It is hard to believe that it has been a month since Lindsay and Scott had to say goodbye to their beloved 19 year old MaryJane (A.K.A. MJ). While their hearts are broken, and she will be forever missed, they have nearly two decades of memories and stories of her antics upon which to adore and reflect.  Those of us who were fortunate enough to have known MJ are pretty certain that she is keeping everyone entertained and in line up above.

I first met MJ and her family at a birthday party for a friend’s dog about 2 years ago, and photo shoots and friendship ensued. MJ had two Sheltie siblings, but there was no doubt that she was the boss and matriarch of the household!

MJ had a rough start in life but was rescued from a dumpster by a dad who treated her like a queen. When he started up his business, she was a constant at his side, and she went on to lead a wonderful life and have everything a dog could ever want.

But in more recent years, she became a regular at her mom’s store where she might even be found assisting with the modeling of products:

We spent some time together last spring working on a Day In the Life shoot, documenting the above images of MJ at work as well as following her engaging in some of her favorite activities…..

Including satisfying her penchant for McDonald’s french fries….

She may  have liked my salmon treats as much as the fries….she’s the only dog I have ever worked with who nearly ripped the treat bag from my belt, and I have worked with some pretty large and treat crazy dogs!

And it’s hard to forget one of her greatest passions:  Car Rides! We captured this fun series of her riding through her neighborhood during our first session together:

I will be forever grateful to MJ for connecting me with her parents and for having had the privilege of documenting that spunky personality that seemed to endear her to everyone she encountered. Sometimes there are just no words to express our sorrow for others at difficult times, but I am hopeful that images will help. Ride on, MJ, and may Heaven rejoice at your presence and welcome their new sheriff with open paws.

“It’s Alive!”

My blog, that is. Neglected…..but alive.

It has been awhile, and the silence has not been due to being idol. In fact, much has happened and is happening, so this post will be heavier with words than images just this once.

Much like the puppy pictured above, this year will be full of  new adventures and moving forward with great purpose. Many of you may not yet know that I have relocated from Houston, TX to Greenville, SC which is like coming home as I lived here previously for 10 years. But my pet photography business was launched in Houston, and I have many wonderful friends and clients as well as family there. I will be returning several times a year for shoots and visits, so if you are interested in getting on that list of shoots, please make sure to email at fetchmel@aol.com or leave a comment below. Spaces will be limited for obvious reasons. I look forward to building a new clientele here in the Carolinas, and I cannot wait to make use of this beautiful mountainous scenery!

My work as a contributor for Life + Dog Magazine  will continue. In fact, travel has already occurred  to Los Angeles and Atlanta in the last several months for some exciting photo shoots for upcoming issues.  I am pretty psyched to continue to work with this team of amazing people and dog lovers as well as to expand my role with an additional blog on the Life + Dog website (coming soon).  This will complement a “photo tip” style column in each issue.  As always, images from client shoots will be submitted for inclusion in the magazine, so your pup could be among the pages for all to see!  The magazine is now available nationwide at the majority of Barnes & Nobel stores.

My husband and I will be building “The Dream House” this year, so I have to be honest with myself and know that this will limit the number of photo shoots and projects that I’ll be able to schedule. That being said, I hope to pursue a couple of new ideas and artistic endeavors while continuing to volunteer for animal rescue groups and provide high quality artistic imagery for my clients.

I always love to hear from followers, so if you have thoughts or suggestions or if you are interested in having me travel to a city near you for photo shoots, please let me know!

Oh, yeah…..let it snow, let it snow, let it snow! After 4 years in the Middle East and 3 years in Houston, I am ready for some snowy pet photos!

More to come soon!

I was hired to photograph Berkley as a surprise gift for his mom’s 5oth birthday. I literally showed up an hour or so before the party after she was dressed and ready to go. Unfortunately, she had to reapply some makeup afterwards because she so loved her husband’s gift of a photo shoot that she started crying. These are the types of experiences that reinforce my love for my job.

And because it was a party, it was necessary to don the appropriate attire. Even though it was a party for his mom, Berkley seemed to know that he would be the true center of attention.

