Last weekend I had the opportunity to attend Puppy Mill Awareness Day in Medfield, MA at Rocky Woods and work with Judy Ambrose of Neponset Valley Humane Society.   Judy and I worked together back in May at the Walk for Animals Fundraiser in Borderland State Park so I was looking forward to seeing her again.

The day brought together rescues and shelters from surrounding areas in a collaborative effort to educate the public to the appalling conditions and lives of dogs sustained only to give birth to puppies to be sold in pet stores.  Most are raised by backyard breeders with no concern for the dog’s health, care or welfare.

With so many responsible breeders and  the most amazing animals, both mixed breed and purebreds, waiting to be loved and adopted in shelters around the world, buying from pet stores should be obsolete.   But it isn’t.  And animals suffer because of it.  The motto at Puppy Mill Awareness Day was “adopt don’t shop”.

Below are just some of the animals waiting for homes as well as those that have found one.  Please contact your local shelters for more information on adopting.  You can also check out one of my favorite sources for adoption…. Pet Finders.

Judy, thanks for continually fighting the good fight.  We do it one animal at a time.

To see the entire gallery of images, please click HERE.

Last weekend I had the opportunity to dust off my camera equipment after a two month personal hiatus.   Neponset Valley Humane Society had their 17th annual Walk For Animals in Borderland State Park and I couldn’t have been happier to attend.  Borderland State Park has been around since the late 1800′s early 1900′s and the venue, which includes an ancient estate, is just amazing.

Though the morning started out with overcast skies, fog, heavy rains and chilly temperatures (seems to be the norm around here these days), it didn’t keep people from coming out with their dogs to help raise money for the shelter and the animals lucky enough to find themselves in the shelter’s care.

I love shooting events like this; like minded people, dogs everywhere, what more could a girl ask for?

How adorable is this little Pug mug shake?  I really wanted to steal this little guy.

We were visited by a Red Tailed Hawk.  He landed in a tree so close to us I thought he might have been stalking the little dogs.

But once he saw the big dog body guards, he didn’t stick around for long.

There were raffles, snacks and balloon animals.  I haven’t seen balloon animals since, well, since I was a kid.  Brought back a lot of memories.

Judy, thank you so much for inviting me to be a part of your fundraiser.  I had such a great time and I plan on heading back to Borderland to investigate the acres and acres of forests, waterways and particularly to tour the estate library.  The history is intriguing.

To see the full gallery click here:  GALLERY

Back in June, Luke Robinson trekked with his two dogs from Austin to TX in an attempt to spread the word about canine cancer.  I was lucky enough to get the opportunity to photograph the event.  You can read about his coming home to Boston HERE.  Since then, word has spread rapidly and the next phase of the journey began November 7th.  2 Million Dogs was an effort to get two million dogs across the country to walk a single mile to raise funds towards research for a cure.  It brought people and their dogs together with a firm foundation in the belief that combining our efforts will expand research groups and will result in more information towards a cure.  Because there are such great similarities between human, canine and even feline cancer, a joint effort will benefit all.

The Boston walk was coordinated by Tracey Goodwin .  I photographed Tracey’s babies Baxter and McKenzie and happily said yes when she asked me to photograph Boston’s 2 Million Dog walk.

That morning was one of the coldest of the season so far but it didn’t keep people from once again pulling together for a cause that is close to the heart of many.  Everyone wrapped themselves up in scarves, gloves and fluffy winter jackets.  Even some of the dogs donned their winter garb.

I love shooting events like this.  There’s always such a good vibe and you get to see a really wonderful side of human nature.  The bond between dogs and their people is one I never tire of observing.

Below are just a small number of the images taken that day.   You can see the entire gallery by clicking HERE.

Hope you enjoy them.  And Tracey, thanks so much for the opportunity.

Susan, proprietor of Woof and Whimsy, the number one pet boutique in the Greater Boston area asked me to photograph the Halloween party she was hosting and I couldn’t refuse.  Over the past year, she’s not only helped me with every pet related nutritional question I’ve had (I feed raw/home made), we’ve swapped stories on the loss of beloved pets, tips on training and discussed our businesses; how they started and where we’d like them to go.  She is a promoter of my work and will be hanging several of my large images throughout her boutique.  She’s more than just another business owner in my book.  She’s someone who really cares about the work she’s doing, her clientele and the animals.  Everything in her shop is holistic and she offers a variety of classes and workshops from Canine Good Citizen to Reiki.  If you haven’t visited yet, you should make a point of doing so for both you and your pet.

The party was a great success.  Locals came dressed in their finest costumes and covered a host of characters.  There were bumble bees and flowers…

There were skeletons …

and sweet little angels with tiny wings…..

