photos giving shelter dogs a second chance

You know that photographer who does the awesome photos of dogs underwater? You've likely seen them and shared them...

That photographer is Seth Casteel, and he does more than just take groundbreaking photos of pets. He does groundbreaking work for pets.

In addition to his life as a world-renowned photographer and New York Times Best Selling Author, in 2007, he started volunteer work to help homeless pets find loving families. Through photography, he showcases these animals-in-need in a positive light that captures their true personalities. Casteel created a Web site, Second Chance Photos, that is dedicated to this quest. The Web site explains

When a dog or cat arrives at an animal shelter, it often is scared, dirty and disoriented. As part of the intake process, the animal has their photo taken, and this untimely photo is the face that people see when looking to potentially adopt a pet. An inaccurate headshot can hurt its chances of adoption, but an uplifting, hopeful portrait can save its life.

Check out this before & after:

AMAZING, right? Which dog would you be more likely to adopt? Wait–it's the same dog!

The Second Chance Photos Web site aims to educate shelter photographers, offering technical guidance and even a free pdf of shelter pet photography tips. Another goal of the organization is to increase awareness about rescue and adoption. Second Chance Photos also orchestrates fundraisers so shelters can purchase better photography equipment. Casteel and Second Chance Photos also conduct workshops for shelters.

The work they do is amazing, and something that often gets overlooked. But, oh, what a difference it makes! Connect with Second Chance Photos on Twitter and Facebook.

so what about dog sharing?

Do you share well with others? Books? Food? Your dog? When I heard about dog sharing on the news several months ago, I was surprised and had mixed feelings about it. I didn't completely understand why a person would want to share their dog, so I checked it out.

Web sites such as City Dog Share of California are popping up for reasons of convenience, economics, and philanthropy. So what's this all about? At it's foundation, it is a pet sitting co-op. Owners seeking someone to watch their dog are paired with strangers who are looking to spend time with a dog. It's touted as a great way for people to test out a breed before taking the plunge. City Dog Share says:

People with or without dogs are encouraged to join. If you are looking to foster or adopt a dog, but still not sure which type of dog is right for you, maybe meeting up with someone and sharing their dog can help. They will help guide you with all the tips and tricks that are best for their dog. And maybe that can help you find a dog that's right for you.

Post a picture of your dog when you have a dog that needs to be watched. Include relevant details like the dates away, care needed, etc. Members can comment on the thread or send you a private message in response–it's that easy!

For many reasons, this seems like an awesome idea. In these troubled economic times, I'm all for helping each other out. In fact, I would have six inch gray roots, if it wasn't for the fact that I trade services with my hair dresser. She colors and cuts my hair, then I credit her pet sitting account with the value of the service. It works out great for both of us.

To think that strangers with complimentary objectives could be paired in the name of animal welfare is a pretty cool idea, however, I would be nervous about leaving my dog in the care of a stranger with no professional experience. It's not like trading landscaping services for housekeeping...this is a deeply loved member of the family! But, still...I love the concept and hope it can work. One person receives the dog care they need for free and the other gets to learn–before adopting or purchasing–what breed of dog might or might not work for them. How wonderful.

The City Dog Share Web site also includes sponsored services such as nonprofit foster and adoption organizations and professional services and currently have open groups in the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles area, Humboldt County, Greater Portland, and Seattle Metro. They also facilitate adoptions and local canine social groups.

Under what circumstances would you be willing to share your dog?

what NOT to put on your dog's i.d. tag

Technology is constantly improving in the dog-finding arena, as it is everywhere else. Microchipping your dog is basically expected, and now we even rely on social media to help us find Fido. We even have apps for that! I recently interviewed FindingRover app CEO and founder John Polimeno about how that tool will literally change the face of the lost dog problem (you have that app, right?).

With all of this awesome technology at our fingertips, we still shouldn't forget the good ol' fashioned dog tag. If a dog has one, it's the quickest way to communicate information to a good samaritan. It's also the quickest way to communicate information to dog nappers and the likes of would-be Michael Vick wanna-bes. Sorry, but it's true.

The one thing you don't want to put on your dog's tag is probably what's on the first line: your dog's name. That's right...don't put your dog's name on his tag! It's super-cute for him to be able to "tell" everyone his moniker, but not safe. Knowing a dog's name allows anyone to call him sweetly forth, beckoning him into a situation where he might be sold or held for ransom–or worse. He could be used for fighting or could be part of an even darker fetish.

