lack of a better description. Our lives were a tad too quiet anyway so we decided on a male...the bigger the better. Of course he had to be tested safe with cats... and be fairly young, so we could have many years with him. Colour didn't really matter...but I loved the fawn/red dogs so I told them that would be my preference. I had heard black dogs, especially males were a little harder to adopt so we said black would be fine too.

So the wheels were in motion, we were approved to adopt a greyhound, and the next run to the states to pick up dogs would be Oct 17th, and OUR dog would be on that trailer! The dogs were to be shipped from a Daytona, Florida track and met by the adoption agency in Buffalo, where they crossed the border and went to their foster homes until their forever homes were ready for them.

Around the 24th of Sept we got a call from Brenda at Needle-Nose. She had a surprise for us. A male greyhound from a previous load of dogs from the states, who had been at his adoptive home for a week, was being returned through no fault of his own (this is called a "Bounce"). He just wasn't the right match for that family. Fortunately for us she thought he'd be a perfect match for ours. If we wanted him, we could have him within the next week. My husband, who took a bit of encouraging to get on board with this whole greyhound adoption plan, said "How soon can we get him!!?? ;o)

Our 75 lb, 3 year old, bouncing baby boy arrived on Sept 29th (the greyhound people call this their dog's "Gotcha Day"). His racing name was "Hold to Fashion" and you can see all his pedigree and racing stats here. He had been called "Frankie", and as we couldn't agree on a different name, Frankie he stayed. Greyhounds come in a wonderful array of colours and his is a very striking white with red and black brindle patches... or perhaps it's brindle with white patches... ;o)

We held Brenda and Jeff hostage for many hours while we grilled them on all things greyhound, not that I hadn't done my own research. I had already read 3 books on adopted greyhound care. spent countless hours perusing the Internet, lurked on several greyhound owner's forums, and visited people with greyhounds and had them visit my house with their dogs.

They left Frankie in our care that afternoon and as they drove away it ALMOST felt like the day we brought our first child home. Now the care of this special being was in our hands.

Frankie has moved into our house and our hearts, and there are many more stories to be told...another day, another blog.

In Search of a Window ~ Part One

You've heard of the saying "When a door closes in your life, somewhere a window will open" (yes I've taken the religious content out...). Brandy's passing was so hard for our family, that for a few weeks I had convinced myself that I could never, ever go through that again as it was just too painful. No one dared bring up getting another dog with me and rightly so...no dog would ever take Brandy's place in my heart.

Then one day a thought occurred to me. What if I had said that after Dusty, or Galen, or Mojo, or any of the pets in my life who had died?

It was then I realized that I would rather go through the pain of losing a beloved pet again, than not to have one in my life. It was clear to me, as I could see the scales tipping slowly to the side of dog ownership again, that I was going to have to look for another dog. My family of course predicted this, and were sensible enough not to interfere.

What did I want? The only thing I knew for sure was that I had to rescue a dog that needed a home. I started with our local OSPCA . They seemed at the time to only have small dogs, poodle and beagle types. Ok now I knew I wanted to adopt a dog, and I wanted a medium to large dog...and with short to medium hair...and a female, who's good with cats and kids...and is no older than 2.

Sigh...would I ever find my perfect dog? I knew in the back of my mind I was really looking for a younger version of Brandy. I even found myself lurking around the Petfinder site. Then I started emailing the shelters about this dog and that (not surprisingly many of the dogs I looked at resembled Brandy.) Nothing really panned out as many of them required a fenced in yard for the hound type dogs. We have a huge yard, but not fenced in (it will be soon).

Now I honestly can't think why the idea came to me to look into greyhound adoption. They are so dissimilar from Brandy that it is a breed I never considered. But they are hounds, and largish, and shorthaired, and most are good with children and cats. Even though I had wanted a mutt, I found out there were thousands of greyhounds that needed adoptive homes after their time was up on the track. Was a greyhound the dog for me?

To be continued...

Saying goodbye to Brandy

It has taken me awhile to get around to this post as it is not something easily talked or written about. My family had to say goodbye to our beloved dog, Brandy, on July 10th.

