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2021 is a wrap! Onwards and upwards!

2021 is a wrap! Onwards and upwards!

News

It’s a wrap on 2021!

What a year! But, before I recap, I want to thank all of my clients for making 2021 such an epic year!
I’m starting 2022 with this very upbeat image of Indy because I think it will be that much better than the one we just kicked to the curb LOL.
 
Here are a few highlights from my 2021:
 

It was a year in the making and delivery came in right under the wire LOL. I published my very first coffee table book, “Bed Heads and other irresistible furry faces”. It was worth all the rescheduling due to weather and pandemic concerns – we now have this fabulous record of dogs (and a couple of adorable sheep) with Covid hair, and all manner of other “doos”. I’m thrilled with the outcome and so proud of every dog, and their humans, who supported the project. The book has raised $2000 so far for local rescue Pets Alive Niagara through registration fees and book sales. $10 from each book sold goes to the rescue. It’s a limited edition printing but are still a few copies available for sale ($85 + tax for the next few days). 

Bed Heads book flanked by scruffy dog paws

The Winery Dogs of Ontario Calendar was resurrected (in no small part due to the up front support of Malivoire Wine) and raised an additional $2000 for Pet Alive Niagara! A few wineries still have copies, let me know if you did NOT get a copy and I’ll help you source one. Also let me know if you HAVE a copy and loved opening it up to Gunner from Fielding Estate Winery this morning.

 
Collage of 2021 Winery Dogs of Ontario

I participated in a challenge as well this year with an international group of pet photographers, this pushed me to be more adventurous and creative in my work and I had an amazing time. I managed to place in the top 20 in 8 of 12 challenges, including a few top 10s and a category win! In fact my category win of Evil the standard poodle in front of the Hard Rock sign with her skate board actually captured the attention of Drake — he had his people track her dad down to book her for a music video. I had a had in launching her career as actor and model 😁

Embark challenge submissions
2021 was a year of camaraderie with other pet photographers, even managing a few live meet ups including one with my friend Bridget Davey from the UK whom I met in 2017 at a workshop in the south of France! We had a blast in and around Niagara and Toronto doing what we do, photographing dogs LOL. These connections have all inspired me and helped me to propel my business forward in the most wonderfully positive ways!

 

various dog images in Toronto and NOTL

So many new puppies came into my orbit, who doesn’t live for puppy kisses and needle sharp teeth! Unfortunately, several dear four-legged friends left us as well. They each take a piece of my heart with them. It never gets easier when we lose our best friends, but we are so blessed to have had them in our lives.

I’m incredibly grateful to all of the delightful new clients that I worked with in 2021. It feels like I’ve made so many new friends. To those past clients who came for a return session with me, I can’t thank you enough for your continued support! I imagine the animals helped by the funds we raised would be most grateful to you as well!

Cheers to the new year, an opportunity to start afresh. I am hopeful that Covid will play far less of a role in our lives and that we all remain healthy, happy and enjoy good fortune. Happy New Year!

 

2021 Pawliday Gift Guide

2021 Pawliday Gift Guide

Fun Stuff, This 'n that

Okay my friends! Here it is… my first ever “curated” gift guide.

These are a few things I  discovered this past year that I think would make pawome gifts for animal lovers!  If you’re like me be sure to follow the one for you, one for me shopping rule!

These suggestions support small, local businesses. Heaven knows, the big stores can fend for themselves! If you like this idea, I’ll start earlier next year and make it a little more comprehensive! Soooo, with no further ado, let’s get this pawty started!

 

Olive & Co handmade collars and bandanas
Instagram: @olive_and_company

I literally have dozens of bandanas from Olive & Company. Indy and Lucca have several each and I have all different sizes for my Deck the Dogs holiday sessions.

They’re so well made, wash nicely and always look snazzy. They have oodles  of patterns that change frequently, I never have trouble finding something to match each of my guys’ individual personalities!

13th Street Winery
https://13thstreetwinery.com/

Be sure to go to 13th Street Winery (on 4th Avenue) and check out their retail space. It’s chock full of cute pet owners’ items including ornaments and tea towels. These tea towels clearly win the best tea towels in the world award!

