The Little Blog

Mercy

2012-02-18T12:11:00.000-08:00

I sure am glad to be alive today.

Yesterday I photographed this:

and this:

I almost died of cuteness overload.

Tradition

2012-01-26T11:36:00.000-08:00

I love family traditions. That annual occasion that is shared by generations, year after year after year. I wish that I could say that my family has our own, but sadly, we don't.
Fortunately for me, I was able to photograph one family and their annual tradition. Every year, the day after Thanksgiving, this family gets together to make candy canes. I had no idea how much was involved in making this sweet symbol of the holiday season... it is nothing short of awesome.

First step is to boil the sugar. I believe that 60 pounds of sugar were used on this day.

After the sugar is boiled, it is poured out on the counter to cool

and add the peppermint flavor.

Now it is time to add color

and knead the batch.

Unless you want to make white.

In which case you must do this:

Work it over a hook.

For what seems like an eternity.

And you can't stop, not even for a second.

I had no idea candy cane making was such a physical endeavor.

The colors are then mixed together to form the stripes.

This is done in front of a heater, still wearing gloves as the batch

is still too hot to touch.

From this point, you can make several different types of yummy treats.

You can roll it into traditional candy canes:

To make ribbons, you flatten out the batch and send it

through this contraption:

Or use this to make bite sized treats

Shiitake happens.

The traditional hanging of the giant candy cane.

For as much hard work goes into making these candy canes,

there were lots of smiles all around.

And the youngest generation gets in on the fun:

Kylie sneaks a taste

Cole is proud of his creations:

Candy cane making is a dirty job...

...but Krista makes it look gooooooood.

I had so much fun watching this family work together, honoring their generations-old tradition of making candy canes. And if you are thinking to yourself "I wish I could be a part of that!", have no fear - you can be. Each year, the family volunteers their time and their kitchen to benefit the American Cancer Society. On this night, the winning bidder spent the evening making candy canes with this wonderful and amazing family.

Traditions. Pretty cool, if you ask me.

Out my window

2012-01-12T18:08:00.000-08:00

I have a very large, very ancient oak tree in my back yard - I can almost touch it from my kitchen window. While ~~washing dishes~~ ~~cooking~~ drinking my coffee, I watch the riotous antics of a squirrel family who uses our tree as their personal jungle gym. They run up and down the limbs, and jump from branches to the roof of our house. It is kitty porn at it's finest.

As I looked out the window this morning, I was confused. With the sun shining, I thought it was summer. Apparently so did this squirrel, who was munching on an acorn:

Winter, I miss you. But I certainly don't mind that summer has hung around for a while.

It's a new year...

2012-01-08T10:11:00.000-08:00

I am not a fan of resolutions. No matter how big or small, I never seem to keep them... not even for a day. And since it is the New Year, I am tempted to make some resolutions (yes, I realize we are a week in to 2012). But I am going to resist the urge because ultimately I am setting myself up for failure. Exhibit A: my last blog, dated November 9, 2011. I proclaimed that I would be catching up on my blogging... in fact, I threatened a cavalcade of blogs. Here we are, nearly 2 months later, and not a blog in sight. Can you say winning?

It is the first weekend of the New Year and I am in Tahoe. Four families, totaling 8 adults and 10 children, are sharing a fabulous house in the mountains. We have been friends since vet school and our kids are all the same age. Even though there is no snow (it's January, and there is NO snow), we are having ourselves a great time. And I have actually had some time to sit, relax, take photos and blog (resolution or not).

Here is a recap of our fun-filled, snow-free weekend, starting with fun inside the cabin. It is amazing to me how tech savvy these kids are:

Fortunately, they are able to have low-tech fun as well (just add a broom or a box):

And what is this? A child reading a BOOK!?!?!

Smiles and laughs were everywhere:

We made our way to Soda Springs where there was some ~~ice~~ snow. It was cold, it was windy and at times, it was downright miserable. But the kids had a blast.

Thank you to the Cooks, the Karles and the Kreuschers for such a great weekend. Good food, good drink, but most of all, good friends. We are already looking forward to our trip next year!

Baxter Thagreat

2011-11-09T14:31:00.000-08:00

I meant to write this blog months ago. I even included "write Baxter's blog" on my to-do list this past Saturday. But of course, I put it off and I shouldn't have.

Where to begin... where to begin...

I'll start with Bryce, an amazing amazing young man that I have been fortunate enough to know. If my daughters grow up to be anything like him, I will be a proud mama. I wrote a blog about him here if you would like to know a little bit about Bryce and why I think he is so amazing.

Last year, Bryce was moving away to college and wanted a canine companion to take with him. He scoured all the local shelters in search of the perfect dog. After a long day, Bryce finally found Baxter at Sacramento County Animal Care and Regulation and took him home. Bryce asked if I would photograph him and Baxter in San Francisco, which I was thrilled to do. Except that life got crazy (both Bryce's and mine) and we just didn't get around to it.

Baxter became quite ill. About the time that Bryce thought it was time to say goodbye, Baxter rallied. Back to his old, silly self, we decided that we needed to get his portraits done ASAMFP and we headed out to San Francisco. I had contacted the amazing Anna Kuperberg for location recommendations (I attended her fabulous dog photography workshop in SF last year and thought she would be the perfect person to ask). At the top of her list was Bernal Hill - an off-leash dog park with sweeping views of the city. Bryce, Baxter and I hiked our way up the hill and had ourselves a wonderful afternoon. We weren't able to shoot all the way up until sunset (used to the 100 degrees at home, we weren't prepared for the blustery wind on the hill). Here are a few of my favorites from that day:

As I was checking Facebook on Monday morning, I read the sad news that Baxter's illness had returned. However, this time he wasn't able to rally and Bryce had to say farewell to his buddy Baxter. Bryce, I hope that you don't mind me sharing these with everyone. I love these photos as they celebrate Baxter's life and the bond that you two have. THANK YOU for asking me to take these. I am sorry that Baxter is no longer with you, but I am so very thankful that I am able to give these to you so that you will have a little piece of Baxter forever and always.

Rest in peace, Baxter.

The Silver Spoon

2011-10-24T22:34:00.000-07:00

I'm sure that you have heard of the Midas touch... a person has that special quality where everything he/she touches turns to gold. When it comes to children's clothing, I have the anti-Midas touch. It has happened to me twice now. First, I fell head-over-heels in love with Peek... Aren't You Curious. They had a store in Roseville which was just the cutest place ever. I went there not only for the clothes, but to hang out with Rachelle and Michelle... two of the nicest people I have ever met in a mall. But, since I have the anti-Midas touch, the store closed it's doors (although the company still sells online and at Nordstrom). Devastated, I was forced to find a new place to outfit my girls with adorable, unique clothing.

Enter The Silver Spoon in Roseville. This store carries gorgeous lines of clothing that you won't find just anywhere. Designers like Eliane et Lena, Deux par Deux, Isobella and Chloe, Mayoral, Blu Pony Vintage... the list goes on and on. Don't get me wrong, I am all about the Target clothes for play (since my girls are about as messy as boys and can wreck clothes before I can screech "noooooooo!"). But when I want my girls to look nice (or when I just wanted to hear strangers say "oh my goodness... look at how CUTE those girls are!"), I shop at The Silver Spoon.

About the time I reached fanatic status, The Silver Spoon announced they were closing their doors. I was devastated. And I blamed my anti-Midas touch for the closure. Surely it was my fault, and only my fault.

Fortunately, The Silver Spoon is maintaining an online store complete with all of the gorgeous clothes that I know and love. And as the icing on the cake, Barbara and Kathy have asked me to shoot some of these clothes for their website. For the past couple of months, I have been like a kid in a candy store... photographing my adorable girls in some of the cutest children's clothes out there.

Our first shoot was with some gorgeous fall clothes by Mayoral Chic, who hails from Spain.

Chloe will not take this shirt off.

She doesn't care if it is 105 degrees outside, she will wear it.

I love this dress.

Love, love, love it.

And this outfit, too.

Our next shoot was at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco. Gary and I took the girls to the Exploratorium and I thought that the neighboring Palace would be a fabulous backdrop for some tutus.

And who knew that the back of the Exploratorium would be an awesome set for this

fabulous animal print coat by Lipstik Girls?

Shhhhh, don't tell anyone but I want this coat for myself.

Our third shoot was at the Old Schoolhouse in Old Sacramento. I thought it would be the perfect setting for some classic and vintage inspired clothing. And it was the first time my little one would help out in the modeling department. I think she did pretty well, even if she refused to wear shoes...

And then we headed across the street to get a few shots of this ridiculously fabulous

Lipstik Girls ensemble.

A gold leather biker jacket with sequined hood complete with ivory ruffled skirt?

Yes please.

