top 10 apps for kids who love animals

Got a kiddo who is crazy about animals? There's an app for that. These days, you can find an app to satisfy almost any interest, but with so many options out there, how do we determine which ones are best for our kids? Look no further. We've summarized a selection of apps that are great for kids from toddlers to tweens. These apps will educate and entertain at minimal cost, and some are even free. Check out our top ten:

top 10 apps for kids who love animals

top 10 apps for kids who love animals

ANAMALIA: ages 5+, $2.99 ($3.99 for the iPad version)

This app pairs gorgeous illustrations with learning about animals, the alphabet, and vocabulary. 

Education: The Animalia app is based on an alphabet picture book of the same name. The graphics in the app mimic the gorgeous illustrations of the book, and three separate games help kids learn the alphabet and new vocabulary words. Excellent for emerging readers.

Fun Factor: In addition to being an e-book, this app has three guessing games that are fun and challenging, so they will keep your new reader interested and coming back for more.

Safety: Security is good, and this app is relatively safe. There is an option to share your score on Facebook. There are links to the author’s web site.

Platforms: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad

ANIMAL PLANET: TRIVIA CHALLENGE: ages 8+, $1.99

This wildlife trivia app incorporates video and puzzle questions.

Education: Elementary-aged kids and even pre-teens will enjoy learning and being quizzed about wildlife animals. There are multiple levels of difficulty, and the game is played in rounds. Kids will need strong reading skills, as each question has a fifteen-second time limit. 

Fun Factor: Scores are saved and tracked in the game center, and the challenge of answering trivia puzzles in different forms with a time-limit is exciting.

Safety: Link to more games from the developer and to the Discovery Chanel web site. Users can upload avatar photos, where their location, post on message boards, connect with Facebook and Twitter, and access live chat with strangers. These features can be turned off.

Platforms: Android, iPhone, iPodTouch, iPad 

BUBBLE GUPPIES: ANIMAL SCHOOL DAY: preschool, $2.99-$4.99

The characters from the popular Nick Jr. TV show, Bubble Guppies, take preschoolers on an interactive adventure as they learn about ten wild animals.

Education: Young children learn about the characteristics, habitat, and diet of ten wild animals. They tap, drag, swipe, and sort, so the app helps with developmental skills such as categorization and fine motor development. 

Fun Factor: Any fan of Bubble Guppies will love the interactive games, sprinkled with jokes and silly encouragement.

Safety: No safety concerns or in-app purchases.

Platforms: Android, iPhone, iPodTouch, iPad, KindleFire

PEEKABOO BARN FARM DAY: preschool, $2.99

Talk about adorable! This app will be a hit with the preschool crowd.

Education: This cute app is easy for young children to play. They are introduced to responsibility in taking care of the animals, which include a dog, cat, cow, sheep, duck, chicken, pig, and llama. Toddlers will also be exposed to the concepts of dawn, day, and night as they wake the animals, care for them, and put them to sleep. Though not all of the animal interactions are true-to life, it's a great first exposure to farm life for young animal lovers. Preschoolers can test their reasoning skills and creativity.

Fun Factor: The animals are adorable, and young children love the interactions and the fun of taking care of each animal from dawn to dusk. Wake the animals with a rooster crow, and put them to sleep at dusk. Kids can explore the app by tapping and discovering new interactions.

Safety: No personal information is collected. There is a link to "other apps," but written directions must be followed in order to access them, so it is unlikely preschoolers would be able to access the link.

Platforms: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad

POCKET ZOO WITH LIVE ANIMAL CAMS: ages 4+, $1.99

Learn about animal and watch them live on zoo webcams.

Education: Pocket Zoo lets us watch animals from zoos around the world via live webcams. It includes photos, animal facts, and animal sounds. You can look up animals from a list or from the "map" page, which looks like a zoo map. The combination of information provided with being able to check out the animals live is educational and fun for all ages.

Fun Factor: What could be more fun than checking out real animals on webcams? Older children can send email messages and tweets about what they are watching.

Safety: Though the email and tweet options are fun, they can be disabled for younger children, and require a username and password. There is a link to the Pocket Zoo store in the "more" section.

Platforms: Android, iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad

THE STRANGE AND WONDERFUL WORLD OF ANTS: ages 6+, $1.99

Who isn't fascinated by ants? This interactive ebook will satisfy any young scientist's curiosity. 

Education: I love the fact that this educational ebook offers three reading levels: beginner (with narration), intermediate, and advanced. The app offers detailed information about different types of ants. The illustrations are beautiful and engaging. The book even delves into what human society can learn from ants and the similarities and differences. Builds science, vocabulary, and reading skills.

Fun Factor: An ant treks across the screen and offers bonus information when tapped.

Safety: Outside resource links. 

Platforms: iPad

TOCA PET DOCTOR: preschool, $2.99

Toca Pet Doctor is a great first app for preschool aged kids who want to care for a virtual pet.

Education: This app introduces pet care and empathy for our youngest animal lovers. Children nurse fifteen sick or injured animals back to health. They use their reasoning skills to determine which simple cure will help the animals.

Fun Factor: The animals are super cute, and the app is "free-play," so there are no rules. It's easy to play and requires little if no guidance.

Safety: An icon on the main screen leads to another Toca app, but this can be disabled. No personal data is collected in the app.

