It was bound to happen…as the economy spirals down, more people losing their homes, cannot afford the rising cost of food at the local grocery stores…let alone afford to put gas in their cars to get to and from work…how does one afford the rising cost of veterinarian care, food, grooming and training for their beloved furry friends?

Sadly….many are choosing to bring their furry friends to the local shelters. While the economy has effected my business…my dogs are my family and the thought of bringing them to the local shelters is not an option. Many of the local vet clinics have not yet embraced telling their clients that the need for most of the yearly vaccinations is just an added expense and totally unnecessary. Of course your furry friends must have yearly heart-worm, depending on your county laws will determine if you can do yearly rabies or the more popular three year vaccination. Also, it all depends on where you live….tick infestation, etc. for the types of vaccination that will be required. Feed the best food you can afford, groom your dogs yourself. Yep, just that easy….they do not have to win any dog shows, just clean and short!

I am always amazed at the fact so many cannot groom their own dogs, all dogs can be taught to stay for handling. Sadly, we have gotten away from basic “husbandry” Skill mindset when it comes to our furry friends….that in the end can be more costly for the animal then the humans. Not all shelters and local pounds are no kill, meaning from the moment you drop your beloved furry friend off they are literally on death row. The amount of dogs killed on a daily basis when the economy is good… is staggering….I can only imagine how over taxed the no kill shelters will be along with the sheer number of animals that will be killed due to our failing economy.For those thinking they cannot afford their pets, think long and hard at what you can do to keep them with you for as long as possible. Training is just a book away, visit your local library….I am also sure you can probably find something on dog grooming. Also, lots of free info on the Internet about training and how to groom your dogs….trimming the nails is not as scary as most seem to think. If not walking your dogs on surfaces that will ensure the nails stay neat and trim, then they must be trimmed… for allowing them to remain long will do harm to the animals as they age in the form of arthritic ailments. Please be aware that in some areas, vaccination clinics are offered throughout the year where you would not have to pay for a vet visit, the vaccinations are less costly…as is usually the spay and neuter programs.

Yesterday, an individual asked me this question “If I had no other option, which dog would I have put to sleep”….this was a question that I flat out said was not to be taken serious. Now…if something were to happen to me of course…..then these animals are at serious risk and this I have thought about….as should everyone. The more appropriate question should have been….if I had no other choice, which dog would I do my best to place in an appropriate environment. The answer is Rocky the Golden. He is the most stable, even tempered dog in the pack. I am pretty sure no one would want Niki or Gemma….both are very loving to their people, although fearful, they would require a long adjustment period….they are a bit of work, especially Niki. Still, I would do my very best to not have to break up the pack. If that meant forgoing vet care for a while, that would be an option, not the best one mind you and not one I am recommending….just being honest and stating I would do whatever I could to keep my dogs. One would think I was being selfish, not at all. If the economy woes were to increase it would not just be for me and I doubt that I could even afford to seek medical care for myself let alone my dogs.

Yesterday found me bathing the puppies. They needed it, along with the fact on Sunday and Monday all three started scratching.  I brushed all on Monday and flea combed them….yes indeed…a couple of the little buggers found.

They are brushed just about on a daily basis….I periodically use a flea comb at the end of the brushing….just to make sure nothing is hiding. Saturday there was not a flea found, nor an itchy dog. What a difference a few days makes. Doggie tub set up in the yard and one after the other they were bathed. I vacuum on a daily basis….did an extra special job of it as just about everything was moved….what could be pulled apart was. All doggie beds washed and dried. I opted to get rid of all carpets several years ago….the fact that when you have dogs, well just having tile is so much easier to keep clean…especially when it rains.

So…finding the flea treatments are NOT working this year. I cannot get half way through the month before I am finding more on the dogs.  While I dislike these buggers, once knowing their life cycle one realizes just how difficult they are to remove from the environment. You must have in your arsenal of sprays, powders something for each  the fleas life cycle. Since I am in the SE we are already several months into flea season  and I am now opting to fore-go the monthly topical treatment for this is the second year in a row I have found it to not be working. The dogs heart worm pill is also a monthly birth control for the fleas…so besides that and the treatment of the environment Back to basics….flea combing (dipping the comb into a glass of warm sudsy water) and weekly to bi weekly baths….homemade spray of water, white vinegar, lavender oil, cedar wood oil to be used a few times a day. I have noticed an increase in ants as well, they are every where so it just must be a buggy year!

