Four Photogenic Dogs Looking for Homes

One of my favorite things to do is photograph shelter dogs and increase their visibility among potential adopters. My most recent photo shoot took place at the Washington Humane Society’s New York Avenue Shelter, where I met four absolutely happy, friendly, wonderful dogs...all looking for forever homes. In an effort to help them achieve this goal, I’d like to share some photos and information about them...in their own words.

Please share with friends and family in the Maryland/DC/Northern Virginia region. You'll be glad you did!


Hi, I'm Marshmallow! And just as my name suggests, I am a total softy. I am super social and love to be stroked and scratched. I also get along great with dogs. My favorite hobby? Hmm...giving kisses and showering my people with love. I am definitely a staff favorite and everyone just can't help but to love me. (What can I say? I'm a loveable guy.) I would love to go to a home with an active family to give me plenty of exercise and training.


Hi! I'm Mack! I'm a sweet one-year-old Shepherd/Corgi mix. I look like both breeds and I'm the best of both worlds. My previous family brought me here because they had no home. I bond really strongly with one or two people, but would be fine in a family with more, and although I’m not really a dog park kind of guy, I’d be fine living with another dog of the right match. I'd like to have some training to raise my confidence level and be the best dog I can.


My name is Carousel. I can be a little shy at first, but once I get to know you I’ll be your best friend...and will even share my toys (which I adore) with you. I like to be petted and hugs are great. I told Santa that all I wanted for Christmas was to be in my new home with a loving family; I guess he just ran out of that particular gift (there are so many dogs who want the same thing). Maybe I’ll be someone’s special canine Valentine!


Hey y’all! I'm Bonnie, an exuberant, one-of-a-kind Southern belle who loves life! Like Mack, I ended up in the shelter when my owners were forced to move from our home. I really miss them but am ready to share my love and joie de vivre with someone new. I LOVE people, and they love me too; when it comes to "loveability," I can give Marshmallow a run for his money. I get along well with other dogs but can be a little too pushy sometimes, so the canine kids at the local dog park may not want to play with me. I hope 2011 will be "my" year, complete with a warm, cozy bed, my own beautiful leash and collar, and a loving family to call my own.

I Rescued a Human Today

Another volunteer with the SPCA/Humane Society of Prince George's County shared the following. I don't know who originally wrote it, but it sure touched me and I just had to pass it on. And remember, the dogs below are just three of the many that would love to rescue you. Just walk down their corridors at the Prince George's County animal shelter; they're waiting.






I RESCUED A HUMAN TODAY

Her eyes met mine as she walked down the corridor peering apprehensively into the kennels. I felt her need instantly and knew I had to help .. I wagged my tail, not too exuberantly, so she wouldn't be afraid.

As she stopped at my kennel I blocked her view from a little accident I had in the back of my cage. I didn't want her to know that I hadn't been walked today. Sometimes the shelter keepers get too busy and I didn't want her to think poorly of them.

As she read my kennel card I hoped that she wouldn't feel sad about my past. I only have the future to look forward to and want to make a difference in someone's life.

She got down on her knees and made little kissy sounds at me. I shoved my shoulder and side of my head up against the bars to comfort her. Gentle fingertips caressed my neck; she was desperate for companionship.

A tear fell down her cheek and I raised my paw to assure her that all would be well Soon my kennel door opened and her smile was so bright that I instantly jumped into her arms. I would promise to keep her safe. I would promise to always be by her side. I would promise to do everything I could to see that radiant smile and sparkle in her eyes. I was so fortunate that she came down my corridor. So many more are out there who haven't walked the corridors. So many more to be saved. At least I could save one.

I rescued a human today.

Holiday Pet Pics: Creating Memories One Treat at a Time

Let's face it: taking holiday pet pictures can be a challenge. Unless your dog holds obedience awards for sitting, staying, or otherwise posing, you have to expect some chaos and frustration. The levels of both can rise exponentially with the number of extra animals you're working with.

I find that a pocketful of treats--not just plain old dry biscuits, but chewy, aromatic goodies made with such canine pleasers as salmon, lamb, peanut butter, and cheese--are worth their weight in gold. Even immobility-challenged dogs are more likely to sit still for at least a few seconds at a time if confronted with a human supplying such canine "crack."