For our most recent shoot, I thought it would be fun to bring some other kids into the mix. I had met an awesome woman at a Silver Spoon event a few months earlier, and I recalled that she had two young children. Barbara set us up and we got some great shots at her family's vineyard. Not only was the place gorgeous, but her kids were just the nicest, sweetest kids ever (I'm thinking of trading mine in). And Krista was a fabulous hostess, putting up with me and my camera through tons of wardrobe changes in the unseasonable heat.

Kiley giving us a twirl in a Isobella and Chloe dress

Yes, Silver Spoon has boy clothes.

Thank you Cole, you cutie patootie in a train t-shirt.

Chloe and Kiley in Eliane et Lena dresses.

I took this one home with me. Chloe is wearing it in her school pictures.

Kiley, have you been watching ANTM?

I love this t-shirt.

In fact, I am contemplating buying it for my girls.

Chloe in Lemon Loves Lime dress

Kiley in a Lipstik Girls shirt.

I love this shot.

And last, but not least, my favorite shots of the day.

Kiley the princess.

I wasn't able to shoot all of the adorable clothes the Silver Spoon loaned to me to photograph. There are tons and tons more... Please go to their website and check it out. The holidays are rapidly approaching... I know there are a few things on my list that I can check off here...

My Happy Place

2011-10-21T19:58:00.000-07:00

I have been sooooooo bad about blogging. Not for lack of material. In fact, I have so much stuff to write about, I don't know where to begin. As each day passes, I feel a little more guilty for not writing and to avoid the guilt, I put blogging off for a better time. Ah, the trappings of a procrastinator.

Today is the day that I have decided to get back to my poor, neglected blog. I am starting with some photos that I took last winter in January. I think I posted one image from my trip (thank goodness I did, because I think I accidentally deleted the original file). I had meant to blog more photos, but... inevitably... I put it off.

I am supposed to be in Yosemite right now. It has been a tradition that Gary and I have, to go every year. It is our happy place. It is the first "vacation" we took together, the place where he asked me to marry him. It is the place where we are at peace with everything which, at times, seems like an impossible feat. We were going to go this weekend (after rescheduling our trip twice). But, life got busy and we rescheduled again.

Rather than be sad, I am going to use this opportunity to post some photos and to kick start a blogging avalanche (or so I can hope).

I will start with the smallest waterfall in Yosemite, Fern Springs. I think that I may actually be taller than this adorable little spout. It is my understanding that the water is cold, refreshing and absolutely safe to drink. But I abstained as I couldn't shake the fear of contracting giardia, Baylisascaris or some other parasite I learned about in school.

El Capitan.

The first morning I shot this monolith from the valley floor.

And the second morning, from Tunnel Bridge.

Sunset at Tunnel Bridge.

The colors and cloud formations that night were outrageous.
It was as though the sky was on fire.

And my final sunset in Yosemite.

While millions of people were watching the Superbowl,

I was watching this:

This is the image I posted on my FB page.

And subsequently deleted.

*sigh*

I hope that Yosemite is having fun this weekend without my family and me. I know that we will be missing you. Until we meet again...

Your Opinion, please

2011-09-13T22:01:00.000-07:00

Last month I was so moved by a photo I saw online that I posted this blog. I received a lot of positive response and have been so excited about my mini-sessions for military service people and their pets. Since that post, I have named the event "Vets and Pets" and have confirmed that it will be held at Sacramento County Animal Control and Regulation on November 11, 2011. Several of my friends have volunteered to help and I am so thankful to them (I will be calling upon you very soon).

The purpose of this event is to celebrate the bond between soldiers and their companions. And in order to advertise for this event, I figured that I need to start with a sample photo of a military person and his/her pet. My first thought, of course, was my husband and one of our many animals. Gary served in the US Army as a tank gunner. At the tender age of 19, he was shipped to the Gulf where he sat on a tank, named Budweiser, for 3 months. And for the 4 days of Operation Desert Storm, he didn't sleep. I don't think his mother slept either. Fortunately, he made it home safely.

Gary does not like to be photographed. And when he is photographed, he usually makes stupid faces which ruin the photo. Given his initial response to my idea ("don't do it, it will be too sad"), I figured there was no way that he would volunteer. So I didn't give him the chance to say no. When Gary came home from work, I asked him to put on his favorite Army hat, grab our cat Mop and meet me outside in front of the American flag (which he hung for September 11th). Much to my surprise, Gary and Mop were fairly cooperative. And I got a few shots that I just love. Mostly because my rough-and-tumble husband adores his one-eyed Persian cat and is not afraid to show it. And amazingly enough, Gary loves these shots, too. When I expressed my surprise, he said "why wouldn't I like them? It's me and Mop!". Mission accomplished.

Here are the 2 shots that I am contemplating using for the flyer for the event. I would love your opinion as I cannot be objective (it's my husband and our cat... what's not to love?). Please feel free to comment either here, on Facebook or email me with your opinions and/or suggestions. All thoughts are totally appreciated.

Shot #1

and shot #2

What do you think? Are either of these photos that would encourage a service person to come out to the shelter on a holiday and have his/her picture taken? And perhaps with a less-than-jubilant pet?

I'll keep you posted. Over and out.

Trying to find a way to say thank you

2011-08-22T21:48:00.000-07:00

I came across an image a few days ago on Facebook, shared by my friend Jacquie. It was a screenshot from a CBS news story on the funeral of Jon Tumilson, a US Navy Seal who was killed in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan. The image shows Tumilson's casket, draped in an American flag. And on the floor lay his loyal companion Hawkeye, who was guarding his best friend one final time.

I cannot get this image out of my head. And each time I think about it, tears roll down my face. My heart breaks for Hawkeye, for Tumilson, for his family and friends. And I want to do something to make it all better... give Hawkeye a treat, or throw him a ball. Or just give him his friend back.

The logical side of my brain began searching for ways to help the dominant, highly emotional side of my brain. And it produced an idea. It won't help Hawkeye or Tumilson's family, but it may help other soldiers who love their pets as Tumilson loved Hawkeye. I tried to tell my husband about it, and all that came out between the tears and sobs was "soldier... pet... photos...". Gary's reaction was "Nope. Too sad". Which made me think that my idea is not sad at all. In fact, it is a very happy idea.

My idea is to have a mini portrait session for US Armed Forces members and their pets. I don't know the Where or the How or the Who... but the When will be on Veteran's Day, which is Friday, November 11th. The cost will be a donation to a favorite charity (for example, a bag of dog food to the local shelter) and in return, you will receive an 8x10 print. I am trying to find a way to say thank you to those men and women in uniform who risk their lives so that we may have freedom. And I am trying to find a way to say thank you to the faithful companions of these soldiers, who await their friend's safe return.

Since I have never done anything like this before, I am going to need lots of help. And ideas. Like where to hold this event, how to get the word out, etc... If you would like to help me say thank you to our soldiers and their furry friends, please send me an email at nicole@nicolemcarthurphotography.com or send me a message on my Facebook page.

You can read the story about Hawkeye here. Warning: grab a case of tissues.

My Little Photographers

2011-08-09T10:03:00.000-07:00

I am often asked if I want my girls to be vets when they grow up. It is a valid question, as both of their parents, as well as their grandfather, are veterinarians. I usually answer that question with an "I hope not!". Because I don't want them to feel that they are obligated to follow in our footsteps. And because the road to becoming a veterinarian is a long, hard and expensive one. And the hours just get longer and longer once you actually become a veterinarian (just ask Gary, who left at 3 this morning and probably won't get home until 6 or 7 tonight). If my girls are passionate about veterinary medicine and decide that is what they want to do, then we will support them all the way. We will support them no matter what they choose to do in life, with the following caveats: 1) it has to be legal and 2) they have to be able to support themselves.

Last week, Chloe asked if she could take pictures with my camera. I thought it was cute, so I handed her my old D80, put it on auto mode and gave her a few instructions. Before she got busy, she asked me to help wash her Sleeping Beauty doll's hair... Chloe wanted her to look beautiful for her photo shoot. I found myself spending the next hour washing, drying and styling the doll's hair. I can't even style my own hair, let alone the synthetic mop sitting atop Sleeping Beauty. But I gave it my best and handed her over to Chloe. Who ran off and closed the door to her bedroom. She emerged a few minutes later and showed me the photos she had taken. This is straight out of the camera (I didn't think it would be fair to Photoshop her work):

Now I realize that I am totally biased, but I just love this photo! I love her composition (she utilized the rule of thirds!) and her perspective. I love that I can see the toe of her pink cowgirl boot in the edge of the shot. I love that Chloe picked up the camera and produced an image that she is proud of. And most importantly, I love that she had a blast doing it:

Little Miss Macro

Little sister had to get in on the fun, too. Although I think she is not quite ready for the D80 yet:

Who knows where this will all go... for all I know, they will grow out of this new phase as they do everything else. But just in case it does go somewhere, I have a portrait all ready for Chloe's first magazine article, spotlighting the hottest new photographer in the business:

Baby Graham

2011-07-24T12:53:00.000-07:00

I have been just a weeeeee bit delayed in writing this post. It has been almost 2 months since I witnessed baby Graham enter this world and I have been at a total loss for words... how do I describe the birth of my friends' son? After all, my relationship with Mel and JT has been, what I consider to be, the most significant friendship I have made in my adult life. Classmates in vet school, we endured an intense four years of classes, exams and clinics together. We lost touch after graduation, but through the magic of Facebook, we have re-connected. And I am so, sooooooooooooooooo thankful. Because these are two of the most amazing people I have ever had the pleasure of knowing.

