Susan Dodd Photo Blog » canine

Pheona and Caitlin

Susan — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 22:22:41 +0000

Pheona is just a tiny little thing. She’s no bigger than a hiccup. Don’t be fooled, however, by her tiny exterior. Pheona is quite the little spitfire. She is in charge, and do not try to tell her otherwise.

I have to say, it was a bit of a challenge photographing little Pheona. She was not at all happy with me telling her what to do. My saving grace, however, was that Pheona really likes her treats! One minute she would be scolding me for coming too close, and the next she’d be gently taking a treat from my fingertips! That’s a woman for you! She knows what she wants, and she is in charge!!

The other really great thing is that Pheona loves Caitlin. And they make quite the gorgeous pair!

Some of my favorites….

Midnight & Maui

Susan — Mon, 10 May 2010 16:39:48 +0000

When I first started my Cool Pets business it was strictly black and white film photography. No color, and definitely no digital color. Of course, now I do include digital color in my sittings, and I love the variety it offers. But, when I look at all of the “strictly black and white” sessions I have done I am reminded of the charm and basic “coolness” of black and white film.

Midnight and Maui were one of those sessions. Melissa and Kevin, Midnight and Maui. I remember it like it was yesterday. The weather was strange…overcast and foreboding. We weren’t sure if the sky was going to open up at any minute, but we persevered. Eryn was along with me as we photographed the Mauribers, and created some great memories. I still smile when I look at these images.

I recently connected with Melissa through my facebook fan page and found out that Midnight passed away last spring. He was a wonderful friend to Kevin and Melissa and I am honored to have met him and spent that afternoon with all of them.

Here’s a tribute to Midnight, and a storyboard of some great moments from our session.

dewey, then and now

Susan — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 18:39:05 +0000

I first met Dewey a few months ago. You may remember his adorable “Friday Face” a few posts back. Dewey is one of the most beautiful shepherds I have ever seen. His body is huge, his fur is gorgeous, and he is just the happiest most enthusiastic guy! When we did our sitting, Tracey, Dewey’s human mom was expecting. We had a wonderful time in the park creating some “before baby” photos and capturing Dewey’s sweet personality.

That was then.

On January 11, Tracey, Dave and Dewey welcomed into the world precious, beautiful Gabriel James…and their lives forever changed, but in an awesomely, wonderful way. Dewey is so cool, he is adjusting like a champ. Dave and Tracey still give Dewey all the attention he deserves, and with the addition of a beautiful human brother, Dewey just has more reasons to be happy!

Welcome Gabriel James.

And now, Dewey is resting. After all, it’s a lot of work watching over a new baby!

All images ©Susan Dodd

i saw an old dog

Susan — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 05:59:44 +0000

While driving my daughter to school the other day, I saw an old dog. It was a cold, brisk morning….with temperatures in the teens. My daughter missed the bus, not because we were late, but because sometimes, for no apparent reason, her bus arrives unexpectedly early. I was a bit annoyed, but in the end grateful for the early morning jaunt, and the heart warming site of the old dog.

We were on a little side street, heading up the steep hill towards the school. I glanced over to see an elderly woman slowly walking her old dog. It was as if they were taking baby steps. They moved at a snail’s pace, and if you glanced quickly, they seemed not to be moving at all. It was so cold I could see the woman’s breath floating through the air as she moved ever so calmly up the hill; her lovely old dog right by her side.

In my work photographing dogs and their owners, I am always aware of the strong bonds that form between human and canine. I have heard so many wonderful stories of how dogs essentially saved their owners lives just by being there. I wondered about this old woman and her dog. Is it just the two of them? Do they walk every morning together, slowly up the hill? How long have they been together? Did the woman rescue this dog…or get him as a pup? Did she save the dog’s life? Or has the dog saved hers?

Of course, I will probably never know the answers. But, I do know that the warm feeling I got from the peaceful site of them on their morning walk will stay with me for a very long time.

Old dogs have such charm. Their lives are short, but the effects of their warmth and unconditional love last forever.

Cocoa is one of those old dogs. She has a face that shows such wisdom and peace. Cocoa is a gentle, beautiful, old soul.

Cocoa loves to fetch. She may be old, but her inner puppy definitely comes out when there is fetching involved.