The pumpkins came out to play…

For the main course we had hot dogs……..

Followed by the sweet taste of bananas…….

and topped off with a few cookies……….

Lots of dogs came to party and while some were a bit shy at the start, it didn’t take long for them to get accustomed to their surroundings enough to explore and even play (no dogs were harmed in the taking of these images).

Cheerleaders and brides mingled with the likes of moose and ladybugs.

Even Spider Man and Superman made an appearance…

All in all the evening was a wonderful success.  Susan gave the opportunity for like minded people in the community that have a great love for dogs to get together, celebrate and mingle.

Thanks so much for allowing me to be part of that celebration.  It was terrific meeting everyone and while it’s virtually impossible for me to include every single pup in costume on the blog, there are over 200 additional photographs in the gallery that you may browse by clicking HERE

I know many of you asked if you could purchase images so I’ve made it easy for you to do so directly through the gallery.  Simply place an image into your cart and check out via your PayPal account or with your credit card through PayPal.  10% of all sales will go to Vested Interest in K-9′s , a non-profit fundraising organization that helps Massachusetts K-9 law enforcement teams get bullet-proof vests for dogs.

The morning started early.  Very early indeed.  But that didn’t stop people from turning up for an 8:30 a.m registration.  Folks from Quincy, Randolph, Braintree, Milton, Weymouth and several other cities in the Boston and Greater Boston areas all arrived, dogs in tow, for a morning of exercise and fun.  Who would have thought the terms “exercise” and “fun” could be used in the same sentence?

The event took place in Marina Bay; an area reminiscent of the charm that is Martha’s Vineyard.  Summers in Marina Bay are delightful because it sits right on the ocean and is surrounded by marshlands where sightings of seasonal birds nesting are common.  The boardwalk and it’s restaurants buzz with activity once short wearing weather arrives and the docking area fills with seasonal boats come to launch.  You’ll find everything from art shows on the boardwalk to concerts at  Ocean Club (the only place to be in the entire Boston area come summer).

Autumn and winter are completely different animals.  The area becomes desolate as the frigid winds whip off the ocean and around every corner of every building.  Only the residents and workers brave the area but still, the beauty remains.  Saturday morning was a little on the nippy side.  It was the first time this year that I had to pull out the gloves.  But like all New Englanders, the weather doesn’t prevent us from getting out especially when it’s for a great cause.

There were dogs of every size and breed:

And my favorite, the scruffys with no particular pedigree:

Lots of people ran the 5k.  I actually began toying with the idea of being a participant next year.  I get that way when I see people at the start of a race.  Everyone stretching, bending and jogging in place to warm up and keep warmed up.  All ears tuned to the anticipated blast of the starting horn.  Everyone posed, ready for take-off.  It all seems so exciting to me.  Then I realize, um, yeah, I don’t run unless I’m chasing something worthwhile, like a dog or cat that I just must take a picture off.

I’m more of a mountain biker kind of gal so the 1 mile walk was more my speed.  The Quincy Police Department Canine Unit came out for a particularly interesting demonstration.

There was a bomb sniffing/weapons recovery demo:

And we also got to see how a suspect is apprehended when they choose to run instead of stand still like a sane bad guy should do whenever coming face to face with the K9 unit.  These dogs don’t mess around and take their jobs very seriously.  When they grab you, you are grabbed.  You’re better off just giving up in the first place because there is NO WAY you will out run or out smart this kind of agility, intelligence and determination. They are focused, raring to go and always win.

The entire morning was amazing.  Many thanks to Bre-anne Every who did such a fantastic job organizing the event.  I can’t imagine it was an easy accomplishment.  If you’d like to see more images from the event (there are plenty), just clicky, click here: QAS Cause 4 Paws Road Race. And if you see yourself or your pup amongst all the images and would like to make a purchase, just give me a shout.  I have discounted all prices and 10% of all purchases will be donated to Quincy Animal Shelter.

For more information on custom pet photography visit: White Whiskers Photography

Come and join the folks of Quincy Animal Shelter for their second annual Cause 4 Paws 1 mile run and walk.  Bring your dogs and your walking shoes.  All money raised will benefit the animals of Quincy Animal Shelter.

Time:  Saturday, October 16th 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Location:  Squantum Point Park   (absolutely GORGEOUS)

More Information:

• 8:30 a.m. Registration
• 10:00 a.m. Road Race (professionally timed and USATF Sanctioned)
• 10:30 a.m. Dog Walk
• 11:15 a.m. Quincy Police Department K9 Demonstration
• 11:30 a.m. Prizes and drawing
• 12:00 p.m. Lunch

The Pet rock festival plans to be as spectacular an affair as it has been in the past years.  I’ll be there taking photographs of everyone with their animals so stop by and don’t forget to bring your pooch.

