Last weekend while the boys were working it at the tent, I wandered around a bit with my camera.  Though the Fair has an impressive midway, filled with games and rides, and a cholesteroltastic food alley (overheard:  ”this chicken fried bacon is good, but could really use some cream gravy”), I’m always partial to the animals.  I’m a born and bred Texan, but totally a city girl so I find the livestock and ranching areas fascinating.  Some pretty magnificent creatures.  Every year the large “petting zoo” type area has me yearning for a baby goat (so cute!).  Because it was the last weekend of the month-long Fair, the area was thinned out as some of the ranchers had headed home.  Even so, I watched a few minutes of sheep judging (actually judging the animals – just like a dog show) and a little cattle judging (I think it was a junior handler competition).  Anyway, I did a super quick and dirty edit on the photos – nothing spectacular, but an insight into a part of Texas I don’t often get to see or experience.

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Lastly, thank Dog. is going to be set up at the West Village Trot and Treat on Saturday.  It was a super fun event last year — come by and see us!

I’ve added 12 new designs this year (the last two years’ designs are also still available if you prefer – here and here).  As always, the card designs can be customized – mix and matching fronts, insides, backs; changing the color scheme; personalizing the message, etc.  I recommend first selecting the photos you’d like to use on the card, and then selecting a design that fits the images you’ve selected (for example, if you want to use a landscape-oriented photo, choosing a design with only portrait-oriented photos will end in tears, anguish and heartache… or maybe just slight frustration).

Set of 25 cards (with envelopes) are $75 (plus tax & shipping)

If/when you are ready to order cards, shoot me an email at debbie(at)thankdogphotography.com, and we’ll get the process started.  Orders must be placed by Thanksgiving to guarantee arrival in the first week of December.

Due to disgustingly brutal summer we just experienced, many sessions were postponed until the weather was more cooperative.  As a result, the next couple months are looking to be a very busy time for old thank Dog.  Therefore, if you’d like to schedule a session this fall – and especially if you are planning on ordering holiday cards – please contact me as soon as possible so I can get you on the calendar! (Regular session fees apply.)

So now, without further ado… the new designs….

This tree?  Less than four feet from those windows — you can see it in the photos of Bear’s stunt.

It’s driving me crazy (because it’s driving my crash-test-dummy dogs crazy), but I have to admit, the little dude is freaking adorable.

So I joined in on the puppy torment and went out and played with him.  SUPER friendly. And playful.

And maybe part kangaroo. (He found a leaf, and it was the best thing ever.)

What happens if you decide to stop playing before he’s ready for you to…

He’s grown up a bit since these photos were taken – but has found some neighborhood friends to hang with in my front yard.  He’s still friendly, but is sort of teenager-friendly now – only on his terms and only when his friends aren’t watching.

I hope everyone has an amazing 2011!

* Inspired by the insanely creative Robyn Pollman of Paperie Boutique and Buttons & Bows Photography.

Pick up a copy – or check out the online version here.

And a little behind the scenes — actually, it was just a typical shoot!  I went over and met Steven, his partner, and their crew of four girls.  Yep, four.  A sweet older chow mix, two terrier mixes, and a young rat terrier.  Prepare yourself for a loooong post!

First – Peyton.  She’s getting up there (she’s almost 12), but you’d never know.  The oldest and the biggest, Peyton’s the boss, but she’s more of a benevolent leader. Her gorgeous coat comes from hours of sunbathing on the deck.

Next up are the middle kids, Cleo and Cordy, both terrier mixes.  They are 9 and 8 respectively, and, believe it or not, Cleo is Cordy’s mom.  (Cleo’s the adorable little fuzzy brown, black and white girl; Cordy’s the elegant black girl with the Hepburn neck.)

And lastly, little Kendall, the 3 year old rat terrier.  While Cleo and Cordy are thought to be part terrier, there is absolutely no doubt that Kendall is all terrier.  She’s the little stinker of the family, with a personality about 1,000,000 times her size.

Thanks to Steven, his family and the Dallas Voice!!

Also – thank Dog. will be at a bunch of upcoming events — Walk Wag & Run this Saturday, the Barking Hound Village Howl-O-Ween parties in both Dallas and Austin next week, and the West Village Dog Trot & Treat next weekend (check the Events tab for more information).  Come by and visit!