a dog and his boy: mom photographer documents the first year

July 6, 2015 Kristen Carr

It wasn't until I saw the video compilation that I understood the magnitude of what Heidi had done. And it brought me to tears. Every month for the past year, I've seen the adorable photos she's taken of her son, Lincoln, and their dog, Roldy, parade across my Facebook feed. She documented Lincoln's first year with monthly photos, as so many of us crazy parents do, but these photos are unique and touching, even if the kid isn't yours. When I saw them compiled, I smiled and teared up at the same time, and I knew I had to share.

a dog and his boy: mom photographer documents the first year

documenting baby's first year with his dog

Heidi took the photos herself (if you check out her blog, you'll see she's quite the creative type), and it's as if Lincoln and Roldy were made to pose together. It would seem to me a recipe for disaster. Let's think about this: baby + dog + costumes? Heidi is a brave soul.

the process

I asked Heidi a few burning questions about how she pulled it off.

wm: How did you get the idea to do this series of photos?

Heidi: We intended on doing the monthly photos with a stuffed animal, and when I was stressing about what stuffed friend to get, my husband suggested using Roldy. Brilliant. And I was upset that I didn't think of it myself.

wm: It seems like it wold be impossible to get a good shot with all of the unpredictable variables involved. How did you make it happen?

Heidi: I started with low expectations, figuring that I would give it a good effort to get a fun picture out of them, but not to the point where I was upsetting either. And we had a definite strategy in staging things. The camera settings were adjusted on an empty chair so I didn't waste their time. I took the pictures after Lincoln ate and had some time to play, so he was willing to sit for a bit. Roldy doesn't mind clothes or the bow tie, so he got dressed first, then we dressed Lincoln, then set Roldy in the chair, telling him to sit and stay (he already got a treat after getting dressed, so he was super focused). Then we set Lincoln in. Anthony (Heidi's husband) would step to the side, and then I would blast away with the camera while singing something crazy and twangy to get Lincoln's attention. The time spent taking pictures was literally about a minute, and I'd take about twenty shots. Then we'd choose our favorite.

Part of what I love about the first few months is that Lincoln was focused on Roldy for every picture. Maybe it was baby eye development, but I'm going to assume it was puppy love.

wm: How did Roldy behave during the process?

Heidi: After the first few months, when the good camera came out, Roldy became all business and followed me around trying to figure out what I wanted him to do that would earn him some treats. "Sit here? Do you want me over here? How about I sit here? Oh...the bow tie? Let me help!"

I think it was around seven months that I dared to take the pictures by myself. I took Lincoln out of the chair and took off his bow tie and got him changed and ready to go. I turned around, and Roldy was still sitting there in the chair waiting. He's a true professional.

wm: It sounds like the project was a lot of fun. Was it as fun and easy as you made it look?

I would say it was easy because Lincoln and Roldy are both so easy-going, but, even they would have burned out if everything wasn't ready to go and over after a few minutes. Preparation was key.

wm: Did Roldy and Lincoln mind wearing all of those costumes?

Heidi: I really tried to size things so that they would be comfortable for Roldy. So I took a normal party hat and made it much thinner (and glued on some felt) so that it would fit on top of Roldy's head. And I sized the elastic for each of them.

Once I realized that they both had great patience and a high tolerance for costumes, I pushed the limits a bit in their outfits, always knowing that things would stop right away if anyone was unhappy. Yes, I may get a perfect photo if I take more time, but it's not going to bring me any joy knowing that the moment was tense and everyone was pissed. I wanted to keep it real.

keeping it real: the outtakes

Heidi definitely kept it real. The photos, though clearly staged, have a naturalness to them, and you can see the personalities in both Roldy and Lincoln. I asked Heidi if she'd be willing to share a few outtakes, and she obliged.

Not even Roldy could resist that new baby smell when Lincoln was two months old.

Roldy goes in for more kisses in Lincoln's third month.

Ever-tolerant Roldy was patient with Lincoln no matter what.

Perhaps Roldy and Lincoln were discussing a new project for year two!

Heidi also took some fantastic seasonal photos that you must see.

Roldy and Lincoln celebrate fall in style.

Happy Halloween! Roldy as Zelda and Lincoln as Link.

Happy Presidents' Day to you Mr. Lincoln (Roldy) and Mr. Washington (Lincoln).

don't try this at home

Heidi and her boys did a great job documenting Lincoln's first year, but this type of thing isn't for the faint of heart. She never pushed her dog or her baby to do anything that made them uncomfortable, and she was willing to abandon the project if they didn't like it. You really have to have just the right dog/baby combo, or this could be downright dangerous. Know your dog and, as Heidi did, be sure that he is completely comfortable with the situation. He might get smacked or have his ear pulled...you need to be confident that your dog won't turn on your baby.