Baby Graham was 8 days late. If you have never experienced pregnancy or childbirth, I will tell you that the last month of pregnancy is agonizing. Having waited 9 months to meet your new child, each minute seems like an eternity. That, combined with the rapid disappearance of intra-abdominal space, most pregnant women feel that the final weeks of pregnancy are a cruel form of torture. And poor Mel... she went 8 days beyond her due date.

Thank goodness Mel is a rock star. Because with that extra time, Graham grew to almost 9 pounds. And Mel delivered him au natural. No drugs to dull the pain... only the love and support of her husband and both grandmas. And me in the background, clicking away, trying to capture the birth of this beautiful little boy.

When I first arrived at the hospital, Mel confessed that she had changed her mind and she didn't want to have a baby anymore. But everything was ready to go and there was no turning back. The water bath was filled and warming up. Yes, I said water bath. A true Davis hippie, Mel opted for a water delivery. And after seeing the set-up, I found myself a bit jealous that I didn't have such luxurious conditions for the births of my daughters.

It's just like being at the spa.

Warm water bath, candles, sphygmomanometer...

The mood was light and mommy and daddy were smiling:

and the grandmas kept themselves busy...

...while I admired Mel's pedicure

and marveled in how sweet this couple is

JT stayed with Mel every step of the way

(I think he could have a very successful career as a doula)

It was very hard to watch my friend in this much pain.

Fortunately for me, I could focus on taking pictures.

And in the end, Mel and JT had this:

I'll just be quiet now and let you enjoy the photos:

Congratulations, my friends.

Much, much, much love,

Nicole

Tiny Dancer

2011-06-28T20:46:00.000-07:00

My mother put me in ballet class when I was four years old and I looooooooved it. I took lessons all the way through high school, and should have continued through college (UCI has an awesome dance program). But I decided to focus on my school work as I couldn't figure out how to fit in all my science classes and dance classes. I can't say that things turned out too badly...

Several years ago, I realized that I missed ballet and enrolled in an adult ballet class at Hawkins School of Performing Arts in Folsom. I would still be doing it today, but I have had two babies and can't seem to fit it into my schedule. So I did the next best thing and enrolled Chloe. The jury is still out as to whether she will love ballet as much as I do. She's four and her current priorities include coloring and walking her stuffed animal doggie named Chloe. Unless she develops a deep disdain for dance, I will keep signing her up for class as I feel it will help her to develop poise, confidence and discipline. And lets face it, the costumes are just so darn cute!

Chloe had her very first ballet recital last week and I was beside myself with joy and pride and will admit I shed a tear or two. I am very pleased to say that she did a wonderful job - Chloe smiled, performed most of the routine and didn't run off the stage. For a four year old, that is quite a feat. Would you like to see my little ballerina? Here are a few from backstage:

Fiddling with her choker

Hanging out with her friends

We also ran into an old neighbor of ours.

Amazingly enough, Chloe remembers going to Sophia's birthday party.

Which was 2 or 3 years ago.

Chloe was a little reluctant to be on stage...

... but she got over that pretty quickly:

I love how each girl is doing something different:

How cute are they?!?!

Here a few shot of Chloe and her ballet BFF, Jilli:

And Chloe with her daddy:

One thing that completely surprised me through all of this is what a diva my little girl is. I took hundreds of shots of her during her rehearsal and recital. And in those shots emerged a miniature model. I did not coach her on any of these, she is just that fierce:

I asked her to give me a ballerina pose and she gave me this:

I have no idea where this little girl came from. I was never this fabulous. And her daddy? Well, lets just say that he is really good at things like wrestling cows and chopping down trees.

Chloe, I love you dearly. You continue to amaze me each and every day. While I want to freeze you in time and keep you just as you are right now, I cannot wait to see what new and amazing adventures you have in store for us. You are and always will be my baby.

Happy Birthday Cynthia!

2011-06-23T18:10:00.000-07:00

I love birthdays, perhaps more than I should. Which could be traced back to the fact that my father never saw the point in celebrating them... "I celebrate achievements" he would grumble, "graduations are an achievement, birthdays are not". In my book, birthdays are most definitely an achievement as they signify another year of growth and learning (and in some cases, survival), and are the starting point for a brand new year of things to come. And when the birthday happens upon a decade, well, that is even better.

I had the honor of attending Cynthia's 60th birthday party earlier this month. I was asked by my wonderful friend, Schaelene, to come and photograph the festivities. Schaelene had organized a party for her stepmother, and my being there was a surprise. I met Cynthia when I entered the door wearing my gigantic backpack complete with tripod. Ever so sweet, Cynthia introduced herself, to which I replied "hi, I'm Nicole. I will be your photographer for today". I am a bit of a ding dong and forgot that this was a surprise gift from Schaelene and her cousin Sara. Ever the gracious host, Schaelene explained to her stepmother that I was there to gather photos of the families and friends who had traveled from far and near to celebrate this lovely woman. And as luck (or un-luck) would have it, Cynthia's husband was ill and could not attend the party. Ken was upset, not just because he was missing his wife's birthday party, but because he is usually the historian at these events. Schaelene assured her father that she would have someone there to photograph the event, so he should relax and get some rest.

It was a lovely party with around 50 guests, each of whom received a custom name tag written by the newly-minted first grader, Isabella:

Isabella's little sister, Claire, was the official greeter, giving lots of hugs to family and friends:

The co-hosts and the guest of honor - Schaelene, Sara and Cynthia:

Susan, a friend from high school, was able to make the party and raise a glass to her friend:

I couldn't help but photograph this little guy, Cynthia's nephew:

It is no secret that I am smitten by adorable little babies. But ones wearing UC Davis gear, fuggetaboutit! P.S. his father is a veterinarian - wahoo!

Here is Cynthia with her sister, Adrienne:

and with all of her siblings:

Marianne, Alan, Cynthia, Gerry and Adrienne

A handsome family, wouldn't you say?

No party is complete without a fabulous birthday cake.

Or two, if you are so lucky :-)

Cynthia's family is kind and did not give her 60 candles to blow out.

Although I think she could have done it!

Schaelene had her father on the phone for the singing of Happy Birthday. Even though Ken couldn't be there physically, he was still able to be a part of the party.

And what a wonderful party it was!

Happy Birthday Cynthia!

Happy Birthday to you!

Cutest Swimsuits. Ever.

2011-06-12T21:56:00.000-07:00

Summer sure took it's time getting here... I can't remember ever having a cold thundershower in June, but that's the way it has been this year. Which is a total bummer, because I bought my daughters the most adorable swimsuits at The Silver Spoon and I couldn't wait to get the girls into them. It took a good couple of weeks, but finally the sun made an appearance and we were on our way to Folsom Lake. Chloe packed up everything she and her sister would need, proudly exclaiming "I love to be prepared". If being prepared means bringing 4 towels, a rain umbrella and a microphone inside a suitcase on wheels, well then, they were most definitely prepared.

The moment the girls hit the beach, I could see everyone around smiling and saying "OMG they are so CUTE!". Which made me insanely proud because my kids usually resemble Little Orphan Annie with their mismatched clothes and tangled hair. But they just love these swimsuits and can't wait to put them on, hat and all. Yes, I said hat. Check it out:

The little lady bug is Chloe.

And the bumble bee would be Ella.

If you saw their Halloween costumes, you will recall they were

a lady bug and a bumble bee.

It is a little hard to see, but Ella's suit comes with wings and a stinger.

Very appropriate for my feisty little two year old.

The little antennae just crack me up.

Then there is my little lady bug.

Who I had trouble getting to stand still long enough to get some photos

(she was too busy flitting around, literally flapping her wings).

But then the lifeguards left the tower...

... and a little diva appeared.

I swear I did not coach her through these shots

(if you don't believe me, look at the studio ballet portraits she took yesterday.

I have never seen her "smile" that way before).

This one worries me.

Which is why she is not allowed to date until she is 50.

And will be enrolling in karate ASAP.

And why daddy will always accompany her to the beach.

