When the AWDRI contacted me last Thursday night about Sheila I knew instantly that this little girl is very special. Sheila is a 6 month old Australian Cattle Dog, she is deaf and she needs a home.
We drove out to Mt Annan where Sheila lives with her foster family, the Hunters, and spent the late afternoon ‘hanging out’ in the backyard and then at the nearby Reserve.
As soon as I met Sheila, I quickly forgot that she can’t hear — she is very focused on looking directly at whoever is in-charge *usually the one with the treats* and ‘communicates’ with facial expressions and body language. And she pays attention to faces.
Although she has the misfortune of not being able to hear, Sheila is not helpless. She learned very quickly why I was there and what I was doing with my camera. She carried herself with confidence and is mature beyond her age.
A sweet natured lady, patient, very loving and sociable.
It was great watching her hike up the hill in the Reserve followed closely by her foster Mum, turning back often to check that they hadn’t lost anyone. So considerate! Once she barked and indicated to us to — “move along will ya.” What a spirit!
And most of all, I love the way she lives in the moment and enjoys it with every one of us.
Thank you to the Hunters (fosters) for giving me the opportunity to experience a slice of Sheila’s life.
Sheila needs a home.
If you have what it takes to embrace her into your life, act now — give the AWDRI a call. See also Sheila’s adoption profile on the AWDRI’s website.
And for those of you who want to help Sheila find a new home, why not grab some postcards of Sheila’s and send them to friends who you think might have what it takes to give her a home.
Proceeds from sales of the postcards go to AWDRI to help these working dogs find a new home.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Monday, March 21, 2011
Photographing for myself
I’m one of those nutters who go everywhere with my camera. Almost everywhere.
It is quite different when photographing for myself — the images I make are usually more edgy and I tend to bend the rules a lot. It is addictive to be working on personal projects as it’s like embarking on a self-discovery journey, to explore, to experiment, to learn, and to ‘see’. And I like sharing these things.
And it’s motivating to know that there are people out there who appreciate the things I put up on my Blog — thank you Serena at Pretty Fluffy, for sharing your Award with me.
Reading and watching about animals in the recent Earthquake in Japan makes me feel both sad and helpless. I wanted to board a plane to Japan and bring them all home with me.
I’m grateful for organisations who step forward to help these animals in need. Please donate generously.
Japan Earthquake Animal Rescue and Support
HEART Tokushima
Japan Cat Network
Animal Miracle Foundation and Network
It is quite different when photographing for myself — the images I make are usually more edgy and I tend to bend the rules a lot. It is addictive to be working on personal projects as it’s like embarking on a self-discovery journey, to explore, to experiment, to learn, and to ‘see’. And I like sharing these things.
And it’s motivating to know that there are people out there who appreciate the things I put up on my Blog — thank you Serena at Pretty Fluffy, for sharing your Award with me.
Prohibited, originally uploaded by twoguineapigs pet photography.
With attitude, originally uploaded by twoguineapigs pet photography.
Japan Earthquake
Reading and watching about animals in the recent Earthquake in Japan makes me feel both sad and helpless. I wanted to board a plane to Japan and bring them all home with me.
I’m grateful for organisations who step forward to help these animals in need. Please donate generously.
Japan Earthquake Animal Rescue and Support
HEART Tokushima
Japan Cat Network
Animal Miracle Foundation and Network
Labels:
learning,
photography,
rescues,
sydney pet photography
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
There was once a guinea pig called Wiggley
A guinea pig who filled our lives with so much joy, happiness and love. And taught us respect and patience.
It is hard for me to post this tribute for Wiggley. It is hard to come to terms that he’s no longer with us when we tried so hard to give him a fighting chance to live. For those who have been following my blog, facebook and twitter, you would have read about Wiggley’s battle with his health. It was a hard time for us.
It is not so long ago that we lost Ginger. Barely 2 months. Perhaps the two of them wanted to be together.
It has left a hollow empty feeling. They were both very sweet, very intelligent and very playful. Like Ginger, Wiggley was well-traveled and socialised, for a guinea pig. Wiggley was one guinea pig who absolutely loved his food. And I’m glad I’ve made thousands of images of my boys.
I thought I would publish a few of the images I haven’t shown to anyone before to remember Wiggley by.
Rest in peace now my little old man (as I called him in the last days). He will always be in our hearts.
In case you're wondering, I kept both the guinea pigs' original names when I adopted them.
It is hard for me to post this tribute for Wiggley. It is hard to come to terms that he’s no longer with us when we tried so hard to give him a fighting chance to live. For those who have been following my blog, facebook and twitter, you would have read about Wiggley’s battle with his health. It was a hard time for us.
It is not so long ago that we lost Ginger. Barely 2 months. Perhaps the two of them wanted to be together.
It has left a hollow empty feeling. They were both very sweet, very intelligent and very playful. Like Ginger, Wiggley was well-traveled and socialised, for a guinea pig. Wiggley was one guinea pig who absolutely loved his food. And I’m glad I’ve made thousands of images of my boys.
I thought I would publish a few of the images I haven’t shown to anyone before to remember Wiggley by.
