2014, Day 359 - Eager

The pups waited patiently while I cooked my Christmas dinner for their own special meal.  They were treated to mashed sweet potatoes, sardines, kale, and rice.  That coupled with my own curried cauliflower and potatoes made the house smell pretty good in part because the sardines were canned and only added at the very end.  Everyone here had a very merry Christmas!

Fuji X-T1, Fujinon 50-140/f2.8R OIS
140mm, f2.8, 1/50 sec @ 3200 ISO

2014, Day 350 - Patience

Frankie is such a goofy guy, he's either looking regal and refined or like a complete dope.  He may look dignified in this picture but moments before he was belly-up with his tongue hanging out of the side of his mouth and feet in the air like a dead insect.  That's my little man, a hot mess.

Fuji X-E2, Fujinon 50-140/f2.8R OIS
134.4mm, f2.8, 1/125 sec @ 2000 ISO

2014, Day 348 - Repose

I love my sweet Bort warmed by the light of an old electric heater that has been converted to a lamp.

Fuji X-T1, Fujinon 56/f1.2R
56mm, f1.2, 1/90 sec @ 3200 ISO

2014, Day 337 - Napping

Sometimes I think the best way to cope when things get tough is to take a nap.

Fuji X-T1, Fujinon 56/f1.2R
56mm, f2, 1/450 sec @ 200 ISO

2014, Day 305 - Parting

Missing my Frank this evening.  He's off with my friends Paul and Karen and they are lavishing attention on him while I'm on my trip.  Frankie left a couple days early because it's been all go here and it makes life just a little easier having one less dog but you would think in house with four remaining dogs it wouldn't be super noticeable but it is.

Fuji X-E2, Fujinon 60/f2.4R
60mm, f4, 1/125 sec @ 1600 ISO

2014, Day 292 - Jealous

The green-eyed monster is here.  My sister is staying with me and her dog Charlie is joining the pack.  He has met my dogs before but on his turf and now that he's here and outnumbered things are a little different.  All the dogs have been pretty well-behaved but Hubert is a bit jealous.  Fortunately it is no worse with Charlie, my sister's dog, than with the other dogs, Hubert merely pushes his way in when he wants attention.  In a few more days Charlie will be one of the boys for sure :)

Fuji X-T1, Fujinon 35/f1.4R
35mm, f1.4, 1/125 sec @ 640 ISO

2014, Day 283 - He's so dreamy

It is hard to believe that Frankie has been my little buddy for the last two and a half years.  At a couple weeks shy of his first birthday he was very much a puppy and that goofy personality hasn't left.  But, best of all, he loves the camera.  Frankie is very patient and allows me to find the best able with minimal movement.  The only problem I have is that Hubert gets curious and often gets in the way trying to see what's going on because he hates to be left out.

Fuji X-E2, Fujinon 60/f2.4R
60mm, f4, 1/125 sec @ 1600 ISO

2014, Day 276 - Alert

Oh Stubbs, you are getting increasing quirky which is really saying something because you were a bit of an odd duck when I brought you home.  At first you were afraid of everyone and everything but after a couple weeks I found the nest you made in my bed and a few months later and you were part of the family.  Still overwhelmed by new people and totally camera-shy you were my diamond that no one would ever be able to appreciate.  Eight years later you are the oldest dog in the house and the perpetual puppy; every morning while I make your breakfast you play with your toys until I am ready to serve and the other dogs think you're a bit crazy but that's okay, neither of us really cares.  It will be your birthday again soon and I feel very fortunate to have had your company for the last eight years.

Fuji X-T1, Fujinon 35/f1.4R
35mm, f1.4, 1/125 sec @ 500 ISO

2014, Day 266 - Dreaming

It was a beautiful start to fall with light rain most of the day and some heavier showers this evening.  A good day to nap in the warm rays coming through the bay windows.  I think my dogs often have better ideas than my own.

Fuji X-T1, Fujinon 35/f1.4R
35mm, f1.6, 1/125 sec @ 400 ISO

2014, Day 265 - Sleepy

Just feeling that Frankie needed a little attention today...

Fuji X-E1, Fujinon 18-55/f2.8-4R OIS
42.5mm, f4, 1/60 sec @ 500 ISO

2014, Day 255 - Wide-eyed

My darling dope Frankie.  If he knew what was happening he would be excited because it's a racing weekend.  Now all I have to do is finish his manicure and he will be good to go!

Fuji X-T1, Fujinon 35/f1.4R
35mm, f1.4, 1/125 sec @ 640 ISO

2014, Day 252 - Repose

I'm amazed how far Stubbs has come in the past eight years.  He was a painfully shy dog when he came home and I was willing to accept that he might never he comfortable with life outside of his crate where he felt safe.  For weeks he lived inside even though the door was almost constantly open although I closed it when I left the house because so much of it was unfamiliar and I thought he might hurt himself.  When, on occasion, I forgot to close the door I would come home to a warm spot in my bed but Stubbs back in his crate.  Eventually, after a few months, he was a full participatory member of the family.  Unfortunately he didn't like having his picture taken and he would turn away from the camera or retreat to his crate when I tried to sneak a picture.  Now, eight short years later, he is much more tolerant of the camera and while he doesn't pose for me like the other dogs I am happy that I have a more willing subject because those last eight years went by really quickly.

