Remember I said she was shy…that photo above is her running away from me!

But the Power of Cheese overcame.

Yes, she is wearing a leopard print snuggie.

And a few of just Emily to wrap things up

Tinker

Ruffy

and Chyna

All three of them were just precious and I wanted to put them in my camera bag and take them home with me!!!

***Also if you wouldn’t mind sending some good thoughts Tinker’s way I know Leslye would appreciate it.  He had eye surgery recently***

TO VOTE

-Leave a comment on this blog entry that includes the name of the dog you are voting for.  If you are voting for one of the Harley’s be sure to include the J or the W at the end of the name.

-Each person may only vote once and may only vote for ONE dog in the comments section.

-Each person may have an additional vote by becoming a fan of Lotus Blossom Photography and “Liking” that dog’s photo here http://www.facebook.com/NashvilleWeddingPhotographer , then go to the “WAG CONTEST” Photo Album.  You are allowed to “Like” more than one photo.

-Voting will last through midnight Central Time on Tuesday October 12.

Without further ado, here are the contenders:

(1) Amber

Prisoner #102563.  Convicted for stealing the hearts of those around her…

(2) Beau

Beau is a crazy French Bulldog with a sense of adventure! He loves hopping between kayaks on the Harpeth River.

(3) Berkley

Berkley was on his way to the doctor in this photo and he was not too happy.  Berkley is a 9-year old Peekapoo, he loves walk-abouts, and his people.  He has been a very important part of our family unit since we got him in 2001, and we adore him.  Though in his old age he is a bit more stubborn than he was as a puppy, he still listens most of the time, and is very intelligent.

(4) Birdie

This is Birdie. She is a very petite German Shorthaired Pointer. Birdie, even at 7 years old, is always on the go. This photo captures her in a rare calm state as she has settled down for a nap from what was most likely an extremely exhausting day of chasing squirrels. (But you can bet that her tail is wagging wildly in the background!)

(5) Boots

Boots is our newest member to the family.  He is part Brittany Spaniel and part Australian Shepherd.  He is a runner and loves his squeaky ball.  He also loves to roam the farm.  He has been a model for my husband’s Tractor Supply photo shoots.

(6) Brandy

This is Brandy as she learns to drive.

(7) Casper

This is the love of my life Casper, he is 5 years old and I honestly don’t know what I did before he came along.  He’s always happy and hyper so there is never a dull moment with this little guy!

(8) Chester

Chester is a rescue pup and is a combination rat terrier/yorkie.  He was bounced through 3 homes, was kicked in the mouth and nearly abandoned until he finally found his way into our hearts in December 2003.  He LOVES spaghetti sauce and his stuffed tiger and gives wonderful snuggles!  He’s not super keen on his bath but suffers through “mom’s” pomegranate shampoo for all the snuggles and kisses he gets when all cleaned up!  He sleeps with us at night, loves to be under the covers and can often be found stealing “dad’s” side of the bed when Clay turns his back, which is why he looks so guilty in this picture!

(9) Clyde

Clyde is a Lab/Hound mix who looks like a giant beagle. He weighs 90 pounds and has hound features and coloring with big ol’ Lab feet, which he uses to swim with in the summertime. He is a fun-loving pup, 3 1/2 going on 1. He is much loved by his parents Jamie and Meredith and his sister Kennedy.

(10) Trixie-Girl

Six years ago a little muddy puppy showed up on the front doorstep and insisted she lived at my address. After one week she convinced me and she moved into the back yard. After some more time passed and she proved to be a non destructive canine, she moved into the house and has become my best friend. She knew all along!

(11) Harley J.

Harley is a 90 pound collie that we lovingly call the Harley Barge.  She loves playing catch whether it be with a soccer ball or football.  One of Harley’s favorite things is bark at the neighboring buffalo and play in the creeks on our family farm.

(12) Harley W.

Here is a picture of Harley.

We adopted him and his buddy, Jasper, one year ago.  They have been a great addition to the family.

The attached picture is a perfect example of the crazy, but sweet, Harley puppy.  We took him to an eight week puppy training class at PetSmart.  He was the best and smartest puppy in the class!   But, he couldn’t seem to sit still while we took a photo of him with his graduation cap.  He thought it was a toy and tried to grab it with his mouth several times.  The instructor was holding Harley still (as much as she could – notice the fuzzy face), while we held the cap over his head.

He has become the sweetest, most loving puppy, with the biggest heart!

We love him!

(13) Hero

Hero is such a cheerful and happy pug, this picture really says it all.

(14) Hot Dog!

