Our New Addition....

This is our new little girl Mikko. A blue merle Australian Shepherd. She is 9 weeks old and is amazing! She can sit, shake, lay down and is *almost* potty trained.
We really weren't in the market for a new puppy... but when we lost one of our family cats we started making trips to the animal shelter. We found the perfect little puppy, she looked like an australian shepherd mix, but we put in our application 5 minutes too late.  We kept going back but couldn't find another match... and my wife had gotten attached to the aussie idea. So we started looking for australian shepherd rescues.
There were so many beautiful adult dogs, which was my first choice (since, in my mind, they are the ones that need homes) - but, we were told that with a young child, we needed a puppy.  So the search began, and the closest rescue was in WI and NY.  Too far for us.  So finally we began look at breeders.

Let me say, I am NOT one to buy dogs from breeders. I believe you should do whatever you can to rescue an animal first. Be it from a shelter, a breed rescue group, or simply another person. Buying dogs from breeders and pet stores have, in part, lead to puppy mills - which are so disgusting and inhumane that people are guilted into buying the dog when they see her/him, just to not leave the pup in that awful place.

BUT, I do believe, as so many animal books state, in not making a snap decision on a family pet. You must find the perfect fit. This will be a new family member who will be with you, hopefully, for many years to come.  You must find a puppy that has the right personality and size for your family.

I happen to be someone who brings my dogs everywhere. I not only wanted a dog to follow my children around and watch over them, but a dog that could come with me on my shoots and I could train her to help. 

Finally, after an extensive search, we found the right people to get our puppy from. Check out www.lobosaustralianshepherds.com.  We all drove out to Sparta and met Wendy and her amazing family. Her kids raise the puppies and socialize them - carry them around everywhere! It's amazing how much love all her dogs get.  Each of their dogs was wonderfully cared for and groomed. Each had very different personalities, from natural herder to laid back lap dog.
                                                                                

The puppies were 5 days old and we picked out the
smallest one. Of course we couldn't tell her personality yet, but the parents were great, all cleared on genetic tests and very social. And one more wonderful thing about the breeder - we were able to visit anytime and watch her grow online. She said we could trade her for any other available puppy at any time if she wasn't the right fit.
But, she was. She is a perfect fit. 

A Brave New World...

First I should just say hello. I am completely new to this - I've never really blogged, even on myspace.... and I've never been much of a tweeter either... but I thought it would be cool to be able to write about the different shoots that I do.... Okay, I should start by saying, a couple months ago I finally got up the courage to really start working on my own. I mean I've done my share of freelance work - but I've never had the guts to leave a pay check that I could count on, especially during this economy. But it got to the point of sink or swim... so here I am.