A year ago on Mother’s Day, I invited my mom along to help me take photos with the dogs at the shelter. She’s been a valuable assistant ever since! This past Sunday, the shelter is exactly what we chose to do together to mark the occasion.

Maybe you’re interested in having one of these cuties call you “mom” when the next Mothers’ Day rolls around? Stop in for a visit to the Animal Rescue League of Boston‘s Brewster location!

Unfortunately, I don’t have all the dogs’ names since I snuck in on a Sunday again. They were all pretty sweet, though, some even surprising us with their manners and commands. The lil’ girl in the bottom right was quite abuzz, but she calmed right down as soon as she could be close to me. Or the camera. I couldn’t really tell which she liked better.

My own bud, Brewer, came bouncing up to me with a card around his collar on Mother’s Day, and a new plant he found (I think with human help) at the local garden shop. He and I both are starting to feel our spirits lift back up after saying good bye to Bromley.

I hope all you dog and cat moms had a wonderful weekend!

*nose tap* is one of my favorite little expressions in the dog world.

I’m a little exhausted tonight, working hard under the guise of some crazy motivation I’m feeling. But as I make it through lots of edits, I wanted to share this little glimpse from my Mother’s Day visit to the shelter.

The job is dangerous, I tell ya… It’s not all adorable and games. Okay, maybe it is.

I’ve been off photographing many things lately, but unfortunately not the amazing pups at the shelter. I should be saying thanks to the economy for rebounding and giving me back some benefits at the day-job, but one thing I lost was my forced furlough day each month, which I had been splitting into two and using for bi-weekly visits to the shelter. But thanks to the good friends I’ve made at the Animal Rescue League of Boston‘s Brewster Branch, I snuck myself in this past Sunday during closed hours to take a deep, soothing breath of the amazingness that is animal rescue. Amidst all the poker tournaments and editorial assignments (which will now start “airing” over at staceyhedman.com), I needed an afternoon like this to remind me what inspires me most to be in this business.

So without further adieu, let me introduce you to three sweethearts currently wagging their tails in Brewster.

Dakota… well, she’s a mover and a shaker. And she moved and shook herself over the fence during our shoot. I mean, there was a bird, after all… wouldn’t you chase it? This is where pet photographer acrobatics come in handy and I jumped the fence right after her since the shelter is on a busy road. Some begging – on my part – may have also occurred.

Bull is a gentle giant, knows all his commands and manners, and almost *accidentally* ended up in the car.

And last but not lease is Lilly. She has such a cozy face and personality, and will certainly relax the minute she enters her new loving home.

Give a call or stop by the Animal Rescue League if you’d like to visit any of these happy pups!

More photos from our hike of Chequessett Neck in Wellfleet, MA! This time I’d like to introduce you to Woody – a newly adopted addition to our friendship circle.

Woody is a ~one year old Catahoula mix from Louisiana. He’s the softest damned dog… both his fur and his sweet personality. So relaxed (except maybe that time he got bored with the interior of the car). And don’t you just love his different color eyes?

Tim and Alicia have fallen instantly in love, and have been great to take Woody to all their favorite ocean spots as he gets used to this new sandy life. I have a series of these shots that just make my heart melt… and Woody looks so at home.
Woody was adopted through the small volunteer group, Mutts4Rescue, based in the south and in Portsmouth, RI. He made the trek to New England with a group called Rescue Road Trips.

Congratulations once again to Tim, Alicia and Woody! We’re so happy to see your family and hearts grow! XO

I haven’t been around these parts in a while… partly due to the R&R I’m catching up on in the slower photography season, and partly due to major computer issues and transition. But MARCH is right around the corner and excitement is building! The camera has been back in my hands a lot more, and I’m ecstatic about my new powerhouse of a computer. It’s officially game time, and you’ll soon be hearing and seeing more about 2010 sessions, products, travel plans and goals!

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!).

This is about how I’m feeling today… and you? I hope you’re all warm and cozy somewhere!

Abner is a playful one-year old pit bull currently up for adoption at the Animal Rescue League in Brewster, MA.  When I say “playful”, I mean this dog can BOUNCE!!!! Maybe I’ll follow this post with some blooper shots, because these photos encompass literally the five times I captured Abner’s eyes in focus.

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!

On Saturday, the Animal Rescue League of Boston in Brewster held a fun Paws On Ice event at the local skating rink! What fun to participate and see how excited all the kids – and adults! – were. I hope you enjoy viewing the photos in this new format, but let me know if there are issues.

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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!

I think 2010 has a nice ring to it, don’t you? I’m extremely excited for all that’s to come in the year ahead! Granted, I’ve started it off with seven days of no blogging, but I hope to start making up for it right now!

Meet Noah and Ringo! This was a surprise session (and susbsequent framed prints) for Noah’s mom as a Christmas gift – I was crazy excited that my photos and gift certificates were being unwrapped around New England on the big day! Ringo and Noah’s moms both work for the Animal Rescue League of Boston in Brewster, so I was pretty happy to get out and meet their own dogs on a beautiful, foggy beach day. Both rescues, of course!

We explored Chapin Beach in Dennis, MA. Noah was the guest of honor, and a pretty great model I should say too!

Ringo needed some photo love too, of course. Such a handsome boy, with those soulful eyes of his.

Thanks so much for letting me be a part of a cool surprise, Becky! It was great walking the beach with you guys, and I’ll see you again soon!

This past Sunday I had the absolute HONOR of reuniting with a dog I had photographed at the Animal Rescue League of Boston a few months earlier. Karen and Erik moved up from New York to Boston and found my photos of Sadie soon after. I’m so happy to see her in a loving home with such a great couple! They even had my original photo up on the fridge!

We started our morning in Sadie’s home and neighborhood of Boston’s Bay Village. As much as I like to think I don’t “pose” dogs, I must admit that I find it extremely difficult to pass by cool doors such as these:

Let’s not forget Sadie’s new friend Carmine! Well, technically they aren’t quite buddy-buddy yet, but they’re getting there!

I didn’t even think of it at the time, but the name Carmine goes quite well with this little mafioso pose on the right, eh?

We took a stroll through Boston Public Gardens where we found some remaining foliage, a busy footbridge, and an adorable bench to sit on.

Back on the homefront I just had to grab some photos of Erik and Karen too – they’re adorable! We shared a nice lunch from nearby Mike & Patty’s, and chatted about our similar goals and thoughts about life. I can’t wait to meet up with them again soon!

Thanks for a wonderful morning, my new friends, and for so graciously providing Sadie with the love that she needs right now. More photos to come soon!