Rest in peace now my little old man (as I called him in the last days). He will always be in our hearts.
In case you're wondering, I kept both the guinea pigs' original names when I adopted them.
Wiggley, originally uploaded by twoguineapigs pet photography.
More food?, originally uploaded by twoguineapigs pet photography.
Last cuddle, originally uploaded by twoguineapigs pet photography.
LOR, originally uploaded by twoguineapigs pet photography.
Apple theft, originally uploaded by twoguineapigs pet photography.
Labels:
ginger,
guinea pigs,
my own,
sydney,
sydney pet photography,
wiggley
Friday, March 11, 2011
Obsession
When we first moved into our apartment in Potts Point, the cats, especially PF, started to take an interest in the neighbouring apartments across from us.
I didn't think much of this as I thought he would outgrow it like Mr Big.
Almost 2 months have passed and still he's one nosy cat who is obsessed with the neighbours.
I didn't think much of this as I thought he would outgrow it like Mr Big.
Almost 2 months have passed and still he's one nosy cat who is obsessed with the neighbours.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Our brief trip to NZ
It has been a couple of days since we got back from our brief trip to New Zealand. It seemed that all the months of planning and organising for our wedding came and went in a blink of an eye. We had a few days in Wellington to finalise a few things before our big day. At the end of it, Stephen and I were too exhausted to even order hot chocolate from room service.
We stopped at Queenstown for a few days before heading back to Sydney - for our supposed honeymoon. It was off-peak season but this town does not sleep - noodle bars are opened till midnight and you see people about almost 24/7.
Arrowtown was 20 minutes drive away from Queenstown. We popped over for lunch at a French Cafe (there seems to be a lot of French residing in Queenstown-Arrowtown) and visited the historical site where the first Chinese settlements were during the gold rush in 1865.
We drove up to Wanaka via Crown Range-Cardrona Valley Road, with the Crown Range Road being the highest main road in New Zealand with an altitude of 1121 metres. It was drizzling while we took the drive and I was disappointed not to spot the odd kea along the way. (or it could be a blessing considering how notoriously curious they can be). But the mountain views were exceptionally spectaculor.
While we were there, the weather switched between sunny to overcast and very cloudy. When it was not overcast, the sky was so blue that I had to check my camera and monitor calibration a few times to make sure that the camera recorded the right tones. I got into photographing skyscapes pretty quickly - who could have resisted those beautiful blue skies and marshmallow clouds.
I must say New Zealand sports some seriously spectacular scenes. People are generous and friendly. And the wildlife is exceptionally friendly — try being by yourself for awhile without having the odd duck coming up to greet and inspect you. People do travel with their pets, dogs especially, although I got the feeling that dogs aren’t that welcome in most touristy places in the South Island.
Hope you enjoy these images — do leave us a comment if you see something you like as it's important for me to know.
Note:
Sadly, Wiggley did not pull through - 4 days into our trip his condition deteriorated and our carer had to admit him to the vet hospital. Despite all the vet could do for him, Wiggley could not hang on long enough for our return. Life can be cruel sometimes. I’ll reserve to post about Wiggley for another time.
We stopped at Queenstown for a few days before heading back to Sydney - for our supposed honeymoon. It was off-peak season but this town does not sleep - noodle bars are opened till midnight and you see people about almost 24/7.
Arrowtown was 20 minutes drive away from Queenstown. We popped over for lunch at a French Cafe (there seems to be a lot of French residing in Queenstown-Arrowtown) and visited the historical site where the first Chinese settlements were during the gold rush in 1865.
We drove up to Wanaka via Crown Range-Cardrona Valley Road, with the Crown Range Road being the highest main road in New Zealand with an altitude of 1121 metres. It was drizzling while we took the drive and I was disappointed not to spot the odd kea along the way. (or it could be a blessing considering how notoriously curious they can be). But the mountain views were exceptionally spectaculor.
While we were there, the weather switched between sunny to overcast and very cloudy. When it was not overcast, the sky was so blue that I had to check my camera and monitor calibration a few times to make sure that the camera recorded the right tones. I got into photographing skyscapes pretty quickly - who could have resisted those beautiful blue skies and marshmallow clouds.
I must say New Zealand sports some seriously spectacular scenes. People are generous and friendly. And the wildlife is exceptionally friendly — try being by yourself for awhile without having the odd duck coming up to greet and inspect you. People do travel with their pets, dogs especially, although I got the feeling that dogs aren’t that welcome in most touristy places in the South Island.
Hope you enjoy these images — do leave us a comment if you see something you like as it's important for me to know.
Note:
Sadly, Wiggley did not pull through - 4 days into our trip his condition deteriorated and our carer had to admit him to the vet hospital. Despite all the vet could do for him, Wiggley could not hang on long enough for our return. Life can be cruel sometimes. I’ll reserve to post about Wiggley for another time.
a few instant films
wellington
queenstown
arrowtown
crown range road drive to wanaka
wanaka
skyscapes
Labels:
ducks,
horses,
photography,
sydney pet photography,
travel
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