Probably one of the reasons Berkley’s mom had such an emotional reaction is that she almost lost this little man several years ago.  Remember the tainted food tragedy in 2007 ….the food contaminated with melamine?  Berkley was a victim and nearly died.  Sadly he lost 2 of his dog siblings because all 3 of them became gravely ill; and against the odds, Berkley pulled through. He is their survivor, and that is truly a reason to celebrate.

Below are a few more images from Berkley’s shoot:

Berkley’s story serves as a great reminder to us all to be mindful of what we feed our pets.  It’s important to read labels and to stay up to date regarding food and treat recalls. Currently there is a huge suspicion that chicken jerky treats from a variety of manufacturers (primarily in China or that have these treats made in China) are causing illness and in some cases, death.  You can find out more about pet food safety at www.fda.gov/AnimalVeterinary.

In the midst of spring travels I received an email from a prospective client about a new arrival to her family and a request for a photo session if all went as planned…..a surprise shoot for a special someone in her life. I was delighted when I got the exciting news as puppy shoots are some of the most fun for me personally. You just never know what you’re going to get.  The calm face above that fit into her momma’s hand lasted only a few moments until Yetta got pretty comfortable with the Strange Lady with a Camera.

First, she had to show me one of her favorite toys and give me the “I dare you to try to take it away” look…..

……followed by a jaunt through the house…….

She slowed down briefly to allow one quick closeup on the couch:

I soon found myself in a situation which I’d never experienced. Like I said, with puppies, you never know what is going to happen next.

What to do when an American Bulldog puppy has wrapped your pant leg around your ankle and won’t let go? Contort into whatever position it takes to make a picture!

Then it was time to go out for a potty break…..no surprise there:  puppies need lots of those!

This little one was feeling pretty comfortable on her turf already and was extremely playful and happy.

And if you’ve been following me for awhile, you know that I have a thing for cute doggy bottoms….

Yetta enjoyed being outside with new territory to explore but soon began to wind down…..

We headed back inside to cool down, and I was hoping for the opportunity to capture some sleeping puppy pictures. Like newborn babies…..there’s something so precious and innocent about them when they are sleeping….

And yes, that dog face on the bed was a total coincidence!

She played hard, and she slept hard….and we just couldn’t help but have a little fun…..

Shhhhhhhhhh, she’s still sleeping…..

I hated to go, but I left our session at this point. She didn’t even stir when I gathered my gear and treats, but I had no doubt that she would be awake soon…..and full of more surprises.  Thank you, Julie and Jason for allowing me the opportunity to capture such a special time in your little one’s life.

I recently had the pleasure of photographing Daisy, an adorable Schnauzer Mix puppy who was adopted by her mom from Pup Squad Animal Rescue. Daisy’s disposition is, at the very least, engaging. Personable, spunky, sweet, loving…oh, the list goes on and on! It’s no wonder that she is the apple of her mom’s eye and that these two have begun a wonderful journey together. Here are some of my favorite images from our shoot.

One of Daisy’s lounging spots at home….she’s wasted no time getting comfortable in her new home:

And outside she came alive and happily romped through her surroundings…..

Her friend, Dixie, came out for awhile and managed a Photo Bomb appearance….

Then it was time to rest for a bit and restock the puppy energy for the next round.

Nothing like a great love story and happy endings, and in this case, beginnings! Many thanks to Jessica and Daisy for a great session and best wishes for a long, long life together!

As a photographer specializing in pet portraiture, I love my job more than I can possibly express.  But there are times when a heavy heart is unavoidable, and today is one such occasion. I just learned of Bunny’s passing yesterday after months of fighting Canine Cancer. Her family contacted me several months ago after learning of her condition so that we could capture their special bond.  My heart goes out to her family, and I invite you to have a look at some of the images from the shoot and hug your own pups a little tighter.  And while Bunny’s time on this earth could not have been long enough, I am glad that we can celebrate her life through pictures.

