Photographing Marlo

When we decided to get a dog one of my key criteria (amongst others) was hair, not too much of it and certainly not white so we chose black. At the time it was an easy decision and met all my cleanliness guidelines BUT back then I hadn't done my photography course and whilst I enjoyed taking happy snaps I wasn't exactly trying to get the perfect shot. Well now I have and now I am but just try it on a big ball of black fluff! It's impossible.

I have tried and tried to get good photos of Marlo with little success ao I was pleasantly surprised the other day on our trip to Bendigo when I managed more than one photo I was happy with. Here are a few of my favourites

Sally

A trip to Bendigo

Today Mr B and I decided to drive out to Bendigo rather than sit around the house. It was such a beautiful day it would have been a shame to waste it.  We arrived at Lake Weeroona park, the perfect spot to take Marlo for a walk and have lunch.

Well the walk didn't go so well, as soon as I got her out of the car it was on, Sally vs Marlo. She was pulling on the lead, jumping at people, barking at other dogs and no matter what I did she just kept going and going. I tried to keep my cool and use puppy training techniques but in the end I failed and handed her over to Mr B.

He also had a hard time at first but ended up getting her under control. I had to walk way behind where she couldn't see me but it gave me the opportunity to take this photo which I just love. I've even had it printed and it will be going in a frame beside my bed.

Sally

Marlo

We've had Marlo for over 6 months now and I can't believe that I haven't told you all about her yet - she is just a dream.

We got Marlo at 7 weeks old and it was a fairly long trip home from Ballarat. I was worried that she would cry most of the way as we had resolved to having her in a harness in the back seat so she would learn not to be held in the car. We do alot of long trips to country Victoria so it was important that we have a dog that travels well. However I wasn't sure that our resolve was as good as I'd hoped and I was driving as I was definately going to be the first to break. Luckily Marlo was just fine. No sooner had we strapped her in and left the driveway of her birth home and she was asleep! Who could ask for more than that.

She was so small back then she could fit in one hand and the harness we had bought for her was as tight as we could get it to go but still too big! Here she is sleeping on the back seat on the trip home from Ballarat. We have since learnt that being on her back is her favourite position (Not a great picture as I forgot my camera and only had the iPhone)

When we got her home she was so full of beans and wanting to play we had the best time with her. Here are a few of my favourites pictures from that day

A new addition to the family

I've been wanting to add to our family for awhile now and its finally time - we are getting a puppy. Mr B & I have been debating over what type of dog is best for us and we have landed on a Miniature Schnauzer (which I've wanted all along really). So whats so good about them?

We first off they don't drop (much) hair! Now this was one of my main criteria, I'm a bit of a clean freak and the thought of dog hair all over the furniture is enough to make me question whether I really want a dog, so minimum hair was #1 criteria!

Next it was about how well the breed deals with kids. Not that I have any of my own (yet) but we have such a big family and there are 13 nieces and nephews to think about!

Then it was about how well the breed will socialise with other dogs. We often look after other dogs for family (sometimes for extended periods) and we often travel to country Victoria to stay with Mr B's family who all have Caveliers and our new puppy would be coming along for the ride so needed to be able to deal with lots of other dogs.

The schnauzer seemed to fit the bill. Good with kids, doesn't drop alot of hair (but does need regular clipping which I am happy to trade for no hair!) and deals with other dogs. Decided!

So we contacted a couple of breeders and ended up choosing one in Ballarat - Dee Lee Schnauzers. Deb, the breeder, was great from the time we ordered a puppy to when we collected her. We received weekly photos and it was amazing to see how quickly our little girl was growing. Check out the first few week pics below.

Just born & eyes not even open yet! Ummm she kinda looks like a bat!

A couple of weeks old, eyes are open and the excitment is building