Now that the sun is finally out, I'm pretty sure that we will be making lots more trips to the beach. And I'm thinking I may have to buy another suit for each girl... because at the rate we are going, these will be worn out before summer is over. Come to think of it, I should probably buy a suit in each size so that they can wear them for years to come... I love these suits that much. Fortunately for everyone at Folsom Lake, they don't sell these suits in my size. Or else I would be wearing one, too.

The Local Bark

2011-06-07T09:21:00.000-07:00

I had the opportunity to visit The Local Bark in Rancho Cordova a few weeks ago. In case you aren't from the Sacramento area (or if you are and haven't seen their awesome billboard on highway 50), The Local Bark is a fabulous facility that offers day boarding, extended boarding and training for dogs. As a veterinarian, places like this scare the bejeezus out of me... I have seen my share of kennel cough, diarrhea, dog bites and other unsavory disasters that have originated from boarding kennels. But The Local Bark is different. It is waaaaaaay different. And let me tell you why.

First of all, the place is clean. I'm talking sparkly clean without a hint of dog hair anywhere... which is a momentous feat considering how many dogs walk through that door each and every day. Second, the staff members are so nice - not the saccharine kind of phony-nice, but genuinely nice. They greet each guest by name (who does that anymore?) and you can tell by looking at the client's face that this is very much appreciated. If you really want to get a feel for how much the clients appreciate The Local Bark, just visit their Facebook page. It is filled with posts from clients who had great experiences there. Oh, did I mention that The Local Bark posts about 100 pictures a day on their page? That way, clients can see how much fun their dog has had while they are away, kind of like a postcard from summer camp. Third, there is someone monitoring all the dogs all the time. I watched the group of large dogs playing together and was amazed at how quickly the two staff members in the play yard were there to respond when someone was getting a little too rowdy - a quick squirt with a water bottle and the situation is diffused. And if that doesn't work, it's time for a doggie time out. And fourth, the owners... ahhh the owners. Kristin and Matt Minnie are just the nicest, most down-to-earth people I have met in a long while. Kristin is a dog trainer, and a damn good one at that. I will admit that my knowledge of dog behavior is slim-to-none and I admire people like Kristin who understand dogs and their psychology. And human psychology, too. Because dog trainers don't train just dogs, they train people. In meeting Kristin and Mark, it is obvious why The Local Bark is such a great place - they genuinely care about dogs, their clients and their staff members.

I had the chance to meet two great groups of dogs while at The Local Bark. The first group being their "pack" or group of dogs that they use to help train other dogs. A funny bunch, every size and disposition was represented. Here they are demonstrating their mad obedience skills:

These six dogs all sat and stayed on command (and did I mention the white Bulldog is deaf?). I have four dogs and there is no way that I would ever be able to get them to do this. Hence the magic of The Local Bark. And here are their close-ups.

Goose - the alpha dog

and with his friend, Little

Dory, the sweet yellow lab

Sierra, the quiet and shy member of the pack

Jake, Mr. Wild Hair (who looks like the dog on

The Local Bark's logo)

and last, but not least... Huge

A deaf bulldog full of love and personality.

Shhhhhh, don't tell. He was my favorite from the day.

And then there is the group of dogs that the trainers are preparing for diabetes alert training. In case you are unaware (much like me), it is possible to train dogs to sense and alert when their person's blood glucose level is too high or too low. Isn't that just incredible? Would you like to see some of these lifesavers? Here they are:

I love how the two Goldens look so regal. And how the two little munchkins in the middle are stealing a kiss.

Ginger

Finley

Kiana

Fonzie

As a veterinarian, I am often asked if I can recommend a place to board dogs or train dogs. Now that I have been to The Local Bark, I can reply with an enthusiastic "Yes I do!!! Go to The Local Bark!". This place is beyond amazing and I cannot wait to go back. In fact, I must apologize for Kristin Minnie for my semi-stalker ways the past few weeks. Sorry Kristin, but your place is so amazing, I just have to be a part of it!

Check it out - you will be impressed!

The Local Bark

3201 Fitzgerald Road

Rancho Cordova, CA 95742

(916) 638-3880

A Little Belly Love

2011-05-15T15:59:00.000-07:00

I don't even know where to begin... I love these 4 people so much, I can't even describe it.

I first met Mel and JT some 14 years ago, when we all started vet school together. During those four years at school, somewhere between biochemistry class and anatomy lab, Mel and JT fell in love and got married. A little over two years ago, they had their first son, Gage. He is the perfect combination of his parents - smart as a whip and cute as hell. He is so awesome, in fact, that I have arranged his marriage to my youngest daughter. Gary and I are still trying to figure out the dowry... we are thinking a few cows may be in order.

In just a few days, Gage's little brudder will make his debut. His arrival is eagerly anticipated by so many... grandmas and grandpa, aunts and uncles, cousins and friends. And most of all, by Mel, JT and Gage. They stopped by a few weeks ago for some belly photos, to remember this wonderful period in their lives. Their last days together as 3, the last time they will have peace, quiet and sleep for the next several months.

Just as cute as they were when they first met

When pregnant with Gage, Mel and JT had maternity shots done. One of their favorites was a close up of Mel and JT's hands on her belly... I tried my best to give them another favorite.

I love this photo for several reasons. Of course, there is the obvious... mom and daddy's hands on Mel's uber cute belly. Then there is JT's watch, which I was initially going to crop out (I wanted to focus on just their hands and Mel's belly). But then I realized that the watch tells the day and the time that this photo was taken... perfect! No need to write it on the back of the photo. Another thing that I love, and this is from the geeky veterinarian in me, is that these hands have saved countless lives as both Mel and JT are veterinary surgeons. To see these hands and fingers at work is truly amazing. I would be jealous if it weren't so totally in awe of what they do.

Seriously Mel, your belly is uh-dor-uh-ble!!!

And yes JT, you and your belly-kissing-self are pretty adorable, too.

P.S. There is no way on this green earth that Gary would have ever kissed

my pregnant belly.

Of course, we had to have plenty of photos with big brudder Gage.

Me loooooooves this one!

A quick thumb-sucking break...

...then on to more belly kissing!

Throughout the session, I would catch Mel looking at her son and she would say "I love him so much". Like right here, when she was watching Gage pick some flowers:

Which of course he gave to mommy. Swoon!

Gage loves a little daddy time, too:

But family time is the BEST!

Photographer Tara Whitney calls these photos "the in between". I have tried to write my own explanation of this photographic phenomenon, but I can't come up with anything better than what Tara has already said: "I love how the heads and limbs are fused together - like souls intertwined. It is is visual proof of the connection that is there but you can never actually see with your own eyes. No matter how much you want to, no matter how strongly you feel it there".

The connection between the members of this family is undeniable.

Although the littlest member of this family is not actually here yet, the connection to him is apparent.

More family fun time!

And a few precious moments.

Gageroo, solo:

Where's Gage?

I am so excited to be photographing the arrival of the newest member of this wonderfully amazing family. He is due in 9 days... but that could mean any time. And as soon as baby brudder hits the ground, I'll be showing you his very first photos.

Enjoy your last your few days together as a family of three. Soon, your world will be turned upside down... and it will be amazing.

Much love to you, my dear friends.

P.S. Happy Birthday Mel!!!

Millie - Forever Home

2011-05-10T09:17:00.000-07:00

Oh Millie, if only you knew what you have started...

I began following the Sacramento Animal Care and Regulation Facebook page after one of my vet school classmates, Meera Heller, "liked" the page. At that time, a dog named Millie was the star of the page - she had been in the shelter for nearly four months and there was a big push to find her a Forever Home. Millie had two big strikes against her: 1) she was a pit bull and 2) she was a black brindle pit bull (the hardest to place). But Millie had a lot of good things going for her, like her sweet personality and her bright and cheery attitude. Despite being in the shelter for months, she was still a happy dog. Many of the staff and volunteers had fallen in love with her and were hoping she would find the perfect home.

She did. A wonderful woman by the name of Stefani had been watching Millie's story on FB and she could no longer stand by and do nothing. So Stefani made a beeline for the shelter where she met Millie and fell in love, just like everyone else. The only difference was that Stefani adopted Millie and took her home. To her Forever Home.

My first ever trip to the shelter was on this day. I had made an appointment to come down and have a tour so that I could start photographing the animals. I too had been following Millie's story and was hoping to meet her. When I walked into the reception area, this is what I saw:

Millie, surrounded by people giving her lots of love. She had just been adopted and the paperwork was being finalized. And when it was announced over the loudspeaker that Millie had been adopted, I got goosebumps. In watching Stefani and Millie together, I knew that everything was going to be alright.

Six months later, I had the opportunity to visit Millie and Stefanie at their home. I would have to say that life is pretty good for the both of them. Would you like to see?

