Faces of Dog

Sur-furs Hang 16 at Coronado Bay In a rough sea sixty-five dogs...

Mon, 24 May 2010 15:39:00 -0400

Sur-furs Hang 16 at Coronado Bay

In a rough sea sixty-five dogs vied for the Coronado Bay Surfing Championship on Saturday. They ranged from 5 pound Gorgeous Bobby, a Pomeranian who flew in from Hawaii, to Nani, an 85 pound Bernese Mountain Dog. Other stars included Buddy, a 12 year old Jack Russell surfing champion; the “Twisted Sisters,” Kalani and Richochet (AKA Rip Curl Ricki) — golden retrievers who competed both solo and as a pair on one board — Dozer, an English Bulldog; Toby, an 8 year old Shih-Tzu rescue; and Abbie Girl, an Australian Kelpie rescue who won. (Her photographs are at the end of the album.)

If you don’t know dog surfing, the “surfurs” are carried out on their boards to the breakers and then sent on their way when they catch the right wave. Styles vary from standing up, to crouching, to lying down, to sitting. Some dogs surf backwards, others move around pointing frontwards and backwards. The majority of dogs on Saturday were hugely enthusiastic about their surfing and eager to get on their boards. Others weren’t quite so gung-ho, but they surfed for their people.

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Sun, 16 May 2010 16:37:59 -0400

Black and White Dogs

Sun, 16 May 2010 16:37:00 -0400

Going through some of my dog albums I noticed that I had photographed quite a variety of black-and-white dogs, but fewer white dogs, and even fewer black dogs. (Of course, black dogs are very difficult to photograph.) But, thinking about it, I realized I find black-and-white dogs particularly pleasing from an aesthetic perspective — and am charmed by the black-and-white varieties of breeds that have special names, such as the Harlequin Great Dane, the Landseer Newfoundland, and the Tuxedo Boston Terrier. So I decided to put together an eclectic gallery of black dogs, white dogs, and black-and-white dogs.

In the course of gathering the pictures I learned that black dogs in America are euthanized at a horrifying rate at many pounds & shelters because people pass them up for lighter, especially white, dogs. A little more research revealed how much the myths and prejudices of color invade even the dog world. Black dogs, for example, are prevalent in European folklore as monstrous, canine apparitions, showing up frequently in English and Scottish mythology as Hellhounds. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hellhound) Questionnaires find that people believe black dogs are fiercer and less friendly. (Think of that tail-wagging, slobbering black Lab or Newfoundland you’ve met!) But it’s an ancient, ingrained belief: Anubis, the god of death and embalming was shown as a black jackal or dog. Another disturbing morsel: In some cultures the black dog is considered especially delicious.

On the other hand, white dogs are the beneficiaries of an opposing view: In Christianity — as well as the pagan belief systems, for example, the Tarot — a white dog is a symbol for spirituality or purity. The White Hound was a title of honor for Celtic chieftains and representative of the dogs which guarded the lunar mysteries.

But even white dogs don’t entirely escape color prejudice: in sheep herding, the British Kennel Club avers that “white should never predominate in the color of Border Collies.” Why? The rationale against white dogs in sheep herding is that the sheep will not have sufficient respect for a dog that is the same color they are. This strange idea, like most prejudices, falls apart when it is examined. For example, it assumes that sheep are always white. Also, it takes no account of the great all-white sheepdogs such as the Hungarian Kufvasz, Great Pyreneese, Samoyeds, and the Anatolians.

For me, all the dogs in these photographs are full of the color of life. But I urge people who are looking to adopt a dog, to look kindly on the black dogs in shelters and pounds.

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Mon, 03 May 2010 15:36:00 -0400

Doo Dah Parade Basset Hound Clowns

Mon, 03 May 2010 15:34:28 -0400

Great jollity and smiles on Saturday at the annual Pasadena Doo Dah Parade, which included a contingent of Basset Hound Clowns. The Doo Dah is a sort of People’s parade: a colorful, zany, carnival style fundraiser. The thirty-five or so Basset Hounds massed at eight-thirty AM for the parade starting at eleven AM — quite a stretch in the sun — and although these amiable, engaging dogs managed beautifully, they were keen to get marching behind their Basset Hound Rescue of Southern California banner. I have included pictures of the dogs in waiting and marching mode, as well as a couple of Parade images to provide a bit of context.

Look for the pictures of the marching hounds joyously snuffling up bits of tortilla thrown on the ground by a previous marching group, as well as their sociability with the public — petting allowed. These charming Basset clowns elicited loud cheers and smiles from the spectators, and hopefully helped contribute to their cause.

http://www.camerarennie.com

Mon, 03 May 2010 15:33:42 -0400

http://www.camerarennie.com:

You obtain Doo Dah Parade photographs of the Basset Hound clowns from the camerarennie Link above.

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Mon, 19 Apr 2010 18:47:00 -0400

Herding the Heeler Way

Mon, 19 Apr 2010 15:49:00 -0400

This past Saturday took me down to the hills of Escondido to see herding trials sponsored by the Australian Cattledog Association of Greater Los Angeles. Other breeds were in the trials, but I focused principally on the little Heelers — as they are called in their native Australia. Their name comes from their action of nipping at the heels/hooves of cattle in order to drive them in the direction their handlers want. They are obviously tough, smart dogs — handling beef cattle takes a lot of force, and heelers have no shortage there. They seemed intently focused as if their lives depended on it, and, of course, when working a 1.5 ton steer, their lives do depend on it. In these trials, the heelers had tasks herding the cattle through “gates,” “chutes,” and into holding pens, where they would have to keep the steers for a specified time. They also worked sheep and ducks, a very difficult task for heelers, since biting sheep or ducks is not allowed.

