jennaleighteti

I’ve been to more than my fair share of horse shows in my life and seen them from every angle: as a competitor, a groom working behind the scenes, and lastly, as the photographer. But I had yet to set foot anywhere near a dog show before this Monday.

I’ve always enjoyed watching Westminster on TV, but it’s been a long time dream of mine to see it in person, and this year, that dream came true. I really wanted to go behind the scenes to the benching area where all of the dogs are prepped for their big moment in the ring. The dogs, crates, and grooming stations were to be expected, but the number of people in the area was not. At times it was hard to locate a dog at all amongst the crowd, but then, all of a sudden, a little face would beckon, “Here I am! You can’t NOT look at me!”

Even the most hidden of canines manages to grab your attention.

 And, of course, you can’t miss the ones you almost bump into.

The bond between the dogs and their people is clear and half the reason I think these dogs can keep their cool in the most chaotic of circumstances, though at times it’s hard to tell who is comforting whom…

 A Standard Poodle stands as still as a topiary as a few stray hairs are trimmed.

I took a break from the benching area to watch the French Bulldogs and Akitas. The atmosphere in the arena is fun but increasingly tense as the judges come closer to making their picks. And when all is said and done, the winners picked, the dogs leave the excitement of the show ring (sometimes with their human doppelganger).

I thoroughly enjoyed my experience at Westminster, but was happy to come home and watch the rest of the show from the comfort of my couch next to The Bandit who watched the TV so intensely, I think he was perhaps doing some judging of his own.

This week’s fido in flight is…in training…

Ok, he’s not quite in flight, but he’s really working on it! I’m sure with a little more practice he’ll be airborn. Buster is an adoptable puppy from Badass Brooklyn Animal Rescue (fka Badass Brooklyn Foster Dog). For more information or to see more of their adoptable dogs, visit www.badassbk.com

Happy Friday!

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This week’s Flying Fido Feature is a lesson in Flying Fido Form. Here, Thorton demonstrates the proper oustretched position.

This position has proven to be incredibly effective for those trying to maximize the state of being airborn. Notice how both front and back legs are completely outstretched putting aerodynamics to work. The ears are relaxed, allowing them to act as wings. The face is happy, creating an uplifting spirit. 

Thank you Thorton for demonstrating such exemplary Flying Fido Form. That concludes this week’s lesson.

Happy Friday!

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Our Fantatastic Flying Fido for this Friday is a wonderful little dachshund named Ellie. Ellie, could you come a little closer please?

Ellie and her canine siblings had a session with me last Sunday in Prospect Park. The trio provided a lot of good mid-air material as you’ll see in future Friday posts, but Ellie really had the hover perfected.

 Don’t let those little legs fool you, they’re packed with power. Here she is with her sister Bug whom she enjoys chasing after the ball with.

Bugs’s long legs may give her a slight advantage, but that doesn’t stop Ellie from trying. And every now and then, her efforts pay off.

Happy Friday!

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One of the best parts of photographing rescued dogs is following their stories. Back in September, Sara Cross went down to the Rutherford, NC shelter and met a wonderful little Cocker Spaniel named Ginger. It was clear that she had been previously used as a breeding dog only to be left at the shelter when she was no longer needed. Where most dogs understandably show signs of great distress and discomfort, Ginger happily greeted Sara with a wagging tail and big loving eyes.

It was a no-brainer to add her to the list of dogs that would be pulled from the shelter. Her coat was matted and dirty and in need of some special attention, so off they went to see an incredible volunteer who gave her a proper grooming only to discover that she had mammary tumors. The good news was that the tumor was removed and tested benign, but the bad news was that she was heartworm positive. She went to a foster home in SC while she received heartworm treatment and upon receiving a clean bill of health she made her way up to Brooklyn last week!

Quite a collaborative effort and a great deal of time (and money!) went into saving this gorgeous girl, but what a payoff! Here is Ginger, happy as can be, enjoying an outing in Prospect Park.

I’m sure you won’t find it hard to believe that this darling little face attracted quite a few admirers while she was out and about.

