Irresistible!

I found this photo on one of my favourite websites, The Long and the Short of it All, aren't they just irresistible?   You can read the story behind the photo here, some bribery for posing for the photo was involved LOL!

Wild Thing.....

Came across these amazing underwater photos by Seth Casteel of dogs retrieving a ball.  It shows that the wildness of dogs is still just under the surface, but thank God most choose not to use those fearsome teeth on us!  Here's a short interview with the photographer about this photo shoot that appeared in The Washington Post Style Blog.

Dog show: Seth Casteel’s underwater photos flood the Internet

By May-Ying Lam

The eyes are wild with intent and read nothing but animalistic ferocity. They’re crashing with a chaotic splash on the pristine surface of the water in maniacal pursuit of their prey. They’re chasing squeaky toys.

View Photo Gallery: Seth Casteel’s photos of dogs diving into swimming pools in hot pursuit of neon tennis balls have been a sensation.

Seth Casteel’s photos of dogs diving into swimming pools in hot pursuit of neon tennis balls have spread around the Internet. Just a few days ago, Casteel had a manageable inbox, a working Web site, a phone that rang a normal amount. Now, his inbox is clogged with 1,200 e-mails, his Web site crashed for a brief period, and calls and e-mails have come in from 50 countries and such entities as Jay Leno, Jimmy Kimmel and “Good Morning America.”

“I get amused easily,” Casteel said. “I was just taking pictures because I thought it was fun.”

I caught up with Casteel between e-mails to find out more about his photographs. The pet photographer was in California, where he often shoots.

Why do you think people like these photos?

The dogs are getting back to the wild side. I think dogs have been domesticated over the past thousands of years. Not that long ago, pugs were wolves. I think dogs today enjoy being spoiled. I also think they have wild roots and appreciate the opportunity to explore those.

How did the idea for these photos strike you?

I was working with a dog named Buster. He was more interested in a water photoshoot. My goal is always to embrace what they like to do. He was so excited about the water, passionate about the water. His story had to do with the water. The Sony point-and-shoot was my first underwater setup.

What is your favorite photo and why?

The difficulty of the [photo below] was very high level. What’s interesting about this picture is these two are super good friends, pals. They both dive, love water and love each other. I can work with them together with no aggression toward each other. Some dogs don’t want to share the tennis ball. It is a very terrifying picture but behind the scenes they’re friends. The credit all goes to the dogs. I call it “Sharing is Caring.”
“Sharing is Caring.” A Border Collie and a yellow Labrador Retriever simultaneously pursue a ball underwater. (Photo by Seth Casteel/TandemStock.com)

Do you have any interest in covering the Westminster dog show?

I like dogs in their natural environment. I think a dog in the show ring is the most boring thing in the world. If someone said come coverWestminster, I’d say, “No, but thank you for the opportunity.” Creatively for me, I have no interest.

What’s your camera setup?

My setup now is the Canon 7d with underwater housing. (Casteel declined to reveal his lighting techniques. “I worked really hard to get the recipe for these shots.”) People want to know if I scuba or snorkel. I don’t. I free drive and can hold my breath for 90 seconds. I weight myself down to the bottom of the pool. It’s physically demanding, the work.

Have you ever gotten injured during a shoot?

The camera is only inches away from the dogs. There is no aggression towards me or other dogs but they are very, very excited about retrieving this toy. I have a pretty good strategy. I know exactly my space and know my working distance.

Bloody Dogs!

The Crime

(My RADLEY purse!)

The Perpetrator

Max the Dax, butter wouldn't melt eh?

Meet a Greyhound Day

Braved the strong, icy north wind and intermittent snowflakes today to meet up with my cousin Janet and go into the city centre. The Continental Market, which I always like to visit, was on, but my main reason for daring to venture into town on a Saturday afternoon during the (hopefully) last blast of Winter was to attend the Meet a Greyhound Day outside the Town Hall.

The Meet a Greyhound Days are held all over South West Scotland and Northern England is held by the Dumfriesshire and Cumbria Greyhound Rescue in order to educate the public on the plight of Greyhounds and maybe find forever homes for some of them. The dogs patiently stood as crowds of strangers came and patted them, a feeling of calm about them, they took it all in their stride.

These people do a wonderful job of rescuing Greyhounds usually after they have served their use as racing dogs, usually at the young age of three to five years. It's heartbreaking that these special dogs often end up cruelly abused, killed or abandoned. The organisation fosters dogs out to homes so they get house trained and also learn how how to live in a home - apparently Greyhounds adapt to the good life very quickly! The fostering also helps the organisation to get to know the dog in order to eventually place it in the right forever home.

I used to do dog walking for the RSPCA and many of those dogs were abandoned Greyhounds, that's when I first fell in love with that breed. They had never appealed to me looks-wise, but I soon learned to appreciate their nature. They are gentle, calm and loving dogs, that walk well on the lead - they put my boisterous mini Dachshund Max to shame!

When I retire later this year I intend getting a Greyhound from this organisation and I can hardly wait! I'll introduce him or her on my blog here. I know Dumfriesshire and Cumbria Greyhound Rescue are always looking for people to adopt, foster, raise funds and help out in any way they can. And it is not just for people in Southern Scotland and Northern England, anyone is welcome to help out in any way they can. Please visit their website for further information on their work and Greyhounds at: http://www.dgrescue.org.uk/index.html

Anyone Want a Dachshund?

Came in today and there was my Dachshund Max to greet me as usual, wagging tail, liquid brown eyes, cold nose nuzzling my ankles. I didn't have much time as I was meeting my cousin for a meal so I thought I'd quickly check my emails. Got my laptop off the sideboard, went to plug it in ...... the cord was in two pieces. There could be only one culprit, and somehow he knew I'd found him out - he was looking at me very sheepishly from his basket, giving me those Disney doe-eyes. I took a deep breath, then took an even deeper one when I checked the price of a new cable and adapter £88!!!! He definitely knew I wasn't happy now, as he was giving me those darting glances and then avoiding eye contact. I had a few evil thoughts, hot dogs crossed my mind, the Animal Refuge .......

He has cost me a lot of money - in his time Max has destroyed a camera, mobile phone, numerous leather purses (he has a real penchant for them) amongst dozens of other things. But, as he very slowly paddled across the room to me, eyeing me carefully, sat on my feet, gave a sigh of contentment, I smiled and leaned down and he turned onto his back and I ticked his tummy. All's forgiven, until the next time.