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A short trip to the French part of Switzerland to visit relatives and stumbled upon a really peculiar sign strolling by lake Geneva... German Shepherds not allowed? But Gutz is just a tiny Chihuahua... not even taller than the sign itself! Oh the Swiss, they always like to make things complicated...
A quick photoshoot with the lovely Trixie, who was not really motivated... Well, when you have such stunning eyes and you're a little princess, you have the right to do whatever you please!
I was lucky engouh to photograph German Shepherd puppies, cute little bears! A real challenge though... They were moving in all directions, impossible to get them to stay still one second for a group shot, were running too fast toward me when I wanted to capture one alone, too many close-ups ;)! But a sweet moment, so much life and discoveries for these little cuties... Hoping they will all find a responsible and caring family where they will be loved. Good luck to you baby bears!
Never cast a clout until May is out... For sure, temperatures are still a bit low, but when the sun is out, it warms up the atmosphere! Between a little bit of rain to water the nature and really nice sunny spells, we cannot complain. We're enjoying the beautiful lighting that enters the house and we laze outdoors to get some sun.
Spring has finally sprung and it's good! Sunny days, first scents and colors, temperatues going up, days drawing out, mmm, pure bliss... We would be crazy not to make the most of it!
We thought it would never come and there it is, snow in February! After a short trip to Switzerland for a big event where the icy wind pinned us down, we arrived in Normandy finding our big yard covered in white. What a pleasure to frolic in the powdery snow, trying to dig up toys buried under this fresh layer and starting snowball fights... Not everyone's taste though...
SGV Photography will be more and more involved in dog rescue, hoping to sensitize people at large to the reality of abandonments, of abuse and neglect of some animals that sadly didn't ask for anything.
If most pet owners were being more responsible, not letting their animal down at the slightest difficulty, using lame excuses, and if some breeders were more scrupulous and less prone to putting icing on the cake at any cost, mating their females any time they get into heat and giving them as little care as possible (even not at all because it's more profitable), then selling the puppies to anyone willing to buy them, no matter where they end up, there would be less abandoned and needy animals...
Don't think it is a battle against breeders or a personal settling of scores, it's just a realization and the desire to try and change mentalities. There are still too many people who think that a dog bred by a kennel affiliated to any club is a proof of quality for sure, versus a dog gotten in a shelter is surely a crossbred and full of issues. Abandonments also include purebreds who simply didn't have luck in their lives and yes, crossbreds, but who are often sturdier and much more well-balanced than a so-called champion who develops severe defects because of inbreeding or lack of care and training. But here again, it's not about battling over a purebred or cross, but to make it so that none of them ends up in a shelter! The canine world is indeed quite complex...
Best wishes from the whole SGV Photography crew!
Went to the international dog show in Rouen to watch beautiful dogs strutting on the ring.
I cannot help but ponder on the fact that some breeders seem to be doing this just for prestige, showing very little love to their dogs and putting them back into their crates as soon as their time on the show ring is over... Or to see some that are "made" more and more tiny and wispy just to attract a wider range of customers... Furthermore, once these dogs have their title, have meet all expectations and have ensured a good pedigree, is it fair to get rid of them because they are no longer "useful" to the breeding stock? Used like some goods and good for scrap... It seems that it may in fact be a relief for some of them, that will finally get a chance to know love and good care of a family.
When you buy a puppy, ask yourself in which conditions do the parents live, because if the females have already had multiple litters and that their puppies sell like hot cakes, breeders will have no scruples to "use" that female until she cannot breed anymore (having two litters a year), as this little business can become quite profitable! Furthermore, too many live in kennels, even small cages, eat and do their business in the same spot and have very little interaction with humans. And don't believe that because they are registered with a famous club that it is a guarantee of quality!