I also highly recommend their Pinot Gris for an evening of lying with the pets watching Christmas movies! If you’re lucky you might score some butter tarts too!

The Meadow
https://www.celinesk9.ca/the-meadow

I can’t wait to go here with Indy and Lucca.

The Meadow is a private rental, by-appointment, off-lead, dog exercise area on 10 acres of fully-fenced meadow land in Niagara-on-the-Lake. You can rent by the hour ($25) and you and you dog have the place to yourselves. Perfect for a reactive dog who would love to just get out and play with you. Or you and your dog’s best friends can have their own play party in the great outdoors. With a 6 foot chain link fence around the property and a 21 x 41 foot dock diving pool, this is puppy paradise.

 

Indy modelling with Boreal Treats

Boreal Pet Foods
https://borealpetfood.com/

Indy looooves Boreal treats. Next to freeze dried lung and liverm these are his favourites, the duck & blueberry. They are a little soft which is nice and smell divine everytime you open the bag. Boreal was born and raised locally in Beamsville and continues to branch out taking the world by storm. I really like the owners’ philosophy on pet nutrition and ingredients.

Locally Boreal products are sold at Global Pet Foods, Ruffins, Paul Mac, Maggie’s Pet Boutique and The Dog Spot to name a few!

 

Mutts are Limited Editions

Redemption Paws
website: https://redemption-paws.myshopify.com/

One of my favourite t-shirts is from Toronto’s Redemption Paws, an awesome foster-based rescue that has a secondary web-site that sells merch. Apparel, accessories and drinkware are among their products, and I love the designs. The sayings rotate around through the products so my t-shirt, “Mutts are Limited Editions”, is currently on a coffee mug, but I see a new favourite on the site that I’ll be ordering!  My understanding is that proceeds go to the rescue. Can’t beat that!

Grrratefultails
Available at The Dog Spot on Main St. in Grimsby.

Carole-Ann Mercuri painstakingly hand crafts these absolutely adorable neck pieces. Bandanas for all, and bow ties for the boys but, I LOVE that she creates pieces especially for the girl canines on your list. Her little collars are the epitome of charming and the little poinsettia velcros onto a collar. It just sent me over the edge, LOL, I adore them!

Winery Dogs of Ontario 2022 cover

2022 Winery Dogs of Ontario Calendar
Available on this website and at participating wineries

The 4th edition of the Winery Dogs Calendar, featuring the companions to winemakers and vignerons at Niagara and Prince Edward County wineries! Twelve glorious months of dogs, plus dog-friendly policies of the wineries included. Lots of space to write on the dates in the calendar too. 

My stock is very low, which is awesome news, as $2 from the sale of every calendar is donated to local rescue, Pets Alive Niagara. Get yours before they’re all gone! Check the link for wineries that carry it too.

windyridge ornament
Windyridge Designs
http://www.windyridgedesign.etsy.com/

Windyridge Designs is a family owned laser cut wood designs located right here in St. Catharines.  All designs are made with premium Baltic Birch wood. I gave several of their ornaments last year with dog names on them and they were so well received that I had to mention them here!

There are dog, cat and equine inspired pieces, well, technically there are quite a few more, but these are the only ones that interest little only animal crazy me LOL. Alas it’s too late to take advantage of their awesome products this year, but they have new designs coming out in 2022 including some for home decor!

windyridge ornament

Cards by Christine
@cardsbychristine55

Adorable handmade cards made by a local dog mom. Her themes run the full gamut of card sending occassions and, of course, my favourites involve animals! She does custom work as well!

Angel’s Rest Dog Rescue and Sanctuary

Angel’s Rest Dog Rescue and Sanctuary

News

Here we are on Giving Tuesday

It’s been a tough year for everyone. And many people have taken solace in their fur kids and some have welcomed new four-leggeds into their lives. Our pets that have helped us maintain our sanity and navigate this tough time.

With that in mind, let’s not forget how tough a year it’s been for rescues and charities! Very few opportunities for fundraising have drastically cut not-for-profit agencies funding across the board.

Below are links to a handful of local animal related charities, that I’ve worked with or know people who have, in the event that you are looking for a way to give back and honour your four-legged companions. But today I’m going to  highlight Angel’s Rest.

