Spring Brings Breezes, Blooms and ... Kittens

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These 5 gray kittens (yes, these are all different kittens) and their mama recently came in to Friendswood Animal Control and are now being weaned and are almost available for adoption.  They are being fostered in a great home right now but will soon have to go back to the pound.  That is not good for kittens especially as there are so many contagious diseases that come in with impounded animals and kittens do not have a strong immune system yet so if you know anyone who would love one of these furballs, let them know they will be available very soon, as well as their mother --- she is a wonderful sweet loving calm and beautiful cat. 

Rescue Road Trip

I was able to drive Pendleton to Bay Area Pet Adoptions (formerly the SPCA) in Dickinson to meet the trailer that would take him to another rescue in Tennessee, and through them to his new home. When I first got involved in rescue I became aware of trucks that made passes periodically through some Southern states to pick up adoptable animals and transport them up north to areas that had gotten a handle on their homeless pet population and had empty shelters as a result --- incredible.  I wanted to see how the operation worked and since I knew I was going to an unfamiliar area at dusk, I made sure I took my camera home...never thinking I would want to document it!  So, these are Droid photos, but they do  the job.

I think the transport picked up about 20 dogs with Pendleton, and there were already animals on board.  The kennels were stacked but secured well and clean, and the trailer was airconditioned...but still it must have been a scary trip for those animals.  It is pretty sad that we must send our homeless dogs hundreds of miles and to other states to find forever homes for them but how wonderful that there are homes for them at all and people willing to get them there.  That is why it is so important to spay and neuter your animals and to adopt rather than buy from breeders or puppy mills.

From the www.rescueroadtrips.com site:

Q: Why does the North

      import Southern     

      dogs?

A:#1: Southerners have excellent taste in dogs - they just don’t spay  and neuter or keep them on their property. Some northerners have figured this out and are acquiring first-rate dogs at bargain basement prices.

A: #2: Spay and neuter activism combined with breeder regulation in the North have generated restricted supply and thus high prices for adoptable dogs. The lack of spay/neuter facilities and breeder regulation and the prevalence of warm winters in the South have created excessive supply of adoptable  dogs and thus low prices. Enterprising souls on both sides are making this market work. In doing so they are not only improving the lives of Northern Families but also saving the lives of southern dogs. These are not any dogs mind you, These are High grade, Southern-mannered and styled dogs. Thus the name for this market: “Southern Comfort”.

The drawl is free.

There's One Day at a Time....

But for me lately it is "One Dog at a Time".  Pendleton is the latest example of that ---- he was impounded at Friendswood Animal Control with horrible infected cuts on his face and back and he stayed that way for several days until he was there long enough to become "city property" and thus we (the volunteers) could have access to him.  He was immediately taken to Dr. Pickle, our hero of a veterinarian, and all the staff fell in love with him too.  Even though he had to be in so much pain, he was a happy friendly guy.  They would not let him go back to animal control and he became their latest rescue.  After some cleaning and antibiotics, neutering, and a little time to heal he went to get his video made by Tom English, another rescuer who has contacts all over the east coast.  He too fell for Pendleton's charm and it was not long before Pendleton was off on the Rescue Transport to Tennessee, to A New Leash On Life rescue there.  In one week he had a new forever home with a family with a 13 year old boy, perfect for Pendleton!

The Flashbus Tour Starring David and Joe

 My head is still spinning trying to contain all the information we were presented with yesterday at David Hobby's and Joe McNally's Flashbus workshop.  I had attended Joe's workshop here in Houston two years ago and maybe that is why this time I learned more from David Hobby's morning session than Joe's in the afternoon.  Or maybe it is because Joe shoots with his flashes in TTL mode and it can be inconsistent and confusing though he always gets the shot in the end, I am not confident however that I would.   It was certainly an information-packed and entertaining workshop to say the least.  Below are some of my very high ISO (1600 and 3200) shots from the day and let me explain the third one ---- when the crew arrived at the venue in the early morning hours it was set up (rather garishly it seems) for a wedding and they had to scramble to remove all the tulle, satin, tables, flowers, etc.  So they opened a little late with an announcement that as a result of all the togetherness on their rock-group-set-up touring bus, David and Joe were getting married.   Those guys are pretty quick on their feet!

Following are some shots of the large screen they projected their images on, David showed his Lighting in Layers instructions while Joe's were the shot he had just taken with his camera and then I also shot the set up.

 This kid was one of Joe's grips and an excellent model!

 Joe had us hold up our flashes and incorporated them onto this workshop attendee's "rock star" shot --- we had at least 87 flashes fire using the commander flash on Joe's camera.

I can only hope that at least a smidgen of the information we were given all day will stick in my brain and help me make some awesome portraits in the future.

More Murphy

Murphy and his people --- 

wouldn't you know, they are both petite and make him look even larger.

 

 

 

 

And one final image that I had hoped to use for the Blur assignment, but Murphy is in a lot of pain from his bone cancer and could not run very quickly so I was not able to blur the background much when I panned with him.  He just was not up for multiple attempts.

 

 

Murphy, an Irish Wolfhound

 I recently got to meet and photograph Murphy, a 5 year old Irish Wolfhound who is suffering from bone cancer.  He is such a regal and impressive dog.  I had never met that breed before and I learned a lot about them --- they originally guarded castles and hunted wolves to keep the game safe and unfortunately they do not have very long lives, they only live about 7 years.  Murphy was a great poser and I really enjoyed meeting and photographing this gentle giant.  

Adopt, Don't Shop

The Friendswood Animal Control Facility is full to capacity and these darlings are available for adoption.  If you know of anyone who could give these animals a forever home, please pass their photos on.  I have worked with all of them this week, and they are calm and friendly and affectionate, every one.

Sally, a 5 year old spayed female Persian and Maine Coone. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Darla, a young spayed female Staffordshire Terrier mix

Dixie, a young female Dachshund and Terrier mix

Scotty, an adult neutered male Scottish Terrier mix.