See larger image. (his greeting card)

Pet Passions: Chicken fajitas, brown rice/vegetable medley, squeaky toys and burying anything he can get his paws on!

Pet Peeves: Itchy skin and bad haircuts. (see front of card!)

Breed: Terrier and Koala Bear? (see photo in “even more about Gizzy” below)

Age (at the time of photo session): 14 years

Story on card: Gizmo is a … well, we don’t know what Gizmo is exactly, but we do know he’s a very handsome boy who loves the ladies! Gizmo, a.k.a. Gizzy, Mr. Moo and Grandpa, attributes his youthful appearance to staying active while living a low stress lifestyle. He still enjoys long walks and has a passion for squeaky toys, just as he did as a young pup. Gizzy, the Zen master, shares his home and lives in harmony with several kitties.

Although officially retired, this senior keeps his mind active as well. He goes to work almost every day at a very happening local Austin ad agency. He loves to be included in brain storming sessions and always has something to say. Mr. Gizmo is one Verysupercool dog!

EVEN MORE ABOUT GIZZY…

Where does Gizzy actually work? Well, where culture and commerce collide of course! The hippest ad agency in Austin Texas, Mercury Mambo! Gizzy, one of the original founders, has been involved in all aspects of this growing company. He’s the one that employees come to when they are stressed out and just need someone to listen.Check out the similarity between Gizzy and this Koala bear! (especially around the nose) Could they be related?

Gizzy and Verysupercool go WAAAY back! Before Verysupercool greetings even launched the company, Gizzy was one of the first models for Verysupercool and his image was used as an early prototype. The first Warhol was of course the Scooby Warhol (2003), featuring our bad boy Scooby-doo. In April 2004 we designed a Gizzy Warhol for note cards and a coffee mug! See both below.Gizzy and Scooby were great friends!

We’re so glad that Gizzy lives in the ‘hood and we get to see him almost every day, he’s part of our extended family. Grampa Gizmo is a sweet old man and we love him very much!

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See larger image. (his greeting card)

Pet Passions: Crawling deep under the covers in Mom and Dad’s bed and jumping around on his hind legs like he’s on a pogo stick!

Pet Peeves: When the squeaky part of the squeaky toy stops squeaking.

Breed: Italian Greyhound

Age (at the time of photo session): 3 years

Story: Sweet Joey was going to be put to sleep in a Wichita Falls shelter because he had a badly broken leg and nobody wanted to adopt him. Thanks to Italian Greyhound Club of America Rescue, Joey was rescued, given the medical care he needed and adopted into his loving family. Joey is a happy boy who has lots of energy and is often seen bouncing around on his hind legs like a kangaroo!

He plays in bursts, then takes power naps – he’s hysterical to watch! IG’s are very sweet creatures that make wonderful indoor companions.

Visit IGCA, www.italiangreyhound.org, for more information about Italian Greyhound Rescue and how you can help. We love Joey and think he’s Verysupercool!

EVEN MORE ABOUT JOEY… STILL TO COME…

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See larger image. (his greeting card)

Pet Passions: Playing with his brother Karl, blankets, belly rubs and tickling sessions.

Pet Peeves: N/A. Does not compute!

Breed: Dachshund

Age (at the time of photo session): 1 year

Story: Alvin found his forever family through Central Texas Dachshund Rescue, a wonderful nonprofit organization that rescues, rehomes and rehabilitates doxies in need. He fell in love with his two new brothers, Homer and Karl, almost instantly. Alvin’s Mom says, “Alvin was the missing puzzle piece to our little happy dachshund family.

His personality has only two settings, cuddly and ecstatic.” They recently found out that Alvin, a.k.a. Vinny, Vinny-Vinny-Vino, or Fatty, is ticklish and loves being attacked by the “tickle monster”. He squeals with delight as he lays on his back and welcomes more attention. Be sure to visit www.ctdr.org for more info about these sweet little dogs. His Mom adds, “Alvin definitely was a rescue dog, he rescued all of us with his love and devotion.”

