Baxter the Kelpie and Sheila the Australian Cattle Dog - both single looking for a long-term relationship

I had another dog day afternoon at Mt Anna last Saturday catching up with Sheila and her new foster dog buddy, the irrepressible Baxter - AWDRI Star dogs.

Like many individuals who go a bit domestic (in a happy way) Sheila has grown since the last time I saw her in March. Yep, puppies like humans can grow and change before your eyes. Despite becoming ever more the cattle dog that she is at 8 months, Sheila is still a lady - dainty, gentle and sprightly.

Baxter was rescued by the AWDRI last September. When he was found he was all skin and bone and his health was in a bad way but thanks to the dedication and commitment of AWDRI’s peerless foster and volunteer people who cared and nursed him back to health Baxter is now one Kelpie that never fails to brighten anyone’s day.

At the photo-shoot at Mt Annan’s nearby Reserve I got to experience first hand Kelpie and Australian Cattle Dog culture at play -woohoo! - all fun, games and joy.

If I hadn’t had a job to do I would have joined in the fun.

*** Hide-and-seek ***

*** Chasing shadows and grass(bunny)hopping ***

*** Full of expressions - yes, some mad goofy moments ***

*** Foodie ***

I enjoyed meeting these two and had a good dose of a doggie fix for the weekend. I highly recommend it as a pick-me-up!

And yes, both these lovely dogs are looking for a forever-new-home, if you’re interested. And why not? Check out their adoption profiles:

• Baxter 
• Sheila 

Behind-the-scenes notes
I was stuck in the traffic along M5 on my way up with my ever faithful and diligent assistant Stephen (who by the way is asking for a promotion). We took a detour and travelled along the Hume Highway.

I was worried about losing the light as it was close to 3.30pm and I was still driving about - late - half-way there and half-way not and suppose to be photographng at 3pm. The winter sun sets at around 4.50pm and it was heavily overcast. I was prepared to photograph in the dark! Now that would be interesting - who says the life of a starving artist is without action.

When we got to Sheila and Baxter, their foster Mum packed us all into her car - yes all 3 adults and 2 dogs - and drove us up to the nearest Reserve.

By the time we got to our location, there was still beautiful evening light - so crisp and clean. I welcomed it and marvelled at how well both my 85mm f/1.2L USM II and 24-70mm f/2.8L USM II lenses coped with the lighting condition. Lens magic. I thought both dogs looked like angels in this light - Sheila especially, she glowed!