All-in-one post

For those who following my facebook and Twitter, you would have heard about Wiggley’s health update.

I’m posting this in Wellington by the way.

Last Tuesday, I took him down to see an exotic animal Vet after I’d spoken to his regular Vet. Wiggley has had a history of stones but they were not a concern then and a change of diet seemed to have worked until last week, when he began to pee blood. His Xray showed a rather large bladder stone. Thursday, Wiggley had an operation to remove the stone. By Friday, he was given the green light to go home.

We were given Bactrim (anti-biotics), Metacam (pain relieve) and Oxbow Critical Care to take home for him (not to mention a tube of eye treatment ointment for an ulcer he had in his right eye). That’s a lot of medication - more than I’ve seen for a while, let alone for ‘someone’ so tiny.

He seemed happy to return home to find his bed was still intact — still looking alert and curious about most things. I spent the next 4 days force-feeding Wiggley and getting 50ml of Oxbow in each day when he was not eating anything else. I managed 40 to 45ml per day and was a little successful in coaxing Wiggley to eat more on his own. The Vet rang us 2 days later after Wiggley had returned home, his urine culture test came back clear of bacteria — a big relief.

Wiggley’s health scare came at the wrong time when I was about to leave the country to get married in Wellington today — in about 6 hours time! How do you un-plan a wedding is what I want to know! I spoke to the Vet about Wiggley’s progress and we seemed happy with it and confident that he was recovering well. We found a dedicated and committed carer and sitter for Wiggley who could help us look after him while we were away. She’s exceptional is all I can say — very attentive and she loves Wiggley to bits.

With a heavy heart, we packed Wiggley’s bag and boarded him with his carer before we caught the plane to Wellington the next day. He’s one guinea pig who doesn’t travel light.

By the way, I’ll be away till Tuesday. I promise to make a ‘s’-load of images if you promise to wait for my return!

Recovering, originally uploaded by twoguineapigs pet photography.

Pepe the Poodle

Pepe is one mini Poodle that makes you go weak in the knees. Turning 14 years this year and is taking medication for his heart, he’s one tough Poodle. He may be little but Pepe certainly is one big personality with a feisty spirit.

Living with 3 girls at home, Pepe is very protective of his human Mum and sisters. Rain or shine, he ventures into the backyard and checks it out — he guards his backyard like a lion in his own jungle although in Pepe’s case he guards his yard from wondering rabbits and lizards.

If he’s not following his Mum about, or chasing after rabbits or lizards, Pepe will take a quiet moment on the couch and have a little snooze. Occasionally he appears to be in deep thought, probably pondering about life in general.

In some ways, Pepe reminded me a lot of Gromit in Wallace & Gromit — that smart, thoughtful little dog that just knows about stuff.

And I just love his dainty feet!

I just love the Sydney Summer after rain light — so crisp.

Pepe, originally uploaded by twoguineapigs pet photography.

Pepe, originally uploaded by twoguineapigs pet photography.

Dainty feet, originally uploaded by twoguineapigs pet photography.

King of the backyard, originally uploaded by twoguineapigs pet photography.

Back view, originally uploaded by twoguineapigs pet photography.

Curls, originally uploaded by twoguineapigs pet photography.

This made my day

An interview with twoguineapigs Pet Photography has been featured on Pretty Fluffy! Read all about it here.

Make sure you also check out Pretty Fluffy — it is certainly one very unique site that impressed me when Pretty Fluffy's owner Serena first contacted me. I must say it is not your average website on dogs — it's creative, refreshing and has a great collection of resources for canines.

And if you're thinking of organsing a dog party for your pooch's birthday, don't forget to check out  Serena's DIY dog party tips. If you need a photographer for your pooch's birthday party, you know who to call — yours truly!

V-day treats

Every now and then, I like to cook something new. I don’t admit to being a good cook. I promised the kids at home (yes, I have four-legged fur faces as children) their treats on Valentine’s Day, so I decided to bake a fish fillet for the cats and whip up some hay and greens for the guinea pig. The cats had tried this dish before — PF liked it and Mr Big didn’t seem to mind.

The guinea pig was easy. He would eat almost anything until recently - he seems to have lost his appetite lately. That’s for another post.

The cats, well, Mr Big didn’t like it this time. And PF didn’t hesitate to let me know how disappointed he was — he took off and had a go at the scratching post instead. Kids. Who said they are easy.