Unless you have your own studio, you also need to be creative. If you have access to a scenic indoor or outdoor location, use it! I've always thought it would be nice to pose my dogs in front of our lovely red, wreath-hung door, but our front steps approach the stoop from the side, making such an image impossible. So I've commandeered spaces in our house and backyard, using blankets and bedspreads as backdrops and softening edges and modifying textures in Photoshop. I've also made extensive use of props, from stuffed toys and costumes to stockings and wheelbarrows. Whatever works.

I know that I might not get exactly what I want--certainly not right away--but with some patience can capture an image I'm happy with. Because dogs can get bored easily and don't necessarily love being primped and prodded, I always limit the shoot to less than 15 minutes. If necessary, we try again later.



For you cat lovers...you're on your own. My experience with felines is that they are too independent to be "directed," so your best bet is just to set up an environment full of holiday props and colors, and hang out with your cat, capturing moments as they happen.

Oh, and speaking of holidays, my two books (Black is Beautiful: A Celebration of Dark Dogs and A is for Angel: A Dog Lover's Guide to the Alphabet) make great gifts for dog lovers. And because I donate a portion of the sales to animal welfare organizations (your choice or mine), you can feel good about your purchase in more ways than one. To purchase using Paypal, just click on the appropriate Buy Now buttons at right.

Of Horror and Heroism

Those of us involved in animal welfare and rescue encounter horror stories on an all-too-regular basis...stories that depress us and cause us to question the "humanity" of Homo sapiens. Fortunately, we are also exposed to great acts of interspecies kindness, empathy, and selfless generosity that bolster our spirits and strengthen our resolve.

The story of Jimmy D exemplifies both: the horror and the heroism.

Somehow, I missed the initial news reports about Jimmy...how he was discovered in August by a Baltimore, MD, couple with part of his nose and muzzle hacked off. It wasn't until more recently that I discovered a blog devoted to Jimmy D's story--his rescue, his surgeries, and his ongoing recovery. And let me tell you, it's worth a read...right back from the original posts and photos.

It's a story that will infuriate you and inspire you. The kindness and devotion of Jimmy's foster mom and the physical and psychological resilience of this dog are awesome. They're both outstanding "ambassadors" of their respective species.

When Canine Eyes are Smiling: Encounters with Dogs of the Emerald Isle

Last week I returned from my first trip to Ireland, a two-week journey filled with rolling hills, rugged cliffs, charming villages, fascinating historic sites, warm and friendly people, and...dogs.

As a lifelong dog lover, I am unable to travel anywhere—near or far—without visiting with local residents of the canine persuasion. And Ireland was no different. In between soaking up the verdant beauty of the countryside, touring the odd castle or abbey, and negotiating miles of winding rural roads—on the "wrong" side—I made time to make friends with and photograph a dog or two.

In a country known for woolen goods and the sheep that make them possible, I had expected to see my fair share of border collies. And I did. At Kissane Sheep Farm near Killarney, for example, I met several of these intelligent, hard-working herding dogs, along with four adorable roly-poly six-week-old pups. I witnessed firsthand the amazing bond between human and canine as the farmers demonstrated the teamwork required to herd a flock of sheep—a bond so strong that each dog works its best with only one human. It was obvious that these dogs are more than just four-legged farm employees...they are truly members of the family.





But these quintessential working dogs were just the tip of the proverbial iceberg. My travels were also blessed with encounters with a variety of other purebreds and mixes of all shapes, sizes, colors, and ages.

Some, like English cocker spaniel Honey, golden retriever Jake, and a one-eyed little terrier mix, took the hour-long ferry ride from Doolin to the Aran Island of Inisheer for holidays with their people. Others, like a lovely collie/GSD mix and her “pugalier” companion frolicked on the beach at Derrynane. And still others, including an elderly beagle mix, strolled the pedestrianized shopping district of Galway.



At my last stop, the Castle Lodge B&B at Malahide, I received friendly greetings not only from my human hosts but also from Jackster, the resident 21(!)-year-old JRT, and visiting Clancy, a Shih-tzu who, despite the indignity of a post-neutering megaphone collar, made it his mission to shower me with pre-departure kisses.