Heidi created fun, meaningful photos that her family will always treasure without torturing her baby or her dog. She placed their comfort first, which is likely one reason she was so successful.

Have you tried to take photographs with your pets and kids? How did you do?

In addition to being an awesome mom, pet parent, and photographer, Heidi has a wide range of creative talents including mural painting and tailoring, among other things. Check out her blog, and follow her on Facebook, Google+, Pinterest, and Instagram.

All photos taken and owned by Heidi Schatze and are used here with the artist's permission.

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the aspca reminds us about summer safety for pets: the top 5 summer hazards

July 4, 2015 Kristen Carr

With good reason, we often focus our pet safety efforts around 4th of July celebrations. The threat is real, as more pets go missing on that day of the year than any other. They flee because they are frightened and don't understand the loud noises from fireworks and the like. In addition to Independence Day dangers, summer, as a whole, can be a dangerous time for pets, so there are other summer hazards we need to consider. The ASPCA has created an infographic outlining the top five.

The ASPCA reminds us of the top five summer hazards for pets. Please keep your pets safe this season!

consider your particular climate and protect your pets from summer hazards

Here in Phoenix, Arizona, where temps commonly reach over 110° throughout the summer, we take special care to make sure our pets are safe. Though the extreme heat may seem more hazardous to our pets (and it can be if we don't take precautions), sometimes I think the extreme heat is a benefit. We don't mess around. There is NO QUESTION that our pets should not be left in a car or stand on concrete that can burn your skin off in a matter of seconds. Responsible pet owners keep their pets indoors, keep them well hydrated, and keep them protected.

In other regions, where it gets hot, but to a lesser degree, pets may be in even more danger. We may not think it's hazardous to keep Fido outside for an all-day celebration in 85° weather, but, in reality, he can become distressed and dehydrated quickly.

It's important to be mindful of your particular climate and know how it will affect your pets. Take all necessary precautions, as your pets are depending on you.

How do you keep your pets safe during the summer?

parenting pets vs. parenting humans: can we call a truce?

June 17, 2015 Kristen Carr

I'm sticking my neck out, here, I know. Lately I've noticed a ton of blog posts, Facebook posts, Tweets, and the like, on one side or the other of a particular issue: is parenting a pet the same as parenting a child? There are two extreme camps. Camp A says "my dog is my child," and Camp B says "dogs are not children" (substitute "dog" with "cat" or "mouse," or whatever your preferred critter is). The most common pet in question is the dog, so we'll focus on that. I just don't understand all of the controversy.

what's the gripe?

Some pet parents are furious and insulted that their pets will not be acknowledged by the world as children.

Some parents of human children are furious and insulted that pet parents would dare to call their pets "furbabies," "furkids," or (gasp) "children."

I think we all need to get over it. I am a pet parent and a parent of humans. I don't consider myself a part of either camp. I have friends in both camps. I am campless. I love my dog. I love my tortoise differently than I love my dog. And even the fish get some of my love, but it's different than how I love the tortoise or the dog. I love my step-kid. I love my biological kids differently than I love my step-kid. I love my biological kids differently than each other and differently than the pets. In my world, none of it is the same. Each is an individual, and each must be cared for and loved in it's own way. Does it matter to you what I call them? I love them all.

It seems that most of the people in Camp A admittedly don't have human children, so I'm not sure they qualify to compare their pet parenting to human parenting (I am sensitive to the fact that some of these people can't have children, and some have chosen not to). On the flip side, those in Camp B seem to be extremely offended by Camp A's declarations and are fighting back with a vengeance, which I think is a ridiculous waste of time on something that is really a positive aspect of the lives of so many. Lighten up.

In my opinion, people that see their pets as children seem to be more involved as pet parents, which I think is a great thing. So why do other people care what they call their pets or how strongly they feel about them? It's all good, people. There are plenty of other worthy causes that are actual problems that we can spend our time combatting. What if we took the energy we are spending fighting other parents of any kind and put it toward fighting puppy mills or child cancer, instead?

for the sake of argument

Though pet parenting has many similarities to human parenting, there are also many differences. I don't think we should argue, but for the sake of argument, let's look at some issues surrounding this topic that are most commonly debated:

OUTINGS: Though you can leave your pet home alone for brief periods, you can't do that with the human variety. WHO COMES OUT AHEAD? PET PARENTS. On the flip side, your human children can go everywhere with you, except the bar, so if you're looking for company, HUMAN PARENTS.

