Little puppy will grow old

As a campaigner for the animal cause, SGV Photography adheres to the slogan "don't shop, adopt!". But still, many people prefer to buy a pet. If this is your case, at least be responsible. Please, do not buy over the internet. Look at registered breeders, discuss with them, go see the puppies on site as well as the parents of the puppies. Any good breeder will let you enter without any problem, will advise you, will have had the puppies vaccinated and microchipped before they sell them and stay available even after the sale.

And most of all, think about the responsibility of owning a puppy. You will have to train him/her, care for him/her, feed him/her. He/she will not stay tiny, he/she will grow, a lot for bigger breeds, he/she will need to exercise, etc. In order to become a happy and well-balanced dog, he/she counts on you. And for the whole duration of his/her life, which can go up to 15-20 years for smaller breeds! Too many dogs bear the brunt of irresponsible and/or ignorant people, finding temselves abandoned once grown up, or when they're declared too old, becoming much too cumbersome...

If you get a dog, it's for life, this is not some goods that you can give back once it's been used!

Thanks to the breeders of des plaines de Bierville for their trust and for letting me use the pictures of their dogs I had the pleasure to take.

An Interview

I've had the pleasure to be interviewed by Laura Benn, running the Pawsh Magazine. She wanted me to talk about my Fabulous Studio, so here is the interview (you can see it on Pawsh Magazine's blog):

Are you ready for a fabulous treat? Stephanie Graf-Vocat of Normandy, France runs a little home studio called ‘the fabulous studio’ where she photographs dogs and their personalities personified by clothes. Keep reading for insights into this clever photo project!

1) What was the inspiration for the ‘fabulous studio?’
I first did a personal project, as a commentary, about people choosing their dogs as accessories and matching them with their style. This was to mimic high fashion and, at times, superficiality. Then, because I think dogs are naturally fabulous, this inspired me to develop a “Fabulous studio”, where their personality is dressed up to match their human counterpart, but in a fun way.

2) What inspired the dog outfits and styles?
I thought about each dog’s personality and what style would best suit each of them. Then I chose colours and fabrics and tried my best to make it look fashionable.

3) What advice would you have for working with dogs in clothing?
Patience is the key! And treats, lots of treats. If it’s fun, they will gladly cooperate. All of my models are well trained, so it makes it way easier. The session should not be too long, because once they’re bored or have had enough, it’s over.

4) What new photo projects do you have coming up in 2013 — if you can share that?
I am currently working on “The 10 commandments of Chihuahuas” — hoping to make people realize they are not accessories, but little beings needing a lot of care, attention and good training, just like any other dog. And I just finished writing a book about dog rescue with many pictures; I’m hoping it will be published soon. I believe in trying to make people aware of dog abuse, the importance of spaying/neutering, buying vs. adopting, education, responsibility when owning a dog, etc.

5) What is your favourite thing about your work?
I have a passion for dogs and have learned so such from them, especially since being into rescue with our organization (Chichi Factory Rescue). Photographing them is a pure pleasure for me. I try to capture their essence and deliver moving pictures so that people realize that indeed, they are fabulous!

Chichi Factory Rescue ~ August 2012

When you find a dog and know nothing about his/her past, you can only get surprises! With this August heat, the last rescue of Chichi Factory Rescue came into her own heat... A scar on her little belly made us think she was spayed and well, she was not, she probably had a C-section. Another little one who served to have puppies and did not even have the right to be spayed to avoid any problems... Fortunately she is safe with us, no stalker male around.

As for Arnold, in order to avoid him creating any problem, he was neutered and had his teeth cleaned as well as two warts on his face removed. So he inherited the satellite cone. A little bath was needed after the stitches were removed, in order to feel fresh and new!

Maggie, the Cavalier, keeps on performing like an acrobat and swirls in the yard, enjoying herself to the full.

Tania, our diabetic Bichon, after feeling a little down, felt much better once the dosage of her insulin injections has been revised.

And our Mamie Nova is seriously losing her hearing, which doesn't prevent her from hearing what she wants to hear ... An old little gal's strategy ??

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Chichi Factory Rescue ~ July 2012

While the old cat is taking it easy, SGV Photography takes pictures and takes care of the Chichi Factory Rescue's residents.

An hypothyroidic Poodle in a bad shape, maybe a Crested cross as he is mostly hairless... His treatment will tell if his hairs grow back... A Shih-tzu found in the streets, unable to walk because her hairs were severely tangled! She has apparently been carted several times in her life, a punctured eye, the other one damaged, a heavy past behind her.

Maggie, the abused Cavalier King Charles, got her teeth cleaned and a big cyst and small mammary tumor removed.

As for Tania, the diabetic Bichon abandoned when her owner passed away, she is up for adoption and feeling great!

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Support Chichi Factory Rescue!

I mentioned it before and now it's done: we created a dog rescue organization! Go check the website Chichi Factory Rescue, every picture is from SGV Photography !

The organization rescues mostly Chihuahuas and Chinese Cresteds retired form kennels, but also Cavaliers King Charles, Poodles and any tiny dog in need, giving priority to the old and damaged ones... An instructive and interactive blog hopes to sensitize people and thus saving lives. Be part of the chichi community, it's free! Share your experience and story, whether be into rescue or any other activity of the K9 world. Besides, your expertise would be precious to us and you could write articles on a given subject (health, training, behavior, etc.). Help us change mindsets!

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Have a quick dip... Well, not really!

Heat came suddenly in Normandy and everyone had a hanging tongue after one minute outdoors... So we thought it would be nice to buy a little pool for our furry pack! Surely some really enjoyed it, while others were a bit more sceptical... If not totally unhappy! Oh well, when you think you're doing the right thing...

A helping paw for the new terrace

Since sunny days are coming, we had to improve our outdoors, so we got down to build a new terrace! Of course, our little furry friends were there to help and especially to give their opinion! We first had to delimit the perimeter - a good opportunity for some agility -, then we had to dig, spread some sand, rake it - Elliott was ready to alert us if we were overflowing -, put the stones and hit them - Elliott was setting the tempo! And when everything was finished, we could all finally rest... Quite a task!

Happy birthdays

Wallace and Gurky both had their birthday on May 21st, so we had to celebrate! They had a blast, singing and making a wish while blowing their respective candle (5 years old for Wallace and 2 for Gurky)! Oh my, time flies...

Forbidding the Swiss way

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 delightful Chartreux

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!

Little teddy bears

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!

Spring joy

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 sprung

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!

Yay snow!

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...

K9 rescue

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...   

Merry Xmas & happy New Year!

Best wishes from the whole SGV Photography crew!

International dog show in Rouen / Reflections on dog breeding

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.

A taste of heaven

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...

Moowy cool

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!

Adopted!

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.