Flying Away with a Good Book

Day 235/365 - DPS Assignment Books, originally uploaded by sunmallia.

Was watching a flock of sea gulls in flight yesterday and they reminded me of pages in a book, the more you read the more you fly :)

Dogs and their People

I had the pleasure of photographing the annual fund raiser (Mutt Strut) for the local shelter in my area this past weekend.  It was a very cold, windy and drizzly day but bless their hearts the dogs with their people were out there to strut their stuff and help raise money for the animals still waiting for a permanent home.  I am so happy to be able to photograph this event and I love love love to take photos of people with their pets, the faces of both pet and human always seem so happy and relaxed when they are together.  As I was editing my photos I did notice one funny thing, how many people have a characteristic of their pet, so I was wondering if subconsciously this is how the decision to choose a particular animal is made by some.  Here are just a couple of photos where I thought human and canine looked like they were cut from the same cloth.

I would love to know why did you choose your pet, what was the one special thing that you saw in those eyes that said this is the one.  Also do you think you look like your pet, I have 5 dogs and I think I look a bit like all of them :)

 Notice the shape of the mouth

 Dressed in colors similar to dogs coat

 Notice beard and smile

 Hair on human falls like ears on dog

 Dressed in simliar color as dogs coat and dog and human have same stance

 Look at their hair

Look at the mustache on man and dog

Does Anyone Talk Anymore?

It struck me the other day while sitting in Starbucks that almost everyone there had some sort of electronic device.  There they were people sitting together yet not communicating just staring blankly into some sort of screen and drinking their coffee concoctions.  What were they staring at I thought, what could be more interesting then having a real conversation with the person you came to Starbucks with in the first place.  It seems to me that our new generation has lost the art of talking, well at least talking with live people as they certainly do a lot of talking on cell phones, texting, and emailing (although even e:mail is becoming obsolete).  It was funny for me to actually see someone with a real PAPER, newspaper, I felt as if I had discovered something from an old archeological dig so of course I had to photograph that!

Sometimes I fear that people will not come out of their houses anymore, what is the need, you can communicate with the electronic devise of your choice; in the 22^nd Century we will have robots to clean our home, electronic pets to scamper about the house, we can dial in to work.  Oh all that metal so cold and so distant, I am glad I won’t be around then.

How do you suppose we will communicate in the 22^nd century, maybe we will be able to read each others minds by then and do away with all the electronics, or maybe we will realize that it is actually nice to sit and have a cup with a friend in person and actually talk….  One of the best parts about talking in person is actually seeing your friend’s reaction to what you are saying, or the touch of their hand to assure you all will be well. 

As I sit here alone staring at my computer screen I wonder who is out there and what do they think of this……

Note to Self

Day 224/365 - Happy Furry Friday, originally uploaded by sunmallia.

Yesterday Brad had the most wonderful picture of sheep on his stream which inspired me for today's photo www.flickr.com/photos/hedgey2008/4884350309/

Well I knew just where to go and as I drove up there they were all grazing in the grass, looking right at me and some even approaching so I thought WOW this is great I am going to get a fantastic shot it will be an EXPLORE 1st page this is such a great scene. So there I was setting up ready to click the camera when who wakes up, my 3 hounds who proceed to wale and they scared the beejeezas out of the poor little lambs who started running for their lives as I was yelling wait wait they won't hurt you and the more I yelled the more the hounds howled! So anyway folks here is my version of Brads gorgeous photo but on the back end.

This year I told myself I was going to learn lessons in photography, well note to self when out shooting farm animals do not take the hounds! Happy Furry Friday all :)

Resistance Is Futile

Day 217/365 Happy Furry Friday, originally uploaded by sunmallia.

I am always a sucker when it comes to a dog staring me down with those big old sad eyes of theirs. Sophie here is waiting for mom to take her photo so she can have that big old cookie in her hand. Now Sophie is on a diet the Vet told us she had to lose 3 lbs!!!!! Wish I only had to lose 3 pounds, but I digress. So should I or should't I give this little person a cookie for being such a good girl with big brown eyes.........

Yup, she gets a cookie, resistance is futile........

Presley and Her Tomatoes

Day 214/365 - Presley's Tomatoes, originally uploaded by sunmallia.

Well most people would thing that Coonhounds should be out chasing raccoons or squirrels and such. Well not my Presley as she is way to busy picking tomatoes from her tomato plant to do that! She especially likes the little yellow ones guess they are sweeter or something. So this year I planted her her own plant so she would leave my tomatoes the heck alone, and she has been quite respectful of it as she always goes to this one plant as she knows it is hers for some reason, or could it be me yelling stay away from the other tomatoes! Well that is my Presley a Vegan like her momma :)

Everyone needs a hug

Day 213/365 - Everyone needs a hug, originally uploaded by sunmallia.

This is Sapphire, I had a heck of a time photographing her as all she wanted to do was hug John. When we first met Sapphire she was really scared to come out with us, once we got her out she realized we weren't so bad so John walked her for a while so she could relax and I could set up the shot. While they were standing there waiting for me to focus this series of encounters occurred that I had to share with you. Check out the look of happiness and complete relaxation in her face the more John hugged her, it really brought tears to both our eyes. Sapphire was found as a stray, it looks like maybe she has had a litter and she is about 2 years old. Not trained in how to sit, stay, etc. but she sure knows how to give you love. I tell you were we not be at our limit of dogs allowed in a household Sapphire would have been part of our family today. It is funny there is this very renowned dog behaviorist that says dogs do not like to be hugged, well looking at these photos I think she better go back and do some more research. Not only does this dog like to be hugged but I have five at home that give me big bear hugs everyday when I get home from work. Who ever adopts Sapphire is going to be one lucky person as this is a dog who will shower you with love and affection. Sapphire is a precious jewel indeed.