Hank and Laika

Hank is the puppy and Laika is the big girl.
They belong to my sister Sara and her boyfriend Scott. 
I just met Hank last weekend for the first time and he is super adorable. 

Absorb the cuteness:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photographing dogs is the best.  Expect to see a lot more of it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dog days of summer

In the last 3 weeks, Lila has slowly been let off her leash while being outside and has been doing so well!  I do not let her off the leash at my place since I live in such a well traveled area.  Only at Breandan's since his place is far enough off the road and there is plenty of room to let Lila and Bentley run around together.  I am excited to take more photos of the two of them playing outside because I love the action shots! 

Bentley is definitely faster than Lila so a lot of times he gets to the toy quicker when it's thrown, but Lila can hold her own and is perfectly content just to be able to have the freedom to run and play.  A couple of times she has run over to the neighbor's porch and we've had to call for her.  But she comes back, and usually has a toy she's stolen from their dog.  It's pretty amusing.  Last weekend I thought she had run off into the woods or something, and for a moment I freaked out.  Really she was just at the neighbor's house scavenging for a new toy to steal.  She's a mess.

On a side note, blogging is back!  I've missed it and frankly just haven't made the time.  But now that we have warm weather back, and Lila has more "off leash" freedom, I think that is helping me get back into the groove.  It is already shaping up as a pretty busy summer...per the usual I guess!  I just need to make sure that my camera is with me.  Lots of great things on the horizon!

Here are a couple shots I recently took of the pups:

 

 

 

 

Happy New Year

My last post was 9/30/12.  Shameful.  Sort of reminds me of what someone says when they walk into a confession booth. I'm not even Catholic.

Anyway, I remember when it was the year 2000.  It was so strange having to write 2000 after only ever writing 19** your whole life.  Yet here we are, already at 2013?  Time flies. 

I don't typically make resolutions and I'm not doing anything differently this time.  However, I will be striving for improvements with some things.  Some things that don't necessarily have to be listed out here, but otherwise, the usual.  Focus on health, my passions, be a good person......be present.  I often have a tendency to think too much, and sometimes get too wrapped up in "what if".  At least I recognize it.  Now to just refocus the energies.  I can do it.

Other than that, 2012 was pretty great to say the least.  The official ending of some chapters (thank you God!), and beginning of other pretty amazing chapters (again, thank you God!).  With a few hours left in the year, I thought it might be a fun idea to share a few photos of things that happened in the last 365 days:

Friends had babies.

Sammy

 

Mateo

 

I flew alone for the first time (to Germany!) and spent time there with my cousin Kate.  It was a once in a lifetime opportunity and I'm most thankful to have done it.  I may never be in this spot again.....but then again.....who knows, right?

 

I finally got myself to the local sunflower fields after years of forgetting, bad timing, or whatever.  I'm glad I did it this year.

 

 

Unexpectedly met the most wonderful person who has made me feel like every love song was written by him for me.  The highlight of 2012 and really, my life.  Thank you, Breandan.  You are my person.

 

Even our dogs fell in love.

 

Took a trip to the beach with Breandan and got up to watch the sunrise.

 

 

Photographed for one last time, the corner where 34 years of memories reside for me.  Next time I go to Ocean City, it won't be my dad's place.  It'll be the beginning of someone else's adventure.  Bittersweet, but I'm thankful my dad can now enjoy the fruits of his labor and finally take time for himself.  Tears fell as I hugged my dad in the office that day. 

It was the very last time I would in fact, stand inside of Anderson's Exxon. 

  

Thanksgiving brought some reunions within my family that I am happy to have witnessed.

 

 

Thanks to God for these blessings and so many others.  Another year gone by but like a fine wine, we are just getting better with age.  Appreciate the blessings in your life and happy new year all year through!

 

Peace and love.

 

 



 

 

 



 









My dog is cooler than yours

It's a chilly Sunday morning here and it looked like Lila was in need of some warmth.  So I broke out the Hello Kitty blanket.  It used to be mine but once it became a little tattered, Lila inherited it. 

