Through a Dog’s Eyes is a documentary premiering on PBS next Tuesday, April 21st, narrated by Neil Patrick Harris. Based on the book by the same title by Jennifer Arnold, it follows several individuals being matched with and receiving their very first service dogs. It will change the way you feel about your own dog.

You can read more about this film here and watch the preview below. It’s amazing to watch the process these dogs go through to be a service dog, but the most touching part to me is the bonding process and the new life these dogs provide to their companions.  I’ll be tuning in!

Karma and Loosey

April 9, 2010

I had the extreme pleasure of spending time with Michelle and her family last weekend.  Karma (the Dalmatian) and Loosey (the little mix) (and her name is not spelled like that because she’s easy, she just used to be a little escape artist!), both 12years old and were so sweet.  Karma is a brain cancer survivor and wears her pink proudly…

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Alivia and Shane were little angels and I think they really had a blast being in front of the camera!

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Michelle, Clay, Alivia, Shane, Karma and Loosey….thank you for such a fun day! I had a great time! Hope you enjoy the photos!

Seriously. After two decades of working in the corporate world, I have decided to move out on my own. I can tell you there are people in my life who think I am crazy to leave a job with steady pay and great benefits when we are in the midst of this economic crisis. While the practical side of me might agree with them, my heart is telling me (very loudly) that it’s time. Time to follow my dream, my passion and take a risk. I have been running Modern Pet Furtography as a side job for the last year. More and more, my heart was going into my business and I found it very hard to focus on my 9-5. As a very humble person, I can tell you one thing I know for sure, I have always been a hard worker with a great work ethic. I am also a perfectionist when it comes to my work.  I was spreading myself very thin and not being able to focus ALL of my energy on my business was just killing me.  So here I am. I am super excited to start this new chapter in my life and because it’s been soooo long since I’ve taken a risk…I have to admit I am a little scared. Most of all I feel free and am so excited that I will be focusing all of my energy into something I absolutely love and feel extreme passion for.

Why did I start Modern Pet Furtography? It combines my two passions- photography and animals.  I have always been a HUGE animal lover.  Unfortunately, growing up, my dad never let us have a pet. Not because he didn’t like animals, he loves animals and he has a huge heart. His heart was the problem. He felt so bad when his childhood dog had to be put to sleep, he never got over the heartache and he never wanted us to feel that pain. Believe me, I tried my hardest to have a pet. I would bring home strays and play on my parents sympathy. My parents were stubborn!  My mom had five kids to take care of and really wasn’t enthusiastic about taking care of an animal. So, since the time I moved out of the house at 17, I have always had a pet. While my dad is right, that losing a furry family member hurts,  I would never give up the time I spent with them because of it.  There are too many animals who need a loving home. So many are being neglected, abused and put down for lack of space at the shelters.  If you can’t tell, I am passionate about rescue.  I thought, if I can combine my passion for photography and my passion for animals, maybe in a small way, I can help save some animals from an untimely demise.  I have trained shelter workers how to take better photos in order to find homes faster for these poor animals. I also take photos of adoptable pets for rescue groups. I know the difference a photo can make when trying to find homes for these animals.  It was because of a photo, that I adopted Minnie. Minnie was up for adoption and I took her photo for the Animal Guardian Network to post on Petfinder.  There was something in her eyes and every time I looked at this photo I fell in love with her.

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As long as I can remember, I loved photography.  I would take photos when I was just a little kid, I studied it in high school then it was my major in college. I have always loved to use my camera to tell stories.  Here is an example of one of those stories…this was 1980, the models were my sisters and brother and I was using a point and shoot 110 film camera. These photos crack me up.  I dressed and made up my siblings, put blue food color in the water…not quite sure what was going through my 14 year old mind but I’m pretty sure there is a story here. Put the photos in any order and you can create your own story! While technically I had no idea what I was doing, I just knew it was something I loved to do…

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With Modern Pet Furtography I love nothing more than the fact that I get to witness and record with my camera- the pet’s story and the love they share with their family.  So, today I combine my passions and will begin this new journey.  I am excited for all the dogs and cats and animals I will meet along the way, their humans and their stories.

You know, my dad was right about one thing, our furry family members are not with us long enough. I can’t think of a better way to keep their memory alive than scheduling a session with Modern Pet Furtography. :) Let’s work together to create memories that will last fur ever!

Please follow me on Facebook, Twitter or subscribe to my blog for information about upcoming specials and events and one very special announcement that I will be making shortly!

Dog Bless!

Andrea

Stanley the baby giraffe

April 2, 2010

Sharon Montrose is an AMAZING photographer and one of my inspirations. She photographs pets and sells a series of baby animal photos on etsy. She recently photographed Stanley the baby giraffe and created a behind the scenes video. Stanley is so adorable! Check out the video and see the print here.