Hot Dog! is the poster pup for dogs suffering from Napoleonic complex. Always ready for a game of “Chase Me! I have this stick [piece of paper, sock, rock, or anything else I happen to grab] in my mouth and I know you want it!” He is shy around people and ready to rumble whenever he’s around bigger dogs. He’s troubled, but I guess that makes him even more precious to me…

(15) Jackson

Jackson is nine years old, still acts like a puppy and is a big teddy bear. I have had Jackson since he was 8 weeks old.  He LOVES everyone and all animals.  He really is my very best friend.  His favorite thing to do is fetch, swim, and sticking his head out of the sun roof of my suv while I drive.  We turn lots of heads on the street. 

(16) Joey

Hello, my name is Joey.

DOB: 04/16/2009

My mom took a zillion pictures of me for this contest…not to brag or anything, but I think I’m a cutie!!

My favorite things to do…chewing my favorite bone, snuggle time with mom while watching TLC, barking at the neighbors cat, running, romping, and just being mama’s most precious baby.

I want to wish all of my fellow canines good luck!

(17) King

I would like to submit a photo of my precious little doggie King.  He is a Yorkie Poo, who blessed my life in April of this year after some trying times.  He will be a year old on December 9th. He is very energetic and full of love!  He enjoys peanut butter treats and playtime with his pal Casper at the Bark Park. He has a personality all his own.

(18) Kingsley

Kingsley is all about getting as much attention as possible. Here, he tries to steal his brother’s birthday doggy cupcake.

(19) Matilda

One of my favorite Matilda pictures.

(20) Pebbles

Pebbles playing in “The Big Snow of 2010.”

(21) Rocky

Rocky modeling his UT jersey.

(22) Sassa

I would love to enter our dog Sassa (Sassa Lou-Lou) as my daughter Miles calls her. Sassa is a brown and white poodle that turned 1 back in April. We got her last August for Miles’ 3rd birthday. Miles only wanted a puppy to love, hug, kiss and “Skeeze” (squeeze)!

I found her on craigslist from what I thought was a good home that just could not afford her, but when I went to look at her and take her home, she was mal-nourished (weighed almost 3 pounds), shaking, smelled horribly and had been cut all over her little legs and body in a very bad attempt at a hair cut. Needless to say, she was pitiful and I just HAD to take her.

She is now a bundle of energy and is Miles’ best friend. She is a wonderful little girl and has been so much fun. Sassa listens and minds Miles better than my husband Frank and me.

(23) Sienna

This is Sienna. She is a mixed breed, 100% all American girl. This photo was taken when she was 2 years old and had reverted to her alter ego “Miss Beans.” She is playfully attacking the camera. Now 7, Sienna is not as active as she once was, but every once in a while we still see that sparkle of Miss Beans.

(24) Tinker

This is Tinker the Stinker who is 2 yrs old.  He is a smooth coat Brussels Griffon and naughty as they come!  He is  sweet, loving and loves to steal anything within his reach.

(25) Zoe

This is one of my four babies, Zoe.  This is her “Why are you bothering me?!”  expression.

Alright!  Now that you’ve seen them all, leave the name of your favorite in the comments section and then head over to Facebook to “Like” their photo!  Good luck to all of you!

Here are just a few examples of the type of photos you can expect from your completed WAG session.  For more check out the website – just click on the WAG logo!

And what better way to launch WAG than with a contest??  Here’s the deal:

-Email a photo of your dog, the dog’s name, and a little bit about him or her to wagphotography@gmail.com no later than Monday October 4th at midnight.

-I will post all entries to the blog the evening of Tuesday October 5th.

-E-mail the link to all your friends and family to vote for your dog in the comments section.

-Voting will last through midnight on Tuesday October 12.

-Each person may only vote one time.  This will be on the honor system but if I see an inordinate amount of comments from any one IP address I will disqualify the dog that person is voting for.

-The winner will be announced on the blog Wednesday October 13.

-The winner will receive a complimentary WAG session and 25 custom Holiday Cards featuring a photo from the session.

*The (not so) fine print – the WAG session is for 1 dog only.  If the winner has multiple dogs and wishes them all to be photographed, a $25 per dog charge will be due for each dog over the initial winning dog.  The WAG session must take place within 50 miles of Nashville, TN.  I don’t mind if out-of-towners enter, but know that if you win you and your dog will need to travel to Nashville to claim your prize.  WAG session must take place before December 1 to ensure Holiday Cards are ready in time to be mailed out.  If you have any additional questions feel free to e-mail me at the e-mail address listed above.

Now, get to e-mailing!!  I can’t wait to see all your dogs!!!