Angel’s Rest Rescue and Sanctuary

This truly is a remarkable sanctuary created by Christine Van Moorsel and her husband in Niagara-on-the-Lake. They welcome into their homes small breed dogs to live out their golden years in a loving home environment. There are some that come with behavioural baggage, some have lost their human companions, and some have special needs. Many of the dogs that Christine takes in cannot be re-homed, but she makes room in her heart and home for each and every one of them.

My visit last Sunday

I made arrangements with Christine last week for Kim Kester (from Best Friends Pet Resort) and I to drop off the donations that we had collected of soft food, pee pads and much needed dollars to help offset their costs, which with so many seniors, you can imagine is great. I was able to donate $320 from my Deck the Dog Holiday Sessions so a big thank you to everyone booked with me!

We met so many gorgeous little souls, including Dragonfly, the tiniest little puglet you could ever meet. He was found in the remnants of a puppy mill, full of worms, malnourished and the size of a guinea pig. He’s developmentally challenged, but all he wants is to give you as many kisses as he possibly can and to get ALL of your attention [melt].

Pixie could sure use a forever home!

Pixie is a new addition to Christine’s santuary, she’s a 4 year old Chihuahua with a congenital eye disease. the surgery is $4-5,000 to fix her eyes, so unless someone would spend that – or would be willing to take her on as a blind girl – she’ll be staying forever at Angel’s Rest. Not a hardship for sure, but I sure hope someone with a big heart would be interested in adopting her in spite of her condition. She is absolultely GORGEOUS and so full of love.

There are so many oldies at Angel’s Rest with no teeth, but they all have one thing in common. Their tails still work… and so do their lickers 🙂

If you’re interested in donating you can do so through Canada Helps or contact Christine at 905.262-6585 if you have canned soft food, pee pads or soft treats you’d l ike to donate.

Pixie the chihuahua

Looking for an animal related charity to help out?

Below are a few more animal charities that I’ve either contributed to or worked with!

Stay tuned for my big announcement in January for my next fundraising effort! It’s gonna be a doozy!!!

Beamsville 4Paw Rescue

JRTRO (Jack Russell Terrier Rescue Ontario)

Niagara Dog Rescue

Pets Alive Niagara

The Donkey Sanctuary of Canada

Thanks for sticking with me through this long post!!

Small but Mighty: Niagara Canine Conditioning Centre

Small but Mighty: Niagara Canine Conditioning Centre

Small but Might Businesses

Welcome to the second in my Small but Mighty series showcasing small Niagara businesses that cater to our awesome four-legged loves.

Niagara Canine Conditioning Centre is an amazing local business that does incredible things for their animal clients. I witnessed first-hand a number of their successes when I photographed over 30 of their canine clients for their fabulous client Wall of Fame! From dogs that are now frolicking and free of their wheelchairs; to post surgery pets that need special therapies, to dogs that just need to burn energy over the long winter months.

If your best friend is suffering, I’d highly recommend contacting Niagara Canine Conditioning Centre, They are kind, compassionate and knowledgable, trust me, both their human and four-legged clients love them.

Here are their answers to my questions!

How long have you been in business?

4.5 years

Why did you decide to work in canine rehabilitation?

Keri is a veterinarian and has been competing in dog sports with her pups since 2003, leading her to develop an interest in canine sports medicine and become certified in canine rehabilitation.

Barbara is a physiotherapist who is also an avid horse rider and has always shared her home with dogs. She often applied her physiotherapy skills to her own animals so it was a natural progression for her to become certified in canine rehabilitation.

As they began working in the field of canine rehabilitation, both Keri and Barbara quickly realized that there is a great need for these services in the Niagara Region. They also found that there were limitations to their abilities to provide these services on their own and in the venues available to them at the time.

A chance meeting at a rehab conference in early 2015 showed them they had a similar passion for rehabilitation therapy and vision for a dedicated animal rehabilitation facility. The Niagara Canine Conditioning Centre was born, the first full service rehab-only facility for pets in the Niagara Peninsula.

What products/services do you offer?