Hope and Kekoa

April 1, 2010

Steve and Mana are huge dog lovers and the love they have for their rescued fur babies, Hope (Pit Bull) and Kekoa (Shepard mix), really came through in their photos.  Steve won a photo session from the Suds on Sunday event benefiting Mayday Pit Bull Rescue and it was such a joy working with Steve and his family.  Hope and Kekoa were awesome models and it was so fun to record their personalities. Hope is high energy and loves playing catch, but more than anything loves her brother Kekoa.  Hope and Kekoa have a great relationship and they were so cute together. Kekoa is a total sweetheart and not to mention a great acrobat! He loves walking on the wall at the park.  Thanks Steve and Mana for supporting Mayday.  I had a great time with you and your furry family and hope you enjoy the photos!

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Diego

March 26, 2010

I had an awesome time getting to know Mona, the owner of Mango Hair Salon, and her best friend Diego…… the silly, handsome Chocolate Lab with the googly-eyes.  Thank you Mona and Diego for such a great day! Hope you enjoy the photos!

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Koco

March 22, 2010

I received a call from Audrey last week.  She was a little panicked as she told me she had a Persian cat that was very sick and had to be put down.  She wanted to record some memories of Koco and I was happy to help out.  Koco was only six years old and unfortunately her previous humans did not take good care of her.  She is such a beautiful cat as you can see and my heart goes out to Audrey and her fiance.  I know this was a very hard thing for them to do as Koco was their baby.

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Marcus and Knut…

March 21, 2010

…..two awesome models!! Had a blast hanging out with these two handsome boys…Marcus and his Rottweiler Knut.  Knut was very camera shy at first….

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Marcus rescued Knut and it’s obvious his previous human did a number on him.   Now Knut gets tons of love from Marcus and has even learned Swedish! He is such a gentle, loving dog and he just melts in your arms.  It didn’t take long for him to come out of his shell…..

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Knut had a blast playing in the desert.  It was such a beautiful day, couldn’t ask for better weather!  Thank you Marcus and Knut for such a fun shoot! (hey, that rhymes!)

A Wet and Wild Day!

March 1, 2010

A little never-ending rain didn’t stop the Suds on Sunday event today at the Royal Poochie Salon in Mesa.  There was a steady stream of people and their furry family coming out to support Mayday Pit Bull RescueMayday Pit Bull Rescue & Advocacy is devoted to rescuing, rehabilitating and securing placement for pit bull and pit bull mixes into responsible, permanent and loving homes.

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It looks like this little cutie enjoyed the experience and came out looking squeaky clean!  The Mayday volunteers did an awesome job cleaning these pups up!

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There was also a handful of beautiful and sweet dogs looking for loving homes. I fell in love with every single one of them.  This is Hurley and he is a total sweetheart and cuddle-bug and he is looking for love. If you are interested in Hurley, please contact Mayday.

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These two babies are also looking for their forever home.  They were all so well behaved and enjoyed being out and seeing everyone and their furry friends come out to support them. Mayday3

Some more cuties showing up for their baths!!

Mayday4Mayday5It was a fun day for a great cause at the Royal Poochie Salon in Mesa.  If you are looking for a new furry family member, please adopt, and please head on over to Mayday’s website to check out all the sweet dogs looking for love.  Thanks!

Got a dirty dog?

February 21, 2010

Bring them out to the Suds on Sunday event next Sunday 2/28/10 from 12-5pm at the Royal Poochie Salon! This is going to be one big fun event with food, music, vendors, raffle prizes, pro skateboard demonstrations and more! Don’t have a dirty dog yet? No problem! There will also be adoptable dogs looking for a bath and a loving home!

This event benefits the Mayday Pit Bull Rescue Group and all monies raised will go directly towards necessary surgeries for a couple of their rescued dogs.  Mayday Pit Bull Rescue & Advocacy and its volunteers were recently awarded the ‘Hero Central’ Award by 12 News Phoenix. The award recognized Mayday for its ongoing efforts to save, rehabilitate, and place pit bulls in loving homes.  This is a great group doing great things for Pit Bulls, the most misunderstood and abused breed.

I’ll be donating a $250 Photo Session for the raffle so come on out and bid! Not only will you get a fun photo session capturing memories of your furry family, the money will go towards saving furry friends in need!!

The Royal Poochie Salon
6740 E. University Drive, Suite 103
Mesa, AZ  85205
(480) 832-2313

  • $10 dog wash
  • $5 nail clip
  • $20 for dog wash, nail clip, and toothbrushing

No Appointment Necessary!!!

No post is complete without a photo- so here is an old photo of one of my all-time favorite Pit Bulls – Roxie! She is one of the sweetest dogs I have ever met. She had a rough start in life but is now living with loving, responsible parents and she is just the sweetest happy-go-lucky girl.

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