Little things that I love…

  • Hubs picking me up from the airport, tulips in hand…
  • A pup that’s so happy enjoying the warm, sunny afternoon… completely oblivious to the fact that she’s in my frame…

Posted in: Couples
add a comment

  • Shauna (Fido & Wino) - Love that shot!

  • Melissa Ricca - I think the fact your little pup is in the background gives it that extra something special… wonderful photo!

  • ashley folkema - Tulips! 🙂

    Sometimes it is the little things that can mean the most.

  • Emily - I love how Chloe is in the background! That was so sweet of your hubby. 🙂

I knew this day would come. I’ve dreaded it. After all, they say, “Dogs lives are too short. Their only fault, really.” Yesterday, one of my clients said goodbye to her beautiful lab, Stolichnaya. Stoli was adored by Michelle for many, many years. He was by her side through many difficult times. He was happy, and he was tolerant… even when the house was taken over by bulldogs. My heart is broken, but I’m honored to have gotten the chance to capture him. Hug your pups today. Michelle posted this on Facebook, and I wanted to share it here:

I listen to the complaints and agonized confusion of new dog owners and think:
How lucky they are to be starting their path with this new dog;
How beautiful and healthy and virile are these animals
With the desire to run and jump and play games foremost on their minds.

I wonder why they can’t think ahead
To the time when there’s no more running or jumping, only painful slow walking;
When there’s little game playing, mostly memories of past good times together;
When the muzzle is gray, the eyes cloudy and the virile, tautly muscled body is now soft and bowed;

And I wonder how they get so caught up in the difficulties that they can’t see the joys of puppyhood
and adolescence
and young adulthood,
replete with their problems, of course, but filled with boundless exuberance.

And I think of you, and I wish we were starting our path again instead of coming to its inevitable end.

Oh how I wish to see you young and virile and full of fire and determination again;
How I wish you’d pull on the leash instead of being so unsteady in your footing;
How I wish you’d steal food from the counter instead of my having to think about force feeding;
How I wish you’d jump on me again instead of having to be helped to stand.

And when new owners are praying to God for the patience to last one more day with their dogs, I’m praying to God to please give us one more good day together.

How I wish the others could see into the future and feel the pain of impending loss of such special, special friend.

Oh how I wish!

Author:Barbara Kahn

Posted in: Pets
add a comment

  • Erin - What a sweet pooch. I’d love to smooch that big wet nose in picture #2. Beautiful poem. So true, so true. I’ve been in that same place with my brown-nosed yellow lab who is now in heaven. I’d give just about anything to her hug her and smooch her wet nose one more time.

  • Becky - Wow…that tugs at my heart so, so much. Thanks for sharing this April. My thoughts and prayers are with Stoli’s family.

  • Nancy - Oh my gosh I was in tears! Michelle, I can’t tell you how terribly sorry I am. You must be devasted. My thoughts and prayers go out to you.

    Just keep in mind how happy you made him. Look at that face in the last picture! You can see the love and happiness in him.

  • Michelle- Stoli's mom - April~ this is so very sweet and I am honored and touched.. thank you so much for the memories you have given us with these photos. We will cherish them for ever…..

  • Bernadette - What an amazing tribute to such a sweet soul. I am in tears, not knowing Stoli or his momma; but knowing how much he was loved is wonderful and uplifting. I am hugging my little Kia as I type (and squeezing until she protests), and my heart pours out to Michelle. Sending love and thoughts your way…

  • Emily - Awhhhh what a beautiful pup; I’m praying for his family.

  • Katie Jane Parker - What a beautiful tribute. This made me cry so much. I’ll be giving my pets extra cuddles today. So sorry for your loss, Michelle.

  • gingela5 - Beautiful tribute. He was such a handsome boy. Those words had me in tears as I’m sitting her looking at my own doggies.

  • Nick - A beautiful tribute for a wonderful dog 🙂

  • Brian (Stoli's Dad) - Stoil boy had a great life and he was loved by so many people who got to know him. I cannot believe he is gone. The pleasure he borught to my life cannot be captured in words. Thank you so much for sharing his life on your website so that others can see the beautiful boy he was. Inside and outside. He was my bestfriend and he will be missed.

