Anyway, Bear and I went on a little adventure today – just the two of us.  He is such a good boy, always has been, but I think the past couple years he’s become just about perfect.  It’s funny – Belle gets the most love from strangers (she’s so big and fluffy and pretty!), but among friends and family, Bear’s #1.  Sometimes ranking higher than their own dog.  He’s awesome.  He’s my shadow, my pillow, my foot warmer, my protector, my heart dog.

Despite being neutered very early in life, he’s still very much a boy.  Always putting his mark on things (outside only).  That pile of leaves are his now.  All his.

On a side note – I love this time of year.  The light’s soft (well, not really at midday when Bear and I went out – but it’s so nice and soft in the mornings and late afternoons).  And the temperature is infinitely better.  I know most people considering booking a session tend to want to wait for spring or summer, but I think the landscape is just as lovely this time of year.

My boy dog is the most handsome just the lopsided way he is.

I think he’s perfect.

To celebrate his birthday, Bear and I went to the lake for a little off-leash fun (sans Belle).

And then Belle and I went to pick up his presents from Lucky Dog Barkery… a special cupcake

and a new version of his favorite toy. Last year I gave him this birthday cake that plays “Happy Birthday” when squeezed — assuming he’d immediately tear off the candles and then rip the rest of the stuffing out like he always does. But no, he’s so gentle with it. He carries it around fairly often – whenever I tell him to go get his toy, he bypasses all the rest, searching out this one. It’s disgustingly filthy, but it still works so I haven’t tried to do any more than just sponge it to clean it (clearly hasn’t worked). I’m hoping the replacement can be seamlessly substituted in and be just as loved.

I’ve made him pinky swear he’ll be around for many many many more birthdays.

It’s been gorgeous this week so I decided to pack the dork and the doofus up and head to the creek in Garland where I shot Deigo.  They both LOVED it.  I took my camera and took a few shots — the photos are Belle-heavy but this is really her element (and she’s a natural-born model, easily manipulated by a stick).

Despite appearances, she’s not so crazy.  Just gets the crazy eyes.

I never get tired of watching them together.  Maybe it’s because Belle’s a turd with most other dogs, but their relationship makes smile.  They’re so different, but they L.O.V.E. each other.

Plenty of water spraying everywhere.

And one last parting, shot in black and white.

thank Dog. is going to be at several upcoming events — check the “events” tab on the left for details!