my girl

"A dog doesn't care if you're rich or poor, educated or illiterate, clever or dull. Give him your heart and he will give you his." John Grogan, Marley & Me

Finn is one of those quick, unreasonable, whimsical and best decisions I have made in my life. I never thought that I would ever own a dog. Growing up my two turtles died, I accidentally set two birds free and had to return a rabbit. I was convinced that I was not meant to live with animals. But it's been almost 10 years now. And though we've made countless trips to the vet, though she once ate a whole box of pastel crayons and pooped multicolor for a week, though she cannot balance any object on her head, very few things in this world can equal the comfort of her gentle presence, her unwavering loyalty, and the way she makes us laugh every day.

Today I invite you to share the lovely, fun, cute, nostalgic or crazy images (and stories) of the big, small, four-legged, furry or feathered members of your family. Show us the one you gave your heart to. And who gave you his.

Comments

[Elizabeth Harper]

While I can't claim photo credit for all of the photographs you see of my daughter's precious puppy on my blogsite, I can say that I gave her all of the equipment she uses. I am really proud of her talented eye and pleased that she has such a willing model in her furry best friend.

http://giftsofthejourney.wordpress.com/2009/06/26/puppy-love/

http://giftsofthejourney.wordpress.com/2009/05/26/more-than-just-a-wave/

[Simon Lawrence]

A beautiful photograph, so cute.

Si

[Marcie]

The center and love of this family's life is our sweet Sami. A constsnt reminder of all that is good - she keeps us active and always laughing:
http://marciescudderphotography.com/index.php?showimage=898
http://marciescudderphotography.com/index.php?showimage=945

And here she is on the right with her best friend and litter-mate Abbey:
http://marciescudderphotography.com/index.php?showimage=797

[kosenrufu mama]

here my lovely little hearts... http://esterdaphne.blogspot.com/2009/11/cuccioli.html

[Jean M Fogle]

Our JRT Molly changed my life, I went from a worker bee at our nursery to a full time photographer due to her. Thorugh her I meet new friends, found a new career and learned to live in the moment. There are plenty of posts at my blog about her, but here is the most recent. She lives to hunt and snow hunting is the best. Also the next post is about Pilgrim the cat who came to stay at Thanksgiving.
http://pixels-n-pen.blogspot.com/2009/12/snow-holds-scent-for-dogs.html

[Patti A]

I am continually amazed at how unconditional these creatures are.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/paichler/4060881726/in/set-72157622701314524?edited=1

http://www.flickr.com/photos/paichler/4060117033/in/set-72157622576774773?edited=1

[~ kristina ~]

My sweet pup - as the saying goes, I'd rather spend time with my dog than with many people I know! ;-)

http://meadowlarkdays.blogspot.com/2009/12/sweet-shiloh.html

[kristin]

my big girl bayley looking regal in the sun.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/14811117@N02/2968500329/

[Andrea]

This is my Golden Retriever Finn! I love him more than you can imagine and I'm pretty sure he feels the same way about me ; )

http://www.flickr.com/photos/andreaspencephotography/4216006434/

[ELK]

Irene such a beauty!

Sam is a rescue that I have said so many times "rescued" us...he is waiting to share here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sammymom/3244547381

[traceyclark]

oh how i love that shot Irene! here's my ode to our girl-
woof! http://traceyclark.squarespace.com/blog/2009/12/27/woof.html

[emily]

Nate-dog.

He's getting to be an old man now.

http://collectingraindrops.blogspot.com/2009/08/mornings-730.html

[Aubrey]

one of the best decisions I've ever made. My Moose.

http://aubreyplays.blogspot.com/2008/10/bits-of-inspiration_10.html

And a recent decision:

http://aubreyplays.blogspot.com/2009/12/happy-accidents.html

Pets are THE BEST.

[jeanne]

Our little boy decided to show the neighbor's cat who's boss today. Caught the moment on my blog.

[cigi]

My favorite little friend, Beanie. I took this last week while she was in the midst of a serious health scare. The vet says she's out of danger now, thank goodness. Still, she is quite elderly. I really don't know what I will do without her.

http://walkinginthisworld.wordpress.com/2009/12/19/december-views-14-the-only-constant/

[Mary]

Love this post! We have 2 little pups - what joy they bring to our lives....

http://www.flickr.com/photos/infaithphotography/4219771478/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/infaithphotography/4219004823/

[Andree]

Oh yes! "I never want to go to a heaven where there aren't any dogs". Amen.

After losing our best friend 5 years ago, it has taken us until now to not feel as much pain and to open our hearts to TWO monsters!

Oskar and Maya (now 1 and 8 months)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bumpytours10/3684144073/in/set-72157617776842806/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bumpytours10/3854536205/in/set-72157617776842806/

They both fill up my lens and my life completely -- hooray!