The elusive Blue-jay!!! They emit a hawk like squawk, always wonder if they are trying to get the other birds to fly away from the feeders! Does not seem to work for when the hawk is around the birds know it!

Today was supposed to be a no PC, camera, no painting…no web site day…Not! In the end worked a little….and of course the birds….I was ever so determined to get an image of the Blue-jay….did too. Not the best image for he did not fly up to the tree for me to get him in a more appropiate setting, so this will have to do for now. Also posting one of ours students painting…. Class 1 of Digitally Painting Animals (created in Corel Painter). Niki never looked so good, well done Deb!!!!For more information on Paw Prints on-line courses visit: Digitally Painting Animals. New Classes starting in May.

Male Cardinal striking a pose.

Male Downy Woodpecker (only the males have the red on their heads)

Male & female Cardinals, Male and Female Mourning Doves

 Lately I find myself doing 100 things at once….several paintings, getting the forum up and running….yippee….it is now open to students. Finally, a place to upload their work in one location….maintaining the web site and blog. Of Course, Mothers Day deadline has come and gone so know that gift certificates available up until the very last minute. Oh….I have not forgotten about the big Print Giveaway….it is really coming….soon.

With the warmer weather I longingly want to be outside, as do the dogs. Yesterday I decided to take a little break….we go out….dogs, treats, some bird seed and camera. We Play, do Niki’s PT and then put out some fresh bird seed. I have been trying to photograph a few of the blue jays that have been visiting our feeder throughout the day. Then do a little bird watching….Blue-jays would fly over head and just pass right over us….nope they were not going to visit with me and the dogs sitting there, they are not as brave as our other feathered friends. Place the dogs inside for a little while….find a better location where I was not as noticeable….of course that  meant my lens could just not capture what I wanted. So…the blue-jays are now called the elusive blue-jays….as I type I can see two of them feeding away at the feeders….they know what they are doing!!! Make sure that no-matter how busy…take some time for yourself, and of course your furry friends.

The Nikon D300 is a wonderful camera but I must share with you…in low light situation lots of noise….or I should say I am comparing it to my Fuji S2 pro. One of the images I am posting today, sadly the birds were just too far away for my lens….but I just had to have it….so cropping, not the best lighting and well lots of technical things wrong with the image. One of these days I will just have to break down and purchase a lens that can capture my feathered friends from a distance.

Contact Dee to Commission work or to schedule a photography session.

Yesterday, after dinner was started Niki and I decided to do a little bird watching.  As you can see by viewing the photograph of Nik-Nak…it is very relaxing. I, of course had my camera with me and managed a few shots. While we have many types of birds that visit our feeders, we have a large amount of cardinal’s.  While sitting I noticed with the arrival of Spring, many of the birds are just a bit more territorial then usual. They were so busy chasing each other away…did not mind us watching though….they too did a little dog and people watching!

All photographs were taken with a Nikon d300, Sigma 70-200 zoom lens.

Contact Dee to Commission work or to schedule a photography session.

I always wonder just what they are thinking and doing….maybe a little People Watching

I have been missing in action….not feeling 100%….so taking a little break from the world….when the weather is nice….you will find the pack and me out back doing a little bird watching….going for walks and just wanting to feel better….soon, I’ll be back real soon!!!!

Contact Dee to Commission work.

Time goes by so very quickly….Sammy and I are very old friends. He has been visiting me and my pack for many years now. Yesterday was Sammy’s 10th Birthday, he is spending it with me because his people are on vacation for two weeks. In celebration we did a few of his favorite things….went for a few walks, ran with Niki and Gemma and did a little bird watching, kept the squirrels away from the bird feeder. All in all….it was pretty good day. Happy Birthday Sammy

The above portrait was taken with a Nikon D300, 70-200….below, Nikon D300 with a sigma wide angle….birds Nikon D300, 70-200 lens.