  • tish - What beautiful writing. I am in tears and thinking about my pups at this very minute. Thanks for letting us share in the celebration of yet another awesome dog. 🙂

  • Stephanie - Dear Michelle,
    I am so sorry for your loss. Stoli must’ve been an amazing dog. April these pictures are a great forever keepsake. Nice job

  • kara schultz - I’m so sorry for your loss, I dread the day that our pup is gone and she’s so young, I can’t imagine as she’s like a child to us. Sending lots of hugs and you can always borrow my crazy lab if you need a lab fix

  • ashley folkema - Oh….my heart is crying. These pictures are precious.

  • Jim and MJ - We were so sorry to hear that Stoli was gone. We both loved to see Stoli and hear about his antics. He was a great dog and he was well loved and cared for. Our hearts are with you. Love, Jim and MJ.

  • Cheryl - I have so many wonderful memories of Stoli. He was well-loved by all who met him, even just one time. Thank you to April for providing these beautiful pictures of a precious dog. He will be sorely missed.

  • Christy - I’m sorry for your friend’s loss. Stoli was a beautiful animal.
    We’re lucky to have such wonderful animals in our lives even if it’s for a short time.
    I love that poem…even though it brought me to tears.

  • Rubi Florez - It’s so hard to lose your best friend!
    Because of that, is so important to enjoy every minute with our wonderful dogs.
    I had two dogs that passed away and I miss them so much, despite I have the love and company of other 3 dogs.

    It’s so sad…

  • sara (stoli's step-mom) - Stoli was a beautiful, gentle giant. Everyone who knew him or met him fell in love with him. I know I did. He has brought so much joy and happiness to our lives. Michelle, you were the BEST mom to Stoli and I know Brian found comfort knowing he was so well cared for. April, thank you for sharing all of the wonderful photos of Stoli. You truly captured him. Stoli will be terribly missed….rest in peace Butter Boy!!!

  • claire - such a beautiful post, april.

  • Shauna (Fido & Wino) - …and now I’m crying…

    Oh my god, I’m so sorry for you & for Stoli’s family. Hugging my dogs now…

    Thank you for sharing- they are really beautiful photos.

  • Amber - This brings tears to my eyes. That poem is so true…enjoy what you have today, even the “annoyances” and challenges. They are all a part of life and will become great memories too depending on how you approach them. I hope this families pain heals quickly and they are left with all the wonderful memories of their sweet Stoli. 🙁

    Amber

  • leesia - so beautiful and so heartbreaking – thank you for sharing, april.

  • Emilee - Heartbreaking. Dog lives really are far too short. My heart goes out to Barbara for this sad loss. He was a beautiful dog.

  • jennie - oh my gosh… I am so sorry to Stoli’s owner. I hope her pain eases quickly and her memories stay fresh forever.

Let the voting begin! I was stoked to receive 8 fabulous entries… And since it was impossible to narrow them down, I’ve decided to post them ALL! So choose your favorite and spread the word… Blog it, facebook it, tweet it, e-mail it!! 

The rules:

  • You are only allowed to vote one time
  • Voting ends on March 19th at midnight
  • Winners will be announced on March 22th

You can see full details about the contest HERE! 


Posted in: Couples
add a comment

  • Morgan Phelps Crane - so many beautiful rings to choose from!

  • Angela - I love these things!!! It was hard to choose just 1!!!!

  • Olivia - Fingers crossed for couple #6!

  • Deb keller - Yay sue and Andy!!!

  • Krista - Your ring is so beautiful! Such sparkle and fire–he did a good job!

  • Suzanne Valaitis - I voted for you guys!! Good luck!

  • Patricia O'Neal - Couple No. 5 is displayed so beautifully. Nicely done! All the couples rings are just gorgeous. Good luck to all!

  • michellek - love couple #6 ring…really unique

  • Aileen Cordaro - Couple # 5 WAHOO!

