Something a little different

Well, I almost took a big step outside my “photographic comfort zone” and did a shoot with dogs AND a human – but I didn't want to be responsible for pulling S away from his assigned dogs so I did my typical “dog solo” shoots. It was a little more challenging than usual ‘cause the kennels in Isolation aren't set up for me to crawl in there with them.

These dogs and cats are all “special needs” and some are designated “rescue only,” so you’ll find them on the Friends of WCAC Facebook page rather than on the WCAC gallery.

Nemo (WCAC ID: 88413)

RESCUED

Nemo is one of those dogs that are so cute I usually don’t photograph them because they’re going to get adopted faster than receiving can process them. He’s looking for rescue as he has some medical issues.

Gertrude (WCAC ID: 88260)

Gertrude is 10 years old and suffering from an extreme case of shyness. I could barely get her to look my way – but bacon will win you many friends and I was able to get her to take a couple of “Beggin’ Strips” directly from my hand.

Strawberry Cupcake (WCAC ID: 88297)

Now this dog does not have a shy bone in her body. I actually came back with J later ‘cause there was no keeping her in her kennel to shoot photos. Look at all this love spilling out of her. She is awaiting rescue or foster because she has a pretty bad case of Demodex – that and a serious case of “Happy Tail” that she apparently gave to herself on the ride to the shelter. Ya, those aren’t freckles on her AND she had a bath earlier in the day.

Napoleon (WCAC ID: 88119)

Is this not a smile that can change the world? This gorgeous boy, Napoleon, needs to find himself a rescue because shelter life is really stressing him out and it appears he has some potential hip problems. Such a sweet guy – he’s a favorite of J’s – even though she has no favorites.

Rachael (WCAC ID: 87938)

RESCUED

This little girl is in need of rescue as she was a little snippy during intake – heck, I know and like the folks who work in receiving and I’m sure the process would put me on edge. She is an absolute cutie pie, very treat motivated and knows “sit.”

Marley (WCAC ID: 88263)

Marley is a beautiful black shepherd looking for rescue. He had a wagging tail and was friendly, although a little bit of a nervous nelly.

Duffy (WCAC ID: 86941)

Duffy was one of the dogs that I was specifically asked to photograph. Isn’t he beautiful? He is very, very shy and needs to find a good foster home to bring him out of his shell. I sat with him for a little while – every odd kennel noise made him jump just a little. I got him to come take treats from my hand and he was ever so gentle, but no matter how much I wanted to just hug him, pet him, and give him lots of love he just wasn't ready. It breaks my heart.

Blue Skies (WCAC ID: 88350)

RESCUED

Now this little mamma with her terrible case of Demodex – I have to admit that even though my first foster was a Demodex dog I had to tell myself to pet this sweet girl. I was reminded of just how rewarding it is to give affection to a dog that has not had that touch for a very long time. She sat close to me and just soaked up the pets and chest massage. If I stopped, she’d come a little closer, but was never rude and never made a demanding hand flip with her nose.

Emeli (WCAC ID: 88120)

RESCUED

And this little girl is super cute but in need of rescue to get her into a foster home to build up her confidence. You could see by her wiggly butt she wanted your love and affection, but every time you reached out to her or moved she scooted into the corner of her kennel. Poor little girl.

Mikey (WCAC ID: 88180)

RESCUED

I think the thing that grabs your heart in Isolation is how sad these little guys are. Mikey is a three-month-old puppy with something wrong with his back leg. You could tell he so much wanted some comfort and love, but every time you touched him he peed a little. He needs rescue to fix him up in so many ways.

Scott (WCAC ID: 88354)

RESCUED

Scott, such a big name for such a little dog; then again, most Chihuahuas have very big personalities. Scott is an elderly dog and with his future forever home needing to be child-free he is awaiting rescue. I loved his bat-like ears when he looked up at me. It was also so very sweet when he came up and sat close to me.

Piles of Kittens

Yep, it’s kitten season and if the WCAC isn’t filling up on “bottle feeders” – litters of kittens who come in without a momma and have to be bottle fed every couple of hours – then it’s the “hissy spitties” – or the kittens that have no socialization and hiss and spit at you when you touch them. 

I photographed two litters of them that are looking for a good foster home to play with them and bring them around to the beauty of the human-cat relationship. There is Will Boyds (88398), Amy Lee (88399), Rocky Grey (88400) and Ben Moody (88397) and the other liter was Caty (88360), Sadie (88361), and Zoey (88359).

Dennis (WCAC ID: 88157)

And a special request by A as I was walking through the halls to get some photos of this sweet guy. I woke him up from a nap, surprise. Isn't he a beauty?

So, there it is, not my normal post with adorable dogs needing to find their forever home, but rather some sweeties looking for somewhere to heal, be loved and learn to trust again. If you know a rescue or can be a foster yourself please contact the WCAC via email or by clicking this link (http://www.wakegov.com/pets/foster/Pages/default.aspx) and applying to be a WCAC foster.

To see all of the photos of these beauties, you can go to my Flickr set WCAC Paparazzi.