The above lovely portrait is what our students are learning to paint this week…interested? Class starts again in May. Visit our Paw Prints Studio Store to reserve your place in our on line class.

The other day was bath day….always fun. Once the warmer weather arrives bath time can occur outdoors…saves my poor aching back. The doggie tub (yep, they have their very own tub which is raised up off the ground and therefore I do not have to bend) was dragged out of the garage….hose was run from inside out the window so I could use luke warm water. Poor Niki had a few fleas….a true sign sprig has arrived.

After re-introducing the “evil” tub to the dogs….all are little skittish and since they have not seen the tub since last summer I thought it best if they practiced getting in and out….for treats of course. Bath time should be relaxing to a dog….it should not have to be a struggle….nor should grooming. Niki was first….brushing/comb and bath/ towel dry….then a nap in the sun. Gemma was up next….brushing/ comb, towel dry….then run around crazy until she too takes up next to Niki in the sun for a nice nap. Last….Rocky….brushing/ comb bath. Then he is force dried (doggie drier) for he has so much fur his under coat would never dry. I tend to brush my dogs almost on a daily basis. On those days I skip a day or two I reallllly kick myself for they mat very quickly….especially Rocky and Niki. Gemma is a low maintenance dog, however since the other two are getting attention she wants her fair share and will actually wait her turn. In other words….she wants to be groomed.

Niki, the smallest is actually the most work. She was before her accident and after now requires special handling. She is very sensitive to touch all along her spine (overly sensitive reflexes). After her spinal injury it seems the nerve endings are crossed wrong now. Her coat must be kept short due to sanitary reasons. She can at times drop her hind end, tail into her urine when she relieves herself….as do we still have to help her completely empty her bladder. Shaving her is also a bit tricky. Just running the clipper down her spine causes her to twitch, pull her hind legs up…I must be very careful. Because of this it can take me days….or weeks to fully groom her. We will do a little and then go back a few days later….poor thing, while she dislikes the process….when it is over she does strut her stuff. Yep, she is indeed a “hot dog!!!!

The photographs were taken early evening…all smelling so very clean….nice shiny coats. Soon after Rocky went and rolled in the red clay….yep, you gotta love a Golden! Be on the look out for those nasty critters….fleas and ticks. Images taken with a Nikon d300.

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.

 We simply adore our furry friends!

Sharing our lives with them is very beneficial. I know in my daily existence they get me away from the PC . We all know sitting in front of the PC for long durations is not very good for us! Working from home is also a bit lonely, you do not have the opportunity to see people….the dogs keep me very busy and saved me from a life of talking to myself….well OK, I still talk to myself but not as much

As with any relationship it does take a bit of work….due to the fact I have three dogs in my pack I must vacuum….allot. Also….mopping the floor is now one of my daily chores, not to mention the fact that I can never wear black again, only colors that hide the fur.  One MUST spend time with them…doing things they like to do….walks, ball tossing, only fair as they are always doing the things you like to do etc. As I have written so many times, you must also train them…they in turn do the same with you. If you think I am exaggerating just think about it….they tell you to feed them, they tell you to rub their butts, they shove toys in your face to get you to play with them…yes indeed, they train their human friends better then most humans I know train them!!!!

Sharing one’s life with a furry friend is a win/win situation and to be honest I cannot imagine my life with out them!

Storms rolling through the Atlanta area this afternoon. I noticed the sky darkening and heard thunder in the distance and grabbed the camera and headed out front. The last couple of days I have been meaning to photograph the apple tree, so lovely when the tree is heavy with blooms…and the smell is just simply delightful. To my surprise I noticed that a few of the tulips had bloomed as well, they are not on my property but rather my neighbors. Only managed a few shots, not the best light and storm was getting closer. If the storms are not too bad and there is anything left will try for a few more tomorrow.

Enjoy!

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

Just one of those days, so much work to do. About 4:00 look over at the dogs…pretty pitiful….so play time. Grab the camera before heading out. This is a nice little pack, they get along very nicely…although, as in all packs one always wants what the other has. I have watched little Niki go over to Rocky and growl to gt his stick or bone…Gemma and Rocky are a bit more subtle in that they do their best to distract, then steal what they want.

Each one has their most favorite game they like to play…Gemma loves chasing the others, as does she enjoy Frisbee…Rocky loves a tennis ball or two….Niki loves to play kick ball….and of course this involves me running and playing soccer with her. Nice to watch her play….the little dog that could. She can run, since she still has hind end issues due to the spinal injury… when she runs fast it is like a bunny….she hops…but fasssst. In a couple of the images above you will notice that both Gemma and Rocky enjoy resting their heads on Niki…she must be pretty comfy

When photographing your furry friends, do think about telling their story as opposed to just trying to get capture an image. The above is all about the pack, and how they get along and love to play. Only one was “posed” and that was the very first image….very tough on them for it was taken when we first went outside…they wanted to play soooo badly!!! Play, enjoy and get some great photographs.

Break over and back at it for me….I can think of no better way to spend my break times!

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.

The many signs of spring are popping up everywhere….birds singing in the Bradford Pear trees, as are there lots of buds and flowers. I fell in love with both the dogwood tress and Bradford Pear trees when we first arrived in Georgia. Due to the wet land, we could not get a dogwood to grow on our property. So, in went the Bradford Pears, what I did not know at the time was that the flowers smell….and not a very pleasant aroma at that. The trees beauty when blooming make the smell something to just ignore, it is only for a short time. This year just may be shorter then most for freezing rain and possible snow is in the forecast…so glad I took a few minutes to get a few shots late yesterday….even if I did not have enough time to enjoy due to the light fading. Last image is the daylilies popping up throughout the yard. All images taken with a Nikon D300, close up lens (without tripod….always best to use a tripod….especially if not steady).

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.

The color Red…

can be warm…hot…Fire.

Feelings and emotions of

Anger, Desire, Passion…Love…

All shades of Red.

Strength…our beating heart…

Joy, friendship…femininity… Courage…Longing…

All that can be conjured up by

The Color Red!

With the warmer temperatures this afternoon I was in the moood for photographing a few flowers. While spring is not yet here, I just happened to have a few flowers from Valentines day. Opened the blinds, placed the flowers on a dog crate near the light from the window and managed a few great shots. All images were taken with a Nikon D300 and a macro lens.

***As with all images and paintings found on the Paw Prints Studio Site, Images belong to Paw Prints Studio, INC. You may not borrow, use or place on other sites, print, etc. Most images and paintings are for sale, if interested just contact us.