My husband and others think I kept her alive too long, I think she did not live long enough, but in the end, on that last morning, she gave me a gift. She seemed content, she wanted to go for a walk to the park (she had been too sick to want to walk anywhere that last week). She rolled in the grass even putting her paw over her face like she did on so many occasions when she was feeling frisky. She did not cough that horrible cough of trying to get the fluid out of her lungs. Not that morning. I took as many photos of her in the morning light as time allowed. The only other family member I could convince to be with me was my youngest daughter, and I am grateful to her for being there for me while the clock ticked it's way to the dreaded appointment of 9:15 am. She wouldn't go to the vet's office but that was ok, that was something I needed to do alone.

I don't think I can write anymore about the end. As any of you know who have been there with a pet at that time, as you feel their life slip quietly away, it is one of the most difficult things to do, even if you are doing it for all the right reasons.

So thank you to Brandy, for giving us 7 beautiful years, I wish I had twice that time with you. Thank you to Pine Grove Veterinarian for taking care of her over the years, and for making the end so peaceful. Thank you to the Orillia OSPCA for bringing her into our lives, and especially Lori who has worked there for years, and convinced me a 4 year old dog was the perfect one to adopt. (I was back at the shelter the other day and chatted with her again, putting out feelers for another dog in my future...maybe...some day...).

Of course I also have to thank the bastards who mistreated her in her early years and messed her up so much, the ones who made her cower at first when we told her to "come". The ones who made her terrified of loud noises, fly swatters, brooms, etc. I do thank you for giving her up (and the second family who also returned her because she wouldn't come to you either when you let her loose). If either of you had had the patience to stick it out with her, train her, love her, we would not have been able to adopt her. Your loss....

We will never forget you Brandy.

You can see a slideshow of Brandy's life HERE . These are not the photos of a photographer, just the moment's captured by a smitten dog owner. (Sorry I'm not clever enough to add a soundtrack... but if you play Sarah McLachlan's "I Will Remember You" in the background, that would be my choice.

Evening Shoot

Last Sunday was too beautiful an evening to pass up for a photo shoot, even though I had just arrived home from a clinic.
I made quick arrangements with a girl I had been trying to get together with, and 15 minutes later I was out the door to her farm.
Healthy, shiny horses, beautiful sunny evening, and a very nice property as a backdrop are, for me, the ingredients to a great shoot, not to mention an amiable owner who puts up with my short attention span ("shiny object syndrome" my friend Judi calls it).

Penetang stroll

As I was getting restless camera syndrome (not enough time with my camera lately) so I decided to take it with me on my weekly excursion to Penetang when I drive with my daughter there for volleyball practices.

Though I did snap a few photos of the practice, my real intention was to wander around the newly discovered town (this was really the first time I've seen it in daylight with cancelled practices and daylight savings time switching over, etc.).

I strolled around the waterfront and docks, then through a park where I photographed some beautiful flowers in the evening light, red winged blackbirds claiming their spot noisily around a pond, and a nice woman and her son who obligingly let me photograph their beautiful dog, Dakota. Dakota seemed to take a liking to me as I'm sure he recognized a lover of all things furred... After a few scratches and pats and proclamations about how beautiful he was, I became the chosen one to throw his beloved red ball. I hope his owner checks in with me!

Cheers!

Happy Mother's Day!

As I look out my window on this Mother's Day I see a beautiful spring day; blue sky, young bright green leaves cover our maple trees, and the lawns are healthy and green. Unfortunately the temperature doesn't match this day as it's only around 8c...brrrr! I will take this day as a gift though, as we were supposed to have rain and possibly thunderstorms! I am thankful for our guest from California on his last day here that at least he gets one more day of sunshine for his visit.

So enjoy this day, and to my Mom in P.E.I., Happy Mother's Day! Miss you, love you, and thanks for having me ;o)

March is still Winter Apparently

I think I have photographed more horses this winter than ever before! I know we are all looking forward to spring but as a photographer you have to make the best of the seasons. So please enjoy this photo selection of "fuzzy" horses from a recent visit to Fina Vista Paso Finos. Thanks Camilla! ;o)

Merry Christmas!

I know...2 posts in one week...it must be the miracle of Christmas!


I am trying to leave my computer and go to bed, my hands are throbbing from scrubbing my cupboards all day. My contacts are dried to my eyeballs, and my trick back is causing me grief.


Hopefully my house will be ready for the big family dinner tomorrow night, and there might even be food on the table. Mother nature is going to get a swift kick to the backside if tomorrow's storm cancels my party though.

