All I can say, is there’s not better way to immortalize the acquisition of a new puppy family member than to see them on the cover of a magazine!

Somewhat impulsively Olivia, Charleston, Colin and I ended up in Mt.Vernon on a Sunday afternoon – between tulips – in the dirt – working for the perfect shot.

Here’s some shots that were cover contenders… {Dog bless string cheese – without which, these shots would not be possible.  Oh, and also Charlie’s FANTASTIC “Old School” collar by Mascot, which I adore.}

Can you guess what kind of dog Murphy is?  No?  He’s a Wheaten Terrier….. Yes, seriously.

Murphy was last year’s winner of the 4th Annual CityDog Magazine CoverDog Model Search, which means several things:

#1  Murphy was one of hundreds of dogs that helped raise over four thousand dollars for local organizations like the Pasado’s Safe Haven + Reading with Rover

#2  Murphy was one of five semi-finalists that CityDog Magazine readers voted on last Fall – and he won by a landslide!

#3  I was the one who originally photographed Murphy at the West Seattle Thriftway event – here is his “winning” photo from last summer:

I just ADORE his fluffy bear!  He is the most rasta Wheaten I have ever seen and I just could not get enough of him when we met again in January for the CityDog Magazine cover shoot.

We shot at the Four Seasons Hotel in Seattle in their swank Presidential Suite. I was a bit early (I came directly from my shoot with Enry) so I had lunch at the “Art Lounge” – what a great way to spend 30 minutes!  I wish I had had more time to soak in the incredible waterfront view and conversation with the friendly bar tender. They have a great “tray” option which included a tiny little sandwich, small caesar salad, AMAZING seafood chowder and a sweet little pastry with fresh fruit { see delicious photo below } – it was the perfect lunch for in-between shoots and I cannot wait to go back to enjoy a beer or a glass of wine there!

Ok so back to the murph-meister.

Here’s some glimpses at Murphy posin’ it up for me at the Four Seasons. I think he takes nicely to the lap of luxury, what do you think?

And finally… is a sneak peek at the brand-spankin’ new CityDog Magazine  2010 WINTER issue – hot off the presses, on newsstands next week.

Here’s some press Murphy’s received:   West Seattle Blog // West Seattle Thriftway // Komo West Seattle Blog

Here’s a look back at the last three CityDog Magazine CoverDog Model Search winners – I really enjoyed meeting and photographing all of these kids – congrats to Murphy for joining such an awesome group of elite Seattle pooches!!

I was lucky enough to meet Xavier at Thriftway at the CityDog Magazine Cover Dog Model Search Aug. 16th – It was a fab event.

In addition to the search for the next cover dog, with all the entrance fees going to the Doney Memorial Clinic, we collected donations of pet food for the West Seattle Food Bank.

We had a RECORD turnout of 117 dogs, up from 40 something last year – way to go West Seattle!! We were able to contribute over $1000 to the Doney clinic and of course we had a lot of fun in the sun. Check out the blurb about us on the West Seattle Blog.

To see all the dogs that came out to try for their chance at the Cover, check out the dane + dane gallery.

To learn more about CityDog visit them here or follow the CityDog blog or follow CityDog on  Twitter to find out when the next Cover Dog event is, and if you can make it to the next event to enter your dog in the contest!!

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I should also mention that during their “Dog Days of Summer” – Thriftway chose Dog is Good as their retailer of choice to provide tees and hats for all their staff as well as items to sell to benefit the Seattle King County Humane Society – Woof!  Thanks Thriftway!

Visit CityDog Magazine today and subscribe!

Help them get to their goal of 500 subscriptions by September 30 – with $1.00 from each one-year, $2.00 from each two-year going to PAWS!

If somehow you follow this blog and you’re NOT familiar with CityDog Magazine – getcher buns on over to CityDogMagazine.com and check out this AWESOME Seattle-based regional magazine about “Life with Dog in the West”

To subscribe, click here

Olivia and I just returned from whirlwind trip up North for the “Deluxe Digs” and “Weekend Getaway” articles that will appear in the Summer issue of CityDog Magazine. We can’t tell you exactly where we were yet, but rest assured, after these features… You will MAKE time to go visit!!

During our adventure we did a lot of walking, romping, dining climbing, watching, waiting, sniffing, exploring and photographing- we found all kinds of fun, quirky and delightful places and spaces. After visiting three hotels in three days, topping it off with a Mother’s Day visit to Whidbey Island, we were both tuckered out and ready for our own bed in West Seattle!

I cannot wait to edit all these images, the weather was fantastic: sunny and warm complete with blue skies and white puffy clouds. This article will be a must read, and will include boats, books, waterfalls, trains, feasts, sunsets, eagles and a LOT of local pooches.

Enjoy the sneak peaks from our escape… Be sure to stay tuned for more teasers from the upcoming issue due on news stands the first part of June.