** Our beloved furry friends are with us for such a short time, do not miss an opportunity to photograph (check our class schedule on How to take better photographs of out furry friends) or make an appointment with Dee to have your furry friend photographed, remember….February’s special savings is $25.00 off the sitting fee.

On the Prowl….

As I was sitting at the computer yesterday mid afternoon, I noticed one of the Cooper Hawks (there are several) putting on a display. S/he soared wings full span, then dived down would disappear before I could spot her again.Now, I was raised in the City and I am in no way what you would call an out doorsy kind of gal I always feel honored whenever I get the chance to see something like this….especially just looking out my own window. I have seen enough NG to know this hawk was busy hunting. My eyes flashed to “my birds”…the small enclosed area with which I feed the birds and thought they are in danger. Never one to loose an photo op, I grab the camera, attach the long lens and out I go.

I can see there were a good number of birds on the branches as I looked up and notice many of the black birds….all of which like to sing and tell a tale (pretty noisey when they flock together and they are always together)….nothing, no chips,, no songs…just quiet, still….very quiet for there to be that many birds…the quiet meant Danger, you could sense it, feel it…

My eyes were searching out the hawk for s/he must be very close….I was slowly removing the lens cap as I was taking a step off of my patio when all of a sudden all of the birds take off at the same time….there were many….the noise of their wings and the chirping at the same time startled me. There was the Hawk, just a few feet away….out of the bush and up and out of sight.   Not a good hunting day….still I had a good look around to see if any injured birds about before letting the dogs out.

Now….before anyone lectures me about nature….I am a tad bit protective of the birds that have chosen my yard to feed….especially that of the cardinals. They nest close by and I have in past years managed a few good close ups of the babies….they are raised knowing me the dogs and the camera. During the times they are feeding in my yard I feel responsible for their safety.

The dogs are great at chasing the neighbored cats away…..and if I see the hawk I will go out with camera and photograph them…they are lovely creatures. I find they do get annoyed with that. Noticed the word annoyed….I do not get the sense of fear when I am around…..it seems to me that when I am in a wild bird of prays presence they just really seem annoyed for I am a disruption to the other birds….I disrupt their hunting.

So why you wonder do I feed the birds knowing it can put them in harms way. Well….I cannot control the simple fact that some people who have cats allow them to roam….without any forethought of what their beloved pet can do to the bird population. Add to the fact that any roaming animals is an annoyance to most….yes, I have been told by cat people that their cat NEVER leaves their property…yep….if you could see me I AM rolling my eyes Cats are pets and should not be allowed to roam the street….nice to think that you cat stays right on your property….my neighbors think that as well. I have several photographs of their cats hanging out in my yard.

During the winter months the birds actually need the extra food for they burn so many calories just trying to stay warm….also…it just makes me smile watching them. As for the hawk….well that is part of nature. I can try to keep the birds safe by letting the dogs out…but that is the best I can do.

Over the years I really do not remember seeing so many of the hawks….and I do not remember them getting so close to humans. They have no where else to go I would suppose. My area is so very built up….behind my house it is like a little bird sanctuary for there is a creek. Especially now, during the drought….I have seen an increase in the birds feeding….no wonder an increase in the birds of prey. I wonder though, since so many birds of pray in this very small space just what effect it will have on my birds. Time will tell.

I will be going through my files to see if I can put together a few of the images of the Cooper Hawks and come up with a painting. My images are not the best for my lens is not long enough so I will have to do some research for the detail…..for I would want to paint those eyes…..truly amazing. I could always climb a tree and sit in wait…yep, me rolling my eyes again

Last night found me baking a Coconut Cream, Dream pie for Mike’s Birthday Cake/Pie (recipe follows). This morning after breakfast he wanted a slice….on the day of your Birthday you can do just about anything you want….so if after Breakfast you want your cake…pie in this case….have at it! During the cutting of the pie I happened to look out our window and noticed a hawk just sitting on the branch. Pretty windy here this morning and s/he was not even moving. What a sight. Of course….wrong lens…always the way….not to mention those with Rheumatoid Arthritis are not very flexible first thing…and my vision is not great especially early in the day so needed to depend on the AF…but all of those branches….still better to take a few shots then not. I felt very lucky to have had the opportunity to happen to get a glimpse of this magnificent creature (can you tell I was a city girl), right in my yard. Little blessing of the day.

