My long time neighbor and friend and her cuter than cute pup named Darby graciously agreed to trek through Kincaid with me a few weeks back.  I was on a quest to get a few shots of the wild geraniums before they were lost to the end of summer.

Darby was unbelievably well behaved while I clicked away and tried to blast him with more and more light.  His black fur was sucking the living daylights out of everything I shined onto him!

My favorite shot of the day probably makes no sense to anyone else looking at it, but right as we were finishing up, Darby closed his eyes and sniffed at a flower.  It totally reflected his personality and was the sweetest moment.  Unfortunately, though, it didn’t translate well in the photo.  He just looks like another dog with his eyes closed!   You can’t actually tell that it was a flower he was supposed to be sniffing.  I threw it in anyway, though, because the thought of it makes me giggle!

Thanks you two for being the best neighbors ever!

My parents’ farm was spared any damage in the crazy tornadoes that tore through Birmingham yesterday.  Very thankful that my favorite oak trees and the crazy horses and barn cats are still there!

I’m feeling guilty for being so happy about an old tree when so many people lost their lives.  Sad days for sure.

To view thumbnails larger, click.

As a preemptive strike this year, we decided to have “Ivan the Adorable” groomed in preparation for blowing his coat any day now. Although from far away his fur resembles that of a golden retriever, it is actually this whacked out double layer of furriness that seems to be pretty common with sled dogs. Last year, we discovered after the fact, that when he starts to shed, his compact under layer becomes a thousand little dread locks that are completely hidden by his longer outer layer of fur.

Yesterday, Ivan had his very first “day at the salon”. He loved it, of course! He can totally be the belle of the ball. He came prancing out of there all shiny and glowing and I giggled to myself all the way home! For a canine usually covered in mud splashes on his forehead, his shiny white fur glistening in the sun caught me completely of guard. I knew he had to be photographed in this moment or it would be lost forever.

Unfortunately, Ivan, knows no doggie obedience so the whole family was enlisted to help with his photo shoot. Although he is pure mutt, on occasion he strikes a very regal pose reminiscent of a Russian Wolfe Hound. This is the pose I thought most appropriate for his glamour shots. This is also the pose most impossible to recreate with no obedience training. We sort of came close and then threw all plans to the wind in return for whatever he would give up.

I am proud to present “Ivan the Terrible” and his glamour shot debut!