[Darlene]

I have a handful of animals on my little farm, but Muffin, my almost two year old miniature horse really keeps us well entertained. He loves to play and is very curious about what's going on. Take a look at him here:

http://www.whimsicalyearsphotography.com/blog/1091/my-muffin-man-maine-lifestyle-photographer/

[MIchelle]

Lovely post. Our 3rd Golden Retriever, Kona, is settling into his life with us after we adopted him 4 months ago. He was our 17th foster dog for rescue and I knew he was the "one" as soon as I saw him. He brings us so much joy ever day as we watch him blossom. http://stickerdog.com/?p=1337

[Laurie]

I agree about them being so much a part of them family. I wasn't looking for Beansy but I can't imagine our life without this wonderful rescue dog. He is an equal part of our family and life would not be the same without him.

http://laurieoneil.com/2009/11/a-girl-and-her-beansy/

[melissa]

cracking up over the crayons!

[Kelly]

We have discovered doggy love again...and we are TIRED.

http://peekabooview.blogspot.com/2009/12/lucky-penny.html

[Bridge]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ridethewavesoflife/4168334732/

[Kiesha]

One of the boys....kid #4 Charlie


http://kbondphotos.blogspot.com/2009/12/charlie.html

[jen]

bernard, bewildered

http://jwag.smugmug.com/Personal/Pets/Pets/7339281_bfaZM/1/#751593742_Y9EL9-A-LB

[rc]

Thanks for this post, photographing pets in one of my favorite things to do....

Sadie girl passed away last year, and we miss her still:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/24475026@N02/4222241421/

and sweet Bella is resident puppy at the gym where I work out:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/24475026@N02/4223005492/

[Jennie]

My sweet Lucy:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jguico/2422621722/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jguico/765756579/

[Lizz]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lilybeth29/4078075941/in/photostream/

so helpful!

[Secret Agent Mama]

Little Nicky got my heart this year. Read about him, here: http://secretagentmama.com/blog/2009/12/24/st-nicky/

[janette]

I'm late with this addition, but wanted to share a recent photo of the newest member of our family. We went to an adoption fair for rescued labs a couple of weeks ago. Fell in love with Woody, an 11.5 year old yellow lab who recently lost his home. We lost our previous dog, Bow, to canine cancer this fall -- have had a soft spot for ancient dogs ever since.

Bringing Woody home brought much needed light to our own home, just in time for the holidays.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jcanare/4205059576/?deletedcomment=1

[Anita Johnson]

This is my buddy Buster. I love this dog! Our grown kids always comment on how gray he is becoming, but I still see the puppy face I fell in love with 10 years ago. I've enjoyed looking at everyone's photos!

http://didyoubringyourcamera.blogspot.com/2009/03/let-sleeping-dogs.html

[Fi]

Here's our crew. Pippa (5 yrs old, border collie/fencejumping terrier of questionable background, extremely tolerant), Ruby (English Bull Terrier, 5 mths old, troublemaker) and Max (Fox Terrier, 4 years old, not so tolerant of 5 mth old puppies)

They have hours of fun playing on our front lawn,

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kiwifruitfi/4223705981/

[georgia]

oh, my gosh! she is the sweetest looking little dog, and this is such a perfect picture!

just today, i said to a friend while driving after seeing a cute little dog in someones car, "i want a doggie!"

i don't have my own, but my twin sister has a little chihuahua that is like my best friend when i go to visit. he never stops following me around the entire time i'm there. i love him to death! here is a blog post we did with photos of him -- one she took, and one i took.

http://ethereal-two.blogspot.com/2009/06/blanco.html

[lynn @ human, being]

The hardest thing about capturing my pets images is that they're so darn fast. Ferrets only sit still when they are sleeping or just waking up. Since I shoot indoors and hate the flash, it's rare that I get a good, clear shot of them. This is one of my favorites ... ever:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lynn-g/4198032252/in/set-72157622906691521/

I turned on the flash for this one:

http://humanbeingblog.com/2009/11/days-of-grace-235365/

My cat Noelle is also tricky because she's a tuxedo cat. I have a hard time keeping from blowing out her white chest in order to capture the details of her dark coat. I love this shot of her.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lynn-g/4198032252/in/set-72157622906691521/

[Deepa]

Here is my diva
http://mumbaiphotographer.blogspot.com/2009/04/hot-summer.html

Her name is Mandy and she is the love of my life.
http://mumbaiphotographer.blogspot.com/2009/02/colors.html
http://mumbaiphotographer.blogspot.com/2009/10/belated-happy-birthday-mumbai-pet.html

[Trude]

Love that polaroid!! My Italian Greyhound, Dante, is my constant companion and subject. I adopted him from a local shelter at Easter last year, and we've been bonded ever since! I don't have kids yet, so I never knew I could love and care for another creature like I do him. He's my daily chuckle, my bed warmer when I'm sick, my front door greeter. Can't imagine life without him. This recent shot is one of my all-time faves, he just did NOT want to get of bed!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/trudem/4200509171/

[Kellee]

Here is my little angel, Ruby

http://www.flickr.com/photos/booyacakel/2721978538/in/set-72157606519212780/

No always so angelic, but she hovers near when I'm sad and will (try to) lick the tears from my face if I cry. She's hilarious and I love her, even when I feel exasperaed.

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