Basically, we met dogs everywhere we went. But the seaside village of Kinsale proved to be the canine mother lode. Known for its excellent dining establishments, this County Cork vacation spot also provided a wealth of dog-watching opportunities: Rex, a JRT, reclined regally on the front wall of his home observing passersby; Scampi, the resident canine of the Old Presbytery Guesthouse, greeted guests between breaks in her soft little dog house; a solitary Golden retriever relaxed in the middle of the street; and a pair of lurchers—a breed familiar to me only from the works of James Herriott—relaxed in the sunshine at an outdoor eating area.





All found their way into my digital record, and when I reflect on my Irish journey in years to come, they will be front and center in my mind.

Three Strikes and You're...Home?

Staff at the Humane Society of Kent County (MD) sure hope that's so for Momma. This sweet girl does indeed have three strikes against her: 1) she's black, 2) she's a pit bull terrier, and 3) she's 9 years old. Life for a homeless dog doesn't get much worse, statistically, than that.

First, there's the color thing: Folks in rescue will tell you that black dogs (like black cats) are less likely to be adopted from shelters than their lighter or flashier-colored counterparts. And if they're BIG black dogs, their chances are even smaller. Reasons for this situation, often referred to as "Black Dog Syndrome," range from a link in myth and legend between black dogs and evil and death to their "scary" image in horror movies to the fact that they just aren't as noticeable--especially in poorly-lit shelters--as other dogs.

Age can also be a big factor in an animal's adoptability. People often want the experience of raising a puppy (little realizing the headaches that can involve) and may worry about not having as long a time together with an older pet. But the truth is that older dogs offer many advantages: they almost never require housetraining, are more mellow and less demanding than their younger counterparts, require less vigorous exercise, and are more likely to be content just "chilln'" in your company. And the satisfaction that comes from giving a senior canine a happy home in which to live his or her "golden" years can be incredibly rewarding.

When it comes to breed--pit bull terriers, to be specific--well...don't get me started. Basically, pit bull terriers and pit mixes face extraordinary discrimination...probably more than any other breed of dog. And, yes, there are "bad" pit bulls--the result of intentional breeding for aggressive traits and inhumane, cruel treatment at the hands of people (although I haven't seen any laws "banning" them!).

But it's just as true that not all aggressive dogs are pit bulls. For example, the French face transplant victim was mauled by her Labrador retriever. An elderly Georgia woman was killed by her mixed-breed dogs. A family's briard killed their 8-year-old daughter. And golden retrievers--golden retrievers!-- attacked a 2-year-old in Kansas. The list goes on and on, although such attacks often don't make the headlines.

And just as some pit bull terriers are aggressive, others are gentle, loving, docile dogs. Take Momma for example. This sweet senior is described by shelter staff as "friendly, calm, easy going, and good on a leash." Oh, yes, she also loves hanging out with friends and being scratched behind the ears.

Nevertheless, this good girl has been at the shelter since last November. And although the staff are happy to care for her--and shower her with attention, treats, and "walkies"--for as long as she's in their care, Momma's future is tenuous at best. By law, the Humane Society of Kent County must take in every stray they find or owner-give-up that's turned in to them...limiting the number of animals the shelter can house at any one time.

And that means Momma's luck could run out at any time.

So, please, if you live in Maryland or a nearby state, and have a place in your heart and home for this special dog, call the Humane Society of Kent County at (410) 778-3648 or toll free at (866) 661-7387, or email them at kenthumane@yahoo.com. Shelter staff will even arrange transportation!

Momma thanks you!

Three Dogs, One Home

I was fortunate enough to spend a couple of days recently with my friend Sandy and her canine kids. As with human children (and adults as well, for that matter), dogs have distinct personalities...complete with a unique collection of likes, dislikes, abilities, phobias, obsessions, and accompanying behaviors. In short, they are individuals.

If I had to describe Sandy's furred family members in once sentence, I might say the following:

* Jocey is a gentle, affectionate, water-loving Queen Bee.

* Petey is a slightly neurotic, unpredictable boy who is never voluntarily without his round-shaped "pacifier."

* Oscar is a lover, not a fighter, who likes nothing more than a good cuddle.

I doubt you'll have any trouble matching the descriptions to the dogs' images above.