Millie loves the tennis ball. In fact, she is obsessed

Millie loves the water. Fortunately for her, she has a big pool to play in.

and a mommy who will push her tennis ball over when it gets too far away

Thanks mom!

She also loves this blue dryer ball.

nom nom nom nom nom

And this here is Millie on her favorite pillow. Yes, Millie is a pillow dog.

Can't a girl eat in peace?

I was actually waiting for Millie to do a few of her silly tricks. Stefani tells me that Millie will throw kibble up in the air and catch them in her mouth. I wasn't fortunate enough to see this, but I did get to see Millie fling her dish with her foot.

Apparently Millie will stick her foot in her dish and fling it. One time Millie sent the bowl flying down the hallway, knocking over everything in it's path. Silly girl!

She doesn't like being away from momma too long...

...because that means she is missing out on kisses

Millie and Stefani, you girls are just incredible. There is a bond between the two of you that is indescribable, but is apparent to anyone who sees the two of you together. Thank you Stefani for giving this girl a chance. For adopting her from the shelter after so many had passed her by. I know that Millie thanks you every day.

And I thank you both for being my ambassadors to the shelter. For showing me that good things come to those who wait. And for proving that you can find true love in the most unlikely of places.

A perfect afternoon

2011-04-27T15:46:00.000-07:00

My niece and my nephew live far away... like in other states. Which makes me sad because my girls just adore their cousins. We have been very lucky in the past month as cousin Savannah travelled out our way for a week-long stay. And just this past weekend, we saw cousin Luke. Of course there are tons of photos documenting the way-too-infrequent visits (for some reason, our sisters have not heeded our demands that they move to our neck of the woods...). I suppose that they have lives of their own *sigh*.

Savannah is 3 years old - right in between her 2 and 4 year old cousins. It was so much fun to watch them run around, singing and playing. When we were standing in my in-law's kitchen, the girls blew through screeching and laughing at a volume that was probably heard back home in Arkansas. Grandpa just smiled and said "I love it!".

My sister-in-law, Katie, and I made a trip down to the Silver Spoon in Roseville and bought some completely adorable clothes for the girls. I thought their new Isabella and Chloe ensembles would be perfect for a photo shoot on the beach. Wouldn't you agree?

The afternoon started out oh so innocently. But before long, the girls were in the water and soaking wet. The good news is that their beautiful outfits survived the elements. Which is a good thing, because I can't wait for the girls to wear them again.

Finn - Forever Home

2011-04-25T21:01:00.000-07:00

Last October, I received a request from Sara to photograph a pair of GSPs who were at the shelter. She was hoping that NorCal GSP Rescue would be pulling them, and nice photos would help them to find new homes. So the next time I was at the shelter, I found Huck and Finn and attempted to take their pictures. If you know GSPs, they don't sit still for a second. Even when they are asleep, they are busy doing things. Fortunately, there was a volunteer who was walking the dogs and she helped me to get a few photos.

Here is Finn, enjoying a little time in the kiddie pool:

What a goofy nut this guy is. He and his buddy Huck were pulled by the rescue group shortly after this photo.

Enter Catherine, a kind hearted soul who was looking for a new dog. She had recently put her old dog to sleep and was looking for a canine companion. Catherine contacted a different rescue group (different breed altogether) and they were not very helpful. Apparently 40 acres in Angel's Camp wasn't their idea of a good home for a dog. Whaaaaaat?!!?

Fortunately, Catherine got in touch with NorCal GSP Rescue. When she arrived at the foster home, Finn and another GSP, Scout, were immediately glued to her side. How could she not take both of them home? In addition, Catherine agreed to foster a third dog, Spuds.

Now I don't claim to be a dog expert, but this is a simple equation:

Catherine + 40 acres + Finn + Scout + Spuds = AWESOMENESS!!!!!

You want to see?

That would be Finn, running around on some of his 40 acres.

Terrible life for a dog. Just terrible...

Did I also mention there are goats for the dogs to talk to?

The GSPs like to help with the chores.

There are lots of goats and chickens to feed...

And lots of time for head scratches.

That would be Spuds getting some love as Scout patiently awaits his turn.

Finn was too busy looking for birds to give me the time of day.

When I did get him to look at me, I got this face.

It is the same face my 4 year old gives me when I tell her she can play after she eats dinner:

Because he would rather be doing this:

playing with Scout (who is on the right)

When Finn isn't running, or chasing things, or playing with Scout,

he lays on his dog bed in front of the fire.

What a terrible, terrible life...

Wouldn't you say, Finn?

Best of My Show

2011-04-17T18:51:00.000-07:00

This past week, I worked 2 days as the official vet for the Sacramento Dog Show. It was interesting, to say the least...

There were several ribbons handed out to various specimens of perfection in dozens of breeds. And it seems as though everyone I spoke to was in the process of becoming a champion.

The whole process made me think about my dogs. They are far from perfect, but I just love the hell out of them. All four of them. And I thought it would be nice to let them know that they are appreciated. So I had my own dog show and each one of my four dogs came out champions.

Would you like to see the winners?

Best Dog with Rancid Gas

Poe

Best Dog with One Eye

Doug the Pug

Best Dog with a Perfectly Placed Bone Plate

(thanks Dr. Vida for the kick-ass repair!)

Pinecone

Best Dog with a Nose

Percy Pee Pee Pant

Aren't they perfect? Thanks for coming to the inaugural McArthur Dog Show!

The Power of Two

2011-04-14T20:28:00.000-07:00

Before reading this blog, I would like to issue two warnings:

1) If you are pregnant, you may not want to read this... this story will more than likely freak you out. It freaked me out and I am waaay done having babies. Trust me, just ignore the words and look at the pictures of the adorable baby.

2) Grab a tissue. Maybe an entire box. You may need it.

I would like to introduce you to three of the most wonderful, courageous and just plain amazing women that I have met in a while. Their names are Melissa, Stevie and Payten and they are a beautiful family full of love and laughs, happiness and joy. To say these women are strong would be an understatement beyond words. And I am about to tell you why.

On January 30, 2011 at 8:48pm, Payten Kay Murphy was born. As with most first deliveries, the labor was long. But Melissa had a healthy pregnancy and everything progressed uneventfully. Melissa and Stevie were thrilled to welcome their beautiful new daughter into the world. And for four hours, everything was perfect.

While Payten was receiving her first bath, the respiratory therapist noticed that her lips were blue. Payten was given oxygen and her color did not improve. And just like that, she was on an ambulance to UC Davis Children's Hospital. Stevie, who is a firefighter, was on the bus with her new daughter while Melissa remained in the hospital. They texted each other back and forth while the doctors worked to figure out what was wrong with Payten. It was discovered that Payten's right ventricle (the chamber of the heart that pumps unoxygenated blood to the lungs to receive oxygen) was virtually non-existent. In order to survive, Payten would need a total of three open heart surgeries, all before she reached her fifth birthday. The cardiologist was optimistic that Payten would have a good life... probably not as a marathoner, but a good life nonetheless.

Payten's first surgery was performed on February 4th when she was just 6 days old. Coincidentally, it occurred on national Wear Red day - a day set aside to bring national awareness to heart disease. On that day, Melissa and Stevie received thousands of emails and texts, many from people whom they had never met. They included photos of family, friends, co-workers and complete strangers wearing red to show their love and support. Those photos and wishes helped Melissa and Stevie get through a most difficult day. In fact, they have made a book with these photos so that Payten can see just how much she is loved. As I watched Stevie thumb through the pages, tears ran down my face. Melissa said "I know, it's sad, huh?". Um, yeah. Only sad isn't the word I was thinking of. As a mother, words like "devastating" and "unfair" ran through my head. When I asked how they have been able to cope through all of this, Stevie answered "you don't have a choice, you just do". And that is exactly what Melissa and Stevie have done. Only they have done it with grace and fortitude.

Payten spent the first month of her life in the NICU where she recovered from her heart surgery and began to grow and thrive. Melissa pumped so that Payten could have her mother's milk. Her moms held her every chance they got. And for the first month, Payten lived in the NICU with wires attached, labs drawn, tests run day in and day out. The one benefit of having a newborn spend her life in the NICU - Payten can sleep through any kind of noise.

After a month, Payten was doing so well that she was able to go home. Her nursery had been ready for months, and mom and mom couldn't wait to begin their lives together as a family. One thing that Melissa and Stevie wanted was photographs of their baby. They were understandably afraid to take her anywhere. When a friend let them know that I had taken photos of her nephew and her niece, they gave me a call. And of course I said yes. In fact, I worry that Melissa thinks I am a stalker. Because I left and excited, rambling message on her voicemail, followed by an excited, rambling email practically begging to come over and photograph Payten. Fortunately for me, they said yes. And I am so thankful to the Orlando family for the referral, because I have fallen head over heels in love with this family.