The girls will be in high spirits as school will be forgotten till January. Brandy the dog will be out of sorts that her peaceful existence has been disturbed. Kenzie the cat will act as usual, like the crowd should part as he makes his way through the party. He will be prepared to snatch food off an unguarded plate. Cleo will disappear like magic for the first hour, possibly the whole night, but may be tempted to come out of hiding so she can stretch out before the fireplace, one of her favourite things to do.

Speaking of Cleo, I decided she was as pretty as a Christmas card in this photo, and thanks to the wonders of Photoshop, that is what it became.

Merry Christmas all!
Peace, Joy, Good Health, & Prosperity in the New Year!

2009 Horse Calendar!

The year is drawing to a close and 2009 is around the corner. What better way to keep track of your life than to look at at a different beautiful horse every month on the pages of my 2009 "Horse of Ontario" calendar. To order your copy check out my calendar page. I have only printed a very limited quantity so don't wait too long or they will be gone.

My cover this year features the beautiful foal, Wicket, from Back of Beyond Equine Centre .

Many other breeds are featured such as Arabians, Thoroughbreds, Friesian, Paint, Paso Fino and more.

Thank you for all your support in 2008 and I look forward to photographing your horses in 2009!

Happy Holidays!

"30 Days Hath September..."

Yes I still have to say that rhyme in my head to know whether this is the last day of the month or not. Where, oh where did summer go?! I don't know for sure but as always it was quickly swallowed up by September, which, btw, is my favourite month.

The bugs mostly go away, the cool nights make it heavenly to sleep with the bedroom window open. The kids go back to school and sports, and a routine is set up once more. This is all well and good but the icing on the September cake for me is the changing colour of the leaves. The brilliant reds, oranges and yellows against a vibrant blue September sky never cease to leave me wonderstruck!! Seriously....picture me, standing in my driveway, staring up towards the top of one the big maple trees in my yard, on a clear bright day, with a huge smile glued to my face....yup, that's how September is for me.

Gosh...I didn't even mention horses did I!? Ok I'll say this, I am starting to book shoots for the upcoming weeks. The official "I have to get my horse photographed with a backdrop of the beautiful fall colours" rush is on folks! Don't wait! Or the colour will be gone in the blink of an eye!

Happy Fall!

2008 Foals

The highlight of spring and early summer as a horse photographer is photographing a new crop of foals at some of the farms I visit. Capturing their fuzzy manes and tails, gangly legs, big liquid eyes, and their simple joy and spirit at being alive is just about the most fun I get to have as a photographer. Here are a few shots from the past month or so.
Two of the beautiful new foals at Fina Vista Paso Finos, both equally stunning. Viggo (he's their Golden Boy after all...just what they ordered) is a beautiful palomino colt out of the red chestnut mare, Pia (sire is a Cremello stallion which guaranteed a palomino). Paloma an equally gorgeous filly, whose colour is something I've never seen, silvery with a darker blanket along her back. Perhaps she'll be a buckskin?

My sister and I had the pleasure of meeting and working with the owners and horses of Back of Beyond Farm in Huntsville, Ontario. Their hunter pony foal, Wicket , absolutely stole my heart. As I was eyeing the trunk of my Ford Station wagon, wondering if they'd notice him gone when I left, I decided his ever watchful mommy would miss him very much, as well as his human mom, Cathy Foyston...so alas, I left empty handed... ;o)

Happy Father's Day

To all the Fathers out there, enjoy this day and I hope you get to spend some special moments with your children, even if it's just on the phone.

Happy Father's Day Dad!

RCMP Musical Ride

It was with great delight that my family (minus one non-horsey daughter, plus one horsey friend of my other daughter's, plus my sister, who like me, is always up for a day spent near horses!) attended the RCMP Musical Ride at the Oro World Fairgrounds. Sorry I have to snicker at the name....if you've ever been to the fairgrounds, you'll know that whoever chose that name ("World") was very ambitious indeed ;o) Just jesting...it's a lovely place...really!

Their was other entertainment before the RCMP came on; the OPP were there with their police dogs doing some awesome demos. The Horse Haven Drill Team (I am one of their sponsors) also put on a wonderful performance, as well as some gamers and their horses did some demonstrations.

Some of my favourite photo ops came before the RCMP came on, when they were warming up in a back field with a beautiful backdrop of green, the sun shining, and my new Canon 40D working it's magic! If you'd like to see more images from this day, visit my flickr site.