ENTERTAINMENT: Pets are usually good with a few minutes of fetch or a daily walk...maybe a bit of TV here and there. Human children must be constantly entertained. PET PARENTS FOR THE WIN!

SOUNDS: Barking vs. crying. Whining vs. whining. Farting vs. farting. I CALL IT A TIE.

SLEEP: Both pets and children will wake you in the middle of the night. Pets sleep a lot during the day, too, which gives them the edge. WHO HAS IT BETTER? PET PARENTS.

COST: Both pets and humans are expensive. Humans eat more, eat more often, require more clothes, require more expensive toys (no dog ever asked for an iPad for Christmas), and, oh, yeah...then there's the whole college thing. WHO GETS THE LONG STRAW? PET PARENTS.

EDUCATION: Pet training can be quite involved, but years and years of schooling and listening to your children whine about homework is a bit more intense. WHO HAS IT EASIER? PET PARENTS.

SUPERVISION: Sure, there are crates for dogs and cribs for babies, but once we're past that stage, it's much more difficult to catch a shower if you're the parent to human toddlers. THE VICTOR? PET PARENTS.

POOP: Diapers must be changed, but typically only for a couple of years. Pet parents have to deal with that shit for the life of the pet. THE WINNER: HUMAN PARENTS.

REPRODUCTION: You can't spay and neuter your human children. And then there are those awkward conversations that must be had. If you're dog is humping the couch pillow, we all get a good laugh and move on. Teenage pregnancy? Not a problem for pet parents. PET PARENTS STEAL THE VICTORY.

LONGEVITY: Typically, pets are only with their families for a relatively short time. We wish they could stay longer. WHO HAS IT BETTER? HUMAN PARENTS.

LOVE: Isn't this what it's all about? The end-all be-all. WHO WINS?

Love is love. And love is the most important thing. The love between parent and child or parent and pet is love, and you can never have too much. No competing here. EVERYONE WINS.

So who cares if pet parents choose to call their pets their "kids?" Who is it hurting? And for those of us who haven't parented humans? Perhaps we should not make strong declarations about how it's exactly the same as parenting a pet. It really isn't. In my opinion, we're kind-of all right, and we're kind-of all wrong.

Parents of any kind need support. Let's all be supportive of each other in our journeys to raise wonderful, beautiful living things. Can we call a truce?

10 activities to keep your kid and dog occupied this summer

June 12, 2015 Kristen Carr

Has summer boredom set in, yet? Are your kid and dog staring at each other looking for something to do? Look no further. Summer is a great time for kids and dogs to play together, and we've come up with some activity suggestions!

10 activities to keep your kid and dog occupied this summer

1. Enjoy outdoor dining. Whether you choose an at-home BBQ or a pet-friendly restaurant, summer is a great time to take advantage of outdoor dining. Most restaurants that accommodate pets will bring your pooch a bowl of water, and some even have doggie menus! Kids have a great time eating out with their dogs. They can provide each other with entertainment while you wait for your food.

2. Paint with water. Painting with water is cheap and easy and can provide hours of fun. All you need is a cup of water and a paintbrush. Your kid can go to town on the patio or sidewalk, and your pooch can cool his paws and make footprints. My daughter absolutely loves this activity. And it doesn't make a mess like paints!

3. Do crafts. Get your dog involved in summer crafts. Decorate a collar with felt flowers or buttons (make sure they are secure). Press your pooch's paw into a clay piece that your child can paint. Decorate a dog bowl with food-safe paints. If you're feeling really brave, roll out a long sheet of paper or poster board, let your kid and dog walk in paint, then make footprints across the paper. You may end up with a framable masterpiece!

4. Make frozen treats. Make popsicles AND pupsicles. Juice and fruit chunks work great for the kids. For your pooch, you can use a regular popsicle mold, a bowl, or even a kong. As for flavors? Chicken broth with kibble chips, plain yogurt with peanut butter, or even water with chicken bits frozen inside make great pupsicles! Your child will have fun making them and reaping the rewards with your pooch.

5. Go hiking or geocaching. In most parts of the country, summer is a great time to enjoy nature. Explore local hiking trails or take up geocaching, GPS-guided "treasure hunts." Your kids and your dog will love the adventure!

