I’ve been working on all of the great images from the Paws in the Park event!  I will be posting the link soon for everyone to see their photos, but I couldn’t wait to show some more!

Here’s a little mix for your viewing pleasure! 

All images ©Susan Dodd

I was asked to be a part of a very special walk that took place today! It was held by the Animal Medical Center in Trappe. They are an amazing veterinary hospital full of warm, caring and extremely knowledgeable people. I have to say, I think the staff at AMC (that’s my cool abbreviation for them!) are at the top of the Vet Heap!! This year was the 3rd year for their annual Paws in the Park Charity Dog Walk and Pet Fair. Each year they select a different organization to support with donations from the walk. This year, the Delaware Valley Golden Retriever Rescue was the recipient.

I was very honored that they asked me to be a part of this special day. The weather? Well, it was a bit “iffy”. Rain threatened all day…but, thankfully, it never really rained. And, actually, the overcast lighting makes for some gorgeous photographs! I walked around and did quick and painless mini sessions! It was a BLAST! Thank you to everyone who either sat in front of my lens, or let their beautiful dog pose for me! As promised, I’ll post the link for you to check out your photographs, and, if you like you can order copies. I will be donating a portion of the proceeds directly to the rescue, so it’s a win-win situation! You get a great photo, and you help a wonderful cause!

For now, I’ve got some processing to do, but I leave you with a sneak peak!!!!

Loved this puppy. AMAZING! Love, love, love those yellow labs! (oh, wait, is it cuz I have one of my own???)

And, this puppy? So, so cute!!

All images ©Susan Dodd

I saw Yoshi last weekend! Exciting? Yes! I photographed Yoshi a year or so ago along with Deanna and Reilly. Yoshi is a big, fuzzy, sweet, gentle, loving Akita! She was such a lovebug during the sitting that I was immediately drawn to her. For anyone who has my 2008 Cool Pets Just Dogs Calendar hanging on your wall, you might remember Yoshi – she graced the month of May. Why May? Because that’s my birthday month, of course!!

Yoshi had some troubles with her eye(s) but, during the sitting she could still see and was a perfect little poser. Shortly after our sitting, Yoshi lost her sight completely. Deanna, her owner told me how Yoshi was adapting to her new situation very well, but would bump into things occasionally. And one morning, Deanna found Yoshi patiently waiting at the front door on a neighbor’s porch…to go in! Oops, Yosh, wrong house.

So, I got to see Yoshi again this passed weekend. I had a special sitting to do for Deanna, so I stopped at her house to visit first. Yoshi came out to greet us and bumped right into my car! But, when I called her name she was back on track and came over to greet Eryn and I. Her amazing love and affection has not dwindled. She almost seems even more sweet; because you just can’t believe how she can be so wonderfully normal, when she can’t see a thing!

Here are a few from Yoshi, Deanna, and Reilly’s first sitting.

Yoshi and Deanna.

Oh, and I got to see Molly again too! Yay! LOVE MOLLY!

All images ©Susan Dodd

Oh for heaven’s sake! I didn’t realize that my comment feature was not working properly! I haven’t been able to receive ONE comment!

The good news is that it is fixed!

So, if you’ve got something to say, but you just couldn’t get through, by all means…GO FOR IT!!

All images ©Susan Dodd Photography.

Felina and Koneko were rescued by Kat and Marc about a year ago. They are both adorable little Shi-Tzus. Felina was rescued from a puppy mill where she was used for breeding. Koneko was found wandering the streets. It is so hard when you look into their sweet little faces to imagine what their life was like before. They will steal your heart in an instant. So, it is hard to imagine anyone ever wanting to hurt them.

However, their life now, is fabulous!! Together they run, and play and definitely live a life of luxury. Kat is an amazing woman. A former president of the rescue organization, Stray Cat Blues, Kat has dedicated much of her life to helping better the lives of animals. Together with her husband Marc, she has opened her heart and her home to some very lucky cats, one dear departed Shi-Tzu named Kitty, and now..

