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Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Pet Portrait (Advanced Editing IV*)
Collection: Challenge Shots
Camera: Olympus C-5000Z
Location: Living Room
Date: Apr 3, 2005
Aperture: 4.8
ISO: 160
Shutter: 1/30
Galleries: Portraiture, Animals
Date Uploaded: Apr 3, 2005

 This is my silky Terrier Juniper. He weighs all of 3 pounds on a good day. He's very small. I can't sleep without him. He's my husband's dog but my boyfriend. :)

Cropped, adjusted levels, adjusted colors, cloned out some highlights in his eyes and an annoying hair on his nose, sharpened just a touch and there you have my baby.

I will be heartbroken and die if he scores below a 5.5 so I hope you are all kind. :)


Here is his story as it happened and I posted it another board:

2/19/01
I went down to the city shelter a couple of weeks ago to drop off some cat litter that was given to me (not clumping so I don't use it) and was looking around at all the cutie dogs. There was an adorable Yorkshire Terrier there, so sweet and lovable.

The woman told me that he was visiting the area. His owner lives in PA and that some friends were watching him when he got away from them. She said the owner would be getting a big bill when he came back to get him. Turns out the dog has horrible teeth, needs major dental work and also has testicular cancer which the vet told her would be taken care of when he was neutered. The age on this dog is estimated to be anywhere from 4 to 8 years old. I didn't think too much else about it since he has an owner that would be coming for him.

I went back yesterday to drop off some newspapers for them and the little guy was still there! I asked what happened to the owner. I guess when he was told that he would have to pay for these medical treatments now and have them done or be checked up on 3 months to make sure the treatments were administered he told them to keep the dog! I couldn't beleive it!

I asked if there was anything I could do, donate money to his cause, etc. The lady told me that any money sent to the shelter is put into a general city fund and they never see it. The only thing I could do was either pay for the procedures and take the dog or help find him a home.

I can't afford to pay for the procedure (the neutering I could handle but not the dental) and I certainly can't take on another animal at this time, though is the the type of dog Terry keeps saying he wants.

2/20/01

Okay, went to the shelter today to see the little Yorkie. His name is Juniper.

The nice couple in CT is very excited about getting him, but I have to wait until tomorrow to talk to Helen at the shelter. It will be her decision if I can take him before the medical procedures are done. Speaking of which that will involve pulling all his teeth, they are all completely rotted out (and the people who had him were feeding him HARD food! grrr) and neutering him to stop the testical cancer from spreading.

I found out the previous owner did call and when was told that there was the usual fee for springing your dog out of the pound (only $10 here) there was also a $101 vet bill that had to be paid plus he would have to provide proof that the dog was going to get the medical attention that he needed. The owner's response? "Well, if someone else is willing to pay all that and then give him back to me." ARGH!!! I was so at a loss for words when I heard that.

So I went out, opened his cage and oooooh my GORD! He's was so lovable! He climbed on my chest and just shook. HE was so scared I would reject him. I got the pictures and then just cuddled with him for about 5-10 minutes and then FORCED myself to put him back and not run out the door with him. *sigh*

I came home, called Terry to let him know that he didn't have run errands for his Mom, I already did that. I never brought the dog up, but HE DID! He asked if I went over to the shelter, I told him yeah. I caught him up on what was happening and he made the comment, "Well, if they won't release him without getting the medical treatment first we do have that money we set aside for Vegas and since we aren't going now......" You know something? I didn't know I could love him anymore than I already did. And then, get this, he makes the comment that if the dog has to stay in our house for any time there's a good chance we will get to attached to him and won't want to let him go. I said, "No! I'm a foster mommy now. That is how I see myself and that is how I can deal with this. I won't let myself get that attached." You know what his comment was? "I wasn't talking about you."

My how things change. Who would have ever thought I would be the one who had to be the voice of reason when it came to the animals and the number of animals we have and the cost of the animals and the care of the animals? Certainly not me!

SO, anyhoo, I left a message for Helen to please find out what the costs would be and then I will check with the couple in CT to see if they are willing to pay for that before hand if the shelter won't release him without getting the medical treatment first. And try to figure out a way to keep Terry from actually meeting this dog until it's too late and he's already on his way to his new home. OY!


02/21/01

Juniper's home has been decided

And guess where he's going.

I'll give you hint, Terry went to see him.

Deannda
Will be $364 poorer by tomorrow but he'll be worth it

02/22/01

Well, Juniper is home. We went to the shelter and after talking for about 30 seconds I said, "I'm going to get him out of that cage."

I walked around the corner and the dog was practically doing back flips! He was so happy to get out of there. We have to take him back for visits or they will come find us, that was one of the conditions.

We got him home and gave him a bath with his special shampoo. He has a skin condition a lot like Monkeys. Got him all nice and clean and played with him on the bed while Terry cooked up some hamburger for him. I told him to give the left overs to the cats so they will associate him with a positive thing. So far, so good. Had to get to work so I left Terry with the little dink.