EVEN MORE ABOUT ALVIN…VIDEOS AND MORE STILL TO COME!

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See larger image. (his greeting card)

Pet Passions: Playing with his brother Pablo and his toy, “Big Mamma” (see video).

Pet Peeves: When his 6 lb little brother, Tico the chihuahua, won’t play with him (which is ALWAYS!)And when his parents make him get off the bed, he’s not allowed but continues to sneak up there.

Breed: Standard Poodle

Age (at the time of photo session): 5 months

Story: Mozart and his 7 litter mates were brought to PAWS of Austin (Protection for Animal Welfare Services) when they were just weeks old. The puppies had been rejected by their mother and were in need of special care and feeding.PAWS got the word out quickly and found wonderful new homes for all 8 puppies and the mother!

PAWS of Austin is a great non-profit animal rescue organization that provides refuge for strays and unwanted companion animals. Donations are always needed so please visit www.pawsofaustin.org to find out how you can help. Today Mozart, a.k.a. MoMo, is a whopping 70 pounds and a very happy boy. We think his curly locks are Verysupercool!

EVEN MORE ABOUT MOZART… Still to come!

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See larger image. (her greeting card)

Pet Passions: Starting raucous wrestling matches with her three pack mates and whenever possible, being held like an infant.

Pet Peeves: When the other dogs want to sleep and I want to play.

Breed: Boston Terrier

Age (at the time of photo session): 16 weeks

Story: Rebound was adopted through Utopia Animal Rescue Ranch in Medina, Texas. She was part of a litter that nearly died from parvo but was saved by a loving vet at his own expense. She was part of a litter that nearly died from parvo but was saved by a loving vet at his own expense. Today she is healthy, happy and delightfully clumsy. She still sometimes gets her feet mixed up when she runs!Rebound got her name because her new Mom adopted her to help get through a very hard time and lengthy illness, “She’s done her job very well just being there, and by being a great listener.” She was just a puppy in this picture, and yes, those are her real ears! Note: There are many more good listeners available for adoption right now at www.utopiarescue.com.

EVEN MORE ABOUT REBOUND …

Who is Rebound’s Mommy? Well, it’s non other than Spike Gillespie! Spike is a well known author, knitter, teacher, general do-gooder and HUGE dog lover who resides right here in Austin, Texas!We had lots of laughs photographing Rebound that day. Rebound was also the featured model for a fancy LA dog bed company called Haute Pooche! Check out the photo below (which can also be found on their online catalog).

We photographed Spike’s other dog Bubbles too, a while back, although the shoot wasn’t as successful.I mean, Bubbles was super sweet and cute and all… but the camera just wasn’t feeling the love that day. Rebound, however, we couldn’t take a bad shot of!

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See larger image. (her greeting card)

Pet Passions: Cuddling up for an afternoon nap with her senior doxie pals and chewing nylabones.

Pet Peeves: When all the fuzzy blankets are taken!

Breed: Dachshund (tweenie)

Age (at the time of photo session): 14 years

Story: Hazel, a.k.a. Miss Hazelnutt, was found in a vacant lot and taken to Town Lake Animal Center in Austin, Texas, when she was 12 years old. She had serious medical conditions so Central Texas Dachshund Rescue took her into their Hospice program to make sure she would get the love and comfort she needed for her last few weeks. Run solely by volunteers, CTDR rescues, rehabilitates and re-homes dachshunds in need. Visit www.ctdr.com to find out how you can help. Hazel had several tumors removed and went through heartworm treatment. It’s amazing what a little medical care and a lot of love can do…two weeks of hospice has turned into over two years of steady tail wagging fun! Give your dogs a special kiss on the snout in honor of Miss Hazelnutt, the miracle dog!

EVEN MORE ABOUT HAZEL … still to come

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