On Being Selfish

Last night as I headed to the Wake County Animal Center (WCAC) I knew I was going to act selfishly and photograph dogs that I wanted to meet and cuddle with – I didn’t get to cuddle, but that’s a whole ‘nother story for a whole different blog.

When I first started volunteering as a photographer I would walk the dog rooms and pick who I wanted to spend some time with, but more recently my focus has changed to see who has been there the longest and is too young to go outside with A & R. I’ve met some wonderful dogs this way, but yesterday I just wanted to meet dogs that interested me. 

Snowcap (a.k.a. Winter) (WCAC ID: 72837)

Snowcap (FYI – her name was changed to Winter today) was spayed the day before her photo shoot, but it didn’t slow her down. She did an adorable little twirl when I got in her kennel – stopped, looked at me and did another twirl – and again, a quick stop, a quick look, and another twirl. She was very sweet and took her treats with manners. She is truly gorgeous – be sure to go to the WCAC gallery and check out the photos A & R took outside.

Lucky (WCAC ID: 75318)

Lucky is an older dog who’s family could no longer care for him in his old age. It was his first day at the WCAC so he was feeling stressed and giving me every calming signal he knew whenever I brought the camera up to snap a pic. He’s a big boy but he really seemed to be a sweetheart.

Bailey (WCAC ID: 75261)

Bailey was on my list for a few reasons. One, she’s an older dog and that was my thing last night. Two, she’s my friend P’s current WCAC favorite – yes, she’s trolling the gallery waiting for K to give the signal so they can take the plunge again. And three, her intake photo makes her head look completely out of proportion to her body. She’s fluffy and sweet – I really want to take her to J & K at All About Pets Grooming and see if she’s really a beige dog or just needs several baths. She really seems like a sweetheart – yep, I want to bring her home as my next foster, but I need to find out who needs me.

Chloe (WCAC ID: 75135)

And Chloe, she looks older than her kennel card says and she’s kind of a sausage – LOL, maybe she should come home with me so we can start an exercise program together. She had a nice mellow energy and took her treats very gently. 


All of these guys and dolls are looking for their forever families, so give in to your selfish side and stop by the WCAC today – you may just find the perfect fix that turns you selfless.

They Aren’t All Alike

So, when I look back on all the dogs I photographed Wednesday evening I find they look a lot alike … black and white Pittie types … but meeting each one you know that underneath all that pent up shelter energy is a personality all their own.

Ruff Stuff (WCAC ID: 72815)

This little guy Ruff Stuff was quite insistent while I was in with other dogs to come into his kennel. He had lots of energy and started to turn circles in his kennel when he got too excited. Even so, he was pretty polite for a young dog. And those ears, you got to love those ears!

Mason (WCAC ID: 73426)

Mason is on the other end of the spectrum as far as age goes – he’s a little over seven years old; but I found him to be almost as energetic as a young pup. He lost his home and his family. He has a great set of tricks that he knows like “sit,” “stay,” “down,” “come,” “give paw” and “play dead.” He had just returned from an evening walk with JP so we got to see lots of that pink tongue of his.

We don’t know much about George because he came into the shelter as a stray. He is a volunteer favorite and A made a point of pointing him out to me as one who would sit nice for a photo. He has the best pleading look. He wasn’t comfortable with the camera so I was only able to get this one shot of that look. But even with his ears out like airplane wings he does have a little bit of a regal look. He was gentle and low energy, which is great when you’re spending a lot of time with exuberant puppies.

Dragon Fruit (WCAC ID: 74310)

This little girl, Dragon Fruit, is not only cute as a button but is very sweet as well. She’s about four months old. For being such a young thing, she did very well during her photo shoot.

Bonita (WCAC ID: 74423)

Now although Vanilla, Mike, and Bonita look like a family they each have their own specific story. Bonita is just a cute pup. She’s about five months old and had some spunk, but settled nicely once I brought out the treats.

Vanilla (WCAC ID: 73923)

Vanilla could be Bonita’s “Other Mother.” She has beautiful black and white coloring like Bonita. She too had just come back from a walk and was still excited from it all.

Mike (WCAC ID: 73376)

And then there’s Mike. A told me to take his photo as he was a really low key dog who knows “sit” and would take a great photo. He’s a handsome boy and seems like a great dog for that right person.

Volunteering at the shelter has brought out an appreciation of Pittie types that I didn’t know I had. Recently, my search for a Bulldog for a friend and dog sitting Princess has made me appreciate the “smushy face” … even Charlie says that since our fostering of Bubba Rex he’s been drawn to the cuteness of Boxer types. Why do I bring this up?

Jeanne (WCAC ID: 73218)

Because of this cutie pie – okay, maybe Jeanne’s face isn’t as smushy as Princess or as boxy as Rex’s, but isn’t she adorable?!?

These are just a sample of the dogs that need homes. Check out the Wake County Animal Center’s website to see all the great pets. You can also stop by any day of the week between the hours of noon and 6:00 p.m. to meet all these babes in person. Don’t wait, stop by today!

So many you can’t pick just one

Thursday night I headed to the Wake County Animal Center (WCAC) to take some doggy glamour shots. Oh, I knew there was a possibility I’d bring one home with me as Princess had gone home and her visit had made me realize the lack of dog in my life. Click here to read about our newest fosterdog, Sookie.

The WCAC is over flowing with dogs right now (cats, too) and that’s never a good thing. Click here to see all our animals in need of a home.  Or click here if you want to become afoster for the WCAC.

While they were processing my foster request for Sookie, I tried to get some photos of pups who had been there a while but who hadn’t had a photo shoot yet.

As it is said, “Always start with dessert first.”

Brownie is a sweet pup.  I love his eyes and his coloring. He’s still a puppy, so yeah he needs some training and manners but did very well during his photo shoot considering I had forgotten to bring any treats with me. Look at those ears – you just have to want to see them perk up as he sees his loving family come for him.

Now if I found Brownie to be full of puppy energy, Goldy showed me what true puppy energy is. If you’re looking for a playmate or a running or hiking partner, this is the girl for you!

Reilly is finally being adopted. I say finally ‘cause I couldn’t believe that no one had scooped up this handsome guy before now.

If you like big furry dogs, stop by the WCAC any day of the week between noon and 6:00 PM and meet Hercules. He is such a beauty. Look at those eyes and the cock of his head. Doesn’t it just draw you in and pull your heartstrings to bring this boy into your family? He is heartworm positive, but there are low cost treatment options. I will always do preventatives to keep my dogs from getting heartworms, but all I’ve learned over the last couple of years from WCAC staff had made heartworms less frightening than I once thought.

Hercules (ID: 73777)

So, don’t wait – click here to see all the lovelies who are looking for their furever families and stop by any day of the week to meet them in person.