thank Dog. photography » fun, artistic, modern pet portraits | Dallas,Texas

bear day

Bear turned 8 years old a few days ago.  Eight.  I don’t know why, but eight seems a lot older than seven to me, and I’m trying not to freak out about the idea of my boy getting old.  It’s probably not helping that he’s getting a little stiff and is likely going to have to start arthritis meds soon.  I keep telling him that he’s not allowed to get old on me.

I have a tradition with the dogs for their birthdays (well, technically not Birdie since she hasn’t had a birthday yet – but it will continue with her).  I don’t do anything over the top or too too crazy.  I just make one day all about the birthday pup… solo outing, special treat, etc.  For Bear’s birthday this year, I took him out on a little adventure – just me and him.  We went hiking, and as usual, I brought my camera along.  [See the most recent Belle Day here.]

When I know there’s nobody else around, I’ll drop the leash a bit so he can explore and I can get some shots of him.  He’ll trot off a bit….

realize he no longer hears my footsteps behind him…

and come trotting right back to me.

It means that I get a lot of butt shots of my boy when we’re out and about.  Oh well – at least it’s a cute butt.  He can and will begrudgingly hold a stay (for a little while, at least), but since it was his day, I didn’t make him.

More Bear butt.

Then we came home and took a glamour/mug shot. Bear can look so… bored? in photos, but while he is on the more serious side (he takes his job as protector very seriously), he’s really a sweet, friendly, happy boy with occasional goofy moments.  You can most often find him curled up on the sofa, with this head resting against my leg, or sighly deeply over the Birdie’s ridiculous puppy antics.

After his glamour/mug shot, we moved out to the front porch, where Bear did what he does. Hanging out, but keeping a watchful eye.

He has the best doggy lips…

even if they do sometimes get caught a bit.

Then he dozed a bit when he figured out the coast is clear and I had no treats on me.

Usually on Bear Day, he gets a special treat from Lucky Dog or the like, but since everybody in the house over 40 pounds is on a diet this year, we opted for a new antler.  First he had to check on Belle watching from the door, and then to survey the rest of the neighborhood…

Before settling down to pose with his new treat.

Of course, Birdie has since stolen the antler.  Oh well – if it keeps her occupied, it’s probably an even more precious gift to him.  Happy birthday to (my) world’s greatest dog!

Beth - Happy Birthday to Bear! Looks like he had a great day. I LOVE his ears!

Briana - Happy birthday, sweet Bear! He has the greatest ears ever! He does look bored in that pic, and British! LOL <3

Merry Christmas!

thank Dog. photography wishes everyone a happy holidays!!

Beth - That photo brought a huge smile to my face! Happy New Year!

Sara - I LOVE THIS HAT! Can I ask where you got it?

Debbie - Sara – I got it several years ago, but I think it was from Target.

for the early birds

border collie | dallas dog photography

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my girl’s 6

Belle and I finally had our solo adventure for her 6th birthday this past weekend (only 2 months late).  She’s my water dog so we went… to water.  She’s easy enough to please – find her some water and a good stick and she’s happy as a clam.  [I’m actually planning on taking her out to try dock diving soon — though I’m not sure if she’ll actually dive.]thank Dog. photography | dallas txthank Dog. photography | dallas, txthank Dog. photography | dallas, txthank Dog. photography | dallas, txthank Dog. photography | dallas, txthank Dog. photography | dallas, txthank Dog. photography | dallas, txthank Dog. photography | dallas, txthank Dog. photography | dallas, txthank Dog. photography | dallas, txthank Dog. photography | dallas, txthank Dog. photography | dallas, txWe came home, and Belle took a long nap.  When she finally awoke, she freaked me out by limping pretty significantly.  (I’ve been convinced she’s going to blow a knee out and thought maybe I shouldn’t take her to the creek as parts are slippery and she crashes around.)  I spent several hours massaging her various joints, googling cruciate tear diagnosis tips, etc.  I wasn’t feeling or finding anything and she wasn’t bothered at all by my manipulations so I decided to wait and see how she was the next day.  Turned out to be the right choice as she’s fine and limp-free.  I’m thinking she may have just figured out a way to get me to give her long, good massages – she is a pretty savvy girl after all.thank Dog. photography | dallas, txthank Dog. photography | dallas, txthank Dog. photography | dallas, tx

Happy belated birthday, Momma!

