Creative Canine Carer Takes Part in New Photography TV Show

Nico, one of our Canine Carers at Canterbury, has been lucky to combine two of his passions - dogs and photography, in a new series for FIVE TV called 'How to Take Stunning Pictures'. We asked Nico to describe his experience of photography dogs and meeting his crush, the rather lovely Suzi Perry......

Working in dog kennels kinda keeps you at an even keel with reality, so when the Dogs Trust Press team called me about my name being put forward for a TV programme, I instinctively entertained the conversation then shrugged it off. After a call back requiring a photo of myself and that I may be called in to London for a screen test, I got that “good luck in the deep end feeling” (hmm, thanks Press Team!)

I figured my name had been put forward because I do have a keen interest in photography. Novice as it is, I enjoy it because it more often than not involves an important part of my life - dogs!

After the 2:30pm conversation, a 5:30pm phone call came up with plenty more questions and the invitation to come to London for the screen test. I was most definitely ‘bricking it’ shall we say - me, with a camera and lots of people I don’t know, is something my family would definitely laugh at!

A week or so later I found out I had been chosen for the programme. It was explained that in the coming weeks I would be taking a trip to Cotswolds Farm Park (work eh?), then spending some time at the Dogs Trust Harefield rehoming centre and ending it all with a couple of sessions at a studio in London.

On the filming days at Cotswolds Farm Park and Harefield I still could not get used to being relaxed with a big camera imposing itself on me and also repeating what you have said many times, but with the same excitement as the first time. However, the days themselves were great and rolling around with pigs, cows and goats made for my ideal day out. Harefield felt a bit more like home turf, so I felt a lot more at ease. The dogs I spent time with were great and the staff were really cooperative.

The final day of filming was all about the presenter links for the programme. For me, it was ALL about Suzi Perry – I have a bit of a childhood to (relative) adulthood crush. I was supremely wriggly when asking for a photo and signature, but it was the best 20 minutes I could have spent in London!

I am hoping the programme helps to raise awareness of the work of Dogs Trust and the rescue field. It also shows the enjoyment a person can get out of the job that I do. I’m obviously nervous about seeing how I have come across on TV and others seeing what I am like, but the less I think about that the better!

You can see Nico showing off his photography skills on the Tuesday 12th October episode of 'How to Take Stunning Pictures' at 7.30pm on FIVE.

Of lurchers and men

Dennis, one of our stunning models.

You guys have met Deana before, remember? She's the proud owner of the ADORABLE spaniel, Daniel, and she is the editor of our Wag! magazine. Wag! is our supporter magazine and it's full of pictures and doggie news so you know how your support is helping us take care of dogs.

Well, Deana has seen a photoshoot or two in her day and thought she'd share with you some video... enjoy!

Reuben

Reuben the Lurcher is such a pro when it comes to modelling that he can barely be bothered to get out of bed in the morning for less than 10 gravy bones.

Seen here posing professionally for Wag!, Reuben soon lets owner Wendy and ace photographer Andy know who’s really the star of the show. Watch how Wendy feeds him roast chicken while he reclines on his sofa, then see how Reuben regally smiles to camera while Wendy waves sausages above Andy’s head.

Watching from the sidelines is Ludo, Reuben’s constant companion. Wendy and partner Simon rehomed both the elegant chaps from our Evesham and Harefield rehoming centres. Reuben and Ludo are poster boys for rehoming laidback, lazy Lurchers.

Dennis

Another day, another exotic location. I’m in Northamptonshire with Dennis, a sort of dog/horse crossbreed. Dennis is the kind of dog who looks as if he were created in the Jim Henson creature workshop. If there’s a dog in the world with more expressive eyebrows I’ve yet to see it.

Owned by Paul, Dennis is very happy to lie under a duvet while pretending to be scared of fireworks, and even to hide inside a child’s wendy house. Paul is watching Dennis’s waistline so very few treats were used on this shoot, although he was rewarded with tiny pieces of a well known sausage-esque snack food.

We worked with freelance photographer Andy Catterall, who has snapped his way through many a Wag photoshoot, and believes that his best work is achieved when someone puts smelly sausages very close to his hair. You’ll be able to see the results in the autumn issue of Wag, to be published in October.

If you're interested in getting Wag! magazine, you can request one online. There are three issues of Wag! a year.

Dog photography exhibition hangs pictures from trees

Over the weekend, an exhibition dedicated to photographs of dogs and owners took the artwork back to the natural setting of its subject: the park.

More than 100 photographs of dogs with their owners were hung from trees on dog leads in Roath Mill Gardens, Cardiff.

"The park is a major part of my life and this exhibition has really come about because of the sense of community that dog walking brings," said Bettina Skovbroto, who over the course of the summer took the photographs after asking passing dog walkers to pose on the same bench.

Skovbroto borrowed the leads from Cardiff Dogs Home and joked that after an exhibition like that perhaps the answer to whether people and their dogs really do come to resemble each other might be discovered.

What a good idea which causes comment and attracts attention in such a positive way. I hope it leads other uses of the park to consider adopting a dog so that they too can become part of the park's dog walking community.

[via BBC News]