The Loyalty of a Hearing Impaired Dog

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Samantha was thrilled to know that she could help out her favorite Animal Rescue Group raise some cash when she heard about my August Special, “Cold Hard Cash for the Dog Days of Summer”.  She wanted to book a photo session with her boyfriend and their puppy-dog, Ali. Samantha wanted to help out the rescue group where she adopted Ali. “He is such a sweetie pie,” she said, “he is a white American Bulldog, with a lot of energy. He is our baby!” I responded that my sister owned that breed and he was such an affectionate companion. She wanted to know if I could get a few photos of him by himself at the park and they would love to get a family portrait as well. Terrific! I always ask the parents if they want a family portrait during the photo session. We just needed to book the time and day when she said, “Oh, one thing you might need to know about Ali. He is deaf. Will that be a problem?”

This was going to be a new experience for me. I knew I had to rely on the use of visual cues in place of oratory ones.  My typical approach to a pet session consists of rolling around on the ground while squeaking, meowing, clicking and rolling my “R”s like Chewbacca. Samantha told me that Ali responds to sign commands. That is great! Sometimes my mastiff responds to sign commands for sit and stay a lot better than verbal commands. Some people drop off a hearing impaired dog at the pound because they don’t have the time to train them. All dogs love to please their owners. In addition to snuggling and protecting, the best way for a dog to prove their loyalty is by following your commands. Dog Obedience 101 teaches that if you by put a treat in your hand and raise it above their head, the dog will respond by sitting.  Rewarding and praising every time results in classical conditioning… thank you Ivan Pavlov! Training a deaf dog may need more patience on behalf of the owner, but the reward is the same: a loyal companion that takes pride in pleasing their owner.

ImageImageWe had an awesome morning at South Park. Samantha, Mike and Ali choreographed a beautiful dance together. You could see the happiness in Ali’s eyes. It was evident that he loved to please his people. After he obeyed one command, he was eager to perform the next. This symbiotic relationship between dog and owner is the epitome of true love! In addition to receiving an original work of art, Samantha helped out Biggies Bullies with a monetary donation. It is awesome to know that there are still people like Samantha and Mike in this world that are willing to train such a unique companion and donate to an great cause. http://www.amcgregorphotography.com

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Portraits of a Mother & Daughter

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FlowerToss  The most feared sentence a seven year-old can say to a photographer is, “I HATE getting my picture taken and I will NOT smile!” It is bound to   happen at least 5000 times over the course of a career. Those were the exact first words that were spoken by Evalina (affectionately named “Lina”) when I met up with her and her mother, Vanessa. I was thrilled and honored to capture this lifestyles session for them. I prepared mentally with visions of this pose, that pose, them acting cute together and smiling through the fields. But all of these visions evaporated from my mind like snow falling on a flame. The first lesson I always tell my photo students is to have a PLAN B! At the conclusion of Lina’s defiant statement, I could hear my former students mockingly whisper, “Alrighty then, McGregor, where’s your PLAN B now?FunTimesInTheFields” 

But really, how many kids love getting pulled away from their friends, their hobbies or their summer vacations? I would think that number would be South of zero. The best way to prepare for a photo session is to plan it out. But life does not abide by strict rules or follow a game plan, so why should one expect a “lifetyles session” to do the same? One thing to be certain of is Murphy’s Law waiting to toss a monkey-wrench into your bike spokes. Fortunately, I was trained to juggle and ride a unicycle at the same time (metaphorically speaking, of course)!

Reactions on the fly are a must. You really have to be prepared for all kinds of adversity. Otherwise you will have a terrific portrait of a disgruntled mom placing her rebellious, screaming child into a head lock or its equivalent. The more you force a child to smile, act “normal” or straighten up, the more resistance you will encounter.  I always find inspiration in literature, and in this instance, I remembered one of my favorite quotes by Khalil Gibran. “Let there be spaces in your togetherness, And let the winds of the heavens dance between you.”

BlueSkiesLinaPiggybacksonVanessaLinaWithaNutLinaOnSwingInTheFieldsVanessaandLina Sometimes photography has little to do with taking a picture, but it has everything to do with the art of capturing the human condition. My greatest career achievements are to present original and creative heirlooms that capture the winds of the heavens dancing between you. I can only hope these photos embody that for Vanessa and Lina. http://www.amcgregorphotography.com/

Big Donations Possible for Pet Rescue

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There could be Cold Hard Cash on the table for the Dog Days of Summer! Throughout the summer months, also known as “Wedding Season” for us photographers, it’s often difficult to donate time by taking photos of adoptable pets that need forever homes.  So, in an effort to keep helping those pups in need, I’m offering a special Dog Days of Summer promotion. Pom4web For every dog portrait session booked in August, you will be able to get an original artwork of your beloved pet AND I will donate 20% of the proceeds in your honor to your preferred local animal rescue group. I will also donate 20% of any custom enlargements, specialties and merchandise that you order from your session. It’s a great way for us to contribute to a local animal shelter.

