Film

I had a wonderful adventure in the woods of Whidbey Island less than a month ago. During the day it was chilly and bursting with wildlife. In the evenings it was peaceful and cozy. I decided to leave my digital equipment at home and brought with me three film cameras instead. The practice of waiting and wondering if my pictures would turn out felt very Buddhist. I had to be in the present. I kept catching myself looking at the back of the camera to see the results. Instead of an instant preview there was simply a hinged door, preserving a delicate roll of film from the burning light. The delayed gratification was nourishing. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beautiful Haunches…

 

 

The following images were taken with our Holga, a funny little camera capable of creating all kinds of strange and mysterious surprises, like double exposures.

 

Most of the time the Holga isn’t around my neck, but that of my main squeeze…

Here I am exploring the beach through the lens of an old Ricoh!

 

 

 

 

 

 

I saved the best for last. I wish I could take credit for this picture, but I’m terribly proud of it nonetheless.

From the exquisite eye of the man who refuses to “exist on the internet”:

His identity is safe with me, but I’ll be damned if I don’t give this shot up for the world to behold.

Revel in the moment

It’s been a while since my last post. And while I wish I were a religious blogger, I’ve come to realize that it’s just not something I get the opportunity to do every week, let alone every day. For some time now, this blog has been the only online avenue through which I can share samples of my photography and present my capabilities to potential clients and friends. While it’s been sufficient, a formal portfolio site has been long overdue and I’m happy to report that a beautiful new website serving this specific purpose is currently underway. It may be selfish, but I’m most excited for this blog to officially become more of a journal and less of a portfolio. I’ve always wanted a repository for the photographs that don’t always make the cut, the pictures that satisfy me in a way that a technically appropriate or portfolio-worthy image ever could. It is with this news that I’m prematurely indulging in a journal post, and sharing the photo below. It makes me happy from top to bottom.  

This is a window into the daily existence of my two dogs (That’s right – TWO!). Aside from their basic survival needs and our daily walks, all they require is a soft place to lay down and a space heater. They are hairless after all. And they don’t mind sharing, which breaks my heart into a hundred tiny pieces. They are bursting at the seams with love.  And they are chivalrous, which never occurred to me until I stared at this picture long enough.  The dog without the jacket is closest to the heater.  The dog with a jacket, who is presumably warmer, has taken the spot furthest away from the heat source.  

That’s like giving your friend who forgot their lunch your PB & J, because your mom had the good sense to provide you with more than just a sandwich. It’s selfless and unexpected and makes you want to wrap your arms around someone. 

So yeah, there are better photographs to showcase. There will always be a better shot, a cleaner composition, a more compelling image. And there are countless ways to ring in the new year, to celebrate the inauguration, to revel in good fortune and new opportunities. These days I’ve found it most fulfilling to acknowledge the moments that go unnoticed. Moments just like this one. Today I’m celebrating Dog Chivalry. 

 

Frozen little haunches

Haunch loves the snow. No really, she does.

 

Checkin’ in…

It’s been so long since I’ve shared new images or provided a fresh update on Haunches. But I’ve been on the road! And next week, on a plane! September is turning into a whirlwind of work, play and lots of travel and I wouldn’t trade a second of it.  More photos and stories to come. Stay tuned!  

THE PERFECT SUMMER AFTERNOON RECIPE:

1 part sunny weather

1 part secluded lagoon

1 part rope swing

Make sure to enjoy this concoction on a late August afternoon, preferably in a pristine lake surrounded by mountains and without another soul in sight. It’s like a Corona commercial, but without all the palm trees. 

Ahhhhhhh.

 

And no, I didn’t forget! 

Here’s a fresh snap of the Haunch. As you can see, she is also thoroughly enjoying her summer.

Life is good when you’re a hairless pup in the hot sun. 

For the love of Haunch

If there’s one thing Haunches adores more than beef sticks or belly rubs, it’s poodles. BIG poodles. As in, must-stand-on-your-hind-legs-for-eye-contact, big.  

With most large breeds, she immediately performs the submissive dog stance and waits for acceptance. But not with these guys. She likes to get front and center for maximum exposure and the largest potential dog by dog love-fest.

It’s hard to come by something as cute and peculiar as the Poodle-Haunch Standing Sandwich.

Rare, but beautiful. 

 

Daydream

I often think how great it would be if only I could share a two egg Denver omelet and hashbrowns across the table from my four legged friend. There are so many things I would say over that extra cup of coffee. Imagine the cute dialogue as we argued over the last piece of buttered toast. But then I pull back and I retreat from my daydream and I realize while I can never ask my dog to pass me the Heinz 57, there are many other things that I can say and that she, in turn, can say to me. All without words.

“What’s that, Haunches? You bet. One savory beef stick. Comin’ right up!”

 

Dog Dreaming

It’s in a pale whimper

a muted howl

like noses quietly twitching

a whisker shift

in your dreams you are a zoom streak

an underwater kick

a ball is soaring through the air

and somewhere a bird is escaping

you are gaining

legs, grass and galloping

sinking teeth into yellow

a swooping victory

but the chase keeps you moving

keeps you dreaming

and kicking

in your sleep

 

 

 

 

Watching the rain

Sometimes you catch yourself. You realize you’ve been doing nothing but watching the rain all day. You take a long, deep breath. And then you watch the rain some more. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bangs and bandanas

I realized today that it’s been a little while since Haunch’s beautiful mug has graced the pages of the Wander & Scrawl blog. My apologies to all of the loyal Haunch fans out there. I will never deprive you like this again, I promise. Here’s a lovely Haunch shot we took a little while back right after a fresh visit to the groomers. Now, before gazing into her sweet eyes, allow me to insert this disclaimer: I do not shave my dog. If I had a nickel for every time someone asked me this question in public, I would be the richest broad in all the land. No, I do not shave my dog. No, I do not have her groomed to achieve her unusual look. No, this is not her “summer cut.” She is naturally hairless, boys and girls! And the hair that you do see on her is natural as well. Every now and then, she goes to the groomers for a nice oatmeal scrub bath, a toenail clipping and an…(ahem) expression. However, during our most recent visit to the groomers, I asked that her visor be trimmed up a bit – purely for functionality. After a certain amount of time, Haunch’s bangs become so lustrous and long, they start curling down over her eyes and into her snout, making both acts of eating and breathing, a messy, cumbersome activity. So, for Haunch’s sake, we trimmed up the visor. Well, I didn’t, this place did. They are great, just like their name suggests, Great Dog Grooming. If you live in the Seattle area, I highly recommend checking them out. Even my veterinarian recommends them, which spoke volumes to me. They’re affordable, friendly and best of all, they treated Haunches like their very own dog, with gentle hands and big smiles. They even sent her off smelling great, feeling good and adorning this cute little bandana. Now her big brown eyes are wide open and available for the world to behold. Plus, Haunch gets to scarf down her fish and sweet potato sans whiskers and bangs for dessert. Everyone wins!

 

Frog legs in the shade