Good news and not so good

First the good news...I adopted a kitty from the shelter!  I knew it would happen.  This is Chancie and I am once again a two kitty mommy.  He gave me the sweetest kisses and wanted to be held like I haven't felt since my sweet Rocky went to kitty heaven in 2008.  Chancie is so loving and getting along just fine in his new home.  He doesn't even mind big Eddie sniffing him up and down anymore.

It is impossible to decide on just one cat when there are so many there that need homes, but I am making a difference to this one, and that makes me happy.  

Chancie

I guess there is no BAD news, really, it's just not so good news.  A few dogs have come back that I thought had found their forever homes.  That is always sad to see.  Dogs are a big commitment and if a family doesn't understand dogs or are willing to give them a chance, it is just easier to bring them back.  Sigh.  So, Marcus (previous post) is back.  But, Pamela (also previous post) has been adopted!  SO that is good news.  I went to the shelter yesterday and there were 4 new dogs to photograph...and I didn't bring a helper.  SO, I was in the pens with them by myself and waiting until they got bored of me so I could snap a few shots.  Here they are in their internet debut:  

WALTER (and kitty)

TOBY

TYLER

CAPPIE

Pictures Say So Much

Another beautiful Saturday was spent at the CSRA Humane Society getting some good photos of the dogs. I want to update the older animals on Petfinder that need it, but I find that I get caught up in photographing the new animals and it keeps me busy! Good news is that four of the dogs in my last post have gone to great homes! Tracy, Zoey, Cleo, and Marcus. This past Saturday, I got to spend time with Gigi and Matilda, who are longer residents that needed a fresh portrait.  They are big, strong dogs, so a volunteer helped me get them settled for a session.  I need to learn how to edit out the leashes though...

 MATILDA

 GIGI

I enjoyed dog-sitting for a friend's foster dog last weekend.  This is Lucy, who is up for adoption from Happy Tails Rescue.  She is a sweet dog that listens well, is playful, and loves human attention.  She also gets along with all dogs and cats! 

LUCY

And, last but not least, there is Pamela. She is a very high-energy dog, probably a Doberman Pinscher mix. After a few minutes in her "cell", she warmed up to letting me take her picture. She has such a sweet face and a lot of personality! I have a feeling she will find a home pretty quickly.

PAMELA

No Manners

I had a very productive session at the shelter last Saturday!  I got photos of 7 dogs in about 2 hours -- it was exhausting!  I wish I could say I got amazing shots, but the main goal for the day was getting their photos up on Petfinder.  I can always go back and try again for better pictures.  The most difficult part of photographing dogs at the shelter are that they don't often have manners.  Most of them don't know commands like "sit", "stay", "treat" (which we are not allowed to give them for bribery)...anything at all!  They mostly avoid looking at they crazy lady making strange sounds holding the camera.  I've expanded my repertoire of trills, whistles, kitty meows, puppy whimpers, anything I can do to get them to look at me.  Last week I also had a friend come along with a squeaker toy which she held above my head, behind me, anywhere to get them to look! 

ZOEY

(adoption pending already!)

MARCUS

(sweet, big dog with a great smile)

TRACY

(just went home Wednesday!)

GRACIE

(6 years old, given up due to financial issues)

CARLY

(5 month old pit mix, very sweet!)

ROSIE

(my artistic sad shot of this sweet pit/boxer mix)

CLEO

(crazy puppy that is adoption pending already...because everyone wants a puppy, but I'm not sure why -- exhausting!)