This is Meena.  She is a 10 week old adorable little girl, who just happens to need a home!  Her foster mom, Julie, is a wonderful long time client and friend of mine.  

Meena was “dumped” in a shelter in Virginia when she was 5 weeks old. A friend of Julie’s, Rosemary Distefano – founder of Faith’s Hope Rescue, found her there and brought her to PA where Julie has taken her in. Meena is a Rottie Pitt mix and seems to have the best of both breeds. She is sweet, calm, playful and very social. Her name means “strong willed warrior” and Meena is just that.

Meena starts her obedience classes this week, but is already learning many valuable good dog lessons just by living in Julie’s home along with 4 adult cats, 2 foster kittens, 4 large dogs (60-95 lbs), 1 fish and a very busy little 2 3/4 year old boy!

Meena gets along wonderfully with all the members of her foster family; human, feline and canine, but Julie does see a bit of a dominant female personality developing. Meena likes to be top dog so she would do best as a single family dog, or with a more submissive male canine companion. Cats and kids are just fine…fish are cool too!

My observations. Meena is a very sweet, smart, girl who is eager to please and learn. She is not too mouthy at all. Did I mention that she is gorgeous?!! She really looks like a little Rottie with a bit of a designer splash of color on her legs and paws!!

But, really, the best part is that she is being fostered in a wonderful, loving home with someone who knows dogs inside and out. She will have an amazing foundation and will be a definite soul mate for someone. She seems like the kind of dog that will be right by your side, loving and protecting her family and sharing each and every wonderful moment.

Meena will make an incredible family dog, and is looking for her forever home. If you have any interest in learning more about her, please send me an email (susan@coolpets.us) and I’ll put you in contact with Julie!

Meet Meeeeeena!!!!

All images ©Susan Dodd

Chompy, J.J. and Jolie.  Three sweet, sweet dogs.  And, very good troopers.  We were on a beautiful dock of a marina in New Jersey.  It couldn’t have been more perfect.  The sunset was gorgeous, it wasn’t raining , and spring was in the air.  Oh, wait, there was something else in the air.  During our session we were all being silently attacked by little black bugs.  They come out of nowhere. You never see them, until you feel their bite and look down to see them worming their way along your skin.  Even the dogs were bothered by these flying teeth (as the marina caretaker calls them).  

I don’t really know what their purpose is in life, but to annoy us. And, that is just what they did. But, thankfully, I did manage to capture a few beautiful images. Thanks to Chompy, J.J. and Jolie for being so wonderful!

Side note, after I took this shot I looked down at my arm and it was COVERED with those dang bugs.

Happy Friday Face (s) !!

All images ©Susan Dodd

So sorry.  The Friday Face is late.  But, I sincerely hope it was worth the wait.  I was in New Jersey yesterday.  Actually, during the time when I would normally be posting my Friday Face, I was sitting on the Schuylkill Expressway.  And sitting, and sitting.  Yes, if any of you know of this highway, you know it is an uncertain thing.  You never know, when you are heading to the Schuylkill, whether you will be sitting for hours, or smoothly gliding to your destination.  In our case, yesterday, we sat.  We travelled 30 miles in 1 1/2 hours.  We were heading to a session and did eventually arrive before the sun went down. That is a story for another day. But, for now, please enjoy the absolutely beautiful…Valentina.

Happy Friday, (and Saturday Face)!!!

All images ©Susan Dodd

Cats are cool too, you know.  And I certainly love cats just as equally as I love dogs…horses too.  They’re all cool.  I’m not partial.  So, when a very cool guy like Timmy the Snaggle Tooth cat comes along, it’s only fair that I make him the Friday Face, right?

Now, you can’t see the snaggle tooth in this photo, cuz he was giving me his “I’m so handsome take my photo, please,” look.  But, trust me, he is missing one of his big, pointy, sharp bottom teeth! 

P.S. When I photograph cats, I like to put them on things. Usually, I put them on the counter. Of course, I’ll ask you first, if it is ok to put your cat on the counter. And, then I’ll snicker, because, seriously now, who’s cat doesn’t go on the counter? Sure, you may think you have them trained, but when you’re not around…the counter is fair game.

Happy Friday Face!

Ok, while I was posting this, I felt guilty because I am not showing the actual snaggle tooth.

So….

Happy Friday Snaggle Tooth, too!

All images ©Susan Dodd

Yes, that’s snow on the ground you see there in the photo. Yes, I did this session a while ago. Yes, I’ve already posted a few of the Kingston & Crystal images on the blog. BUT, this is new. It’s the show, and I love it.

When I do a Cool Pets session, my main goal is not only to capture great images, but to really tell the story of my subjects. Kingston and Crystal were just starting out on their journey together when we did these photos. But, I could already see the strong bond between them. I hope to capture memories for my clients, but I really capture memories for me also. What a fun morning we had playing in the snow.

In fact, snow melted the very next day, and we don’t get much snow around here – usually just ice, so this was a special session indeed.

So, go below and CLICK!!!

All images ©Susan Dodd

Please….join me this Saturday for a funky little event at the Funky Lil’ Kitchen.

The Funky Lil’ Kitchen is a wonderful restaurant tucked away on King Street in Pottstown. This Saturday they are hosting a “courtyard cocktail hour” complete with hors d’oeuvres, cocktails and music! 100% of the proceeds from the cocktail hour will be donated to the Chester County SPCA. You can read all about it below!

It promises to be a lovely evening. I’ll be there from 3:30 to 5 enjoying the festivities. And, I am donating a Cool Pets portrait session which will be auctioned off in a silent auction.

Please RSVP to the Funky Lil’ Kitchen and say you’ll come!! Hope to see you there!

Oh, Leon! You are such a cutie pie.

He really is. Leon is owned by Karen Lovett, who also owns Skippack Stylekrafters, a wonderful hair salon in the lovely, quaint town of Skippack, PA. Leon can regularly be found trotting around the salon, ears flapping. He greets each and every client as they enter and then walks them to the door with a concerned, “Why are you leaving?” face as they go. He really is cute as button….or a smurf, which I really think he is. A little smurf.

Go get your hair cut and when you do, give the little smurf a pat!

All images ©Susan Dodd

A great client/friend of mine sent this to me this morning along with a bunch of others.  I love it, it made me chuckle!  See if it has the same effect on you!

Remember Maeve?  She was the Friday Face a couple of faces back. 

Maeve and her counterpart Orlaith have lots of good lab energy and great lab expressions. When I wasn’t laughing and playing fetch with them, I managed to get a few good shots! 

A Maeve and Orlaith story board!

All images ©Susan Dodd