We provide:

  • rehabilitation therapy for injuries and illnesses;
  • fitness/conditioning programs for weight loss;
  • general fitness and sports competition/working dogs;
  • and recreational swimming.

We have all the modalities and equipment you would find in a human physiotherapy clinic, including therapeutic LASERs and ultrasounds, a heated pool and fully equipped gym.

We sell some fitness equipment and assistive devices such as the Help ‘Em Up Harness and wheelchairs. We also offer a rent-to-own program for our wheelchairs.

What do you think is the best thing about your business?

Dogs and cats alike benefit from the expertise and collaboration of therapists from both sides of the field and a facility which enables them to exercise year-round. We also have an incredible team that is dedicated to achieving the best possible outcomes for our patients.

Where do you sell your products/services?

We are located at Unit 5A, 188 Bunting Rd. in St. Catharines.

Tell us something fun or interesting about your business?

We have a clinic bunny named Charles who likes to get the dogs in trouble by distracting them and teasing them.

Anything extra you’d like to add?

We love our senior patients! It’s hard to believe that winter will be here in just a few months. It is the hardest season on our elderly pets. We offer a great wellness program for senior dogs and cats to help keep them comfortable, mobile and safe all year round.

Do you have any pets of your own at home? If so, tell us about them!

Both Keri and Barbara share their homes with 2 cats. Barbara also has a 1.5 y.o. Retriever mix that was rescued from Egypt. Keri has 2 Boston Terriers: a 13 y.o. retired flyball dog and a 4 y.o. sporting dynamo! She also has a mixed breed, rescued from the Welland SPCA.

 

I’ve had the great fortune to meet and photograph a few of Keri and Barbara’s four-legged loves over the last few years, here are a few images so you can meet them! Check out their instagram feed to see some of their patients getting treatments!

You can find Niagara Canine Condition Centre here:

Paws for Oz – It‘s a wrap!

Paws for Oz – It‘s a wrap!

Events, News

Five short months ago, the most pressing thing on my mind was the Australian Bushfires and Paws for Oz.

The videos of burnt, hungry, dehydrated and exhausted wildlife were keeping me up at night. What started as an idea that came to me at 4 a.m., in three short weeks was catapulted into a full blown international fundraiser – all with the help of my wine industry/animal loving friends, Jennifer Hart and Meg McGrath.

The idea was to bring together an international group of Pet Photographers – intense animal lovers by nature – under the banner of Paws for Oz.  Knowing there is strength in numbers, our goal was to raise $10,000, which was later revised to $20,000 when we smashed the $10k goal!  All donations were made directly to established rescue Wildlife Victoria, to help with rescue and rehabilitation of koalas, wombats, kangaroos, dingoes, kookaburras and many more species.

The first phase of the fundraiser involved a silent auction in Niagara’s wine country. The wine community donated exceptional wines and experiences that locals were invited to bid on at the launch event in January. The auction raised almost $7000 for Wildlife Australia, a rather auspicious start to the fundraiser!

Phase two was the recruitment of pet photographers – ultimately twenty nine incredible pet photographers joined the cause, representing Canada, the US and Australia!

Go big or go home!

A massive shout out and THANK YOU to everyone who supported Paws for Oz, through donations, time, expertise and interest! Together we raised $20,753 and I’m incredibly proud of that achievement. Over $3,000 was raised was through Indigo Pet Photography alone. We received lovely notes of thanks and appreciation from Wildlife Victoria via email and social media. Not to brag, but we were the top fundraising team in the Australian Bushfire appeal on GoFundraise, where Wildlife Victoria was taking donations! Okay, yeah, totally wanted to brag about that!

On Instagram we encouraged our Paws for Oz photographers to tag their posts, please click here for an assortment of adorable images captured  –  including a few by yours truly!

I still have several sessions in Toronto that I’m very much looking forward to once restrictions are loosened. I imagine they will need to be outdoors sessions – in keeping with the 2020 theme of social distancing – and they will be lots of fun, of that I have no doubt.

Please take care and think happy thoughts! Give your beloved four–legged some extra lovin’ for being such a great isolation partner  🐶❤️💕

Cheers and wags,

Karen