Every once in a while, I meet a certain combination of dogs, mixed with a certain combination of humans, complete with just the perfect combination of aesthetic and personality to create an incredibly dynamic photo shoot.  I like to think that every single pet portrait sitting is dynamic in its own way, but sometimes it just happens without effort… with ease and laughter and what feels like a little bit of magic… everything just falls into place.

My friends I would like to share with you to one of those portrait sittings…

When I finished proofing Allie, Opie and Charley’s photo shoot from a couple weeks ago I felt that there was something missing.  We did get great shots (even one that ended up in as a full page in CityDog Magazine see page 34) But, on the day of our first sitting it was pouring down rain. Without the opportunity to photograph them outside, I didn’t feel like I had totally told the story of these three amigos.

So, I called up Luke and Mareth and invited them out for more shooting at Lincoln Park (which, I am convinced, is one of the most beautiful places on earth.)

Yesterday we finally got our day with sun and a whole blanket of incredible clouds. Fresh from work, the crew arrived ready to rumble and we got right to business.

One of the many perks about this trio is their size differential. Small, medium and large canines, all of whom, have gigantic personalities. I really do think I could photograph these characters all day long and not get bored, it’s all I can do to keep up with their individual and combined antics.

We started with one of my favorite places – daisies + clover. This was especially meant for little Opie, who was just the right size to frolic amidst the flora.

Next stop, picnic tables.  I love to put a dog on a table and see what he does… these three did not disappoint. Allie, in typical Dane fashion, lept right onto her dad’s shoulders – to be as tall as possible – and let me tell you, a Great Dane standing on a picnic table is pretty dern tall!

From here we rambled down to the beach. I was determined to find cherry blossoms: they are my very favorite bloom.. I am pretty sure that Great Dane + cherry tree= true love.

{I am suddenly hearing the lyrics… Big black horse and a cherry tree…. if this Dane were black that would be too perfect!}

The trees I happened to find, of course, were on a dangerously steep incline (we’re talkin’ nearly vertical) so my plans didn’t exactly turn out the way I had hoped, but when editing I found I had been given one awesome little gift, and as it turns out,  floppy Great Dane face + cherry tree does indeed = truest love.

and this little arty moment…

After that we decided to wander towards the water. Charley, of course, was all atwitter with the idea of plowing head-long into the lapping waves. It was all his patient parents could do to keep him occupied with sticks on the dry land. For the time being… Opie had a nibble too:

Now I will admit, I am a sucker for a silouhuette “dog on the beach” shot (check out Olivia in Ocean Shores at sunset,) but a silouhuette, dog leaping on the beach with a magnificent sky, a departing ferry, incredible golden side lighting AND little tiny water droplets is more than I ever could have asked for. Thank you, thank you, thank you universe.

So now, we have WAYYYY too many photos (just the way I like it) and I can’t wait to help M+ J pick out the perfect portraits for their new designated “dog wall” at home and to design their epic book. The choosing will now, most certainly, be tough.

In my mind, this was the quintessential Pacific Northwest three dog shoot and I fell asleep very, VERY satisfied last night.

Woof!

We’ve been bustling around the studio working on all kinds of projects including the final bits for the upcoming Spring issue of CityDog magazine.  Although we try not to give “away the goods” before the magazine is on news stands – we wanted to share a couple images from the “Weekend Getaway” trip.

Can you guess where this incredible Northwest destination it is??  Hint: It snowed nearly the entire time we were there!

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!

As always, we had a fabulous time photographing the uber talented Cover Model potential!!

Here are a few of our favorite moments from the event – be sure to check out the full gallery here.

Remember, we think that all the dogs we meet are stars… and every mutt’s mug will be in the Winter issue of CityDog Magazine!

Stay tuned for CoverDog Model Search #2: Thriftway, West Seattle.

1. Adopt {Your certain someone is waiting for you, just be sure you do your research!}
2. Volunteer {Lots of duties to be done, not just the poopy ones!}
3. Foster (There is always a shelter or purebred rescue near you in need}
4. Spay & Neuter {The cat pin above says it all…}
5. License- yes cat’s too! {hefty discounts if your pet is already altered, hefty fines if they’re not licensed}
6. Microchip {It’s the easiest way for your lost pet to be found}
7. Attend fund-raising events like fun runs and auctions {check out the CityDog Magazine event calendar}
8. Donate items {Most shelters have wish lists on their websites with needed items such as new towels and pet food.}
9. Purchase from retailers who donate to animal causes such as Delia’s House of Canine Couture on Etsy.com {click the cat pin above to purchase}
10. Give cold hard cash, it’s always warmly excepted. {Check with your employer, many corporations will match your donations.}

And of course stay tuned to dane + dane studios, we plan to launch our successful “Operation Portrait PAWSitive” program in Seattle this Summer!