At least my friends remembered me and sent me emails and cards and even home baked ginger cookies. My partner and I exchanged cards and I got roses — you probably guessed it, my card’s on the left and his is on the right, yes that one with the strange looking Panda.

I hope you had a great V-Day.

The supposed fish fillet recipe that the cats weren't impressed with:

1 fish fillet (any fresh sort)

1 egg yoke

whole meal oats

Beat the egg yoke and sprinkle some salt.

Coat fish in yoke and cover it with oats.

Bake in oven for 10 to 15 min, turn once.

Cool before serving.

No impressed, originally uploaded by twoguineapigs pet photography.

Taking it out, originally uploaded by twoguineapigs pet photography.

Saint Valentine's Day

This year’s Saint Valentine’s Day won’t be any different from the last 6 years except Ginger will not be with us.

Every year on this day, I give thanks and love to my partner and friends (and to you my online friends), and let them know how special they are in my life and how grateful I am for their friendship, love, support and kindness. And I also celebrate this special day with Wiggley, Mr Big and PF where they each will get a special treat and extra big cuddle.

I always wish Valentine’s Day was a public holiday, so I’ll make up the lost time by celebrating it a day before. Be kind to each other.

Would you be my Valentine?, originally uploaded by twoguineapigs pet photography.

A day with my Mentor

Yesterday, I packed my gear, laptop and notebook and drove my 47 year old VW Beetle to Canberra for the day (with the company of my partner - more so as my ‘bodyguard’) to meet my mentor Christine Pobke, Canberra Children, Family and Wedding Photographer.

A few days before, I felt anxious yet excited. Anxious because I was heading down to meet someone who can teach me, critique my work and give me new insights into my craft — it felt like I was heading out to see the school principal. Excited because I was so eager to learn and improve, not to mention to finally meet the talented Christine!

Having been self-taught in pet photography, I always feel there’s a lot to learn — I have always believed in trying new things, experimenting with new techniques, sharing ideas and notes, and developing my passion for pet photography and photographing life and the environment. I wanted to learn about photographing people as well as I feel it’ll help me see things differently.

From the minute I met Christine, I forgot my anxiety. I have learned a great deal after I spent half a day with Christine — not to mention being fed and 'watered'. To have the opportunity to share and witness Christine work and connect with her client was just amazingly inspiring. And I got to try some hands on experience in photographing kids. I can tell you that kids aren’t as scary as I thought!

I feel much more informed, confident, and mostly inspired after my day with Christine. Thank you Christine, for the great opportunity and your guidance — I’m grateful.

Here are some shots I made from yesterday — I couldn’t help pulling over and stopping along the highway a few times to photograph the beautiful country landscape between Canberra and Sydney in sunset and greet the bulls from a distance:

 

The bay at the bottom of the hill

Every now and then, I take my camera out and venture onto the street for a walk - have a look around and capture things that interest me, be it architecture, streets, people, scenes, or places.

A few days ago, I dropped into the neighbouring suburb of Woolloomooloo, onto Woolloomooloo Bay, which is down the hill from Potts Point. One of the Bay’s tourist attractions, Harry’s Cafe de Wheels, is next to the Finger Wharf and Fleet Base East of Garden Island, the Royal Australian Navy, and onto the Wharf where the Blue Sydney Hotel is located.

On my way down to the Bay, I passed a local cat I nicknamed “Amelie”. Amelie always hangs out at her favourite spot and that favourite blue sock is always close by - just one sock not two. This cat is so used to the public that she snoozes no matter what goes on around her. I must say Amelie has got herself a prime spot with the best view ever - the sunset on these steps are just amazing. It’s worth trading that spot for her other blue sock.

Locals, originally uploaded by twoguineapigs pet photography.

pies 'n' peas, originally uploaded by twoguineapigs pet photography.

Sunset, originally uploaded by twoguineapigs pet photography.

Birds of the sea, originally uploaded by twoguineapigs pet photography.

Prime view, originally uploaded by twoguineapigs pet photography.

The blue sock, originally uploaded by twoguineapigs pet photography.

Summer lounging

We have not been spared the Summer heat this year. Luckily we live near the water so we get the odd sea breeze or two.

The cats and Wiggley usually cope well in this heat. Though sometimes I wonder if they need a shave.

PF or aka Monkey, is known as the cat “with many faces”.

Lounging, originally uploaded by twoguineapigs pet photography.