Bunny’s family gave her the nickname “Bear” early on in life, and they took it a step further by describing her as “Bearly a Dog.”  She’s much more human than dog and has been an integral part of their lives for a little more than 9 years.

When we met earlier this year for the photo shoot, it became obvious very quickly how much Bunny was adored and how greatly these feelings were reciprocated.

Thank you, Chelsea and Sheryl, for entrusting me to capture lasting memories of Bunny and for giving me the privilege of working with such a sweet and gentle soul. Despite the difficulty of having to say goodbye to her, I know that you are focused on how your lives are fuller for having had Bunny in them.  We are all enriched from the love of a dog, especially those that are “bearly” dogs.

Chelsea and Sheryl agreed on their favorite image of the shoot, so I will leave you with that…..

When Winston’s mom contacted me about doing a photo shoot with her 10 week old Great Dane puppy, I wanted to run over immediately before he even got 1 more day older! I knew that the cuteness would be unbelievable. And then she added, “Oh, and I have a Pug named Chloe, too.” Wait! A Great Dane pup AND a Pug? Heart be still……

You may be asking, “Do these dogs work out? I see dumbbells.”  Well, they certainly are in great shape as their mom, Heather, is a Personal Trainer and owns Sculpt Studio in Houston, TX.  She wanted a session that brought together her love of fitness and the love for her dogs.

Winston was happy to just bound around the studio exploring and playing which made holding his attention a challenge (as with any puppy)….

Check out those paws he’s growing into!

Chloe gave me her full attention since I was holding the treats. I think she would have dropped and given me 10 if I’d so requested…

Thank you, Heather, for allowing me to capture such fun images of your dogs.  Chloe is full of charm and personality, and I can’t wait to see Winston when he’s grown into those paws….he’s got a great big future ahead of him.

This certainly is the time of year to give thanks for the blessings in our lives.   Relationships with family, friends, and my dogs (oh wait, they fall under the family category) are at the top of my list.  This year I am additionally thankful for having had the opportunity to photograph a wonderful friend and an ever so brief glimpse of the relationship she shared with one of her dogs, Noddy. Some of you will recognize Sonya of Sonya Sellers Photography.  She and I were inspired by a couple of colleagues in Australia to take turns photographing each other with our dogs. After all, we are always the ones taking the photos and never have enough good ones of ourselves with our loved ones.

There was another reason for our arrangement which made it even more important, more than just for fun. Noddy was sick.  He was 13, and his health had been declining for several months.  There had been multiple trips to the vet with no clear cut diagnosis. A bad bout would be followed by a period of good days or weeks…that up and down roller coaster ride with which all too many of us are all too familiar.  My husband and I were going through the same thing this time last year, so I completely understood.

Noddy came into Sonya’s life about the time he was 10 months old after being discovered basically living behind a dumpster.  20-30 pounds underweight and covered in mange, he came home with her and never left (I don’t blame him…she and her husband are pretty cool). He quickly began to thrive, and he blossomed into a very energetic and spunky fellow.  Nicknames like “The Crazy One” and “Horsey Boy” (he used to buck in circles when excited) stuck. It seemed he was always around…traveling to the beach, camping, riding in the car, stealing food off the counters, and accompanying Sonya on her errands.  Regardless of how her personal life and circumstances changed over the years, Noddy remained her constant.  Even though there may have been other dogs in the household, Noddy was the protector. It seemed their roles had been established, and an unbreakable bond had formed.

Through the years, there were times that they ran together…..

And other times, they merely walked…falling into sync with one another in order to meet Life’s demands.

So some of you may be wondering why I am posting a sad story on a holiday, and maybe you’re even a little irritated if this is bringing you down.  But my message is that being thankful doesn’t necessarily mean being thankful for things we have now or that we should only be thankful for things that bring us pleasure. Oftentimes the things that make us happiest will also create great sorrow, but it doesn’t mean that we aren’t thankful for that experience, that relationship, that part of our lives that helped to make us who we are.  Even while we may be sad over loss, it is important to fully appreciate what was and to continue to take something positive from it.