Ginger Allen - What a great birthday gift for Belle~!!! She looked throughly enthralled and acted like she was in jubilee heaven~!!!

David Heidle - is this at Spring Creek Preserve? Great location and shots!

Debbie - We were at Turtle Creek. But now I need to check out Spring Creek!

Anissa - Happy late b-day big girl! 🙂

bear day » thank Dog. photography - […] I have a tradition with the dogs for their birthdays (well, technically not Birdie since she hasn’t had a birthday yet – but it will continue with her).  I don’t do anything over the top or too too crazy.  I just make one day all about the birthday pup… solo outing, special treat, etc.  For Bear’s birthday this year, I took him out on a little adventure – just me and him.  We went hiking, and as usual, I brought my camera along.  [See the most recent Belle Day here.] […]

an update on birdie

So… Birdie.  The Bird.  Bird-Dog. Bunny.

She started kindergarten (finally).  I wouldn’t say she’s the best in her class, but she’s doing okay.  The class is fine – I disagree with some parts, but it’s fine for puppy school.  I’m largely taking the class for the socialization aspect – after this, I plan on taking her elsewhere probably for beginner basic agility training.  Of course, the socialization is something Birdie is a bit too interested in.  Loose leash walking through a crowd of people and other puppies is pretty much both her dream and nightmare (“YAY! such fun! people, OMG!, puppies, OMG!!!, but wait, you want me to ignore them?!??! I want to – no, HAVE TO – meet them!  plus, look at them, they’re scattered willy-nilly all over the place, not neatly gathered into a corner, with my help!”).  My poor, little ADD puppy.

She’s still a little monkey turd.  I swear she’s deliberately choosing not to be completely housebroken.  She taunts me – doing so well that I think she’s *finally* got it – but then she’ll go and prove me wrong. Though sometimes I think she poops in the house just so she can have a snack.  Yep, she’s a poop eater!  So lovely – particularly since I often discover she’s gone in the house when she comes running up to me and tries to give me kisses with poopy mouth.  (I bet all of you want to meet her now, don’t you?!?!)  She’s SO LUCKY she’s so damn cute and charming.  Yes, she’s VERY charming.  It’s hard not to be smile at the sheer joy and enthusiasm she projects.thank Dog. photography | dallas, tx

But, enough about the trivialities… Miss Bird had a seizure the other day.  Actually, she’s had two that I know of.  The first was in class – it lasted maybe 3-4 seconds.  I wasn’t sure what it was – it wasn’t a grand mal seizure so she didn’t stiffen up and fully convulse like you typically think. I thought/hoped it was just her weirding out – so I didn’t really worry about it.  But, a few days ago, she was snuggled up to me in bed when she suddenly pulled away and stumbled toward the edge of the bed.  She had her head cocked fairly dramatically to the side, and was snapping at the air.  I called to her but she seemed oblivious to me, and she peed a little.  The whole episode again lasted only a few seconds (this time maybe 6-7), but it was enough for me to know that something wasn’t right.  These episodes weren’t just weird-outs. So, I called the vet (and then spent the time before our appointment googling – rarely a good idea when it comes to medical issues).  Based on my description, the vet confirmed it sounded like a small seizure.  It might be epilepsy – but it might not be as there are a number of things that can cause seizures, some scarier than others.  Blood was drawn – though, as predicted, everything looked normal.  Apart from the seizures, she looks and acts perfectly healthy.   My vet has a call in to a canine neurologist to check that there isn’t something he’s not thinking of that he should check for.

For now, we just watch and wait.  She could grow out of it.  If she doesn’t and continues to seize, well, my credit cards will likely end up even more maxed out than they currently are as the cause is determined (if possible).

Ginger Allen - Ah, I love following lil’Miss Birdie, as well as all of your canine creatures, and praying all things turn out for the good with Birdie’s seizures. I have a mini schnauzer, Daisy, not quite a year old that needs kindergarten badly. She’s my baby so I let her off the hook to many times, maybe it’s me who needs classes. Well, do know I will keep you, Birdie and the rest of you in my prayers~! God bless the DOGS~!!

debbie - Thanks, Ginger. I think all puppy training is really training us (and I, too, let my dogs get away with way too much!).

Paige Ann - She is so stinkin cute!!! I know how that works against us. 🙂 Miss Birdie is in our thoughts here. Hoping it is nothing too serious or that she will grow out of the seizures.

Beth - She’s so cute! I hope her seizures turn out to be nothing too serious!

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