It's a Dog's Life - Sepia Saturday

Over the years I have met many dogs and have what seems like thousands of photos of them. Matching this week's theme should not be a challenge for me.

Mind you there are some times when even an air stewardess is not wanted.

"I just want to be alone"

Others need reassurance especially when a strange man has taken you from your mum and driven you to a new place 200 miles away.

"Should I trust him?"

Another pup wants to cuddle up to a Golden Lab.

"It's not fair - someone in the background is getting some affection."

And there are times when you are not sure who is cuddling whom.

"Just one more push ..."

"And then there's room for both of us."

The stars of the show are:

• Sam under the bed.
• Milly, an Irish Water Spaniel.
• Gem, the pup and Sam, with Maxie in the background.
• Sam hamming it up.
• Sam and Maxie celebrating their success.

To get your teeth into other canines look for bones at Sepia-Saturday-270.

A-Z Challenge - 'I'

I - Irish Terrier, Irish Water Spaniel, Irish Setter

Two of the smartest dogs I meet when out for a walk are Irish Terriers.

Irish Terriers - Beau and Dexter

Irish Terriers are very active dogs, considered one of the oldest terrier breeds they enjoy agility competitions.

Dexter however is due to be clipped so that he is as smart as Beau.

Beau and Dexter

One of the smartest (most intelligent) dogs I've ever known was Milly, an Irish Water Spaniel, who lived in a house close to the River Seven,

Irish Water Spaniels - Milly and Cara

They have featured on my blog before. You can read about them here. As you can tell from their name they were in their element in water and a quick dip in the Severn was seventh heaven for them. Milly was the best footballing dog I've met with a stronger tackle than the legendary Norman Hunter of Leeds United and England fame.

Two other dogs from the village where I live appeared in my North Yorkshire Village Dogs series here. However these two Irish Setters had Scottish names.

Irish Setters - Duncan and Cameron ready for a road trip

Not as famous perhaps as dogs owned by President Truman or Richard Nixon., but just as photogenic as Lord Reilly of Redwood.

Lord Reilly and Clark Gable

Whether they are at the seaside,

Come on in - the water's fine

or just resting at home.

Duncan and Cameron

From Behind - Thematic Photography

Carmi wants us to try something a little different with this week's theme: from behind. We've been conditioned to take pictures from the front - think about it, when we pose, we stare straight at the camera - that we've virtually forgotten what goes on on the other side. For the coming week, he hopes we'll walk around to the back and see what we can find.

Interestingly my first picture is from behind some ropes at a dog show in Gloucestershire in 2001.

Puppy Class 2001

The girl with her back to the camera with the dog is my granddaughter. The boy just happened to be watching what was going on. The dog is an Irish Water Spaniel, 6 months old at the time.

Next it's a holiday shot from Grand Canaria of an unknown man.

Rear of the Year 2006

Some shots however have to be taken from behind because of the location.

Boat Race - Yarm Gala 2009

The shot had to be taken from Yarm Bridge over the River Tees.

Similarly the only way I could get these ducklings was from behind - mother duck was shepherding them to safety,

Ducklings on the River Tees - 2009

And this is Sam, checking out who is calling him.

Sam

 

Sam was my daughter's Golden Labrador who was blind for the last two years of his life.

Should you go to Fountains Abbey in Yorkshire you too can have a chance to capture this:

The Behind of Any Year

For other behind the scene shots you need to check out the links on Carmi's blog at Thematic-photographic-209