Do you have a dog who has had, or is currently fighting cancer?

This will be the 3rd year that 2 Dogs 2000 Miles will produce a beautiful calendar called “Cancer Can’t Keep a Good Dog Down” and they’d like YOU to participate.

They’re gathering photos and story entries, publishing them online for everyone to see and read and then the voting will begin.

Each vote is $1.00 and voting lasts for several weeks.

Last year’s proceeds went to three veterinary comparative oncology programs and to 2 Dogs 2000 Miles.  The year before, proceeds went to Morris Animal Foundation.  The proceeds from the 2011 calendar will again be distributed to university programs and comparative oncology studies, and to continue the educational goals of the 501c3 organization 2 Million Dogs.

Interested?  It’s so easy to enter.

What to send:

One digital photo per dog.  Please make sure that the photograph is a minimum of 500kb resolution (1 meg resolution is ideal).  Acceptable file formats are JPG and GIF.  They do not have the capability of processing or using PDF or Microsoft .doc or .docx files.

One paragraph story about your dog.  Story length must be limited to 1,000 characters (not 1,000 words) or less.  Every keystroke is considered a character.  To easily find out how many characters your story is, just go here:  Word Counter Tool.

Please don’t forget to include the name of your dog, your name and your email address.  When 2 Dogs 2000 Miles receives your entry, they will send you a confirmation email.  If your story needs corrections (too long, photo too small), they will contact you for the changes.

If you have more than one dog you’d like to enter into the contest, please do so!  Same rules apply.

Send your submission(s) to:  calendar2011@2dogs2000miles.org

They will be taking submissions right up until the deadline of July 31, 2010.

If you have any questions at all, give a shout out to erich@2dogs2000miles.org

It affects me the same way every time I think of Luke, Hudson and Murphy.  As many of you know, I had the honor of photographing this amazing man and his two dogs as they walked their final mile into Boston; a humbling experience that was not only inspirational but also bittersweet as I lost a feline friend to cancer two and a half years ago.

Luke lost his best friend Malcolm to metastatic bone cancer in 2006 and it was that experience that brought him, on foot, from Austin, TX to Boston, MA in order to raise awareness of canine cancer with the hope that more research will be done to find a cure and end the suffering.  In 2008, Luke sold his truck, put his belongings in storage and set out on a journey that would take him two years to complete.  Every step of every mile was on foot with his big, burly Pyrenees friends Hudson and Murphy.  Most nights were spent hunkered down in a tent.  Soon, word spread about this “lunatic” on a mission and a funny thing happened.  People began to unite.  Imagine that?  Some offered food, others offered a place to stay.  And while Luke accepted a ride to a warm bed for him and his friends, he insisted on being returned to the exact spot of his last step on foot.  So yes people, 2,000 miles, on foot.

The festival on Saturday morning began with a memorial service at the Kelleher Rose Garden, Back Bay Fens for those we’ve lost and those that continue to fight the battle.

Approximately 150 people and their dogs gathered before the services to register for walking the last mile with Luke, Hudson and Murphy.  I was in heaven.  Surrounded by so many dogs I heard a lot of stories and most of the pictures you’ll see here, were taken while blinking away a tear or two.  There is no other love like the love shared by a dog and their human and most of the dogs you’ll see among these photographs have, in one way or another, been affected by cancer.  Their struggles are real but silent and do not deter them from living life as if nothing is happening.  They have their good days and their bad days and even on their bad days, a tail is wagged and a hand is always offered a gentle lick.  The spirit of a dog is something everyone should be lucky enough to experience.

Giant sized dogs, little tiny dogs and every other size in between.  I was amazed not only by the turn out but by the fact that there weren’t many scuffles between the dogs.  Everyone was on their best behavior and there was a lot of nose touching, bum sniffing, rolling in the cool green grass  and even some doggie huggin’ going on.

It wasn’t long before I began to hear the whispers…. “Oh, there he is” and gasp “Here he comes” and the cheering and clapping began as the trio made their way towards the crowd.

Now, I don’t know a lot about Luke as a person aside from what I’ve read about him and learned through the stories told that day by the people who have met him along the way.  But, I have a great respect for his journey and what I’ve learned thus far and when I saw his arrival, that respect quadrupled.  “Walk quietly and carry a big stick” seems to exemplify exactly who he is as a man.  No fanfare, no pretension, no overt gestures at grabbing attention…..just a man with a pack on his back and his dogs by his side.

A lot of people made their way to him and they were met with hugs.