  • Shannon McGill - Congrats, Sue and Andy! The ring is absolutely breathtaking 🙂

  • kim - that was tough to vote. some amazing couples!

  • csimmons - Megan and Andy,
    Beautiful ring; great excitement!

  • Chelsea sewell - wow amazing ring suzane congrats

  • ant hill - Love, love love your ring, Sue!!!!! April your ring is beautiful too!!!

  • Lillian - Your ring is beautiful Suzanne. Andy you have excellent taste in rings. Good luck to you both.

  • D & D - Leslie is beautiful – lovely diamond & design

  • Ryan - LOVE Couple #5!!!!

  • Jeanne Bayers - Excellent taste Andy! Yeah Suz 🙂

  • nikki craig - congratulations suzanne and andy , good luck with the photo x

  • Lyndsey McEwan - Congratulations Andy, that ring is stunning, so is your good lady, hope you win x

  • Jill R - Andy and Suz got my vote:)

  • Melissa - #8 has my vote all the way!

  • marymoughan - love the pic #2!

  • Jake McEvoy - what a fab rock #2!

  • John Crapster - #5 rock Rocks-Congrats,
    JTC

  • Brian D. - Wow, that man in couple 5 is gorgeous.

    -brian d.

  • Patricia Cordaro - What a fabulous pair #5!

  • Sarah - Couple #5 has my vote!

  • Mary Ranieri - A beautiful ring for a beautiful girl! Congratulations and the best of luck! You two got my vote and my love 🙂

  • Erin (Texan Couture) - I voted for couple #5!!!

  • Mike - Couple #4 all the way… I’m a bios because I’ll be shooting their wedding this October. :))

  • Dana - You guys rock!!! Congrats!!!

  • Rena - Congratulations Donald and Nancy! I love you both and absolutely love the ring. Can’t wait to see it. Congrats and best of luck! We are all rooting for you:-)

  • Rocio - Congratulations! Beautiful ring!

  • MLCDS Kindergarten - Miss Nancy, Charlie: ” i hope you get married”, Jason: “I hope you win” Emily: “I hope you don’t lose” Sydney: “I hope you win a trophy”, Anthony: “Miss Nancy I hope you win the contest”

  • Rgbrewser - Go #8 you have some Fans!!!

  • From Jillian's Mom mlcds - To one of my most favorite teachers: I hope you win Miss Nancy!!! Love Jillian

  • Kelli Boling - Love the personality in the entry for Couple #2! (and the rock too)

  • cmegletti - Congratulations Nancy! Your ring is gorgeous and what beautiful way to present it in the flower! Good luck….Paige and I hope you win.

  • mom and dad - Good Luck!!! The couple and the ring are very special!!!! We Love You!!

  • toni - Good luck couple number one

  • Michael & Hailey - This picture gets our vote Miss Nancy!!!

  • Susan Davidson - Couple #5
    Lovely

I’m home from a week of getting my learn on in Las Vegas. Exhausted. But excited, and full of new ideas for my business. I didn’t know what to expect… I had never been to Vegas, and had never been to WPPI. It was a week jam-packed with inspirational people, hilarity (I’m talkin to you, Photoboard ladies! 😉 ), a chaotic tradeshow, and hit or miss classes. Mostly hits. And I’m grateful for that experience.

I didn’t bring my ‘real’ camera, but here’s a shot with my little digital camera of the fountain show at the Bellagio…

Stay tuned… Voting for Flaunt Your Rock will begin TONIGHT!

Posted in: My World
add a comment

  • Debbie Shook - I was at my first WPPI as well, and my head is STILL swimming from all the information! Would have loved to have met you 🙂

  • Emily - glad you had a great time!!

In case you’re curious about the lack of activity going on around here… I’m currently in Las Vegas attending WPPI, the largest photography convention of the year! I’ll be home Thursday evening, so it will be back to our regularly scheduled programming very soon!

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...
Posted in: Uncategorized
add a comment

  • Nancy - We miss you! Have fun!!

  • Amanda - Sounds like you’re having a blast!