We’ve been busy gearing up for a crazy June, but before it starts I wanted to take some time this week and share my favorites from Photos for the Flood.  First up is Houser.  I just LOVED Houser.  He was just a big slobbery ball of love.  Beth – thanks so much for participating in this fundraiser for the people of Nashville.  And thanks for letting me play with your sweet boy!!

I’m also very excited to formally announce this year’s Spring Charity Event!  You might remember last year we teamed up with Annabelle’s Wish (who by the way are organizing their first medical trip and are looking for some donors, go check it out).  We are overjoyed to be able to do it again and this year we are helping out another organization very near and dear to my heart – Music City Pug Rescue.  Many of you probably know that I have a huge heart for animals with my two rescue pugs being the light of my life!  This past year has been really tough on pug rescues across the country – when the economy suffers not only do pug rescues see less money coming in via donations but they also see more pugs being surrendered due to their owner’s lack of funds to properly care for them.

This year’s Spring Charity Event will be slightly different – we are holding a mini-session day on April 3rd and 100% of the money collected is going to Music City Pug Rescue.  $50 will get you a 30 minute photo session and 5 digital images to reproduce as many times as you’d like.  Be sure to sign up soon as there are a limited number of available spots and photos are via appointment only.  Thanks in advance for helping the puggies and I can’t wait to see you on April 3rd!

*I’m tired.  I delivered Taylor’s images today and was up until 1:30am this morning burning them b/c I’ve been having issues with my Mac “finder” windows for three days.  That thing about Macs not having issues – it’s a lie.  On the upside, I treated myself to a triple shot Starbucks this morning to make up for it, had a wonderful lunch with Taylor, and found out she’s a closet blog reader!!  YAY!  I’m not just talking to myself, LOL!  (Hi Taylor!!)

*I’m tired.  Oh, wait, did I mention that already?  LOL!  I was looking over my calendar today and we are swamped for the next three months.  Looks like I’m going to stay tired but YAY for being busy! 

*This time tomorrow I’ll be sleeping with the ocean outside my window.  I already mentioned John and I are going to Florida to celebrate our anniversary and I cannot wait!  For the next 3 days I’m going on vacation for real – no work-work and no photography work!!  I think I might even leave my laptop at home – that’s CRAZY talk coming from me, but I just might do it

*My friend Lynette’s sweet, blind pug Stevie is having to have his eye removed on Tuesday.  If you wouldn’t mind please say a prayer for the little guy.  He’s a rescue so he’s already been through a lot. 

*Is it too early to plan a trip for 2011??  LOL!  Melanie and Tiffany and I have been talking about a grand “30-year-anniversary-of-being-alive” girls cruise in the  summer of 2011.  I’m already stoked.

*I’m still holding out hope that I’ll finish my China trip scrapbook before our London trip in August.  Here’s a sample of the one I made for Tiffany:

*And last but not least, I’ve started a little “personal history” project.  I was inspired by my friend Kitty who rocks at all things genealogy.  I am very blessed to be a 4th generation Nashvillian and to still live so close to the homes of both of my great grandmothers.  A few months ago I went out and photographed their homes and while they are not quite as I remembered them, I’m still glad to have a photo of them.  I plan to try and photograph some more homes and buildings that are part of my personal history before they disappear. 

This one was my Gamommie’s house (my maternal great grandmother).  It’s an awful photo because the sun was already high in the sky (hence the giant tree shaddow), but I’m not sure if that’s why I don’t like it or if it has more to do with the fact that I passed the house 3 times before I realized this was it.  It looks totally different  I’ll have to try and find a photo of the house pre-remodel.  It was so cute with a little covered porch and green shutters.

And this one was my Nanny’s house (paternal great grandmother).  It’s had dormers added, but for the most part looks the same.  I was so thrilled they have even left the original mailbox!  I would love love love to own this house one day, but it’s in a neighborhood where the median home price is ~$500,000 so unless I win the lottery I don’t see that happening.

Ok I’ve gotta get to bed!!  I’m so tired I’m rambling.  Be back next week with some Florida pics!

John and I had so much fun doing this shoot!  I really can’t think of much that makes me happier – hanging out with cool people and their adorable pugs, taking some fun pics, and raising money for pug rescue all at the same time.  Seriously PERFECT!!

Jessica and Matt – thank you so much for your support of pug rescue.  We are looking forward to having a little puggie playdate with you guys soon!!

P.S. Be sure to watch their slideshow for the full onslaught of puggie cuteness! 

That last one is one of my favorite “Dora” looks – she lets me know she’s over being photographed by impersonating Jabba Da Hut.