Beyond the Dog Dish

Live Strong ~ Live Long

A great day visiting our Cavalier friends! I left Kodee and Becky at home as I was supposed to be sewing Cooling and Drying Coats for the dogs. Many of my friends are fellow Cavalier owners, so it wasn't long before I ventured to the yard for a bit of playtime, photography fun and a moment to steal a few nose kisses!

Audrey is such an athletic girl! She can turn on a dime in a split second to revel Zoey for the ball first.
[This photo is also my submission at the "Daily Dog Challenge" #205. 5/23 "Off Centered"]

Cavaliers are prone to easy weight gain and overweight dogs are not enjoying life. Zoey is a good friend's dog still staying trim and fit at 5.5!

As with all Spaniels, Cavaliers have a natural instinct to hunt. I wish the Robin luck Audrey is stalking!
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Linking up with; Camera Critters, Fabulous Friday
Also, if you like to photograph dogs and have a FlickR account join us at the "Daily Dog Challenge"

A Very Special Genius

No one listens to me more carefully than my dogs. Most of the time I think of that as a very special bond. Then again.. hopefully there is a person or two that find my thoughts as interesting as my dogs!

Becky has been tweaking her listening skills as we work on Rally Obedience together. It is a great sport where owner and dog must work in unison to skillfully perform obedience exercises in a sequence. Becky intently listens to me and she also takes cues from the most subtle of body movements. Her expression says it all, she loves to please me and wags with her whole body from course start to finish. I can't help it, when she endearingly looks at me with her big, brown eyes she sometimes gets rewarded a little too often.

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Sharing with "Textured Tuesday"

This week the theme at Kim Klassne's Cafe is "Two Textured Edition".
My photograph incorporates "Little Things" and "Cherished".

2012's Super Moon Lacked Sizzle!

Super Moon 2012

We attended our first Rally Obedience Match with Becky earlier in the day. By the time we got home we only had a few minutes to grab the camera equipment and head to the park. It was a hazy, brisk night so we had to hurry as the moon was already setting in the horizon.

Tree Silhouette

The tree branches provided an interesting perspective - very Halloween-ish I think!

Golden Sky

I like this picture and the allure of warmth from the golden light cast from the moon onto the playground. I much preferred photographing down at the lake for 2011's Super Moon and hope next time can head back to the water. Now I am off to find those WOW Super Moon photos by the Pros!

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This post is part of the Memes "Yellow Mellow Monday" and "Sunday In My City"

It's A Gift. Really.

Really all dog breeds succeed as the best companions!

Kodee would rather hear the clicker in rally training than the camera click today.

Pft! Click a camera, clicker training - as long as a treat follows I'm there folks!

This post is part of a "Meme".
Visit Camera Critters for more wonderful photographs.

Dog Gone It! Bad Hair Day

When I have a rough week, I need to remind myself "Life is a journey, not a fairy tale".
After all, have you read what really was going on with all those Princesses!
{ 10 Gruesome Fairy Tale Origins }
Joining in "Simple As That" and "Favourite Photo Monday"

Lemon Strawberry Sunburst

Foodtography Friday!

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Right now outside my window it's snowing hard. I need an injection of summer here! I hate the cold and tend to indulge in comfort foods way to often during the winter months. The other winter blue blunder I make is to almost completely stop drinking water. I am way under the 2.7 liters "Recommended Daily Water Intake" for adult women. You think I'd get a clue once the headache sets in, I become sluggish, then I begin to snack needlessly and before you know it - BAM! Weight gain.

So the commitment has been made. No more parched winter days! It all began with a great Pinterest photograph of "Infused Water Recipes" . I think making 3 liters of filtered water and a different combo of flavours might get me out of my dry spell.

Lemon Strawberry Burst

Don't cheat. Use fresh lemons to reap the benefits of pure lemon juice. That little squeeze bottle of pasteurized artificial lemon juice is going to do nothing for you.

The Health Benefits of Lemon Water

Improves heartburn, bloating and other digestion problems, including constipation and diarrhea.
Cleanses and stimulates the liver and kidneys.
Provides calcium, magnesium and potassium for your body, as well as vitamin C.
Has reportedly been used to relieve asthma.
Offers relief from cold and flu symptoms.
Prevents the build up of bacteria in the body.
Alkalizes your blood which can prevent wrinkles, illness and fatigue.
Detoxify your body.

"Foodtography" Tips & Tricks

Take a peak at what helped me capture my photo:
Mortal Muses: My Top Ten Food Photography Tips
Tutorial Tuesday
Culinary Travel: Foodtography Tips
Tuesdsay Tips: Editing Bubbles

Cavaliers Gone Vintage

I decided it was time I tried my hand at using a textured background. I spent a long time looking for one that "jumped" out at me. Then I saw it. This perfect vintage, lettered-styled texture on FlickR. I immediately knew it was going to be used on a photograph of my Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. The old world feel, made it a match well suited to a breed whose heritage dates back to the 13th century.

After creating my little masterpieces, I found the "Poetic Winter Photo Challenge". I'm pretty excited as it starts today and this week's theme happens to be "Solitude". I think my photos lend well to that - especially Becky who is giving me the evil eye because the camera has my attention. It is interesting, how the same background takes on a cooler look with Kodee. You can feel her solitude on a chilly, winter day.

Then I discovered, it's my Lucky Friday, as participants of the "Poetic Winter Challenge" will be given a free textured background. Perfect timing - and seriously, I had no idea when edited my photographs!

Thank you to the generosity of the Angela Wolf - better known as "Joes Sistah" for permitting free use of her textured background today. Angela allows free non-commercial use of her designs and would like a credit link back to her FlickR account. Take a minute and go view Angela's use of texture on her photographs. Trust, me they are breathtaking - a must see!

Visit Flickriver ~ Angela Wolf

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Sharing With;

Camera Critters | Fabulous Friday | Poetic Winter Photo Challenge | Textured Tuesday