Dog Art Today

Tag: paw’d squad

  • Celebrate Dogs Rule Day This Saturday 10.11.08

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    The Pedigree people have christened this Saturday, October 11 International Dogs Rule Day.  I know Dog Art Today readers celebrate their dogs every day with passion and creativity.  And I am in awe by the generous ways you support issues that impact the welfare of dogs, especially shelter dogs, but why not give our friends their own super, extra special day, too?

    It's a great excuse to upload all those photos sitting in your camera.  Or download them and make that collage you've been meaning to make (that one is for me.)  Or sleep in late with extra belly rubs.   Or get up early for a long walk.  Let your dog decide, as if s/he doesn't already.

    There are 101 ways to celebrate at DogsRuleDay.com.  Here are some of my favorites:

    #29 Get a professional photo taken.  The best selection of dog photographers from all over the country is right here on Dog Art Today.  Find one in your area and make an appointment.

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    Sabrina Helas, Los Angeles

    #41 Give up your favorite chair.

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    Squeak by Sharon Montrose, Santa Monica

    # 45 Get a tattoo of your dog.  If you're in LA go to Onizuka Tattoo like my friend Allison did. 

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    Tattoos of a Dog Lover by tby_v

    #47 Get your dog a fire hydrant.  The Hydrant Dog Bed by For the Dogs would be perfect.

    Fire_hydrant_dog_bed

    #54  Go a shelter and give the dogs some love and attention.  Check out the sweeties that Dog Art Today reader, Grace Chon of LA's  Shine Pet Photos, photographs for the rescue Paw'd Squad.  You might just come home with this little guy, Helio, an 8 week-old American Staffordshire Mix.   Or simply make a donation.

    Helio

    Helio needs a home today.

    #74  Watch a dog movie marathon.  Or better yet, sneak your dog into Beverly Hills Chihuahua.

    Heel_beverly_hills_chihuahua

    via Gowanus Lounge

    And here is my tip…

    #102 Save the date November 15 to bid on the Dogs Rule Fatbook, a labor of love created by 13 different dog artists from across the country (myself included).  All proceeds from the auction go to the animal rescue A Place to Bark.  Watch the sneak peek video:

    And last but not least, stop by facebook and join the Dog Rule Day celebration by uploading photos + videos of your precious pup. 

  • Grace Chon’s Beautiful Black Dogs

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    Zoey

    Yesterday, dog blog friends, Ann B. at the The Daily Dachshund and Linda O’Neill of Abby Creek Art both mentioned the AP’s article about Black Dog Syndrome – the sad fact that black dogs make up the highest percentage of dogs put to sleep in animal shelters because people have the perception that they are unfriendly.  The article cites several reasons for this phenomenon including the misperception that all black dogs are aggressive, that white hairs in their muzzles can make them look elderly, that they are hard to see against the shadows of their cages, and that they are difficult to photograph, especially their dark eyes.

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    Maya

    This reminded me of an amazing L.A. pet photographer I recently discovered named Grace Chon.  I love Grace’s clean, modern style and her playful approach to photo shoots.  She actually comes bearing treats and toys.  But what I truly admire about Grace is her dedication to shelter dogs and the way she uses her talent to help them, especially black dogs, find forever homes.

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    Gorgeous black shelter dog

    Grace spends her spare time volunteering for an animal rescue group called The Paw’d Squad.  She takes beautiful photographs of the shelter dogs for their website in order help capture the essence of the dogs and help draw in people looking to adopt.  Through what she affectionately calls her Extreme Dog Makeovers, she can make a big difference in whether or not a dog finds a home.  For example, here is a snapshot of a Rottweiler named Fannie Mae taken by The Paw’d Squad:

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    Fannie Mae "Before"

    And here is Grace’s photo:

    Grace_chon_rottweiler_2

    Fannie Mae "After" really captures her happy, playful, silly nature.  And by the way she’s still in need of a home if you know anyone.

    And she doesn’t give up.  Sometimes she will go back month after month taking photos of the same dog to try to get the exact right image that will attract a prospective doggie parent.  Her results have  been remarkable and have had a profound impact on helping The Paw’d Squad find homes for dogs that seemed completely unwanted, before Grace did her magic.  For example can you believe this little guy had trouble finding a home?

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    Paw’d Squad snapshot of Brass a Rottweiler puppy mix.

    Not after Grace gave him a photography makeover:

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    Who could resist seeing this little face on a website?

    Also, as an owner of two black rescue dogs, Maeby, a former Mexican street dog, and Zoey, a pup born in the gutter of Taiwan whom she rescued through an international organization called ART, she is an advocate of adopting and promoting the joy of owning black dogs.

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    Maeby

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    Zoey after her bath

    It’s been a tough week looking at the brutality of puppy mills on Oprah, searching for ways to raise money for the ASPCA, but when you see the impact that one person can make on the lives of so many dogs, it’s truly inspiring.  It’s an honor, Grace, to feature you and your beautiful black dogs on Dog Art Today.  Thanks for all your hard work on behalf of these sweet creatures just looking for a place to call home. 

    To commission a portrait of your pet visit Grace’s shinepetphotos website.  To see more of her work along with more Dog Extreme Makeovers visit her blog.