Take Gutz (see entry "Adopted" in August 2011), a registered Chihuahua, perfect according to the standards, but who has a jaw deformation and that served as a stud for six years of his life in a kennel! We took him home and then noticed the damage: rotten teeth, fleas, veil on his eyes, infected ears, swollen head and no idea of life indoors, no to mention basic notions like "sit" for instance... There you have an example of a breeding stud no more needed, who didn't get any care during all these years! Not to mention psychological defects of a few whose mother and father are siblings for instance, just in order to ensure a color or a specific physical trait.
Of course we need breeders to perpetuate breeds, but it would be more humane to keep it on a small scale and much better monitored. It should remain a respectful act towards the breed and not a little business...
So think twice when you want a dog and look at shelters instead that are overcrowded with wonderful dogs (often purebred) and who will be eternally grateful for having given them another chance! Thanks for them.
We feel great in our little heavenly place! The light is amazing there, which helps for natural lighting, so much inside - where the fittings are going well - as outside - where it's nice to relax and play a hero...
Here are our big neighbors, that come say "hi" every morning and wait for us to throw the apples that have fallen off our trees. They love it!
The SGV Photography crew has a new official member! A poor little Chihuahua who hasn't had much luck in his life so far... He was used as a breeding dog for a so-called breeder and hasn't been properly cared-for. We got him from an association in a deplorable state: recoved with fleas, scabs almost everywhere (fleas helped themselves), ear mites, rotten teeth (some missing, which is why his tongue is sticking out), not to mention a white veil on his eyes (ancient wounds or an inborn problem), a deformity of the jaw and vaccines given from time to time, not regularly (of course, vet bills can be expensive)... In short, absolutely revolting! How can someone use a small animal like that and jeopardize his life by neglect?! Shame on breeders who abuse from defenceless little beings and do not give them the proper care and a decent life. Thankfully there are still thoughtful people in this world and associations to help them being rescued.
Anyway, this little guy's ordeal is over and he is finally enjoying life like he should. His health issues are now just a bad memory and he's already looking much better.
That's it, SGV Photography and her whole crew escaped the Parisian stress to settle in the Norman countryside! Space and greenery and especially peace and quiet, what a delight!!
My best friend's Chartreux cat has such mesmerizing eyes... Not only is she fabulous, but she has a delightful nature. A real pleasure to photograph...
While waiting close to the town hall where my brother-in-law was getting married, I came across a rather original sign ordering dogs to stay outside. Right when I kneeled down to take the pic, a big dog appeared from behind the fence, precisely where dogs were not supposed to enter!! I found it really comical, but after all, dogs cannot read... or pretend not to understand ;)!
What a great surprise to see that dogs were allowed inside of the castle of Beynac in Dordogne, in the black Perigord. A wonderful opportunity to take pictures of my beloved furry friends in a royal setting!
Touring France did us good. Plenty of discoveries and nice people. We even were lucky enough to see a baby wild pig of a week old that was saved by a family near Carcassonne.
Of course, we encountered a few quadrupeds on our way who seemed to appreciate the relaxed rhythm of life (well, most of them)...
A little bit of romanticism never hurts... Ah, love...
Wishing you all a sparkling New Year full of fun!
The so-called "biggest salon of pets" was held at the floral park of Paris on October 16 and 17, so I had to check it out. On the premises, much more people than pets unfortunately, an organization truly not well organized, the most common dog breeds (no Chinese Crested or Afghan Hound for instance, not even a more common Basset Hound, Great Dane or Pekingese), displayed in cages, booths not too welcoming, in short, a big disappointment. On the other hand, a great variety of cats, which made up for the rest.
Not easy to take pictures of these little beings between the bars of crates or the plastic of the cats' beds. I was happy when able to catch a few that were taken out for a walk or that were waiting for their turn in their owner's arms to see the judges of breeds.
Despite of it all, here are a few pictures of dogs and cats present at this exposition, whether be puppies or kitties waiting for new owners, dogs waiting to be taken for a walk or cats waiting to go home (although they were by far the most comfortable in their cozy beds). So a lot of wait, even for the bipeds waiting more or less patiently in front of booths that others agree to move in order to also be able to get a glimpse...
