Cue the Beatles song…

Where did the year go?  My puppy is not a girl, not yet a woman (sorry had to stick that Britney Spears song in there).  One year ago 9 puppies were born to this happy couple who did the nasty secretly when going outside one fall day.

Sunny was in heat and Jester couldn’t resist her charm. During Christmas of 2008 their breeder noticed Sunny putting on the weight.  Ultrasound revealed a paw waving to her.  A couple weeks later Sunny delivered via c-section.  They were so beautiful and wonderful to visit as I had still mourned my heart dog, Riley.

Red collar girl became mine that March.  We named her Karma.  I adore her, naturally.  She just started agility training this week and we are also working on obedience and rally obedience.  She’s a delight to work with.  We have only one problem:

Karma is not happy being photographed.  Even when I try to catch a shot with the Iphone, she lowers her eyes as if I am hurting her.  She is worse than my children who refuse to let me photograph them as well.  I am beside myself.  I am a dog photographer who is having trouble connecting photographically with her own dog.

She is one of those types that doesn’t “smile” much but I know she is happy because her tail thumps quite frequently when I speak to her.  She just has that expression that makes you wonder if she is plotting her next bowel movement in the dining room or chewing a new plant or wooden step in the backyard.

I cheated in this photo because I let her eat one of her birthday cookies I had piled up for photos.  I don’t know, you be the judge.  Does she appear to be annoyed with me?

This one reminds me of Riley.  Same expression–they are related of course.

Once again I cheated with a cookie

We had a good day. We went to downtown Pleasanton to stop off at Murphy’s Paw and get some of these silly things she is wearing today.

I love my girl.  She’s the best thing that happened in 2009.

Even if you aren’t willing to pose the way I want, Karma, you are a fine, obedient, outstanding canine.  You do LISTEN and follow through.  You just don’t love the camera.  It loves you though.  Happy First Birthday, baby.

Three white dogs all very different in size and personality.   This is the big guy Murphy

This is Betsey.

Last but not least is Lola.

This last shot will hopefully please their mom.  For a fleeting moment Murphy wasn’t looking off at the other dogs in the park.  Betsey decided to give me her full attention and Lola, who can’t see, paid close attention to what I was telling her.

The last first Wednesday of the Pleasanton Downtown Association is happening in September.  I have some photographs that were taken at the Dog Days of Summer August Pooch Parade, but haven’t had the chance to post them.  It’s almost time for school to start and that’s always a beautiful thing.  Also coming up in September will be the annual Bark in the Park in San Jose.  I will have a booth there and am looking forward to meeting the 14,000 plus folks and their dogs.