Ginger went to her new home yesterday thanks to all of those who were involved in her rescue! Don’t you just love happy endings?

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This weeks flying fido is Lilly who appears to have springs equipped in those back legs of hers!

Happy Weekend everybody!

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Bandit and I, along with Bandit’s cat Toast, ventured up to NH to spend Christmas with my family. Huddled up in bed this morning (Bandit and Toast require a large amount of space on the bed despite their small size) we looked out the window to find a fresh blanket of snow covering the beautiful NH landscape. I was thrilled, Toast was indifferent, and Bandit was not too pleased. Bandit hates snow. 

But alas, duty calls, and Bandit had to make his way through the cold white snow. The best way to do this? Run so fast that you achieve a state of hovering (no small feat when you are 32 lbs of meaty muscle). 

Run, run, Bandit!

Happy Fantastic Flying Fido Foto Friday, and Happy Holidays to all of you! 

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Oh, hi there! My name is Finnigan (you can call me Finn for short). What’s that you say? You’ve got a case of the Monday blues?

But Mondays can be fun! Here, do you want to play with my ball?

Or maybe we could go outside…..ANNNNNNND RUN AROUND! WAHOOOOOO!

Oh, you’re tired from a busy weekend. Well then, how about you just enjoy how incredibly handsome I am. Go ahead, really, I don’t mind. I’ll just wait here patiently….

Pretty please, won’t you just love Mondays with me?

When I tell people that I specialize in photographing dogs and kids their response is often, “Isn’t that hard?” It certainly can be challenging at times, but more than anything, it is a whole lot of fun. 

A few Saturdays ago I had a photo session with sisters Claire and Hannah. I had met them and their mom when they adopted Scarlett (now Shimmer), one of the puppies from the Eskimo mix family. Claire and Hannah are loving life with their new pooch, and it was clear to see that Shimmer was happy as can be! And who wouldn’t be when you get to live with two absolutely fun and bubbly girls!

Usually when I meet with my clients, I tell them there’s one rule; Have fun! But there was no need to tell these two! We spent the session wandering through Prospect Park scoping out fairy houses…

climbing trees…

and even stopped to play a game of pretend chess/checkers!

Claire and Hannah had me giggling the entire time with their wild imaginations and playful banter.  

Not to mention all the giggling they were doing, and we all know laughter is contagious!

Thanks Claire and Hannah for such a fun session! 

When we read the classic Dick and Jane books, we can assume that when we “See Spot run” he is doing so under the watchful eye of his young playmates. But what if Spot ran away? What if Spot stopped getting along with Puff the cat? What if Mother and Father changed jobs and had to move to a small apartment in the city that didn’t allow dogs? What if they just decided they didn’t want Spot anymore. Poor Spot. Spot is sad. See Spot Cry. Wait, what’s this? See Spot Rescued? HOORAY!

This week’s featured adoptables are from See Spot Rescued, a rescue organization based in Jersey City, NJ and run by Zarina Mak. Zarina sees the dogs she rescues (mainly from rural shelters in the south) as her “clients” and makes every effort to find them a home that is the perfect match. While the dogs are waiting for the perfect applicant, they stay at K9dergarten - a doggie daycare and boarding facility so nice that I almost asked if they had room for me! Mia and Snowy are two wonderful Labrador Retrievers rescued by Zarina who are ready for the “happily ever after” they deserve!

I swear I did not say “Smile!” right before I took this photo. Mia is just one happy-go-lucky lab! She is six years young and gets along with all other dogs, kids, and would be a great addition to any family. Whether you’re looking for a couch buddy or a running partner, Mia would be happy to fill any of those positions! 

Don’t be fooled by this photo. Though Snowy may have thought he was auditioning for a modeling job, this beautiful two year old boy’s real talent is in the comedy department. He’s your typical clownish yellow lab who wants to make you laugh and smile! Just like Mia, he would do well in any family situation, even if one of your family members is…a goat? That’s right, Snowy is from the country and he’s no stranger to animals of all shapes and sizes!

If you would like to find out more about these adorable adoptable labradors (go ahead, say that ten times fast) contact Zarina at seespotrescued@gmail.com