All images ©Susan Dodd

a walk in the village

Susan — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 18:34:33 +0000

I have oodles and oodles of sittings to blog about! I wish I could share them all with you right now, but these darned blog posts take so much time! This was a crazy holiday season for me for sure, and I am working step by step to catch up. I want to thank all of my wonderfully understanding clients who are so supportive of my being a bit overwhelmingly busy!!

Needless to say, this post is one that I am very excited to be {finally} blogging about. Remember Cosmo? He was the Friday Face a few weeks back. Well, here he is with his whole family….Abby the bulldog, and the awesome Shiena and Jason. Who would have thought that taking an African Grey parrot and a stocky bulldog to a very public place for photographs could be so relaxing. It truly was! I have to say, it was an afternoon of complete enjoyment.

Shiena and Jason were winners of one of my expo contests, and I am so grateful to have met them…Abby and Cosmo. Thanks so much for a wonderful afternoon!

All images ©Susan Dodd

the winner!

Susan — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 18:52:12 +0000

Thanks to everyone who visited my booth at the Greater Philadelphia Pet Expo! I met so many wonderful folks and wish that everyone could win, but, we had to pick just one! And that person is……(drumroll please)……Lauren N. and Micky!! Sunday evening at the end of the expo, I was happy to surprise Pat at the United Against Puppy Mills booth with a generous donation!!

Congrats Lauren, please give me a call or drop me a line… susan@coolpets.us and we will get you all set up for your session!

Oh, and just because I hate to post without a photo…here’s the adorable Samson.

All images ©Susan Dodd

holy mosaics, batman, we’ve found your door!

Susan — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 16:47:22 +0000

For the longest time, I have had a mission….a mission to find the batman door. I knew it was there, I’d seen it in a photo. But, I wasn’t quite sure if it was real. It could have been a fluke. Ya know, something that was there once and then gone. But, I held out hope. I dreamed of the day that I would stand in front of that door, camera in hand. The day that I would truly know that the batman door exists.

It had been a long planning process, almost a year. My subjects? The awesomely amazing Jen Molchan and three of her gorgeous Cane Corsos. Ron and Jen breed the most beautiful Cane Corsos I have ever seen, also the very first Cane Corsos I have ever seen! I love their dogs.

So, into the city we drove. Ron was our chauffeur, thank goodness, as I am not good at driving in the city. I told him the address – where I thought we would find the door. We made our way through crowded streets and really tiny alleys. Ron has no fear, he just plows right through. Finally we came to a stop. Ron said, “ok, Susan, we are here, do you see a door?” I think by this time he thought I was insane. Suddenly, Jen said, “There it is!” We all looked to the right and there, like a mirage in the desert, was my batman door. I swear I heard the angels sing. It was everything I could have hoped for.

Ok, ok. Enough. I’m sorry. I just really love this door. I promise I will post more from this photo adventure, but for now I give you…..Jen, Dorian, and, the one, the only Batman door!!!

Is that not the coolest thing you have ever seen?

summer

Susan — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:56:17 +0000

Long overdue. That’s what this post is, very long overdue! I met Summer and her family a couple of months back and spent a lovely evening with them. The weather was iffy, but what else is new with this crazy weather? But, it turned out to be a beautiful evening, all around.

When Wendy contacted me to do some photographs for her, she explained that there might be some challenges because two of my subjects would be in wheelchairs. For me, that was not a problem. And, it turned out to be one of my most favorite sessions. A more loving family could not be found.

Here’s Summer…she’s so fluffy and sweet!

Danny and Summer like to roll around!

Gorgeous Michele.

Wendy and Peter…so beautiful.

And, this…all I can say is WOW!!

Thank you Wendy for inviting me to spend and evening creating photographs with you and your wonderful family!

levi

Susan — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 16:48:11 +0000

This is Levi. He is being fostered by a wonderful client of mine, Cheryl. During our recent photo session, Levi joined in for a few photos with his foster brother and sister. Cheryl and her husband are caring for Levi until he finds his forever home. The years before he came to live with them were not the best, and Cheryl is really hoping to find him a kind, loving family who will treat him right.

She asked me if I might have a nice photo to show some potential adopters. Nice photo? Of Levi? Well, just look at that gorgeous face! How can I not have a nice photo of Levi! And, he is just as sweet as he is beautiful!

Good luck, dear sweet Levi! You deserve a perfect forever home!

All images copyright Susan Dodd

texture and toni

Susan — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 15:37:37 +0000

a brilliant combination!