Sorry to keep you in suspense after posting the teaser image last week. It’s been a busy few weeks, but I am finally able to post more from this session. This shoot was for our good friends Pam and Barb, directors of the Lost Dog and Cat Rescue Foundation, where Carolyn is Volunteer Coordinator and also where we got Cooley when he was a pup. Pam and Barb are animal people by which all other animal people should be judged. They have devoted their lives to helping animals, and their house was built knowing they would have lots of dogs running around.
I walked in and was immediately greeted by about 15 dogs of all shapes and sizes. And two beautiful parrots. “This is going to be a challenge,” I thought to myself. It was then that I learned that these were only the “upstairs dogs,” and that there was another pack on the lower level and out in the yard. Oy.
Some of the dogs are their own and some are fosters waiting to to find permanent homes (check the LDCRF site for available pets). Pam and Barb know that some of the fosters with behavioral issues will end up staying with them forever. Even as a dog lover myself, I couldn’t imagine living with 30 some dogs. To help them out, they have a live-in caretaker for the dogs who coordinates feedings and daily floor cleaning, and generally just loves the dogs as if they were his children.
I should add that Pam also co-owns the Lost Dog Cafe in Arlington, VA, and its sister restaurant, the Stray Cat Cafe, a few doors down. The food at both is excellent! They have the best sandwiches in town.
Okay, I think that’s enough words, how about some images?
P.S. - the only bad thing about photographing 30 dogs is that it’s really hard to remember names!
This is not an optical illusion…
Yes, that is literally a staircase of dog beds.
Uh, can you say “understatement”?
Watching the dogs chase the riding mower was hilarious! 
This about says it all…
The “upstairs” crew…
This one is not “properly” focused, but I really like it anyway…
Pam is the real “Dog Whisperer.”
I love the layers of dogs in this one…
by Stephen
4 comments
link to this post email a friend