Felina & Koneko!

Felina. How about that face, huh??

One of my most favorites! Check out the huge head! It’s a cat lady!

All images ©Susan Dodd Photography.

Ok, it’s time.

I have seen this…oh maybe a thousand times…!! But it still gets me, every time. It is totally and exactly why I LOVE photography and photographic images and why I continue to do what I do.

It is really the true meaning of it all.

Please, you owe it to yourself to watch the whole thing. If it makes you cry, as it always does to me, you got it.

Scotties are just cool anyway.  But, Lizzie is awesomely cool. 

She’s a ham too.

All images ©Susan Dodd Photography.

I first saw Beautiful Cat one sunny Sunday afternoon as we were driving home. As I gazed out my window I noticed Beautiful Cat resting on the stoop of a lovely old home near where we live. The cat’s bright orange coat jumped out at me from the green door it was laying in front of. The scene was so peaceful and Beautiful Cat just looked so perfect laying there, basking in the sun, I just had to take a few photos. Luckily, I happened to have my camera!

So, this was the scene as I first saw it.

Then as Beautiful Cat realized it was having a photo shoot, it got up, stretched and headed in for some posing.

I began to talk to Beautiful Cat, and much to my delight, the cat came closer and answered me back!

At first I thought perhaps Beautiful Cat was a stray, who just happened to find a nice warm place to lay. But as it came closer and I saw it’s fluffy, very well fed, soft body, I realized Beautiful Cat was at it’s home. I have since seen Beautiful Cat lounging on that very same stoop…sometimes right side up, and once, completely upside down with all four legs up in the air.

That’s the life, huh? Isn’t Beautiful Cat so beautiful?

All images ©Susan Dodd Photography.

I was just watching the Stand Up to Cancer presentation. As someone who did “stand up to cancer,” this is something near and dear to my heart.

About 6 years ago, I was diagnosed with cervical cancer. It was a long process to find out exactly what the problem was, but in the end, I was diagnosed with endocervical cancer. Having dealt with many things in my life, cancer is not the word I thought I would have to deal with. You see, I am a type I diabetic (juvenile diabetes). I was diagnosed when I was 23 – later than many. But, it totally changed my life. I became comitted to making sure my care, and health was at it’s optimum best. And, on that front, I have succeeded. I have two happy, healthy daughters, both delivered naturally. So, as you can imagine, when they told me I had cervical cancer, I was thinking, “oh, come on, how much more am I supposed to handle?”

But, thanks to a great friend, doctor, and client Jim Mollick and a relentless search, my cancer was discovered and, through major surgery, removed. Dr. Jim Mollick was my OB GYN. He is amazing. He did not give up until he found what was causing all the abnormal test results. I owe him my life, and I am forever grateful to his caring ways.

Also, Dr. Mark Shahin – Rosenfeld Cancer Center at the Abington Memorial Hospital, who performed my surgery, and who’s care I have been under since, is an absolutely amazing and wonderful man. I thank him as well.

So, the good news. I am now cancer free. I have reached and passed my 5 year anniversary and am proud to say, that I am CANCER FREE!!!

For anyone who faces this, or anything like it, I would love to hear from you, my fellow cancer fighters, survivors and champions.

Comments, as always, are more than welcome.

Tilly’s owner, Sophie, takes care of the horses at the East Hill Farm barn. Sophie keeps the barn activities running smoothly and safely. From giving riding lessons to the farm’s guests, to leading trail rides, to caring for the horses, Sophie does it all. She has been working at the farm for a few years now, and for us, has become yet another familiar and friendly face on our annual vacation.

Tilly works in the barn also. She goes to work with Sophie almost every day. Tilly’s job is very important. She lays in the milking area, she hangs out in the tack room, she casually greets the children as they enter the barn, and on this lucky day, Tilly had a photo shoot!

What is Tilly? She is an Irish Wolf Hound. Not to be confused with Bracken, who, of course is a Scottish Deer Hound!