The holidays are here! I can tell because my stats show people are searching for "dog ornaments", "dog greeting cards", "vintage dog christmas cards," and more. If you've been thinking about advertising this season, now is the time to stake your claim on my sidebar. I have new larger square ad space available and an excellent designer named Sabrina Helas who will create an ad for you for the recession-friendly price of $50 (it was $100 in the bubble days).
Click here to learn more about my ad rates and "Sponsored Feature" opportunities that will boost your Google profile in a matter of days.
L.A. Photographer Sabrina Helas dropped me a note to let me know a very cool dog art book that she contributed to is now available. She was one of 37 dog artists who submitted their work to make the PAWS for Charity Art Book. The project was spearheaded by Sara Harley and proceeds go to the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade.
Although, L.A. photographer Sabrina Helas is still mourning the loss of her dog Kramer, who succumbed to cancer last month, she has found great comfort in the many photographs she took of her sweet boy over the years. Inspired by this, and by Kramer's generous spirit, Sabrina is offering five free photo sessions to anywone with an ailing pet who might not have the resources to afford a photo session due to the economy. What an amazing tribute to Kramer. Thank you, Sabrina!
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After so many sad posts last week, I am so happy to introduce you to Sabrina Helas’s new Golden Retriever puppy named Henry. You will recall that Sabrina lost her dog Kramer last month to cancer. One of her clients had a litter of puppies and offered her one. As she said, “How could I refuse?” Now, there are still tears for Kramer, but tempered with laughter with Henry, who is Sabrina’s first puppy.
My two pieces of advice are 1.) go to puppy school when he’s old enough. It’s a blast and it will give you your sanity back to be able to communicate with him. And 2.) take lots of photos and then take some more. He will grow right before your eyes!
Leave your puppy tips in the comments section below.
Two weeks ago, photographer and friend, Sabrina Helas, lost her dog Kramer to inoperable cancer. When I heard the news I was heartsick and had no idea what to say, since two weeks before that I had tried to reassure her that veterinary medicine can do miracles these days. Try not to worry. This was when the tests were still being done. But the cancer had spread and she lost her sweet boy.
I still don't know what to say, because I don't think words will help right now. But, I wanted to tell you, Sabrina, that I think about the story you told me of how Kramer came into your life, how you were a frantic film crew girl in NYC when you were struck, light a lightning bolt, with the notion that you HAD to get a dog. Immediately. Somehow, you had the courage to follow your instincts, go directly to the nearest shelter (which was not very near at all), and meet your destiny in Kramer.
Through him, you moved to LA, became a pet and children's photographer, and found your fiance. I know nothing can replace your love for Kramer. But I hope that you will someday be able to find comfort in the gift that he gave you, your new life, and know that his legacy lives on in all the lives that you touch through your amazing photos and generous spirit.
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.
#47 Get your dog a fire hydrant. The Hydrant Dog Bed by For the Dogs would be perfect.
#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.
#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.
Photographer and dog lover, Sabrina Helas, posted a story today about a dog named Chai who had to have his tongue amputated when it got caught by a vacuum seal inside this chew toy, Rough & Rugged by Four Paws.
This is the culprit:
Information:
Manufactured by Four Paws Inc. It is the pimple ball with bell (Item #20227-001, UPC Code 0 4566320227 9)
Sweet Chai is on the mend
Chai is recovering. But it is so horrific. Chai's owner has started a blog called The Chai Story to raise awareness about this dangerous toy. It seems Chai is not the only dog to have suffered at the hands of this poor design that can create a vacuum seal on the dog's tongue. Another dog, Coley, died after such a vacuum occurred and he succumbed to his wounds, and this was back in 2005.
Coley's owner wrote countless letters asking for Four Paws to change the design, but was assured this was just a freak accident. Now, he is devastated that this has happened again to another dog.
Please forward this to all the dog owners in your life.
9.10.08 Update:Four Paws has halted shipment of the Rough & Rugged ball but have not recalled it. Now, it seems there are at least 13 dogs who have suffered injury from this poorly designed toy. Via Cup of Dog.
Since I’m taking tomorrow off, I’m wishing you all a happy 4th of July today.
And because dogs and fireworks don’t go together, I’m featuring Sabrina Helas’s beautiful and haunting Dog House photo. I know it doesn’t have the “rah rah” patriotism of a splashy red, white, and blue image, but I am drawn to it in a John-Cougar-Mellencamp-Ain’t-That-America kind of way. And, of course, the neon Dachshund is awesome.
Sabrina is a super talented L.A. pet photographer whom I’ve featured here before. She has recently expanded into maternity photography and children under 6. See her dogs here and her mommies and kids here.
Also, here are some tips to calm dogs’ fears during fireworks.
Hope you all have a great weekend!
P.S. Sabrina, tell us about this image…where, what, when, etc? I’m very intrigued by it.
Yes, you’d love a perfect professional portrait of your dog. But what about how cute he is guarding his toy or begging to get his belly rubbed? With a photo session from Los Angeles photographer Sabrina Helas, you get the best of both, a CD featuring 50-75 images of your playful pup and 3 hard copy photos too. All for just $99. To learn more visit Cookies and Water Photography.