6. Go swimming or wading. Kids love swimming, and many dogs do, too! Make sure dogs and kids are both comfortable in the water before allowing them to swim together and aways keep safety first. No pool? Get yourself an inexpensive wading pool and let your kids and fur kids splash around to cool off.

7. Run through the sprinklers. As long as you aren't in a drought zone, running through the sprinklers is an awesome way for kids and pets to cool off together and can provide great exercise, too. Here in Arizona, most of us don't have sprinklers, so we use the garden hose as an alternative. There are even hose attachments specifically designed for this purpose to make things more fun.

8. Find a dog-friendly beach or park. Pet-friendly beaches can be hard to find, but they're out there. Play time by the lake is also a good option. No water nearby? Hit a dog-friendly park. Bring your frisbee and a picnic lunch, and don't forget your doo-doo bags!

9. Go camping. Kids and pets love the adventure of camping, and many campsites are pet friendly. Enjoy day hikes or just hanging out together enjoying the outdoors. Be sure to remember bowls and food for your pet, as well as a place for him to lay both during the day and for sleeping at night.

10. Vacation at a pet-friendly hotel. More and more hotels are now accommodating pets, some even making special provisions for them such as pet beds and doggie room service menus. Your kids will love being able to vacation with Fido. You'll need to research policies, because some accommodations do not allow a pet to be left unattended in the room, and some have size restrictions. You may incur an additional fee, but living the high life with your pooch is worth it, right?

Here in Phoenix, we have to be careful with ourselves and our pets during the summer months. Temps can rise up to 120° during the hottest part of the day, so we tend to limit outdoor activities to the early mornings or evenings. In other parts of the country, there may be other conditions to think about. Consider your climate when making activity choices, and consider safety.

safety tips

Always make sure your kids and dogs are well hydrated. Even when swimming, your dog can become dehydrated, so be sure to provide a fresh bowl of water before, during, and after any activity.

Avoid the hottest part of the day, and keep in mind that your dog's paws are sensitive to the hot ground. If it's too hot for you to walk barefoot, then your pet shouldn't, either.

Wear sunscreen! Kids AND dogs should wear sunscreen when outdoors for a prolonged period. Light-colored and short-haired breeds especially need protection. Special attention should be paid to areas of the skin not covered in fur. Use a pet-safe sunscreen in case your pooch decides to lick the area where it is applied.

Dogs with sort muzzles such as pugs and bulldogs are more prone to heatstroke due to the fact that it is harder for them to breathe. This can be made worse by hot temperatures, so take special caution not to overexert these dogs.

Always supervise children and pets around water.

Please pick up after your pooch. Aside from just being gross, poo left behind is unhealthy. Plus, when people leave their dog's "presents" behind, places are less-likely remain be pet-friendly.

Above all, have a blast summering it up!! How to you plan to keep your kid and dog occupied this summer?

This article, written by me, originally appeared on Brie Brie Blooms and is reposted here with minor changes with permission.

keeping your dog safe around the pool

June 8, 2015 Kristen Carr

We think about pool safety when it comes to our human children, but pool safety for dogs is often overlooked. The water can be enticing for most breeds, and it can be just as dangerous for them as it is for our children.

It is with great sadness that I share a recent tragedy with you. One of my pet sitting clients, Renee*, lost not one, but two, dogs to drowning in the past two weeks. Neither dog had ever been near their pool, and neither dog had shown the slightest bit of interest in the water prior to their drownings. When she told me about the passing of the first dog, I was heartbroken for her family. But when she told me about the second just a few days later, it was almost too much to bear. Both dogs were short-muzzled, elderly, and the home did not have a pool fence. Since there are no children in the home, the couple didn't feel the need for one. They have other pets. Renee says that they are installing a pool fence. She said, "I will never ever assume anyone is safe around the pool again. So tell your other pet parents do not let your pets near an open pool. If it is not fenced, then you need to be with them. Watching them."

Wait. What? Don't dogs naturally know how to swim?

Yes and no. Unlike humans, all dogs are genetically programmed to paddle in water. It's a survival skill, but it's not "swimming." Some dogs are naturals in the water, but some can't swim at all. If you have a dog and you have a pool, it's critical that you protect your pooch. Here are some things to consider:

first thing's first. who can't swim?

Though all dogs will paddle in water, some really can't swim based on anatomy. Dogs who aren't water friendly are:

dogs with short muzzles: Dogs with short muzzles such as Pugs and Pekingese are unable to hold their heads in a position to take on air instead of water. They are not good candidates for swimming.

dogs with short legs in proportion to their bodies: Dachshunds and similar breeds and mixes have a really difficult time paddling and staying afloat.

dogs with heavy heads: Perhaps the most important type of dog to steer clear of the water. Bulldogs' heads, for example, will quickly sink to the bottom of a pool.