I have included photographs of some of the onlookers, Border Collies, as always the most impassioned, and I supposed impatient (for their turn) spectators.

Click on the photograph to see the album.

http://www.camerarennie.com

Mon, 19 Apr 2010 15:47:10 -0400

http://www.camerarennie.com:

You can obtain photographs in the Herding the Heeler Way from my photography website, CameraRennie (link below).

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Mon, 12 Apr 2010 12:51:00 -0400

Tally Ho! A Day at the Chases

Mon, 12 Apr 2010 12:49:00 -0400

Saturday in Riverside, California where beautiful weather matched sensational canine athletics: lure coursing — which involves sight hounds competitively chasing an electronic lure (white plastic bags) zigzagging around a gigantic field. The dogs compete by breed in trios: e.g three Salukis, three Whippets etc. They are judged on: following (no short cuts on the winding chase), agility (turning sharp corners), speed, endurance, and enthusiasm. I think every dog scored 100% in the last category. These dogs howled and strained to be let loose for the chase.

I have grouped the dogs in the order of their competing: Afghans (floating gracefulness); Basenjis (bouncy alertness); Borzois (aerodynamic elegance); the Ibizans (bounding eagerness); Irish Wolfhounds (fierce stolidity); Pharoah Hounds (wild exhilaration); Rhodesian Ridgebacks (muscular fervor); Selukis (silky sleekness); Whippets (quicksilver flight).

It was so mesmerizing watching these dogs enjoy their genetic heritage that I had a hard time focusing on the photography.

http://www.camerarennie.com

Mon, 12 Apr 2010 12:48:30 -0400

http://www.camerarennie.com:

You can obtain the Tally Ho images from my website.

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Mon, 05 Apr 2010 14:30:00 -0400

Basset Hound Easter Brunch

Mon, 05 Apr 2010 14:25:00 -0400

A few months ago, I became a volunteer for Southern California Basset Hound Rescue (my first dog as an adult had been a very special Basset Hound named Banjo).

My beginning assignment for the SCBHR was on Saturday: to photograph the Bassett Hound Easter Brunch. People could have their Hounds — most of them rescues — photographed with a big Easter Bunny, for a donation to the organization.

It was a lovely task: consorting with about thirty-five Hounds of various sizes and colors, most sporting Easter Bunny ears. Basset Hounds are the most affable dogs I have ever known (their owners tend to be affable, too); so there were no growls, snits, or snaps, just wagging tails, a bit of rolling around, and the occasional baying.

It’s a small album, just thirteen pictures — but they will brighten your day.

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Sun, 28 Mar 2010 19:16:00 -0400

Splash Dogs

Sun, 28 Mar 2010 19:10:00 -0400

Another tedious drive through the southern California suburban boonies — but worth it for the exhilarating dog display at the end of the journey. This time it was seeing the Splash Dogs bring their benefit show to a Corona shopping mall. There weren’t as many high-performing dogs as Dock Diving Dogs usually have, but it was fun-filled for the very reason that any dog could try to dive off the two-foot high platform into the thirty-foot pool to retrieve its toy — even if this was a first time dive. Most all the newbie dogs were very keen to fetch their toys tossed into the pool, but many were not so eager jump off a platform to get it. They needed massive cajoling from wranglers and spectators to make the leap. (A few decided to skip the jump, hurrying off the dock to slip into the water via the exit ramp, then triumphantly swimming out to their toy.) But there were brilliant competitive jumpers among Labs, Golden Retrievers, Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, a Belgian Malinois, a Pit Bull, and a Chihuhaua.

Fun was had by all, including a number of spectator dogs — some of whom howled to join the game.

If you are interested in obtaining one of the photographs, please on the CameraRennie link below.

http://www.camerarennie.com

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 16:01:15 -0400

http://www.camerarennie.com

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Mon, 18 Jan 2010 13:03:00 -0500

French Herding: the real thing

Mon, 18 Jan 2010 13:01:51 -0500

I’m sure some of us have had the experience of driving in rural Europe to be stopped suddenly by a flock of sheep being herded across or along a road. Herding trials in France require the shepherd and dog to demonstrate herding that approximates such real life conditions — unlike the Scottish tradition (dominant in the United States) where the trials involve the dog herding five sheep in an enclosed area. On Saturday I had the opportunity to see a rather rare French herding trial here in southern California.

The trial required a dog to herd a flock of sixty sheep out of a pen into a large enclosed field, over a bridge, through a gate onto a road, through a second gate out into the open, where the sheep were herded onto a small grazing area near a crossroads, to hold them there for a specified time, and then herd the flock back to the original pen passing a moving car on the way.

Curiously, in an activity (five sheep herding) dominated by Border Collies, there was only one Border Collie in action. The upside was the presence of European breeds not seen as often in regular trials: a Tervuren (a beautiful brown and black longhaired Belgian dog), an uncommon sable (black overcoated) German Shepherd, a golden Briard, a marvelous ten year old black Australian Shepherd, a Belgian Sheepdog, and an Australian Kelpie. The photographs in the gallery show the herding dogs in that order — with the exception, alas, of the Kelpie, who I missed.

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Mon, 11 Jan 2010 14:39:00 -0500