Would like to meet them? I thought you might. I posted a sneak peek of Payten a week or two ago on my FB page. In case you missed it, here is beautiful Miss Payten at 9 weeks of age:

The hat and blanket were made by Stevie's mom, Yaya.

I know, gorgeous right?

When we started the session, Stevie told me that she and Melissa were looking for a photo that they could send out as Easter cards, since they didn't send out birth announcements. Yaya had made some awesome bunny ears for Payten to wear. Unfortunately, she really didn't like wearing them:

Another request was that we get a photo of Payten and her favorite toy - a mobile that hangs above her changing table. It is a hot air balloon complete with a bunny, a donkey and a frog going for a ride. The name of this toy? Hairy Ass Frog. And Payten loves it!

The rest of the session just involved me following the family around, photographing their seemingly normal life. In looking at these photos, you would never guess anything was ever wrong. And that is exactly the way Melissa and Stevie like it.

I'll stop writing now and post lots more photos. And you can see for yourself why I am so smitten by this family.

Payten getting some snuggles from Stevie

as Melissa looks on.

More gorgeous Yaya confections.

A kiss from Melissa.

Stevie says she wants to hang this photo on the back of the bathroom door.

This is your last and only warning.

Little Miss Payten must have eaten pretty much the entire time I was at her house. Which is great for any newborn, but especially so for this heart baby. While she was having a bottle, Melissa pointed out that Payten was grabbing her finger. *sigh*

While Melissa was breast feeding, I asked if she wanted me to take some photos. Initially she said no. I totally understood; had anyone asked me that when I was breast feeding, I think I would have asked if they wanted a broken camera. But Melissa changed her mind. She made the comment that she is lucky to have the chance to breast feed her baby. While Payten was in the NICU, Melissa pumped and pumped to keep her milk supply up. All that hard work paid off and now she is able to feed her baby girl.

Then it was off to sleep for a 30 minute power nap.

Stevie said "doesn't she look peaceful?" which made me laugh so loud I nearly woke the baby.

She also pointed out Payten's stylin' hair which has earned her the nickname "Grandpa".

Again, I nearly woke the baby.

Did I mention the adorable dimple?

As I was putting the slideshow together for Melissa and Stevie, I struggled with finding the perfect song to play along with the pictures. I wanted a song I hadn't used before, one that wasn't too overplayed or melodramatic. I looked through my iPod and my old CDs when I came across a CD that I loved in college: Swamp Ophelia by the Indigo Girls. As I ran though the song titles, I saw one titled "The Power of Two". When I listened to the chorus, I knew it was perfect. I will leave you with these lyrics, and a promise to let you know how Payten is doing. Because as I told her mothers, they will not be able to get rid of me...

"So we're okay, we're fine

Baby I'm here to stop your crying

Chase all the ghosts from your head

I'm stronger than the monster beneath your bed

Smarter than the tricks played on your heart

Look at them together then we'll take them apart

Adding up the total of a love that is true

Multiple life by the power of two"

- the Indigo Girls

Hope - Forever Home

2011-04-11T21:19:00.000-07:00

This is the second installment of my little project, which I have titled "Forever Home". I am following up on some of the animals that I have photographed in the shelter, going to their new homes to show how their lives have changed since they have been adopted. I have had three of these sessions so far, a fourth one on Wednesday, and several more tentatively scheduled. I am so excited about this project... I don't even care if it is a total bust. Just seeing these animals living happy new lives is worth more than anything I could have ever imagined.

If you follow the Sac County Facebook page, you may recall a dog named Hope. She came to the shelter last fall as a thin, young dog with a wire wrapped around her left hind leg. It was badly infected, and the most humane treatment was amputation. She recovered well from her surgery and was appropriately named "Hope".

Although everything was looking good for Hope medically, she was displaying behavior that had some people worried. Hope was quite food aggressive... to the point where it was thought she may not be adoptable. Fortunately, several staff and volunteers at the shelter put their time and love into Hope and the food aggression improved.

As you can imagine, Hope's story was one filled with, well, hope. While everyone fell in love with her, she remained at the shelter. People pledged money towards her adoption, yet she was not being adopted. It seemed as though Hope's luck was running out.

Until she met Emily and Mark. They were Hope's hope. Having already adopted a dog from the shelter a few years before, Emily and Mark were ready to open their home to another dog. And it didn't matter to them that she only had 3 legs. They brought Hope home and she immediately blended right in. Hope found an instant companion in her buddy Guido. In fact, the two are virtually inseparable. According to Emily and Mark, they spend their days runing together in the backyard. All. Day. Long. You may think that a 3 legged pointer/hound cross may have a hard time keeping up with a long and leggy Lab cross... but you'd be wrong.

Chasing a squirrel up a tree.

(No squirrels were hurt during the taking of these pictures)

Hope in full gallop.

Impressive, isn't she?

Mark says that this is classic Hope.

Running from one end of the yard to the other, lips flapping in the wind.

When Hope and Guido aren't running, they are playing tug-of-war. Again, you might think that the 3-legged Hope would be the underdog. Think again.

Oh, sweet Hope...

... you show Guido who's boss.

I don't know about you, but I's scared of Hope!

Okay, she's not really mean. And I'm not really scared of her.

Shhhhh.... don't tell her I told you that!

As you can imagine, all this running and chasing and playing can wear a girl out:

Emily says that Hope will lay like this when she takes a break... lip splayed out on the concrete. And when Hope gets up, she'll have dirt and leaves stuck to the inside of her mouth. But she doesn't seem to mind.

It was actually quite tricky, trying to photograph Hope in quiet mode. Any time I moved, she got up to run. And when the sun happened to catch my lens and create a circular reflection on the ground... Hope was transfixed.

Seriously, she could not take her eyes off the ground...

Well, until daddy showed up with some treats.

And we can't forget snuggle time with mommy:

After an hour or two, we went inside to give the dogs a break. I think Hope was happy about that. This is her little spot next to the kitchen... her mom and dad put a blanket on the floor because she likes to lay here.

Emily and Mark told me about Hope's favorite place to snooze - a plush recliner. I tried to get Hope to demonstrate her mad napping skills, but Guido wanted to be in the spotlight, too. Guido was banished to the outdoors so we could get some shots of Hope in all her glory. That was a bust as Guido found a way to be with his sister:

Apparently, these two are always together. I couldn't resist getting a shot of Hope from the outside of the window, so I ran around the house and got this:

a sad little Hope, pining for her Guido.

And then, I got this:

Do you think Hope is mad at me?

After seeing this, I felt really bad and let Guido back in.

And Hope closed her eyes for a quick moment. I'm a little bummed that I wasn't able to see Hope snoozing in her recliner (where she is covered with a blanket before going to bed for the night). But I can live with that. Because I got to see something waaaaaaaaaay cooler than that. I got to see a happy, healthy, active dog (who just happens to have 3 legs) - a complete 180 from the dog I met at the shelter. All it took was some time, some love and the right people. Emily and Mark, two wonderful people who have given me faith that there are kind souls out there. Guido, the awesome, most bestest big brother. There is also Brooke, the cat... she is Hope's secret friend. And if it weren't for the staff and volunteers at Sacramento County Animal Control and Regulation, this story would have had a much different ending.

For Hope, there is nothing but blue skies, a big back yard and all the hugs and kisses she could ever want. And I would say that is nothing short of awesome.

Rock on, sister.

Rock on.

My New Project

2011-03-29T14:45:00.000-07:00

I have been photographing animals at Sacramento County Animal Control and Regulation since last August. And in that time, I have photographed hundreds of adorable and wonderful animals there. One day, I received a message on FB from a woman who adopted a dog from the shelter - she saw a picture that I took and fell in love. After reading that message, I had had a smile from ear to ear. All. Day. Long. Because I had, in some small way, helped save a life. I felt so unbelievably good... well, it is just indescribable.

In amassing all of these photos, I realized that I wanted to do something more, something bigger, to help these animals. An idea was born after talking with my friend Stefanie... she is the adopter of the very first animal I ever photographed at the shelter. I had offered to come to her house to photograph Millie in her new home, to show how great Millie's life is now. Stefanie made the comment that I should write a book. That very idea had been floating around in my head, but I wasn't brave enough to utter the words. Turns out Stefanie's comment was all the encouragement I needed. And just like that, my little project had wings. And I even have a name for it: Forever Home. Stories from the Shelter. Or something like that... Regardless of the title, I will donate proceeds from the book to the shelter which is suffering as a result of budget cuts.

I'll admit that I know nothing about publishing a book. I can write and I can take decent pictures. But how it all comes together is a mystery to me. Like most things I dive into, I figure I'll get all the details worked out as I go. My logic may be simple, but I figure that first step is to find families of animals that I have photographed at the shelter. Then I need to somehow convince them to allow me (and my loud camera) into their homes in order to document the transformation from shelter life to Forever Home life. Easy peasy, right?