So how can these types of dogs be part of the family pool party? If they are going to be around the pool, it's important that they wear a life vest. There are vests made just for dogs in all shapes and sizes. Another great idea for cooling off is a kiddie pool. Just a couple of inches that your pooch can lie in is a great way to include him in the fun.

all dogs and dog owners need to learn about pool safety

If you have a pool and you have a dog, chances are, he'll fall in at some point. He needs to know what do do.

Make sure your dog knows where and how to safely exit the pool.

Whether you plan to swim with your dog frequently, or you're simply wanting her to be safe around the pool, it is important to teach your dog how to get out of the pool. Your dog needs to know where to get out, whether it's a graduated entry, steps, or ladder. Teach your pooch to swim there, first, and make sure she can get out on her own. If she knows where to go to get out and how to get out, odds are, even if she falls in unexpectedly, she'll be able to navigate to that spot and get herself out. If she doesn't know, she may struggle against a side of the pool she can't get out of, eventually leading to exhaustion and drowning. There are special steps and ramps designed to make pool entry and exit easier for dogs, so if your pooch struggles with getting in and out of your pool, it's wise to look into these options.

Learn pet CPR. Though the idea is the same, pet CPR is quite different than human CPR. One basic difference is that CPR for dogs is done with the dog laying on it's side. Pet CPR courses are offered, and it's a great thing for any pet parent to take. I took mine at PetTech.

Teach your dog to swim. Swimming can be great exercise for dogs in good cardiovascular health, so be sure your water-loving pooch knows how to do it properly. One reason it's important for your dog to know how to swim properly is so he is calm in the water. A panicked or fearful dog may bite if you try to assist him in the pool. If he's calm and confident, he won't panic. Some dog trainers offer swim lessons.

We've all been told to wait to swim thirty minutes after eating to prevent cramping. Though that myth has pretty much been thrown out the window for humans, it holds true for dogs. Dogs–especially large breeds–are at risk for bloat if they swim on a full stomach. Allow your pooch time to digest her meal before swimming.

Be mindful of underwater pool features. Dogs may jump onto features beneath the surface of the water such as built-in stools or platforms, which can result in serious injury, such as broken bones. It's best not to have these types of features if your dog likes to swim, but, if that can't be avoided, be sure to steer your dog away from these features. Also be sure to remove pool vacuums before allowing your dog to swim. Dogs can become tangled in the tubing and risk drowning.

Though a refreshing splash in the pool can be great for water-loving dogs, hot tubs are a big no-no. Dogs can't tolerate the heat of a hot tub.

Remember that pool decks may become hot, especially during the summer months. If the deck is to hot for your feet, it is too hot for your dog's feet. Be sure you provide an area of shade where your pooch can stand so he doesn't burn his paws.

Some dogs like to lap out of the pool, but chlorinated water isn't really healthy for your pooch, especially in large quantities. Provide a fresh bowl of water next to the pool so your dog can stay hydrated.

No matter what, never leave your pet unattended around a pool. You should treat your pet as you would a small child. Pool fencing is an excellent idea. Make sure it is tall enough to keep your pet out, as some dogs will attempt to scale fences to access a pool.

clean up after a swim session

After you're done swimming for the day, remove all toys from the pool. This includes dog toys as well as human toys. If left in the pool, they become temptations, especially for water-loving dogs. You don't want your dog to try to reach a toy in the pool when he is unattended, so it's best to remove these things to be safe.

Wash and dry your dog. If your pool is chlorinated, rinse your dog of with the hose or a shower. Not only is chlorine a chemical that shouldn't be allowed to sit on the skin, it can be very drying to your pet's skin and coat. It's also a good idea to dry your dog's ears thoroughly after a swim to remove excess moisture and keep the ears healthy.

know your dog and make swimming a fun activity

Though there is a lot to consider regarding pool safety for dogs, swimming should be an enjoyable activity you can share with your pooch, and it is an excellent low-impact exercise because it puts very little strain on your pet's joints. If your pooch loves to swim, go for it. A dog who doesn't like the water should never be forced to swim. f your dog doesn't like the water, it's still important to teach basic safety such as where to exit if she falls in.

Does your dog like to swim? Do you plan to swim with your dog this summer?

This article, written by me, originally appeared on Brie Brie Blooms and is reposted here with minor changes with permission.

* Names have been changed.