Noddy passed away a few weeks after these images were taken. And while Sonya is heartbroken, she wouldn’t take anything for having had him in her life. She says that they essentially grew up together, and there were times in her life that were certainly enriched by having her companion at her side. She is truly thankful for Noddy and will continue to benefit from all that he brought to her life.  And just look at what she and her family gave to him. If he could have told us, I am sure he would have been pretty thankful, too. I’d say his actions did the talking for him.

Thank you, Sonya, for the privilege of capturing these images for you. I am truly sorry for your loss but know that Noddy will always be with you and within you.

Season’s Greetings!  Yes, it’s that time of year! Halloween isn’t even past, and it’s time to gear up for the festive Holiday Season. I am posting a selection of available Holiday Cards for this year, so if you’ve had a session and would like to order cards, simply pick a design and contact me for pricing and ordering information.  If you would like to book a session in time to have holiday cards made, please contact me as soon as possible as spaces are limited, especially for weekend sessions.

Most of the designs are available in horizontal and vertical orientations.  Fonts and text can be changed to say exactly what you’d like for your greetings.

CARD 2:

Card 3: Example of vertical orientation:

Card 4:

Card 6:

Card 7:

Card 8:

Card 9:

Alright, the race is on…..The holidays will be here before we know it! Make ‘em Hairy!

Meet Pig! She is an Apricot Dilute Shar-Pei, and I loved spending time with her and her family.  We all have a story, and Pig is no different. Even though she is only 4, she’s endured quite a bit and has more challenges ahead. I find the bond that she and her family have to be so inspirational, and I hope that you will, too.

Pig’s mom, Amanda, contacted me for a photo shoot during the Smile For A Cure campaign which launched in August.  Pig had recently been diagnosed with Mast Cell Cancer which is, unfortunately, common in immunocompromised dogs as well as those most susceptible to allergies.  Due to Pig’s coloring which is a form of albinism, she met these criteria.

Amanda adopted Pig from the North American Shar-Pei Rescue and is herself involved with Pup Squad Animal Rescue (Cypress Division). She has helped Pig adjust to a wonderful life which she clearly had not been used to. She still suffers from anxiety, but this family’s love for her and patience are unwavering. They do whatever it takes to make Pig’s world as stress free as possible. So when cancer struck, they faced it head on and have researched and explored their options.

Initially we had some challenges scheduling Pig’s shoot due to her health. Difficult days were becoming more frequent, and there was a tumor pressing on one of her lungs which was affecting her breathing especially if she got hot or anxious. We just had to finally pick a day in the near future and try to see what we could do, and we would let Pig help determine the type of images that resulted. We were fortunate to have a cooler morning than we’d had in awhile, and Pig seemed to be having a relatively good day.  She was able to tolerate being outside for short periods but seemed to prefer her favorite spot on her chair in the office where she could look out the window.

It was determined that Pig would be a good candidate for chemo, and treatment began the week after our shoot.  I am happy to report that she is doing very well. She is begging for food and playing ball in the yard again. Even Amanda’s older daughter who really doesn’t know the depth of what Pig is dealing with still knows that Pig is more like “the old Pig.” And she’s very happy about that.  She’s got her very own picture of Pig coming for her room.

And I cannot neglect to mention or show you Higgins, Pig’s “brother,” who I am sure is happy to have a happier housemate.

As it is in people, cancer in dogs is not easy to predict or to deal with. Many of us have lost loved ones, both human and canine, to cancer and know all too well the heartache involved.  But for now, Pig is having success with treatments, and I can hear the relief in her mom’s voice over the phone. She knows there could still be rough times ahead, but she and her family are taking great pleasure from Pig’s improvements, and they are determined to enjoy and focus on the time they have with her, to love and spoil her, and to let her know the meaning of family and devotion. Here’s hoping that Halloween and all the upcoming holidays are extra special for Pig and her family.

Thank you, Amanda, for allowing me to photograph Pig and Higgins and for contributing to such a worthy cause.

Canine Cancer affects 1 in 3 dogs. For more information or to donate, please visit The National Canine Cancer Foundation.