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.

Christmas has come to DoggySnaps: what are your Christmas plans for your pooch?

One of the perks of my job is spending a lot of time talking to people who support Dogs Trust. On DoggySnaps, our photo-sharing community site - I also get ample chance to listen in on all the doggy advice, ideas and conversations going on in and around the forum. I've been seeing a lot of good ideas and interesting topics recently regarding Christmas, so I thought I'd flag my favourites and ask the wider web what they're doing to celebrate with their dogs.

Christmas Meals / Presents:

I knew my family couldn't be the only ones to get our pets pressies! There's a lot of discussion going on about how to keep dogs safe during parties, with Staffy-pitt explaining she's having a pooch party first so they get lots of attention, then keeping them secluded in a quiet room where they can't be fed a dangerous treat by a guest who doesn't know better or spooked by the noise. Zoepup's little Zoe is low on the foodie treats this year thanks to her kidney condition, but she's still getting plenty of fuss and bother.

Will you be having a Christmas party for your dogs (and other pets) or giving them a special Christmas meal? According to the DoggySnaps poll, 75% of 'Snappers have already bought and wrapped presents for their four-legged pals. Tell all in the comments.

Boxing Day Virtual Walk:

For the third year running, 'Snappers will be taking their cameras out with them on a Boxing Day walk. The photos will be uploaded and tagged with 'boxing day' so that people far and wide can share the walk the day after Christmas without any actual travelling. Social media at its simplest and most effective, I think.

Donations instead of Christmas Cards:

One generous 'Snapper wanted to wish her friends on the site a Merry Christmas while helping dogs. So she decided to give a donation to Dogs Trust in return for posting a message to everyone on the site. Several people have now followed her lead, and we've been kept busy updating it. We have such appreciation for the dedication our community shows to their own dogs and dogs that are not lucky enough to have a home yet; it's such a lovely idea, and eco-friendlier than charity Christmas cards too!

Tell us your best doggy Christmas ideas and stories and who knows? You might even see them on these pages.

Animal Photograph Competition: raise money for Dogs Trust and Blue Cross while you compete!

Always wanted to be a nature photographer? Just got a camera and want to show off your skills? Well, here's your chance!

Between now and the 22nd of November 2008, Leonard Bros. Veterinary Centre & Aricia Dog Training are looking for great photos in six classes, with the winners being displayed in the veterinary centre. Photographer John Harding, local artist Rosie Rees and the Leonard brothers, Tom and Steve, will be the judges.

The categories are:

Man's Best Friend (that's one we're familiar with...!)
Portrait of My Pet
Pets at Play
Wild Life
Humorous Clips
Animal Photo Junior (entrants up to 14 years old)

As you can see many of the categories aren't restricted to dogs so if you have other four-legged (or two, six or eight-legged!) pals in your menagerie / household, then there's no reason to exclude them from the fun.

To enter, send prints no bigger than A4 plus a £1 entry fee per photo to Aricia Dog Training, Bridge Farm, Whitchurch, SY13 3NE.

Cheques should be payable to Aricia Dog Training (Photo Comp), and an SAE should be included if you want your prints returned.

Proceeds from the entry fees will be divided between Blue Cross and Dogs Trust so you will be helping animals in need while indulging in a fun and creative hobby. Plus if you've already got lots of photos of your dog(s) that you'd love to show off, why not visit our community site, DoggySnaps, where you can do just that?