This is Dolce.  I guess it’s time you all met him.  He is ONE of my cats.  I have two.  Oriental shorthair is the breed, and totally awesome is the way they are.  If you are not familiar with orientals, let me just take this opportunity to tell you a little about them.  First of all, they are GORGEOUS.  Or, at least I think so.  They are long, lanky, elegant, and exotic.  They are “in your face” cats.  Generally not shy by nature, orientals are extremely people oriented.  No one can even hope to come into my home without meeting Dolce.  And, if they’re lucky, he may even jump on a shoulder or two!!  Both of my orientals are retired show cats.  Dolce is a Double Grand Champion in the TICA organization.  And, my other, Hensleek Mighty Kovu is a SUPREME Grand Champion – the highest possible level a feline can reach in TICA. 

Ok, ok, enough bragging.  Although cats are supposed to be nocturnal; sleep all day, up all night; Dolce is an exception.  He is up all the time.  Sure, he “cat naps” here and there, but mostly he’s up.  Ready for whatever important thing he needs to be ready for.  His breeder, the wonderful Barbara Levitan, told me, “the world is his toy.”  Boy, was she right.  But, I have to say, Dolce is refreshing.  He is always “on.”  Always ready, always excited and curious.  He lives his life to the fullest.  Maybe we could learn from him. 

This one shows just how long orientals are. Don’t ya just love his legs!!

All images ©Susan Dodd Photography.

It has been a while since I have updated my coolest of the month on my main website.  Two months to be exact.  I’m trying to get back on track with a monthly update, and what better way to start than with Diesel.  Diesel’s owner Julie is an absolutely wonderful person, friend and client.  I have photographed her several times with one, two, three, four – oh who’s counting…dogs!

Here is what she so eloquently had to say.

“Hey everyone…. I wanted to share a very special link with you.  I had pictures of Diesel done when he was about 9 years old. A good Rottweiler friend told me, kid if he lives to 10 you’ll be lucky. So being the planner I am I wanted to have pictures of my man in his prime, when nothing could stop him. So I contacted Susan Dodd of Cool Pets. The results were breath taking. And I will treasure these pictures for the rest of my life. They captured every little thing I loved about Diesel and they bring me immense comfort. For those of you who didn’t know him, well this sums up who he was and why I have fallen head over heels for a breed of dog most people run screaming from.

He changed my life and taught me one of the most important lessons I’ve ever learned,

Never judge a book by its cover.”

Find a box of soft issues, click and enjoy ….
Coolest of the Month

Julie and Diesel | April 10, 2004

All images ©Susan Dodd Photography.

Eryn and her friend Meghan seem to keep finding themselves in front of my camera. Or, more accurately, they put themselves in front of my camera. Hey, it’s fun to pose. We did our first session right in the middle of the day when the sun couldn’t have been any higher in the sky – not the best for portraits; so I promised them I’d do another session. Well, this time they “forced” me to run over to the the middle school right at dusk – or should I say ONE minute before complete darkness!!!  

Actually, though, it made for an interesting look. They are so into it, aren’t they?

Puppies are just so cute!  Look at her little nose, her bright blue eyes.  Isn’t she the sweetest thing ever? 

Don’t you just love puppies?

Oh, wait, no little puppy, not my lens!  Ahhhh!! 

All images ©Susan Dodd Photography.

is really very pink! Don’t you think??

All images ©Susan Dodd Photography.

Thank you to all of you who have voted for me in the My Fox Philly HOT LIST!!  I am currently in 2nd place so I can still use more votes!

There is still time so please click the link below and vote, vote, vote! 

THANK YOU!!

Weimaraners are amazing dogs. I might be a bit partial, however, because my childhood dog was Silver Inga of Gwynedd – a weimaraner. She was wonderful and the most amazing family dog. Weimaraners are excellent companions, tremendous watchdogs, smarter than the average ranger, incredibly devoted to their families, and very tolerant with kids. Inga, actually considered me and my brothers her siblings.

So, for me, photographing Valentina was a complete pleasure. She is everything a weimaraner should be – everything I listed above. And, one thing I forgot to mention, Valentina and all weimaraners are very aristrocratic looking…elegant and beautiful.

I had a blast hanging out with Valentina; laying in the grass with her, playing with her long ears and creating these….

During our session, the mailman arrived. See? Incredible watch dogs!

All images ©Susan Dodd Photography.

We had Eryn’s Sweet Sixteen party this weekend. I rented a sweet suite at the Homewood Suites, and Eryn and 5 of her closest friends and I hung out! It was great fun. The girls swam, ate, played games, watched the olympics and basically had an awesome time. The suite was gorgeous, and I highly recommend doing this for a special birthday party.

Late Saturday morning, just before checkout, I did some “hotel room” photos. We didn’t have much time at all – only about 15 minutes – but I managed to get a few memorable images.

Eryn and the girls (just 5, one had to leave early), but here they are…..
Meghan…Brooke…ERYN…Rachel…Meredith

Silly…

This is Rachel. She and Eryn have been friends since they were born..well, pretty much! Aren’t her eyes spectacular?!

Brooke! So beautiful! She and Eryn go way back and it was so awesome to have Brooke with us for the party!

Meredith. Naturally beautiful, and beautifully natural in front of my camera!

Meredith and Brooke. They didn’t even know each other before the party, but I thought they looked great with their long hair, so I put them together. Simply stunning!

And this last one…Eryn and Meghan. We did these photos a little while ago, but I never posted them, so here is one of my favorites..

All images ©Susan Dodd Photography.

Today my daughter, Eryn, turned 16. That’s right, 16 years ago, on this day, I gave birth to my first beautiful daughter. It’s so unreal how time just flies, but I have enjoyed every single minute of it! Eryn has been my assistant since I started my Cool Pets business, so many of you may know her. She has an amazing way with animals and is a huge asset to each session. Whether she is beside me helping to get my subject’s attention, or off keeping one, two or three dogs busy, while I’m working with the fourth dog, she is always there. I love our sitting adventures, and wouldn’t trade them for anything.

Mostly, I wouldn’t trade her for anything.

Eryn and I recently headed out to do some fun photos. I wanted to experiment, so off we went to the railroad tracks. Here are some of the results, along with a not so recent image.

Then and now..

Not sure of the exact date of this photo, but I think Eryn was only a few months old. We were on the boardwalk in Ocean City, New Jersey – one of our most favorite places at that time, and my husband, Derek, snapped this.

And, now, all grown up and beautiful.

All images ©Susan Dodd Photography.

Here are a images that only belong together because I shot them during the famous EHF week. They didn’t make it into the first presentations but I really wanted to share them.

First, we have Bojo, in the lane.

Then the incredible and adorable Safia. She was rockin’ her hat. It was really her idea to put it on. I loved it!

And, then we have Alexa. I think, in this photo, she looks like one of those old time glamorous movie star ladies…gorgeous, sophisticated and, of course…sexy.

All images ©2008 Susan Dodd Photography.