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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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Pet Peeves: Having his ears cleaned, and those despicable paper towel rolls.

Pet Passions: Food, water, children, yoga, and Pica Chu (a huge stuffed toy that is as round as he is.)

Breed: English Bulldog

Age (at the time of photo session): 9 months

Story: At 9 months and sixty pounds, Bonkers definitely turns heads. He’s full of personality and sports a very impressive under bite that is best appreciated in profile.He goes absolutely bonkers for water and has proven that he can’t be trusted near public fountains. Food and people (children especially) are his real passion – he has never met a food or person that he did not love. When Bonkers encounters children, he immediately bows down and lays at their feet!

EVEN MORE ABOUT BONKERS…

We loved meeting and photographing Bonkers, although we had to mop the floors after he left our house! He is a major drooler, but we didn’t care. Allan was scratching his butt in the photo of Bonker’s that ended up being a greeting card, that’s how we got him to stay put. The pose was his idea though. He’s a funny looking boy!Some friends of Bonker’s took his greeting card to her classroom and has the kids do their best to draw Bonkers. Below is one of my favorites:

(buy Bonker’s greeting card)

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Pet Passions:French kissing, belly rubs, and road trips.Pet Peeves: Not being able to speak in complete sentences.Breed: Old English Sheepdog & Wheaten Terrier ?Age (at the time of photo session): 1 yearStory: Rugs was adopted from the Baytown Humane Society when he was just a pup. No one’s certain, but we think he’s part Sheepdog, part Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier, and part snuggle bunny.Rugs loves getting his belly rubbed while lounging in a warm lap. And he’s crazy about going anywhere in the car. He hangs out the window with the wind in his face and smiles at everyone that passes by.In addition to his name, he answers to Boo, Rugsy, and Mr. Yummy (a reference to his scrumptious personality). Although he hasn’t been formally trained, Rugs is a great therapy dog. Just being in his presence makes people feel better. One look into those yummy eyes, and you’re in heaven.

EVEN MORE ABOUT RUGS … Still to come!

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Pet Passions: still to comePet peeves: still to comeBreed: ChihuahuaAge (at the time of photo session): 11 weeksStory: still to come

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Pet Passions: still to comePet Peeves: still to comeBreed: Yorkshire Terrier/Shih TzuAge (at the time of photo session): 1 year Story: still to come

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Pet Passions: still to comePet Peeves: still to comeBreed: Basset HoundAge (at the time of photo session): 1 yearStory: still to come

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Pet Passions: His “tiny teddy” (a stuffed Bernese Mountain Dog that he tucks under his chin and sleeps with) and making sure that every person and every creature he meets feels safe and loved.

Pet Peeves:  Hugs that are too short.

Breed: Bernese Mountain Dog

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

Story: Teddy is a very special boy who is a trained therapy dog. He absolutely LOVES to go to nursing homes and he always seems to know who needs extra time and attention. Teddy’s Mom says, ” It is amazing all the life stories I
have heard from people described as “withdrawn”. Once they have a hand on that big shaggy head, they seem to relax – he will lay his head on a lap and listen.

Teds takes care of his three kitties and loves his stuffed babies – he always carries one with him where ever he goes. He has a Tiny Teddy that is his favorite toy and he tucks it under his chin before going to sleep.

FYI: Teddy has done some ad work- his picture was on the front of the Austin Humane Society 2007 fundraiser program!

EVEN MORE ABOUT TEDDY…

When you meet Teddy, you just feel good. If you feel bad you feel better, and if you feel good, you feel great! Some dogs just have that affect on you and Teddy Bear is one of them.

Teddy’s Mom Kathy, owns two very cool stores in Austin; Fetish (known for super fashionable women’s shoes, clothes and jewelry) and Underwear (known for very sexy lingerie and unique upscale jammies). Teddy and his Mom split their time between the two stores, I met and photographed Teddy while he was in “Underwear”. While ladies would be shopping for just the right bra and panties, Teddy would be keeping a watchful eye from somewheres nearby. The customers didn’t seem to mind stepping over Teddy to get to the flannel pajamas, in fact, I think it made the shopping experience all the more fun. After all, he’s so big and fluffy he just reminds you of all your favorite stuffed animals that you hugged as a child.

NOTE: You haven’t really experience the perfect dog hug until you’ve hugged Teddy.

(Below, Teddy waits outside of the dressing room. He really does want to see you model all your outfits, but he might not be able to keep his eyes open long enough. Teddy thinks you should pick one and check out already!)

Since Teddy is a mountain dog I knew his greeting card had to have mountains in the background, not g-strings. Thanks to Photoshop, we put Teddy into a scene much more befitting for his majestic breed! See the before and after photos below:

TEDDY UPDATE: Teddy’s Mom decided that Teddy needed to live closer to his roots, so she sold her stores and headed to the mountains and the snow! Teddy moved to a small farm in Washington State where he can take care of a lot of different creatures. He is very kind to all other living things; he loves tiny dogs and will lay down so they can play with him.- a gentle giant for sure.

Below, Teddy in his element.

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Pet Passions: Taking really long napsPet Peeves: Being jumpped on by siblings while dozingBreed: Great PyreneesAge (at the time of photo session): 16 weeksStory: still to come

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Pet Passions: Sniffing for compliments or anything that might possibly be a snackPet Peeves: SneazingBreed: Great PyreneesAge (at the time of photo session): 16 weeksStory: still to come

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Pet Passions: Running really fast and sliding into whatever is in front of himPet Peeves: When his parents are napping and no one wants to playBreed: Great PyreneesAge (at the time of photo session): 16 weeksStory: still to come

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Pet Passions: investigating EVERYTHINGPet Peeves: being fenced in or fenced out of anything interestingBreed: Great PyreneesAge (at the time of photo session): 16 weeksStory: still to come

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Pet Passions: Eating more than his fare sharePet Peeves: Being disturbed after a good mealBreed: Great PyreneesAge (at the time of photo session): 16 weeksStory: still to come

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Pet Passions: Nibbling on his siblingsPet Peeves: When his floppy ear becomes a chew toyBreed: Great PyreneesAge (at the time of photo session): 16 weeksStory: still to come

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Pet Passions: Chasing his furry tail all over the house.Pet Peeves: Going to fast and stumbling around sharp corners

Breed: Great PyreneesAge (at the time of photo session): 16 weeksStory: still to come

See larger image. (greeting card)

See larger image. (greeting card)

Pet Passions: Dog-piles with brothers and sistersPet Peeves: Being the first one awakeBreed: Great PyreneesAge (at the time of photo session): 16 weeksStory: still to come

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