I had my first photo session today with an adorable little cat named Ginger. Here is my shelter photograph from January 31, 2011:

The shelter had named her Jules and she had just about the saddest pair of eyes I had seen in a while. Fortunately for her, a wonderful family adopted her soon after this photograph was taken. I am happy to report that Ginger is thriving in her new home and her sad eyes have disappeared. I haven't gone through all the photos I took of her this morning, but I will show you a few of my favorites.

No more sad eyes!

And check out the custom cat tree her new daddy built for her:

Even though she is sticking her tongue out at me, I think she likes it.

Not at bad life for a kitty who started her life out as a stray. From a cage at the shelter, Ginger has moved into a home with custom furniture, ample sunshine, soft beds and a family who adores her. I have so much more to tell you about Ginger, but I am going to save that for my book :-)

I have a few more sessions scheduled in the next few weeks. But I am looking for more... lots more! I want to show people just how rewarding it is to adopt from a shelter - the more stories, the stronger the message. If I have photographed an animal that you have adopted from the shelter, and you would like to be a part of this project, please contact me via email nicole@nicolemcarthurphotography.com or through my Nicole McArthur Photography Facebook page. The session is complimentary and includes a DVD of the jpeg files - my little way of saying thank you.

And the animals say thank you, too.

The many faces of Kingston

2011-03-23T13:56:00.000-07:00

This little man has as much personality as he has hair.

And for your information, Kingston had his first haircut several days after

these photos were taken. At seven weeks old.

My girls didn't have enough hair at 7 months for a haircut.

Love you little dude!

My girls

2011-03-18T13:38:00.000-07:00

It may come as no surprise that I think my girls are adorable. There are times when I look at them and wonder how in the world Gary and I made such cute babies... am I the only mom who does this?

Spring is reluctant to be sprung, but that hasn't stopped me from thinking about some fun shoots with my girls. I have been planning a trip down to visit my parents who live in Bakersfield. While most people don't exactly consider Bakersfield a picturesque locale, it is quite lovely this time of year. Mostly because of the thousands of almond orchards that are in bloom - delicate pink blossoms as far as the eye can see. Despite rescheduling our trip (why do little kids seem to always get sick at the wrong time? as if there ever is a right time...) we were able to catch the tail-end of the bloom.

My dad scouted out the best orchards for days before our photo shoot and my mom was on hand to corral the kids as needed. After all these years, my parents are still supporting me and my dreams...

On our way out of town, the girls and I stopped at the Silver Spoon and picked up the most gorgeous frocks made by Room Seven. If you happen to be in Roseville, you should stop by as they have some of the cutest kid things ever!

Here are some of my favorite shots from that afternoon:

They are so cute together... especially when they are not fighting

Chloe looking fierce

Sister is pretty fierce, too!

Not looking forward to the teenage years.

Um, I think I am in trouble

I nearly died when I saw the back of this dress...

So. Stinkin'. Cute.

These boots were made for walkin'

California snow

My girls

Happy Birthday Kingston

2011-03-04T03:09:00.000-08:00

I have this friend... actually, she is more like a long lost cousin. We are so much alike in so many ways - the fact that we are both named Nicole Marie is just a start. And like old friends, we are able to communicate volumes in just a few words or even just a sideways glance.

A few months ago, Nicole pitched me an idea. She was pregnant with her second child and was wondering if I would be willing to photograph the birth. Of course I said yes. Without a doubt. I have given birth twice before, and I have done numerous C-sections (on animals)... so I figured that being a passive observer would be easy. Besides, I figured since I wouldn't be the one dilating and contracting and pushing and tearing, it would be no sweat for me.

From a logistics standpoint, I got really lucky. Nicole was going to be induced, so I was able to arrange for child care. She gave me the play-by-play via text... ah, to give birth in the age of instant messaging. I arrived at the hospital around 10:30am and was greeted by Nicole, her husband Brian, her mom Phyllis and her stepdad David. What an amazing family - so open and loving... I felt like I had known them forever. Whatever concerns I had about intruding on their private family moment vanished as soon as I walked through the door.

I took about 2000 pictures that day. I probably would have taken more if it weren't for the hospital's rules, which included things like: no photos of the staff, no photos of procedures, no standing on the furniture. With all of those pictures, it was a bit difficult to decide which ones to share. So I chose a few of my favorites. I'll give the disclaimer now: if you are grossed out by pregnant bellies or the act of childbirth, you need to either exit this post muy pronto, or suck it up.

I'll stop talking now and let the photos show you the amazing event that unfolded on this day.

How did anyone ever give birth before the cell phone was invented?

Great Grandma Barbara wasn't able to be there physically,

so Phyllis gave frequent updates over the phone

I know this image is totally graphic, but it captures everything - Nicole's face shows the pain of childbirth, her mother-in-law's face shows the support and encouragement given by everyone. And little Kingston's face, in the bottom left corner, as he makes his debut.

First Kiss

Two small details I'd like to point out: 1) the tear in the corner

of Nicole's eye and 2) Kingston's tiny blue hands

Brian holding his son for the first time

Proud Grandma Chris in the background

Happy Birthday baby Kingston. You are loved.

It's not easy being a princess

2011-02-09T21:26:00.001-08:00

Poor Pinecone...

suffering the humiliation of wearing Sleeping Beauty earrings.

*no animals or princess jewelry were harmed in the making of this photograph. Can't say the same for the photographer or her assistant.

Why I volunteer at the shelter

2011-02-02T18:13:00.001-08:00

Two small warnings: 1) this is a long post and b) there are a few graphic pictures.

When I tell people that I volunteer at the shelter, the question I am usually hit with is "why?". Which is usually followed by the statement of "I can't bring myself to go to a shelter... it's so sad". I totally understand that... I used to feel that way myself. I mean, I love animals. I became a veterinarian so that I could help animals... and to fulfill a promise that I made to my cat Misha when I buried his ashes. At 18 years of age, I felt totally helpless as I could do nothing to save his life. I promised him that one day I would have the knowledge and the skills needed to save other animals' lives.

Here I am, 19 years later... a fully qualified and experienced veterinarian. I have worked at an emergency practice for the past 5 years and have had the opportunity to save lives. But the reality is that, more times than not, I end them. Because when an animal ends up at an emergency/critical care facility, it is usually very sick and the prognosis is poor. Don't get me wrong... a lot of great work goes on in emergency clinics and countless lives are saved. I just happen to Dr. Death. And with that title comes a heavy emotional burden.

I decided to become a photographer two years ago, after my youngest daughter was born. I wanted to specialize in children's portraiture, and photographing animals was a natural extension of my veterinary career. I practiced on my own pets... to the point that they ran the other direction when I pulled out the camera. I began following the blog of Grace Chon of Shine Pet Photography in Los Angeles (she is brilliant and amazing - check her out!). She honed her pet photography skills by volunteering at DawgSquad in L.A. - her head shots increased adoptions of their animals. She inspired me and I sent letters out to various groups, asking if I could photograph the animals. Amazingly enough, I did not receive any responses. Not a single one. Until one day, through a twist of fate, I was put in touch with Tara Diller at Sacramento County Animal Care and Regulation. She set me up with a volunteer so I could learn about the shelter and find my way around. From the moment I stepped through the door, I was hooked. Not just because it is a beautiful facility, but because there is a certain vibe in that place. And on that particular day, a favorite animal was being adopted after having spent nearly 4 months in the shelter. When it was announced over the loudspeaker that Millie was going home, everybody cheered. I got goosebumps, and at that moment, I knew wanted to be a part of this place.

Millie on August 27, 2010

Five months later, Millie's mom let me know that she would be stopping by the shelter for a visit, and I knew I had to be there. It was a quick visit, but I got to see how well this girl was doing... she had put on weight and was wagging her tail at a frantic, yet happy, rate. And Laura, the staff member who played an integral role in Millie's adoption, was on hand for a big wet kiss. Or should I say, Millie got a big wet kiss from Laura?

Since that first day in August, I have been back nearly every Monday to photograph the animals. I look forward to walking into the cat wards and hearing a chorus of meows. Or taking a dog for a walk, knowing this may be the only walk he or she gets for the day. One day, when I sat down for a moment (while trying to get a photo of a rambunctious little kitten), I noticed something. I noticed that I felt good. Really, really good. My worries were another world away and I was content to do nothing more than pet the animals.

One day in December, Laura asked me to photograph a particular resident at the shelter. Her name was Chloe and she was back in one of the isolation kennels. She was a cruelty case who was rescued by one of the officers. Starved and infected, Chloe would have certainly died in her yard (thank goodness for the good samaritan who called animal control). Her thought was that I could document Chloe's progress. I loved Laura's positive attitude. Her request wasn't "get pictures so we can nail that bastard", which was my natural instinct. Instead, Laura's request personifies what I love most about this place: lets take care of this girl and find her a home.

