Smile Like a Dog » senior dog

Photos of the Week

Mark — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 06:28:44 +0000

A sampling of last weeks photos of the day from my facebook page. Looks like I’ll need to balance things with the cat authority in the next week by including a few more felines…

Click to enlarge

Waldo

Mark — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 04:03:18 +0000

Photo of the Day

Waldo, a senior Shih Tzu mix rescued through Muttville, chews up the scenery on his My Mutt poster photo shoot in downtown Sausalito, CA

Waldo in Sausalito

Bonus Shot

Thirsty?

Farewell, Sweet Fiona

Mark — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 18:12:03 +0000

One of the saddest things about being a pet photographer is losing clients. Unfortunately, as many pet owners know, we typically outlive our four-legged companions. The way I look at it is that it’s the price we pay for such a pure, concentrated and unconditional relationship — it just doesn’t last as long as the other ones we have (typically with other people) that come laden with emotional baggage.

Last fall I had the honor of photographing a wonderful dog named (at that time) Minoo who was Muttville’s 500th senior dog rescued. Those of you who saw her photo were probably taken just as I was by her soulful brown eyes. Minoo went on to be adopted to a new forever home and renamed Fiona. Her new mom called me a a number of weeks ago to have a photo session which we held at my outdoor studio. At the time, Fiona had just been diagnosed with pretty severe condition and her prognosis was a bit uncertain. A couple of weeks after the shoot I heard from her mom that Fiona had passed on. It is extremely sad but I think you’ll see from the photos that, in the end, Fiona found the right home and a kindred spirit.

We’ll miss you, Fiona. Godspeed.

Fiona and her amazing brown eyes

Fiona and her Muttville bandana

Brown-eyed Girl redux

Fiona

Fiona and her mom

Happiness

Tyler: A Happy Elder Hound Hits the Palace of Fine Arts

Mark — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 20:12:55 +0000

Two of my favorite things came together for a My Mutt shoot last week: a senior dog and a classic San Francisco landmark, in this case the Palace of Fine Arts in the Marina. You’ll be seeing more and more of these location-specific shots for upcoming My Mutt subjects so be on the lookout for future sightings of other well-known SF scenes.

Tyler’s poster was donated in the name of the Berkeley East Bay Humane Society (just like Cara Mia’s from last week) which is still rebuilding from the terrible fire they had in May of this year. As you’ll see below, Tyler is a lovely older girl but she’s still pretty spry for her 16 1/2 years and I think she complemented her surroundings down in the Marina for this shoot quite nicely (actually, they complemented her). See for yourself…

Tyler

Vogue Covergirl?

Which way to the palace?

Alan Funt is close by isn't he?

"These eyes. These eyes have seen a lot of days..."

Gina

Mark — Thu, 13 May 2010 05:08:10 +0000

I love senior dogs–especially happy ones–and Gina, my latest client, is both for sure. Gina is a gentle giant of a girl, a Rhodesian Ridgeback mix with a pretty constant smile and a predilection for sloppy sits in clover patches near her home in the San Francisco Sunset district. Gina is recovering from a recent stroke but she definitely doesn’t let it get her down — she just makes her way at her own pace, smiling all the way. Gina, enjoy your sneak peek.

Don’t forget to vote! It’s a tight race for the Best Bay Area Pet Photographer in 2010.

Gina and her serious look...

...but she's got a sense of humor for sure

Not to mention the best sloppy sit in San Francisco

Queen of all she surveys

Elder stateswoman

Flashing that smile again

Say what?

Just chilling in my favorite spot...one of them at least

Gina makes those flowers look good

This is what we call a money shot

Sarah

Mark — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 02:33:13 +0000

When Sarah’s dad told me she was a Dachshund-German Shepherd mix I have to admit I pondered how that could have possibly worked out (daddy was the doxie, by the way). Sarah turned out just fine and will be celebrating her 16th birthday this year. Her image will soon be gracing a My Mutt poster at Pet Food Express and, given her photogenicity, her dad’s going to have a tough time picking the photo for that.

Help him out, folks. Pick your fave!

Meet Sarah

Senior but spry

Sarah Spies

My, Sarah, what large ears you have

Thanks, dad

These photo sessions can be rather tedious

On the ball

I make this room work

Ann

Mark — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 04:54:40 +0000

I don’t get to Bernal Heights as often as I should. It’s got some of the best views in the city and is a great place to bring your pup for a light urban hike. I met my most recent My Mutt pup, Ann, and her dad there last week on one of the few afternoons we had without rain. Ann is a beautiful senior Australian Shepherd mix adopted from San Francisco Animal Care and Control who doesn’t mind the hills at all as long as she can go at her own pace.

Check out how she did. My poster shot vote goes to the city-view shot at the end.

Meet Ann

On the move

Looking good

Annie Smiles

Meet and greet

Check out these baby browns

Poster contender for sure!

Hey, Mo!

Mark — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 05:05:37 +0000

The last time I worked with Mo’s mom it was on a My Mutt poster for her four bunnies. At a recent animal rescue event she mentioned to the good folks at Rocket Dog that she might be interested in adopting a dog and, lo and behold…Mo! What a find. He’s a sweet old Cocker Spaniel with a penchant for tennis balls and butt scratches. As you’ll see below, he’s already very attached to his new owner and is quite photogenic to boot. You go, Mo!

Mo on Deck

Mo in the Garden

Mellow Mo

Stoic Mo

It's My Ball

Staying close to mom

That's the spot!

Rewarded for a shoot well done...

Josie & Pumpkin: Bay Area Backroad Doggies

Mark — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 20:58:21 +0000

Last Sunday I got to do two of my favorite things simultaneously: hang out with great dogs and see some of the best scenery Northern California has to offer. Josie, a very senior Dalmatian, and Pumpkin, a spry seven-year old Golden belong to none other than Doug McConnell, former host of the long-running Bay Area Backroads show that ended it’s 23-year run on KRON last year. Doug’s now producing the popular OpenRoad with Doug McConnell: Exploring the West which covers outdoor travel throughout the west.

Doug’s also well-known for his love of animals and support of Bay Area animal welfare groups. His two dogs are going to be featured on a Pet Food Express My Mutt poster supporting San Francisco Animal Care and Control. Thanks for the hike, guys. Enjoy your sneak peek.

Josie the Dalmatian

Pumpkin the Golden Retriever

Josie on the trail

Pumpkin Portrait

Dalmatian Grin

Josie wasn't told she'd have to share the poster

Josie's still a little grumpy

There we go! Two dog smiles

I'm outta here. Talk to my agent

Molly and Chester: Quite the Pair

Mark — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 06:25:46 +0000

Big dog, small dog combos are always a treat — especially when the little guy is the boss and brains of the outfit. Meet Chester and Molly, soon-to-be My Mutt stars. Molly is a German Shepherd with the coolest floppy ear of all time, Chester a senior Pekingese (13 1/2 years young) who runs the show. Check ‘em out.

Molly

Chester

Molly on the move

Chester and Dad

So very, very Shepherd

Can I please be in this shot with you?

I promise, no goofy expressions

The handsome couple