NEW! 2009 CityDogs Calendar

Well friends I am very excited to announce our NEW CityDogs Calendar!

Just in time for the holiday GIFT season (hint, hint) this calendar will feature all dane + dane photographs. "Beauty shots" every month will include a variety of dane + dane clients, editorial "bests" and even some exclusive "behind the scenes" photos from past CityDog Magazine cover shoots. Also, if you have ever entered your dog in a CityDog Model Search event - they will be IN THE CALENDAR! That's right - every day of the year and THEN SOME will include a photo of a CityDog Model Search Contestant!

Not only will this calender be beautiful (TONS of full color, fabulous dog portraits) but it will feature hundreds of your dogs, your friends' dogs, your clients' dogs, your favorite dogs - your CityDogs!!!

We are now taking pre-orders (click here for the form) You can snail-mail, email, fax or call in your order starting today! The 2009 CityDogs Calendar is only $19.95 (plus tax and shipping) and will be making its official debut at "Dog-o-ween" October 25th.

Because will be printing limited quantities, you wan to order now to make sure you secure a copy (or three!) This CityDogs Calendar will make a fabulous gift for yourself, your family and the dog lovers in your life!

Las Vegas and house flies.

This is an observation sent to me by my dear friend Ric Francis... Since I just recently visited Vegas for the first time, and this is a classic dog moment we can all identify with, I thought I would share with you:

"It's that slow time of the year here in the Northwest where it's just warm enough outside that the flies are slowing down and my Doberman, Crow is taking it personal.

While I'm sitting here playing poker online (with play money, fortunately) and losing at a comfortable pace, I notice Crow's head begins to weave about as he tracks a fly. Suddenly- even for the fly, Crow strikes with speed of a raptor. The fly, like magic, is gone.

The abject disgust that comes over his whole 85 pound frame when he does catch it is tremendous. The hacking starts as he backs up in a big circle; the working of his lips and tongue try to dislodge his captive. His feet tangle up in his blanket and it takes about three full minutes of dancing and head shaking before he is successful in his frantic effort to be free of the bug. Then Crow looks at me as if I had refused to help him in the struggle with his airborne attacker. He keens on about how now his bed is all messed up and he is disgusted with my measure of valor in all things. After a few more minutes of his Dobie groaning, he settles down.

After a moment, my boy being so quiet, prompts me to look over and tell him what a good dog he is. When I look over thinking he has settled down and back to sleep, I see his whole body quivering again as his head weaves back and forth tracking another fly- as if this one will taste better. So as I sit here, I may keep losing at poker- but like Vegas, I've got a great floor show."

--Ric Francis, Blackdog Foundation

Rufus and Willow

Here is a sneak peak at Rufus the pug and Willow the Puggle!

Their parents are getting married in October and wanted to include portraits of their puggy children at the ceremony so that they could all be together on the big day!

Lucky for me, I got to enjoy a lazy afternoon with Rufus and Willow getting some delightful shots... Enjoy!

viva las vegas: day 4

Today is September 11th, 2008

I was reminded of the sobering anniversary when I arrived at the Mandalay Bay convention center today and was given a little flag pin.

Today was also the last day of this year's SuperZoo trade show. We had a fabulous day: lots of orders, more exciting conversations and a fairly easy breakdown. I was hoping to make it to the pool, but instead we wound down from the week together and then I took a walk.

For the first time I was able to get out on "the strip" - outside for the first time since I stepped off the plane! Here are some of my photos from my walk...

It was fascinating to be at the "New York, New York" casino on September 11th. The flags were at half-mast... the mood was solemn (even in the midst of flashy Las Vegas lights)

viva las vegas: day 3

Well... Last night was perhaps a wee bit too fun. I had to take a nap this morning: enough said :)

We had a great day at the show today! Several of our friends from the Innova party came to visit our booth and we had visits from Modern Dog Magazine, Dogster and Bradley who has invited us to attend the Emmy Gifting Event in LA! Turns out we will be giving away our "DIG bling" tees to Emmy nominees at the Mondrian Hotel next week - should be fun- don't worry, there will be lost of photos!

Tonight is more rest, and more planning...

viva las vegas: day 2

Well here we are, day 2! (Day 1 of the actual show)

We had a fabulous day today! After a slow start, we were pleased to meet tons of fabulous store owners, groomers, distributors, fellow exhibitors and of course, dogs! We pitched Dog is Good to the Tonight Show and made a YouTube commercial.

There are some very fancy poodles prancing around as well as several very spoiled little lap dogs in strollers. I wonder if Olivia would enjoy being here or just be totally overwhelmed?

