Walks with Wolves, Day 4

On day 4, I was meeting up with the photographer Mark again and he'd arranged for us to go to Northern Lights Wildlife Wolf Center in Golden, British Columbia to do their "walks with wolves." The facility was started by a husband and wife team dedicated to educating the public on wolves and they offer photography tours. They brought out two wolves for our walk: Scrappy Dave (3 years) and Maya (16 years.) Maya used to be black... I would've loved to have met her then. The pictures of her on their website are gorgeous. Northern Lights Wildlife Wolf Centre website link If the wolves approached us, we were allowed to pet them. I wasn't sure what to expect but in my opinion, Dave and Maya were fairly domesticated. They reminded more of dogs than wolves. I didn't know anything about the center before going there. I assumed they were a rescue but they are not. They only have wolves that were bred in captivity.

I have a ton a pictures from the day. Below are some of my favorites.

Scrappy Dave and Maya

Lake Louise, Day 5

We went to Lake Louise on Day 5 of this amazing vacation. Our hike to the Plain of Six Glaciers was longer than I thought it was going to be. We took the wrong trail up the mountain and added about 2 hours (uphill) to our hike. We were on the mountain for around 5-6 hours. Luckily we arrived at the Plain of Six Glaciers Tea House and had a light lunch before heading back down. The wait staff that works at the teahouse has to hike in. They hike up and stay in a cabin behind the teahouse for a week at a time. Supplies are either hiked in or air dropped by a helicopter. That is quite the commute.

Lake Louise, Day 5 with Kim and Don

Snowy Owl Sled Dog Tour, Day 6

On our 6th day of vacation, we went to Canmore to the Snowy Owl Sled Dog tour. I'd looked up their website before going there so I had an idea of what to expect. I wasn't sure how I'd feel about seeing all of the dogs tethered. My expectations were exceeded by a long shot. The dogs certainly seem to be well cared for and loved. I was in heaven!!! Since it was summer, they give tours of their kennels. During the winter months, you can actually go sledding.

We were greeted by our host and she explained what we'd be doing. They keep the boy and girl dogs separated by a chain link fence. They rotate "play days" for the boys and the girls and today was the boys day to play. I didn't realize that we'd be meeting about 100 dogs - all off leash. There were probably about 20 of us humans and 100 dogs. Have I mentioned that I was in heaven?

As an aside, for those familiar with photography, I use the same lens about 80% of the time when I am photographing dogs. Up until now on vacation, I'd almost exclusively (aside from the bear sighting) been using a wide angle lens for landscape photography. It felt great to put the lens on my camera that I am most used to using.

I spent most of my time photographing the dogs. I need to go back again and spend less time photographing and more time loving on and listening to the hosts explain what and how they do what they do. And then I'd like to go back and photograph some more! And I want to go back to Canmore on a Thursday. Thursdays are their farmer's market days and we met a man who makes handmade kitchen items. I am still kicking myself for not buying the pepper grinder we saw. It would've been a great souvenir and it was my birthday.... I obviously wasn't thinking!

As with the wolves the other day, I took tons of pictures of the sled dogs. I only wish I had their names.

Snowy Owl Sled Dog Tour

I love California!

Two of the greatest loves in my life: dogs and California. Most of the time when I take vacation, I am either on vacation with my dogs or I'm in California. I lived in southern CA for 3 years (see the blog post dated 5/19/15). This past week, I spent a few days in northern CA near the San Francisco area. We drove into the city for the day which isn't something we typically do but we thought we'd be tourists for a few hours. We went to the aquarium, Ghirardelli (and yesterday I finished off the last of the sea salt and almond chocolate bar that I bought), and Lombard Street. We called in an order for take out Chinese which we had for dinner. Last Saturday was a fun day. I love, love, LOVE California. The two things I love best: how pretty it is and the weather. I am one of the few people who likes both southern and northern CA. Most people (particularly the ones who live there) prefer one over the other. I am not biased. I love them both.

On my first morning there, I was up early because I was still on east coast time. I walked down to the water and snapped a lot of pictures. It was a typical hazy CA morning but I didn't mind at all. I was actually cold (which I also didn't mind at all!!) I appreciate any non-humid, cooler day I can in May - September. I don't get many of them in Charlotte.

Here are a few of my favorite pics from that day and of course, a pic of Em. I couldn't leave her out!!

Jay Bird {south charlotte pet photographer}

Guess who I got to see yesterday and today: JAY!! Guess who is on cloud 9 now? This dog lover and pet photographer! I love Jay (affectionately referred to by me as Jay Bird.) I met her for the first time probably 5 years ago. She recently moved out of my service area so I don't get to see her anymore but she was visiting over the weekend and that meant I got to see her. It made my day!! Jay loves a tennis ball as much as any dog I've ever met. When I walked in the house last night, she greeted me at the door, said hi and sprinted to the back door. She was ready to play. She looked for a ball but we couldn't find one. I happen to have a few at my house so I brought her one this morning. She is hilarious when she has a tennis ball. She smiles her goofy smile that says she is happy as a clam. She loves to chase after the ball and she loves to play soccer with it. After 6 years of pet sitting, I have yet to meet another dog that plays soccer and entertains herself with a tennis ball like she does.

Btw, the ball was neon green when we started.

Memorial Day Eve

Happy Memorial Day Eve. I think most of my clients are at the beach so I hope you are enjoying a cup of coffee overlooking the water and enjoying this beautiful May weather we are having. Here is a recap of my morning (or in some cases the last 24 hours.) Sweetie - She was really excited to see me yesterday morning. I can't recall the last time I saw her but I know I saw her last August or September. I know this because I'd just gotten my camera (so I'm guessing it was August.) She was one of the first if not the first dog I photographed and one of the shots I took of her is still one of my most favorites. I'll post it below. It was definitely beginner's luck because I really had no clue what I was doing.

Yesterday afternoon she was great to get up and go outside. She peed and even ran around some when she got a little burst of energy. Last night was a different story. She really did not want to get out of her bed. I tried to coax her with her leash and with food but she didn't want to get up. I knew I had to get her up so I semi-lifted her up and she did go out. She peed and then headed back for the house. She didn't eat her dinner. When I got there this morning, she got up right away and went out. I'm sure she needed to poop... she did and she peed too. She sprinted back to me too. :) She was eating her dinner that she never ate last night as I was leaving.

Ursa and Luna - Yesterday morning Ursa didn't want to eat the largest pill I'd giving her. I think it is the glucosomine pill for her joints so this morning, I broke it up into even smaller pieces and she ate it all. Yesterday, I got out more of her wet food and gave it to her that way. Luna was very happy to get her breakfast this morning, of course :)

Sparky - Sparky ate her breakfast and then went running outside to check out the yard. She played a little bit with her stuffed monkey too.

Cloud - She greeted me as I came in. I loved on her, fed her, scooped her box and after she ate a little bit, I loved on her some more. She was very clear, that was what she wanted!