Fuji X-T1, Fujinon 10-24/f4R OIS
20mm, f4, 1/125 sec @ 1600 ISO

2014, Day 244 - Windows

Those eyes, Frankie has the most amazing eyes.  He is able to express such a broad range of emotions with the flick of the tail and a turn of his head.

Fuji X-T1, Fujinon 60/f2.4R
60mm, f4, 1/125 sec @ 2500 ISO

2014, Day 241 - Ease

I love this face.  Hubert is getting older, he turned seven years old on Wednesday, and once sleek and even coloring of his coat extended to his face but now it is mostly white.  The signs of aging used to make me sad but these days I reminds me of how long we've been together and how long I've adored that face.  He is the troublemaker of the house, always underfoot, and eternally over-eager yet despite these potential faults I love this guy because he is the goofiest dog I've ever had.

Fuji X-T1, Fujinon 35/f1.4R
35mm, f1.4, 1/60 sec @ 3200 ISO

2014, Day 236 - Head, shoulders, knees, and toes

This is my boy Johan basking in the morning light.  Johan is my constant companion, he will follow me from room to room and is my best cuddler.  That's not to say the other dogs don't cuddle, they do but none are as determined nor as consistent.  Even when I'm working at my desk Johan usually has part of his anatomy pressed against my foot.  He worries about me as much as I do about him and my friend Teddy who works tirelessly in greyhound adoption deserves a lot of credit for ensuring that I have fantastic dogs.

Fuji X-T1, Fujinon 60/f2.4R
60mm, f2.8, 1/90 sec @ 3200 ISO

2014, Day 235 - Rocket

Tonight I wanted to pay tribute to an amazing girl.  For almost a decade I volunteered in greyhound adoption and one day the tiniest goofiest pup came into the adoption kennel.  Like most of her litter she showed no interest in racing and ended up being placed with a family.  A few years later she turned up as "free to good home" on Craigslist.  Given that I hadn't placed her but knew who she was I contacted the people giving her up and they happily handed her over.

When I told my friend Terri that Crystal was coming back she knew exactly who I was talking about because she fostered her for a time.  There was no doubt or hesitation, Crystal was going back to Terri and her partner.  And the "pocket rocket" found her forever home.  She had a mouth full of bad teeth that were pulled and somehow the tongue hanging out of her mouth just fit her personality.  Always a puppy, Crystal was a complete delight but, unfortunately, she was recently diagnosed with cancer and yesterday she passed away.

She lived a wonderful life both giving and receiving endless amounts of love.  Wherever she went Crystal brought joy because she was so sweet and goofy.  I took this picture in 2010 and I can still remember how she lay to rest before leaping back into the air to show me how she could fly across the grass with her feet barely touching the ground.  Crystal will be sorely missed.

Canon 1D Mark III, Canon 100/f2.8L IS
100mm, f2.8, 1/4000 sec @ 640 ISO

2014, Day 230 - Determination

This is Bambi and she loves to run.  Her owner is so devoted to her that he is willing to drive her to any event within six hundred miles of his home so she can compete.  Bambi isn't the fastest dog on the field and at ten years old she is almost certainly the oldest but she is in great shape and racing is her greatest joy in life.  I admire and applaud her owner for his willingness to literally go the extra mile for his dogs.  It is obvious that they are loved and you can see it in her face as she barks while chasing the lure that she's having the time of her life.

Canon 1D X, Canon 70-200/f2.8L IS Mark II
200mm, f4, 1/1250 sec @ 320 ISO

2014, Day 224 - Switch

This is my dope racing his little heart out.  The lure just made a 180 degree turn and his ears shot straight up.  I love that expression and how you can clearly see his single blue eye.  He may not be fast but the goober has heart!

Canon 1D X, Canon 70-200/f2.8L IS Mark II
200mm, f4, 1/1000 sec @ 250 ISO

2014, Day 222 - Stilt

Another great weekend of racing and with the help of the entire group it went quickly which means we were able to get out of the sun before the heat of the day became really oppressive.  This sweet lady had no one else to race with but she had a good time nevertheless.  It was a lot of fun having other breeds.  In addition to the single Rhodesian ridgeback there were pharaoh hounds, basenjis, Italian greyhounds, and silken windhouds.  Each breed runs very differently but with the same infectious enthusiasm, it's a lot of fun to watch!

Canon 1D X, Canon 70-200/f2.8L IS Mark II with Canon EF Extender 1.4x Mark III
165mm, f4, 1/1250 sec @ 200 ISO

2014, Day 204 - Little spoon

Johan is my little spoon.  He loves to cuddle and he has to be touching me at bedtime otherwise he fusses.  Yes, it may be rather odd to have dogs in bed but it is a battle I lost a long time ago and now there are three or four vying for their favorite spots every night.  Hubert likes to be close but not always within reach.  Stubbs snuggles up on and off but is always within reach.  Frankie is the most independent, he likes to cuddle on the sofa but he is usually on the other side of Hubert but it could also be that he was the last added to the household so he gets the worst spot and doesn't care enough to try for something closer.  With all these pointy dogs it can be like spooning a garbage bag full of coat hangers but I can live with it.

Fuji X-T1, Fujinon 56/f1.2R
56mm, f1.2, 1/125 sec @ 800 ISO