Vegas observations: Everything is expensive, I have not yet been outside because all the hotels and convention center are connected, there are very few windows and therefor little to no concept of time, wearing knee-high boots all day while standing on a concrete floor perhaps is not the best plan and smoking is allowed nearly everywhere! Boy am I a long way from home...

Tonight: We celebrate and do some Vegas!

viva las vegas: day 1

Day one of SuperZoo started with an early flight and my first look at the Las Vegas strip from the car window.

We all arrived in one piece and right on time. Our boxes were waiting for us in booth #3630 and we got right to work!

The booth came together just as we planned after a few hours. We are excited to see how Dog is Good is received by SuperZoo attendees!

Despite being in Las Vegas for the first time, I am really looking forward to dinner and a shower and then resting up for our first big day at SuperZoo! Yeeehaw.

Sixth Annual Fido Fashion Show

The Seattle Hotel Monaco was all a flurry with a stage full of furies this morning during their sixth annual "Fido Fashion" runway show. This sidewalk event features adoptable dogs from the Seattle Humane Society all dressed up in fashions provided by Railey's Leash and Treat strutting their stuff hoping for a forever home.

Evening Magazine's Jim Dever was on the spot MC'ing the fashion show, Chief Executive Officer for the Humane Society Brenda Barnette was on hand to offer her support and Seattle's Three Dog Bakery was just off-stage providing couture cookies for the canine models.

Fido Fashions may be a far cry from Pet Fashion Week, but it's a great way to get some handsome hounds adopted and raise awareness about the Seattle Humane Society. Not to mention, a great reminder just how incredibly pet friendly the Hotel Monaco, and all the Kimpton properties really are.

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The one thought I am always left with after adoption events- after petting and photographing a myriad delightfully friendly Fidos is... How on earth could someone abandon, release or abuse this dog? It boggles the mind to know just how many perfectly wonderful dogs and cats are waiting at your local shelter... it never fails that these shelter animals are some of the most gracious, loyal and fun quadrupeds that I meet. It is so hard to understand how they end up behind bars...

Zak and Zoe (and Levi)

Well Greenwood, you must have been very good this year because you just scored an early holiday present in the form of a cute little pet boutique within walking distance of the lake: Zak and Zoe " A Modern Dog Mercantile."

You'll find this little red store on the corner of 74th/Greenwood, complete with Levi, the shop dog, lounging outside the door, eager to greet the throngs of passersby who are drawn to his giant ears and puppy eyes.

Inside you'll find necessities like food, treats and leashes, but also a myriad of gifts for dogs, cats and the humans who love them. Even better, you can buy Dog is Good tees and cards, and see some dane + dane photography on the walls!

The Grand Opening is this weekend, Saturday and Sunday all day - so when you're done with Pawswalk or Sunday brunch, head over, pick up a goodie bag, and show Zak, Zoe, Levi and shop owner Nadja some love :)

We will be including a $50 off coupon for pet photography for all Zak and Zoe clients, so make sure to get your tail in there sometime this weekend to grab a goodie bag!

CityDog Magazine: Fall Issue 2008

Featuring the dazzling "Sunny", photographed by by the lovely and talented Bev Sparks, this CityDog Magazine cover was donated to the Homeward Pet Adoption auction to raise money for this fabulous no-kill shelter. Yay for CityDog and Bev for donating to such a worthy cause!

The cover isn't the only sunny part of this issue, inside you'll find lots of goodies (as usual) including my travel articles: a weekend getaway to Seabrook and a Deluxe Digs at "Sheep Dung Estates" in California wine country- You'll also find some FABULOUS illustrations care of our disgustingly talented dane + dane design intern Ariel Payopay.

This issue also includes the annual "Top Dog" awards AND Dog is Good tees and camo hat in the "Cool Product" section.

:::::AND AS IF THAT WEREN'T ENOUGH::::

Check out our Ad for three coupons for great savings on pet portrait sittings, wedding photography and graphic design!! Get it while it's hot!

Three Irish Setters and one imposter

I had the pleasure of photographing quite the red-headed crew this weekend out in Issaquah. In addition to having a chance to visit my old stomping grounds (Issaquah is where I spent my childhood and man has it changed!) I was able to meet the most lively dynamic Irish Setter/Dachshund crew ever! They played in tunnels and ran around the backyard, posed like pinups on a shiny blue vintage truck, chilled out on the couch and generally had a ball! (actually, Murphy had THREE of them... balls that is... check him out below!)

Thanks to Tara and her family for having us out... Here is a sneak peek of the Setter trio and Cooper (the Setter wannabe)