Happy Birthday Michael!!!!                                      Rocky wanting just a tiny lick!

Coconut Cream/Dream Pie

Crust:
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tablespoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon kosher or Hawaiian salt, crushed
1/4 cup cold all-vegetable shortening, chilled and cut into small pieces
1/4 cup cold unsalted butter, chilled and cut into small pieces
1/4 cup cold water

Filling:
2 cups shredded coconut, divided
8 egg yolks
1 1/4 cups sugar (I did not use all this sugar, cut it down 1/2 cup…could have cut it back more for out taste). 2/3 cup cornstarch
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
2 1/2 cups milk
1 cup coconut cream
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
2 cups heavy whipping cream, divided
3 tablespoons confectioners’ sugar

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.Crust Preparation:
All ingredients should be cold. Combine all the dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Add shortening and butter. Using a pastry blender, cut in the shortening and butter until the mixture resembles course meal. Drop by drop, add the cold water. Mix in with the fingertips, not hands, as the palms will warm the dough. Continue mixing water in until the dough begins to hold together without being sticky but not crumbly. Lightly spray a deep 9-inch pie pan or 8 1/2-inch fluted flan pan. Roll out dough and place in pie pan. allowing the excess pastry to hang over the edge. Chill in the freezer for 10 minutes.
Line the pastry shell with parchment and baking beans or beads. Bake the shell for 10 minutes. Remove the paper and beans/beads and return to the oven for 10 more minutes. Cool. Makes pastry for 9-inch single-crust pie.

Filling Preparation:
Lightly toast 1 cup of shredded coconut in oven, about 7 minutes. Remove and cool. Set aside. Combine egg yolks and sugar. Beat with electric mixer until pale yellow and fluffy. Add cornstarch and melted butter. Blend well and set aside. Heat milk but do not boil. Stir in coconut cream. Gradually add egg and cornstarch mixture, stirring constantly over medium-low heat until filling begins to thicken. Add 1 teaspoon vanilla.
Remove filling from heat and let cool. In a mixing bowl, whisk or beat 1 cup of heavy cream on high until it begins to thicken and forms stiff peaks. Set aside. Strain cooled filling through fine mesh sieve to remove lumps. Fold in whipped cream and 1 cup of shredded coconut with pie filling and pour into prepared piecrust. Whisk or beat remaining heavy cream on high until it begins to thicken. Gradually add confectioners’ sugar and remaining teaspoon of vanilla. Continue until stiff peaks form. Fold in toasted coconut and spread over top of pie. Refrigerate until mixture has cooled and set.

Since the move to the new web site I have had little time to continue working on the site, so pardon our mess as we are still very much a works in progress. While I hired someone to put this site together. The rest is now up to me…and like everyone else, time is something I would love to have more of.

Several inquires as to just what the forum is for….I wanted a place where students can go to share, learn and upload images. It does not look like this in house forum will be staying as I see no way to allow students to upload images as does it appear to have privacy issues. I think I have found another forum that will link to the site and it will better suit our needs.

As to what On-line Courses will be offered for 2008:

• Photographing Animals 4 week course
• Digital Photography 6 week course
• Digitally Painting Animals 6 week course (includes Embellishing your prints).
• Dog Obedience Training 6 week course

In the next few weeks there will be a page added to the site explaining each course as will there be an option for you to enroll and pay online. There will be a student limit for each class, the reason being is having enrolled in several online classes myself great for the instructor if there are no student limit, not so great for the students. Students will have access to PDF files, videos, forum and for those that can attend…weekly live chats.