For example, if you book a portrait in the park valued at $65.00 you’ve instantly made a $13.00 donation to your favorite pet shelter! On top of your $13.00 donation, you may decide that you need a museum quality framed 8×10 custom enlargement valued at $175.00 for your picture perfect pet. Your contribution just increased by $35.00, plus the $13.00 totaling a $48.00 donation.  What? Your Pug’s personality cannot fit into an 8×10? Maybe they deserve a statement piece over the loveseat, like a 20×24 canvas wrap valued at $225.00. Your donation just jumped to $45. + $13 totaling $58.00! Imagine ten of your animal friends doing this. I am sure your favorite rescue group would love to receive a $580.00 check from you. That can buy a lot of food and supplies!

Every portrait includes a hardbound souvenir keepsake featuring 10 of your favorite photos from the session to keep dear to your heart. You will also have access to low resolution files, downloadable from my website at http://www.amcgregorphotography.com, so you can share your professional pet portrait with your friends and have a super awesome profile pic for all of your social media sites.

If you’ve already made all the donations you can afford this year and you don’t need a work of art of your Fido, please help by sharing this blog with others, it has the potential to really have an impact. To ensure your donation, you only have to book and make a deposit in August. We can schedule the photo session for as late as October 31st. Right now, Biggies Bullies is in the lead for donations. You can also donate to Pet Friends, Inc., Animal Friends of Westmoreland, Orphans of the Storm (no kill Shelter), Western PA Humane Society, Steel City Greyhounds or any other animal non-profit.

Being Loved in Return

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There are few things in life more rewarding than volunteering for a non-profit at the local level. Pet Friends, Inc. in Irwin is about as local as it gets for me. They kennel their dogs at Carwen’s Grooming and Boarding where my wife and I attend obedience classes with our dogs. By taking photos of these adoptable pets, I get to meet the pets and help them find their forever homes within my local community.

labcoon-mix labmix2 labmix beagle JR2 AMC_1659For just a few moments, I get to hang out with a different dog and discover their personality. It is so awesome the moment when a dog meets someone for the first time. They will sniff you, eye you up, come in for a pet, sit at your feet and appear to love you all within five seconds. A dog does not understand the concept of judging a book by its cover, for dogs use all of their senses when greeting someone new and are not concerned with looks alone.  They love unconditionally. I have heard that shelter dogs make the best pets, for they know what isolation feels like and understand the concept of loyalty. All of these dogs at Pet Friends, Inc. would be great additions to anyone’s family. All of them are adorable, happy and in desperate need to love and be loved in return.

You can contact them at 724-863-7722 or find them on the web: http://www.pet-friendsinc.com/

Big Heart, Great Smile

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Several guarding breeds and bully breeds are unjustly targeted for breed specific legislation. My childhood nemesis was a Chihuahua. He would challenge my boyhood machismo with his falsetto growl and his black-eyed stare. I still tremble when I envision that row of shark teeth. This Chihuahua was never given any bad press, although I think he may have inspired the movie JAWS. I never believed that this little breed with a monster ego had to be banned from the city, county or even state. However, a knee-jerk reaction based on a stereotype can sometimes be detrimental to a breed as a whole. This is a disappointing trend to say the least, especially for a breed whose natural tendency is to smile.Cover-girl One local nonprofit founded by Allison Stetz and run by her dedicated volunteers strive to break the pit bull stereotype. “Biggies Bullies is devoted to rescuing, rehabilitating and re-homing pit bulls in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and the surrounding areas as well as educating the public on responsible pet ownership and the importance of spaying and neutering their pets.” I was given the privilege to volunteer at a fundraising event and most recently, helping them with a photo session for a rescued dog that is up for adoption.

Allison stopped by the studio the other day with one of her foster puppies whose appearance is very striking and unique. She is a very sweet, fawn girl with golden-brown spots named Nici. The spots are most likely attributed to her Catahoula Leopard Dog pedigree. When introduced to a new dog, I never make the first move. I let them come to me on their terms. It didn’t take long for this sweetie to smile at me. Immediately upon kneeling down, I was bull rushed with a ton of kisses. History claims that these dogs were bred to be pitted against each other and their ancestors battled bulls for human entertainment. It is my belief that their stout frame with low center of gravity and huge mouth combined with an exuberance of life gives them an advantage when greeting you. These qualities make it possible for them to cover you in kisses while making it impossible for you to leave them again. Nici did not disappoint me in that category! She is a very affectionate girl who is need of a forever home. I have included her profile as well as a contact for Biggie Bullies just in case someone out there has enough heart to love her. And if you were wondering, YES – she has a terrific smile!!!watch

Name: NICI (Nee-See)
Gender: Female
Breed: Pit Bull/Catahoula Leopard Dog Mix
Age: 3
Weight: 38 lbs
Dogs: I like playing with calm male dogs, but I prefer to live alone
Cats: I do not like cats
Kids: I love kids over the age of 8, I can be too bouncy for young children who aren’t too sure on their feet yet

About Nici:

Are you looking for a dog who already knows the basics? Well that’s me! I know already know sit, down, paw and come! I walk very nicely on a leash and I love love going for doggie walks! I even know how to go for runs, someone who wants a running buddy would be a great owner for me. I’m also already house broken and crate trained! What more could you want?

I’m a fun sized little girl who loves cuddling up close to you, I will be your constant couch companion. I’ll listen to you, love you, make you smile, and be there whenever you need me! I’m a fantastic listener, so if you have a rough day at work you can tell me all about it! To know me is to love me!!

I need to be adopted as an only pet.

For more info: http://www.biggiesbullies.org/adoption