I typically like to spend the first 15 or so minutes just letting my models play, relax and get to know me. It was during this time that Princess got to know every stick, rock, grass, seaweed and shell on the ground instead. There’s just so much to see and sniff in her new playground!

Occasionally we had to pull out a trick – or as I like to call it, a treat – to get Princess’ attention. You could almost see her weighing her options… would the reward be worth the “wait”?

Princess’ mom is one of those awesome humans who reminds me I have the best job in the world, always meeting fun-loving, active people who appreciate the unique personalities of each dog in our lives. It’s obvious she provides a constant stream of love and exercise for her companion, and that Princess probably does the same for her mom!

Sticks… ohhhh yummy sticks.

I hope you all were able to get out and enjoy the weekend with your four-legged friends! Despite the crazy snow, wind and tides we’ve been having, you can definitely sense that spring is in the air. Cold Nose Photo is currently offering 2009 pricing when you book before the turn of the season, and upcoming travel will include Manhattan and the Hamptons for some exciting spring 2010 dog sessions! Be the first to hear about these deals and trips by becoming a fan on Facebook!

Believe it or not, even the shelter slowed down for the last month or two, with less dogs for me to play and photograph with. That’s a good thing! Here are a few of the newest arrivals. I didn’t have their names and papers yet, since they’d just arrived, so you’ll have to check out the personality in their eyes! (and visit the Animal Rescue League of Boston’s Brewster branch)

This fella was hysterical; kept tucking his chin back to his neck to show his best double-chin. What a little weirdo!

This guy, Luke, proved extremely difficult to capture because he just wouldn’t slow down! Part of why I love visiting the shelter is that I’m able to let each dog run around in a huge grassy yard for about a half-hour each. They have fun, get some energy out, and receive an endless supply of rubs and scratches.

This little sweetheart could not get enough love. He would just jump up on my chest with his paws relaxed and his chin resting, staring into my eyes for minutes on end – standing on his hind legs! If I so much as see this guy one more time, he’s coming home with me (thanks to my mom for the shot!).

To be completely transparent, that’s $5 from each of 170 calendars. I gave away approximately 15 and left the rest with ARL in Brewster for them to keep or sell as they wished.

The money will go directly to our Cape Cod branch, as is only right given the calendar’s name! I’m SO happy to be able to do this, and I hope you and your family and friends are enjoying the calendars so far!

Here are a couple of recent ARL pups who send you their thanks too!

Having grown up on Cape Cod myself, you would have thought I’d have a frilly seashell-themed wedding in June, but Gary and I have a lot of ties and history in Vermont. We decided to break the mold a bit and get married outside in the snow in Arlington, Vermont, filling up the West Mountain Inn with friends and family for three days.

Anyway, where was I… This was our first-ever vacation away with our boys! We booked a great dog-loving Inn, and we found ourselves sitting with incredible grins across our faces at the fact that we had Brewer and Bromley with us for the weekend adventure.

Provincetown as a whole is very dog-loving. You may recall my photographs of the awesome Pilgrim Bark Park for dogs, and there are endless trails and beaches that are very welcoming. Even in the shops and restaurants, it’s pretty commonplace to feel the brush of a tail across your knees.

We stumbled upon the largest lobster claw EVER… you can see it next to a dog or husband’s nose to get an idea of its size HERE.

I wouldn’t say that we picked the warmest weekend to walk the beach reaching farthest out into the Atlantic ocean… And just for fun, I employed the hubs for a little modeling of the hat I recently knit. My first hat ever!

I hope you’re getting out there to enjoy your surroundings and keep your spirits high in the winter months! I love hearing about all the snow our east-coast friends have been shoveling, and, as a matter of fact, we’re finally getting our own dumping right now!

Between the work of my day job, the commute, my love of photography (and dog rubs!) and my new addiction to knitting, I haven’t been taking a lot of time to ready lately. I do read on my commute and when I crawl in to bed each night, but I’m only good for about 20 pages before I’m fast asleep in either situation.

I’ve started three of these books, and finished the top one since taking this photo over the weekend (thanks to Melissa at Yummy Goods for letting me borrow!). One of my favorite types of reading is that of international cultures – fact or fiction, because I learn so much through either. Just Like Us is a true account of four young Mexican girls growing up in the U.S., two with legal documentation and two without. Mountains Beyond Mountains seems like a timely read, when so much is happening in poverty-stricken Haiti. I know it won’t be a happy “story”, but one of awareness.

What’s on your shelves right now?

Abner was found as a stray and unfortunately seems to have gone without training in whatever home he did have. Fortunately, he’s still young and will be able to learn rules and manners from a loving new home, willing to give him some attention.

I also want to mention that Tally is still available as well – an adoooorable treeing walker coonhound! Stop on in or call the shelter to say hi!

The local group has been so wonderful with planning activities and events for the community. You can check out their Facebook page HERE to keep current on all that’s going on!

As a side note, this past Sunday was my Mom’s birthday, and as a huge thanks for all her help at the shelter I gave her an official Animal Rescue League fleece vest! I love it!

And a heartfelt WELCOME to all new visitors! I’m so glad to have you here!