I made my way back to the iso ward and found Chloe. An adult pit bull, she weighed 38 pounds and had wounds on her flank. The drains that were in place to treat her abscess had just been removed and she was wearing an e-collar. She was weak, but still bright enough to greet me when I approached her kennel.

As I was taking these photos, Dr. Alek appeared. He looked at me suspiciously and I clumsily introduced myself: "Hi! My name is Nicole and I'm a volunteer who takes pictures. Laura asked me to photograph Chloe. Oh, I'm a veterinarian. Is it okay if I take Chloe's picture?". Dr. Alek squinted his eyes and said "yes" then turned around and walked away. I felt like I had been caught stealing candy, but I kept on clicking away. Dr. Alek reappeared a few moments later and said "you are a vet?" and we began discussing Chloe's case. Then he asked me if I felt like volunteering some time to do some spays and neuters. I don't get to do much surgery anymore, so I agreed. I figured I could come in a little earlier on Mondays, knock out a few surgeries, take my pictures and call it a day.

I continued photographing Chloe every Monday. By the third week, I had a hard time photographing her by myself. She had recovered from her infections and gained nearly 20 pounds. When I opened her kennel door, she bolted past me. She had figured out how to open the door exiting her iso ward. I stood in stunned silence as I watched her run down the hallway. As I chased her down, the thoughts running through my head were "oh crap... after all the work these people have done, I let her escape". I managed to catch her and take her back to her kennel. After that day, I didn't dare photograph her by myself.

A few weeks later, I showed up to the surgery suite to do my procedures. I asked Diane what fun she had in store for me this particular morning. I was not expecting her to say "you will be spaying Chloe". As it turns out, someone was interested in adopting Chloe, and she could not be released until she was spayed. I was so excited that Chloe may be going home. And then I was flooded by anxiety... "what if after all the hard work that all these people have done, I kill her during her spay". It was a tense procedure. I was beyond cautious and I second guessed myself every step of the way. I was relieved when I saw her sitting up after her surgery:

I didn't sleep well that night as I worried myself over potential complications. So much for my relaxing volunteer work, I thought to myself. Logically, I knew that she would be fine. But I had invested so much in her emotionally, I couldn't really think logically. Fortunately Laura emailed me a photo of Chloe on Tuesday morning, proof that all was well.

On Wednesday, I checked in with Laura to see if Chloe's adoption was still on. If so, I wanted to be there to take pictures. And I'll admit, I wanted to be sure that Chloe's adopter was worthy of this amazing girl. A dog who had been starved, neglected and essentially left for dead. A dog who we all watched improve week after week. A dog who, despite the abuse, was happy.

I arrived at the shelter with my daughters in tow (they love to come see all of the animals), just in time to meet Chloe's perspective family. Officer Fischer took us out back to find everyone. There I saw Chloe, dragging along some poor young girl behind her on a leash. I say young, like she's 12... Samantha came over and we introduced ourselves. She told me that she wanted to take Chloe home on Sunday, but it was too late in the day and Chloe hadn't been spayed yet (shelter animals are spayed/neutered before they are allowed to go home). I told Samantha that I spayed Chloe on Monday - oh, the sparkle in that girl's eyes when she realized that she could take Chloe home today. She told me how much she loved this dog and how she was so sad to leave her on Sunday.

While we were talking, three separate staff members stopped by to say hi and to let Samantha know about Chloe's history. Remarkably, Samantha was not aware of the abuse that Chloe had endured. She had simply found a dog that she had fallen in love with... It was funny to watch all of the staff members stop by and tell Samantha about Chloe's story - they reminded me of big brothers interrogating their little sister's prom date. And for good reason. We have all invested our time and our emotions in this girl. For two months we have witnessed the transformation of "skinny Chloe" into a beautiful, happy, wonderful dog. And we didn't want to see her go home with just anyone. Her person had to be special. And her person had to know what a precious girl Chloe is. We all made sure that Samantha knew it.

Turns out we didn't have much to worry about. Samantha is as sweet as can be and you can tell that she genuinely loves this girl:

Sneaking in a little kiss

I think Chloe is happy, don't you?

And that is why I volunteer at the shelter. To see happy endings like this. To know that I may have helped save a life. To be a part of something so much bigger than myself. And simply because it makes me feel good. To those who think that visiting a shelter is sad or depressing, I understand your concern. You can view the shelter as a sad place. Or you can view it as I do - a place of hope where animals get a second (or third, or fourth) chance. Like Millie and Chloe.

My Cup Runneth Over

2011-01-22T21:52:00.000-08:00

A couple of weeks ago, I had the misfortune of dropping my brand new camera and my most expensive lens. Fortunately, the good people of Nikon were able to fix them both and send them back to me. I had meant to insure the camera as soon as I bought it, but I was so excited to use it, I forgot. That would be a very, very costly mistake. Ah experience, why must you be such a cruel and expensive teacher?

This time when my camera arrived, I did the smart thing and took it to the insurance office (along with all of my gear). Then I took it all home, put it in the corner, and left it there. Partly because I am afraid I will drop it again. But mostly because I don't feel worthy of having such nice equipment. And oddly enough, I just didn't have the desire to take any photographs. Perhaps it is my way of punishing myself for such a bonehead maneuver. Whatever the reason, it is the first time in two years that I didn't feel compelled to photograph something, anything.

Until tonight.

I fed the girls dinner, they took a shower and got dressed for bed. I turned on the TV so they could veg out. A little while later, I noticed it was very quiet. I tiptoed down the hall, peeked into my room and found the sweetest thing. My babies, who are usually running 110 miles per hour (especially when it is time to go to bed) were fast asleep. And for the first time in weeks, I pulled out my camera. Because I wanted to freeze this moment in time so I can always remember how fortunate I am to have these two little girls in my life. For those times when I question why I ever wanted to have children, one look at these photos will remind me that it is all worth it. The tantrums, the potty training, the fight to brush teeth and the nightly battle to go to bed in their own beds, they are all a part of our life and I wouldn't trade it for all the Louis Vuitton on the planet. Not as long as I can have moments like this.

My cup runneth over.

Be Still My Heart

2011-01-16T08:38:00.000-08:00

I had the most wonderful session last week. It was the perfect session for me... an 18 month old boy and his momma, a dog, a parrot and some chickens. I was in heaven!

I met Tisha at her home, a wonderful old house in Sacramento, complete with leaded windows, wood floors, glass doorknobs... the kind of house I would love to live in. Levi was still napping when I arrived and Tisha showed me around. She introduced me to Jackson, an awesome black lab who was chewing on a bone in front of the fireplace. And then to her fish, her new parrot and to her chickens. I could hardly contain myself and I pulled out my camera.

I saw this photo of Levi hanging on the wall and I could hardly stand it any longer... I had to meet the handsome little man. I asked Tisha if I could take some photos of Levi sleeping. I realize it makes me sound like a stalker, but I just love to photograph people when they are sleeping. Tisha opened the door to Levi's room and he was awake already. No sleeping baby shots, but his room was so beautiful, I got a few pictures while Levi was waking up and adjusting to the fact that a stranger (with a camera) was in his house.

The shade of blue on the walls is so serene. And the Raggedy Ann and Andy pictures brought back memories of my childhood. But the most amazing part of this room is the form of Tisha's pregnant body hanging above Levi's crib. I wish that I was able to celebrate the changes that gestation had brought about in my body, as Tisha did... but I felt too fat and gross and uncomfortable to go there. Which is one reason why I admire Tisha so much: she appreciated all that her body was going through in order to bring this beautiful child into the world.

Are you ready to meet this beautiful child? Well wait no longer - I give you Levi:

Snack time with Jackson... a little for me, a little for you

Heading out to feed the chickens

Snack time for Delilah

Levi loves to play with water...

I'm gonna get you momma!

These two are so unbelievably cute together.

Whether it be going for a ride on the vintage car

or taking a spin on the trike

or simply putting on a pair of boots... this mother and son made my heart melt.

I mean, are there any words to describe them?

This has to be one of my favorite photos. Ever.

This guy is so stinkin' cute, he even makes a Jets warm up look good

(sorry, I'm a little bitter from last week's game).

We headed inside to get a few more photos.

Check out Levi's swing. I want one.

No, seriously.

I. want. one.

Turns out the birdie likes to swing, too.

Tisha, thank you so much for inviting me to your home to spend the afternoon with you and Levi. I wish that I could find the words to adequately express just how lovely you and your son are. There is such a sense of calm and peace and love and genuine happiness... simply and honestly beautiful.

Happy Birthday to you

Happy Birthday dear Levi

Happy Birthday to you.

And because I love it so much...