Animal Planet filmed much of the day and Luke gave a few interviews as well.   The memorial service was performed amongst roses in full bloom by Reverend Pattie Handloss.

After the service, Luke and his brothers Hudson and Murphy (also known as the Fuzzy Butts), set off on the last leg of their long journey and were surrounded by people who not only admire him, but have come to love him.  Strangers united by a common cause became instant friends that day.

A lot of things became very clear to me along the way.

Luke is a man who children look up to.

A man, who when he speaks…..

People listen…..

A man that can stop traffic on Massachusetts Avenue in Boston…..

A man who people from all around the country came to follow, support, join efforts with and in the process, lent a helping hand to anyone in the group who needed it……

Those who couldn’t join Luke, Hudson and Murphy for the entire walk (it was actually more than a mile), waited nearer to the end with tears in their eyes as the trio approached; gratitude and admiration beaming from their faces.  No words spoken.  There was no need.  The atmosphere was electric with emotion.

Then onward to the final destination.  Boston Common.  Home…..

Where the first thing Luke did was take off his heavy knapsack, get down to his knees and wrap his arms around the friends that walked every single step by his side and quietly exclaim “we did it boys, we made it”.  There wasn’t a dry eye on the Common.

It was only when Luke stood to face the crowd that the people shouted and cheered in a congratulatory fashion and the celebration officially began.

Vendors and sponsors came out in full force.  I felt like a little fish in a gigantic pond amongst the likes of the Honest Kitchen, who fed the boys along the way, Vectra who helped rid them of nasty ticks and the plethora of other businesses and rescue groups that had booths set up.  But I think my booth looked pretty good for my very first event and I can’t thank Jeanie and Liz enough for helping me man it.  I couldn’t have done it without you ladies.

There were demonstrations by Top Hat and Tails Canine Freestyle Group…

The Boston Police Canine Unit came out and discussed search and rescue and canine patrol units…

And then of course, dogs, dogs and more dogs.  Loved shooting this event!!!

Being on the road for two years takes a toll on appearances and while I’m 100% sure that I wasn’t the only one who thought Luke looked fantastic in scruff, he felt the need to clean up a bit before the evening gala at the Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel.  He went from long to short in a mater of snip, snip, snip.

And if you haven’t already become completely smitten with Luke and the boys yet, this will clinch the deal.  He donated that 12″ braid to Locks of Love and off he went to get ready for the gala, which by the way, was just as much fun as the festival.

Katie Copley attended.  She’s the adorable Black Lab who lives at the Copley, sleeps on a giant bed in the lobby and greets guests as they check in.  She even has had a few stories written about her.  There were lots of auction items from gift baskets to photo shoots (bet you can’t guess who donated the photo shoot) and the appetizers were as yummy as dinner.

And, um, for the record, you sure do clean up well Luke.  Indeed!

And if you’re reading Luke, I wanted to say a little something specifically to you and the boys.  You humbly told us at the gala that you are not a hero and for me and many others, that only makes you more endearing.  But I beg to differ.  What is a hero?  Webster’s definition includes “a man of distinguished courage or ability, admired for his brave deeds and noble qualities.”  I’d say that what you’ve done so far along your journey perfectly fits that description.  Yet I know that what you are going to do in the future for canine cancer will more than exceed a simple definition.

In a world where there is so much negativity, crime, apathy and selfishness, you are a source of inspiration, a man that makes this world a far better place.  Someone we all can look up to.  Someone whose dedication and commitment teaches us that all it takes to cause the smallest ripple in a giant ocean is the tiniest of pebbles.  The journey that you, Hudson, Murphy and Malcolm (God rest his soul) set out on two years ago has not only changed the world by making people more aware, it has brought people together turning strangers into friends and that is an amazing feat.  It shows how strong of a bond we have with our animals and they with us.  Do not ever second guess what you are doing and never, ever feel like what you have done and what you are going to do will not make a difference.  I’m very much looking forward to the next stage and will be following 2 Dogs 2 Million Miles all the way.  You’ve touched my heart and the heart of many.  Continue to Puppy Up!

To Sheila, Marei and Ginger, I can’t thank you enough for the opportunity and for looking out for me while I was there making sure I had everything I needed (not to mention the dinner laughs).  A DVD of all the images is on the way.

And for those of you thirsty for more photographs from the event, there are a gigantic number of images you can view here:

Puppy Up Festival and Gala

Hi all.  Just a reminder that the festival and gala are only three weekends away.  If you haven’t purchased your tickets yet, there’s still time.  You’re not going to want to miss this.  And don’t forget to bring your pooch.

I can’t tell you how honored I am to be photographing the event and how proud I am to also be a sponsor for such a good cause.  I’ll have a table there so be sure to come by and say hello.