We took him to the vet at 3:30 and his appointment is for Tuesday to have all the test done, teeth pulled and neutered. All in one shot. Speaking of shots, he's the biggest baby. Helen told me he cried so pitifully when she took him this morning to get his rabies, parvo and distemper. Poor thing.

Terry and the girls went to his mothers and I went back to work. I told him the first thing he was to tell her was, "DEANNDA HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS!" I was not gonna listen to her tell me what a waste of money, etc, etc, etc.

*sigh* As for Juniper, he's all snuggly cozy sleeping on top of Terry's head. Seriously, looks like Terry is wearing a tan furry hat :)

[b]Juniper has been with us ever since and it turns out we didn't have to pay for his vet bills the first time, friends from on line sent us more than enough money to cover all his original vet bills so you can imagine he's pretty special to us :)

Deannda


Statistics
Place: 38 out of 273
Avg (all users): 6.1729
Avg (commenters): 7.6364
Avg (participants): 5.8629
Avg (non-participants): 6.6000
Views since voting: 2468
Views during voting: 326
Votes: 214
Comments: 20
Favorites: 4 (view)

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AuthorThread
Canon EOS-7D
Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM
 06/12/2005 09:06:18 PM
Absolutely adorable shot! I have to ask though... Is he a Silky or is he a Chinese Crested? He looks remarkably like some of the Chinese Cresteds I've been reviewing (I can't believe I'm saying this, but I really want one! LOL).

Really nice use of lighting and sepia tones. It created a very warm setting for your love. I'm jealous & want one now! LOL

Thanks for sharing such an intimate part of your life with us. I only hope that WHEN I have such a soulmate I will be willing to share him/her as well...
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-30D
Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0 L USM
 04/11/2005 10:47:20 PM
Great story, and really adorable look on his face. The angle really works here-I just wish you could have got him to look toward the camera. Lighting is excellent.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Fujifilm FinePix S9000
 04/11/2005 06:15:30 PM
I like it very much. I really do mother! LOL! Well I think that this is really nice and you should have got a higher place then this! BOO HOO HOO!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon PowerShot SX50 HS
 04/11/2005 03:19:13 PM
it's a great story, deannda, i am so glad you guys found each other... it was meant to be... one note about his original owner(s) - i just don't "get" people like that... irina.

PS: i sent the url to all of my "dog" friends, so they could read about it, too...
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-40D
Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM
 04/11/2005 05:29:19 AM
Great shot Deannda, Congrats. Probably should have finished better than it did. I thought for sure this would be in the top 3! Awesome portrait...!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-1D X
Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS USM II
04/11/2005 02:29:57 AM
Are you sure he's a Yorkie? Looks like a Chinese Crested in this photo, maybe it's just the pose/lighting...anyway, adorable guy, really shines through.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D750
Nikon AF-S Nikkor 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR
 04/11/2005 12:28:37 AM
great finish. I like yorkies. This is a nice portrait!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
Canon EOS R6
Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 IS Macro
 04/10/2005 02:07:07 PM
s0o0o cute!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D300
Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 70-210mm f/4.0-5.6D
 04/10/2005 11:35:28 AM
This is my second go-around =) - Great composition and very cute pup!!! I would only recommend that the portrait be a little sharper... looks a little too soft... however, that's my personal taste and I did not deduct for that =) Overall, I really like it =)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-20D
Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM
 04/09/2005 02:59:43 PM
What a lovely swirl! A true beauty. Bumping up.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Panasonic DMC-FZ30
 04/06/2005 09:09:02 PM
good detail and colou
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D200
Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II
 04/06/2005 03:16:15 AM
Cool expression, good placement, good detail... very nice.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D70
 04/05/2005 12:32:04 PM
Very nice composition and lighting! Good job.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D200
Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G IF-ED
 04/05/2005 09:52:11 AM
Sweet dog...
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-40D
Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM
 04/05/2005 08:09:03 AM
The colors are so well done with great contrasts. The "beak" (John's expression) shadow is great to accent his little pointy nose. The eyes tell it all. Great job. A 10.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D700
Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.4G
 04/05/2005 01:32:26 AM
What a precious dog, wonderful lighting, really accentuates the eyes and face.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon Coolpix 5700
 04/05/2005 12:25:41 AM
Absolutely precious! Excellent lighting!! 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/04/2005 10:44:19 PM
Nice portrait. Good luck with this well lighted and fitting submission.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Olympus E-500 EVOLT
Olympus 14-45mm f/3.5-5.6 Zuiko Digital ED
 04/04/2005 09:11:58 PM
I love the Chinese Crested!!! And I love this photo! A true standout in this challenge.

Edited: I can't believe that's a terrier! I just new it was a Chinese Crested. Must be the haircut. ;) PS This should have finished top 10, IMHO.

Message edited by author 2005-04-12 09:23:44.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Sony DSC-H3
 04/04/2005 03:30:14 PM
So sweet! Great shot!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
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