Lots of dogs tilt their head from side to side. Pugs do it really well. Labs are pretty good at it. Even Cane Corso’s are pretty good tilters. Heck, good tilters come in all different shapes and sizes. Given just the right sound, almost any dog will give you a little tilt.

But, Oliver? He is pretty much the King of Tilters. No high pitched or silly noise necessary. All Nadine, his owner, has to do is talk to him…ask him a few simple questions, and Oliver will tilt to the right, tilt to the left, and then back to the right…and on and on and on!

I ran into Nadine the other day, and she told me that Oliver’s health is not so good now. So, as you smile at his adorable tilt, please say a little prayer for him.

Oh, and, if Oliver gets tired of tilting, his best friend Sunshine takes over and keeps him covered.

Happy Friday Tilt! (sorry…Face!)

I just finished scanning the the film from Jaclyn, Bentley and Bleu’s sitting. It arrived a few days ago. Black and white film is the basis of my Cool Pets business, and really what I love the most. The characteristics of the film; the grain, the depth, the unexpected wonders that show up on the negative, are all such treasures. Yes, I enjoy the color also, but there’s just something about a nice true black and white image. Here a a few that struck me as I was scanning.

Back to color for a minute.
Here is what I mean when I say “windswept walking.” It was really windy.
Everything’s blowing…even Bentley’s ear! And, he was having trouble keeping his eyes open!!

Super Bentley!!
(I wanted to paint a red cape on him…flapping in the breeze behind him. Would that be too silly?)

This is Zack. He’s a classic. My sitting with him and his “brother” Murph was a Cool Pets treasure. Just thinking about them makes me smile.

Zack was so very eager to please. His wonderful owner Jeannie asked me, “What do you want him to do? He’ll do anything!” So, we put him on the bench, on the shed, on the rocking chair…it was so cool.

I don’t think I have ever published this photo – so it is definitley time.

This one shall be named, “Zack on the bench.”

Happy Friday Face!

All images ©Susan Dodd

I met Maeve and Orlaith yesterday. Photographing labradors is such a trip. I feel like a soccer goalie. They rush toward me, I shove them back, they rush toward me, I shove them back. I can do this though, because I have two labs of my own, so it’s instinct for me. And, it’s that wonderful loving friendly personality that drew my husband and I to the breed in the first place!

When photographing labs, a little obedience goes a long way. Maeve and Orlaith had that obedience. Yes, they were zealous, yes, they just wanted to run up and lick my face the moment I got down the their level, but ask for a sit-stay, and they accomodated!

I’ll show some of the two of them later, but for the Friday Face, it’s just Maeve. Because, she did this thing…and it floored me! The position is funny, but the way she went into it was pretty funny also. She walked forward keeping her back legs straight. Then ever so slowly….stretched them out until she was FLAT on her tummy.

So, here is the front… and back of this week’s Friday Face!

Happy Friday Face!

All images ©Susan Dodd

Saturday was a beautiful but windy day. Eryn and I headed out to Kutztown for our session with Jaclyn, Bentley and Bleu. Jaclyn took us to her favorite place to walk with Bentley and Bleu, a beautiful tree farm. Well, it is actually a nursery where there are just rows and rows of trees surrounded by the greenest most lush grass. It was pretty incredible. We walked among the flowering trees stopping here and there to do our photos. I loved the fact that although Bentley and Blue wandered away now and then, just a few whistles and mentions of cheese from Jaclyn, and they both came run, run, running back. They were such great dogs, and Jaclyn was so calm and trusting with them, it was wonderful.

I have so many favorites, but for now, here a just a few.

Simply gorrrrrrgeousssss!

Bleu was hysterical in the grass. She would stand and then turn around and run and then turn around and stand. So very funny.

Bentley, oh so handsome and devoted!

Thank you Jaclyn, Bentley and Bleu for a wonderful windswept walk!

All images ©Susan Dodd

Trinity is this week’s face. Crazy scary right?

Wrong!

TT is a sweet loving wonderful mom…

who just happens to LOVE to play tug-o-war!

Happy Friday Face!!

All images ©Susan Dodd.

Warning…there will be no pets in this post. Just some crazy kids having a lot of fun!

Having a mom for a photographer, I guess, can be pretty cool. I’ve started this “tradition” to try to photograph my daughters with as many of their friends as I can. Just for fun.

So this weekend, even though it was pouring down rain, when my daughter came home from a sleepover with her friend and they were dressed up in the cutest outfits, I grabbed my camera and out we went…into the rain!

The girls are both gymnasts, and had their state meet the day before, so their hair was braided and their eyes were still glittery. It was perfect!

Here they are being cool.

Beautiful little Carli.

Of course there was a lot of laughing.

All images ©Susan Dodd

This week’s face belongs to Molly. I just got the film back from her session! She looks just as cool in black and white as she did in color. Maybe even a little cooler!

I love this shot. Her smile makes me smile! Hope it does the same for you!

Happy Friday Face!

All images ©Susan Dodd

Yesterday I said goodbye to my Passat.  It has been a lovely 3 years with my car and I have been a die hard VW fan.  The Passat was my second VW and our second Passat. 

I was surprised, though, that it wasn’t terribly hard saying goodbye. But, after all it is just a car….a means of getting from point A to point B.  Although, I do like to do it with a little bit of style. 

So…out with the old and in with the new!

Even though yesterday was a dreary overcast day with no hope of a warm sunset, I just had to take a few photos to document the occasion.

Introducing, my new ride for the next three years.

Looking good sporting my Cool Pets plate!

I think I will be very happy with my Altima. At first, I thought I would suffer uncontrollable sobbing any time a volkswagen passed on the road, but I think I’ll be ok!

Thank you to Ben, Warren, Tom, and my great friend Lori at the Conicelli Autoplex for taking such perfect care of everything!!

All images ©Susan Dodd

Years ago I met Donna and her amazing horse Earl. He was one of my first horse sittings and let me tell you, he set the stage! Shortly after our session, Donna, her husband, Tim, Earl, and their dog Bowler moved to Florida. The good news is that we have kept in touch and I was lucky to see Donna, Tim and their new dog Molly recently when they came back to PA for a visit! I was so honored to do more photos for Donna, and this time Donna and her husband joined Molly in the photos.

We had an early morning session at my favorite park. It was so fun watching Molly run in the sun and catch her ball. Her energy is non stop, however, she did pose a bit too!

Here’s a cute little blog board peak!