Oh to be Ginger. My heart dog (more on that below). The dog that inspired me to become a dog trainer and my best little model when I want to try out a new location or lighting technique. This week's prompt for my personal project, the Pet Photography 52 Weeks Project, was "day in the life". There are so many things that only Ginger does, that when I think of her, I can't help but think of all these sweet little behaviors. I knew I had to capture that and one day I'll be able to look back on these images and it will be like she's right there with me again, laying on my stomach, making it hard for me to breathe :). Welcome to the world of Ginger.
Good Morning!
Every morning, and I mean EVERY SINGLE MORNING, this is how I wake up. Ginger typically sleeps on the bed with us, but despite this close proximity all night, at the opening of an eyelid she's up and laying on my chest to say good morning to me and will "Army crawl" across my chest to get as close as she can to give me a big kiss. This was shot with a fisheye lens and I still had to push her back a couple of times to try to get this image.
Moral Support
After I let the dogs out into the backyard, the next order of business first thing in the morning is to tend to Jiffy, our cat. Every day Ginger takes up this same position in the hallway outside of the laundry room and provides moral support while I clean his littler box and feed him (either that or she is completely fascinated that I am also collecting the cat's poop in little plastic bags thinking, "strange humans").
Put the Camera Down and Feed Me!
After the walk, mealtime is the second most exciting time of the day. The rules are that each dog take up their assigned position and wait patiently (sometimes not so much) for their meal to be prepared and delivered and then when the bowl is put down, they must wait until released before diving in. Ginger is all eyes on my husband as he's preparing her breakfast (you'll have to trust me that dinner time looks pretty much the same).
The Walk!
The walk! The walk, the walk, the walk. THE WALK! Our dogs LIVE for their twice daily walks. It's a complete three-ring circus during the leashing process. Ginger and I usually walk by ourselves in the morning so we can pep-step it for a couple of miles while my husband strolls with our two other (slower) dogs. Then in the afternoon we go out for a shorter walk as a whole family.
Napping
Our dogs (and my husband) firmly believe in the importance of naps. I'm often in the office editing, sometimes in the middle of the night when I have insomnia, and Ginger is always with me. She'll get out of bed and follow me into the office and resume her sleep. This is an afternoon nap with her snuggle buddy sister Gracie (center) and our foster dog, Pippa the beagle (right).
Sisterhood
This is nearly an everyday occurrence in our house; Gracie grooms Ginger by licking her head and cleaning her ears. Sometimes I'll reach to pet Ginger without looking and her head will be damp - eew; Gracie's been at it again. They are sisters from another mister and love one another to pieces.
Good Night
Most nights I'll slide into bed early and watch a few minutes of some guilty pleasure that I've recorded on the DVR and my husband can't stand to watch, like The Voice (who's with me on that?). Ginger joins me in the same position each night, curled up under my right arm so that it's easy for me to stroke her while I watch TV (she's so thoughtful). If I stop, I get this look over her shoulder as if to say..."Hello, what's going on back there? Why did you stop?". This is our nightly ritual and I can't image life without it.
Heart Dog
The term “heart dog” has become increasingly widespread over the last decade or so and refers to a special canine-human bond. A heart dog is that pup in your life who you’ve created a one-of-a-kind relationship with and likely against which all future dogs will be measured. One might even say that a heart dog offers companionship and love like no other creature can. Ginger is that for me. I know future dogs will probably be easier, but I can't image one that I would connect and bond with as deeply as I have with Ginger. She understands me. I don't understand her sometimes, but she gets me.
Photo credit: Syliva Elzafon
10 Comments
Apr 8, 2018, 8:37:04 AM
Darlene - Love this post! We have the "2 walk a day" rule in our house, too - I can never hide from the 2nd haha! Love the black and whites. Gorgeous image of you and Ginger. My dog, Kota, is a challenge, but she is my "heart" dog.
Mar 31, 2018, 8:08:08 PM
Lynda - Love the bond you share with Ginger. Pippa is my heart dog. You’ve done so well here with the close up photos, especially the morning one. You must have taken your camera to bed too.
Mar 31, 2018, 2:37:55 PM
Linda Perdue - Love the blog! I would love to say that feeding time is like yours at your home - but mine is a bit of a mess! I stumble out of bed to feed everyone who is awake - usually at least the cats and puppies - the dogs like to sleep in (and I would like to also!)
Mar 31, 2018, 8:58:19 AM
Sandy - Thanks for sharing. Abby, my rescue from Coppell Humane Society, is my Ginger. She is now 8 and my best buddy.
Mar 30, 2018, 11:29:10 PM
Shae - Oh my Ginger! What a day you had! I enjoyed learning all about what you get up to. I particularly love hearing how Gracie grooms your ears.
Mar 30, 2018, 5:48:55 PM
Danyel Rogers - Ginger looks like a complete angel and her sister....well they surely have a wonderful bond. So sweet!
Mar 30, 2018, 3:04:15 PM
Jessica - That is a beautiful shot of you and Ginger! My Hunter is my heart dog; I can't imagine ever finding another like him. I always tell him he's one in a million and I truly believe that we are lucky when we find our own heart dogs.
Mar 30, 2018, 9:13:05 AM
Kelly Middlebrooks - I love the other dog watching in the background of that first morning pic! ha! Your heartdog photo at the end is beautiful. I can see the love. ;)
Mar 30, 2018, 9:07:48 AM
Kirsten - Ginger is so adorable! And love the office nap photo - just like my house :)
Mar 30, 2018, 8:14:27 AM
Elayne Massaini - So beautiful photos, so lovely dogs.