I should mention that no dog has ever made me laugh so much out loud like she does.  If you have heard someone say dogs are just people with fur coats it's totally true.  Lila has the neatest quirks and while sometimes she drives me nuts, I would be so lonely without her! 

Back to the blanket....so, I tell her to sit on her bed which she does, and I position the blanket on her.  She will pretty much stay where and when I tell her to and allow me to take a picture.  If I send Christmas cards this year, those on my list will probably open the envelope to see Lila donning some sort of holiday accessory while sitting pretty for my Nikon.

So here she is with a casually draped fleece blanket.  Since I took the photo, she has dragged the blanket to the middle of the living room floor and brought along a few Ugg boots for snuggling purposes.

This.....is why my dog is cooler than yours.

Dog days

Lila in her element - with a shoe.  It's the simple things.

Barnaby

This is Barnaby.  He belongs to my friend Ben.  We went to a local trail and walked him one day and the trail was pretty muddy which was unexpected.  It wasn't earth shattering, but you can see some mud on Barnaby's lower half.  He is also sporting some wicked drool.  Both sides, not just one.  Awesome.

I took a bunch of photos on the walk but that was one of my favorites.  Probably because Barnaby actually sat and posed for it.  Many other shots I tried to take I was just a split second too slow.  I also was fond of this one (which was right before he ferociously shredded the dry grass you see in the background) ..

Furbabies are the best.

It's almost Wilco time

I've been stalking Wilco set lists.  I also put my request in for tomorrow's show.  There is a link on their tour section of the website for you to request a song.  It only lets you do it once, but this nice message comes up after you have made your selection..

Wilco loves me!

This morning my friend Michelle and I went to Zeke's Coffee , a local coffee spot, to replenish our bean supply.  It was my first time actually in the store and it was a nifty little space.  There was a friendly and knowledgable dude who gave us a few samplings which was nice.  The coffee is more expensive than your average (about $14/pound) but well worth it.  I recommend.

Since I cannot take my Nikon into the Wilco show tomorrow, my boss was kind enough to lend me his camera which will fit in my pocket.  So the photos here were taken with that rather than my usual camera.  Not bad for a super tiny point and shoot.  I am pleased that it has manual settings.  

After Zeke's,  I spent some time at Michelle and CJ's place testing out my borrowed camera on their cat Hunter.  I am not a cat person, but Hunter is my exception to that rule.  I like the fact that he plays fetch.  He's also a good looking little guy.  Every time I was about to snap the shot, he would move.  So I figured out that if I shimmied the wrist strap on the camera around like a toy, he would be much more alert and looking in my direction.  Take note that his left paw is slightly elevated because he's about to swat at the strap:

 Finally, since I am in "anticipation of rocking my face off with Jeff Tweedy and Co. tomorrow" mode, I thought this shot was appropriate..

Stay tuned for Wilco photos!  I have never been close enough to even attempt photos at any prior Wilco shows.  I have a pit ticket for tomorrow.  Fingers crossed! 

Pets and a guitar

My friend Nikki recently moved into a new place so I went to visit her and check out the new spot.  It's a very quaint space with lots of great light!  Immediately I thought of the photo opps upon seeing the 3 big windows with the sun coming in.  I am certain this won't be the last time I take my camera there. 

Nikki's pets were pretty cooperative for me.  Although her dog Snuffles was more comfortable on his warm spot on the sofa rather than in that window.  This was evident when I asked her to sit Snuffles up on the ledge so I could snap a few shots.  He gave me that look like, "ok.  you officially suck."  But he got over it and before long he was snuggled up on me while I scratched his belly. 

Here are just a few images from my visit:

Snuffles

Mr. Kitty on the window ledge

Nikki's guitar - I've always loved photographing musical instruments

Lila

This is my dog Lila. 
She was adopted from the Humane Society in March 2009. 
She loves everybody, is super playful, and has no idea how strong she is. 
Her favorite thing to do is collect shoes.  Seriously.
She hoards them and snuggles with them.  Anyone's shoes.  I'm not even kidding.
You take off your shoe, she will come over, pick it up, take it back to her bed, drop it, and cuddle up with it. 

Shoe obsessed, loves to eat, sleep, get exercise and go for long walks.
Yup.  Definitely my dog :)