Sorry to go there, but it's true.

So what should you put on your dog's i.d. tag? Well, if you have a dog that tends to stick pretty close to home, your phone number should suffice. A cell number is best in case he goes lost while you are traveling. If you have an escape artist or the type that likes to roam in spring with the birds and the bees, you should consider adding as much information as possible. All of your phone numbers, and also phone numbers for a neighbor, friend, family member, or pet sitter as a back-up in case you can't be contacted right away. Most people will want to help, but not everyone is willing to board your dog if you're in the middle of a dinner date and don't pick up the phone. Your found dog may then be released back into a life on the streets. If you have four individual's phone numbers on the tag, your odds are better.

Should you include your address? Possibly. If your dog gets out and is a regular at the neighborhood park, then his address might be helpful for a finder, other than that, it's just taking up valuable real estate for all of those phone numbers.

Speaking of real-estate: if that tag is just too small, feel free to add multiple tags! Many tags are quite light and, aside from the possible jingle, wouldn't be a bother for you or your dog at all.

And with your added real estate, you could consider adding a kind message for the person who finds your dog, such as "Thanks for finding me! My family loves me and must be terribly worried. Please call them for me. I left my cell phone at home." You never know. That personal touch just might make the difference for your pooch.

Let him be friendly and found. And let him be anonymous.

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Wordless Wednesday: Lounging Lexie

pet sitting: there are some things you just can't prepare yourself for

I pride myself on the fact that, as a professional pet sitter, if I don't know something that I need to know, I find out. If a client's pet has an illness I am unfamiliar with, I ask lots of questions and do independent research. Or if there is a behavior issue, I ask trainers and find out how I might be able to help. I come prepared. There are some things you just can't prepare yourself for.

About six years ago, I found myself taking care of two young, rambunctious, but lovable, large dogs. Their owners had just done a stunning backyard renovation that the pups loved almost as much as they did. They informed me about the situation and instructed me on how to handle it:

For some reason, they do fine when they are outside individually, but if they get outside together, they start tearing up the landscaping, and it's impossible to stop them. Please let them out one at a time and go outside with whoever is outside. That way, they will both have some outside time, but they won't tear anything up.

Sounded simple enough to me. I'd taken care of these dogs before, so I knew they could be a handful. I just didn't know how big a handful.

My clients left town, and we did just fine with the new instructions. I'd let the puppy out first because I thought he'd have a harder time "holding it," and then I'd put him inside and let his big sister out. The plan worked perfectly.

Until day three.

Upon arrival, I opened the door for the puppy as before, and stepped outside with him. He did his business and I gave him some time to run around. His big sister was typically pretty excited to see me, and this day was no exception. Through the sliding glass door, I could see her jumping up and down with anticipation. How cute. As she made her eighteenth decent to the floor, I heard, "click." She kept jumping. My mind started spinning.

I tried the door. I tried the door again. And again. It was really, actually, truly, officially locked. And the house key and my cell phone were in my bag inside the house.

Don't panic. Think.

I tried all of the windows I had access to. Maybe one would be open. No luck.

I paced and fretted while puppy frolicked, completely unconcerned with our predicament.

Luckily, I had some friends living about a mile away. I'd simply need to walk there and use the phone. Never mind the hundred-degree temps. Puppy would have to stay in the backyard unsupervised, and my nemesis would have to stay inside. It was then that I'd noticed what was going on inside. My indoor friend had tired of waiting and was bringing each piece of the client's bathroom trash to the window, bit by bit. I won't go into how I knew it was the bathroom trash.

I had no choice but to leave them both. I made it to my friends' home and called my husband, who brought me the back-up key to the client's home. (If you're a pet sitter, it's always a good idea to have a back-up copy of your client's house key. I get written permission from new clients to make a copy of their key at the initial consultation.)

When I returned, the dogs were just as I'd left them. I had a bit of a mess to clean up, but they were otherwise unscathed.

What did this ordeal teach me? Keep the house key with you, and keep your phone with you, even if you're just going into the back yard. I never could have imagined that a dog would be capable of locking me out of the house, but it happened. It happened.