Platforms: Android, iPhone, iPodTouch, iPad, KindleFire

TOUCH PETS DOGS (2)/TOUCH PETS CATS (2): ages 8+, free

Two apps, one for dogs, and one for cats, these are part silly and part real with a great message for elementary-aged kids.

Education: Kids will virtually care for their pets and watch them thrive as they make real-world decisions. The apps encourage pet adoption over purchasing, which is a great message. Kids learn about basic pet care, responsibility, ethics and respect.

Fun Factor: You can take your pets on missions, and be silly as dogs and cats work towards career goals. The satisfaction of doing a great job caring for pets and watching them thrive is fun, in itself.

Safety: This app is designed for elementary-aged kids. There are in-app purchases and post the status of their pet to social media. 

Platforms: Android, iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad

WORLD BOOK'S WORLD OF ANIMALS: ages 7+, $4.99

The World Book's World of Animals app allows an in-depth, comparative look at over 200 animals with beautiful pictures.

Education: With over 200 living and extinct animals to explore, this app teaches about detailed characteristics. Each animal has its own page that includes photos and information about the species, scientific name, physical characteristics, diet, habitat, predators, and conservation status. Animals can be browsed and even compared and ranked based on various characteristics. Multiple-choice quizzes test kids on what they have learned.

Fun Factor: The beautiful pictures and ability to compare animals will keep kids coming back for more. It's like an interactive encyclopedia! The interface is easy and encourages exploration.

Safety: No discovered security concerns.

Platforms: iPad

ZOOLA Animals: preschool, free lite version/full version $3.99

Little ones will love the animal sounds and pictures. Common Sense Media describes it as "the 21st-century version of the See 'n' Say pull-the-string toy."

Education: Preschoolers will see real animal pictures, hear the animal sound, and identify the animal. Simple interface and multiple pictures of the same type of animal will reinforce identification. Children can start to distinguish between adult and baby animals as well as male and female.

Fun Factor: Toddlers and preschoolers love to see the animal pictures and hear the animal sounds. There are animal identification games, and you can even submit your own photos with your own pets.

Safety: No in-app purchases. You can submit your own photos, but this is likely too complicated without parental help. 

Platforms: Android, iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Kindle Fire

guidelines are great, but always consider your child's individual needs 

When it comes to getting the scoop on apps I’m considering for my children, I like to make sure that the programs my children are interacting with are appropriate and of high quality. I always turn to Common Sense Media when doing my research. Common Sense Media is a fantastic web site that rates apps, video games, and movies from the perspectives of the manufacturer/proucer, parents, and kids. The site provides the most well-rounded look at things that I’ve come across.

Every kiddo is different, so the age ranges noted here are guidelines. Some younger kids are ready to explore more advanced apps, and some older children might not yet be ready for the more challenging apps. Always research for yourself and select the best apps for your children based on their interests and ability levels.

Has your child tried any of these apps? Do you or your child have any favorite animal apps to share? We'd love to hear your thoughts and suggestions!

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

All images courtesy of commonsensemedia.org

8 photos of #happiness

Dog Mom Days, one of my favorite blogs, was kind enough to invite me to participate in spreading some joy around this joint! Sometimes I'm guilty of letting the hamsters in my brain take over, so it's kind-of nice to just think about happy and choose some photos that make me feel that way. I hope they make you feel that way, too. 

Pass on the happiness!

A special thanks to Ariel's Little Corner of the Internet for starting this rainbow-of--fun shin-dig! What a spectacularly fabulous happy idea!

my 8 photos of happiness

Though my own animals make me very, very happy, I've chosen a few photos that best represent the happiness my life as a pet sitter brings. 

This lovely lady, posing so politely with my Jr. Pet Sitters (aka, my fabulous littles), makes me appreciate that my children sometimes sacrifice play time and endure days-long pet sitting adventures with me. My children know compassion for animals, have a tiny bit of work ethic, respect my clients' homes and furry family members, and are great helpers when it comes to play time and cuddles. I love them so, and this photo exemplifies their respect and caring for animals and for me. It makes me happy.

When I started my official super-really-real (as opposed to the neighborhood kid coming over) pet sitting business ten years ago, this dude was one of my first clients. Several cities later for both of us, we were reunited a few months ago (when this pic was taken), and though he's struggling with some health issues that make me sad, Being back together with my bud makes me happy. 

This one puts a spring in my step! How can this one not make anyone happy? What made me especially happy was taking a pretty rockin' pic of a black dog...SO hard to achieve!

Not the greatest pic, but this really speaks to the love I have for my clients' pets. For me, it's never been about dropping food and heading out. We share moments and we bond, and this captures that happiness I have when I'm hanging out with my best friends.

This was an early morning game of fetch with some special pooches. Their family was one of my first clients. None of these dogs was in the family when I first started caring for their pets. We've been through passings and happy times, and a lot together. This captures the personalities of these three, how we play together, and how fun they are, which makes me happy. 

This pic I took just a couple of days ago. It's gotten a bit of attention because no one (on the ENTIRE planet, it seems) has ever seen a Husky in a desert environment. It makes me happy to let people know that we love (and take good care of) Huskies in the desert (this was an early morning walk, but temps were approaching 90 degrees). This guy is a brand new client of mine, and he's had some challenges in the past, so it makes me happy to let him shine.

This one's a bit goofy, but that's me and one of my favorite chickens. Most of my clients are dogs and cats, but I have several "alternative pets," and she's one of my faves. She gives me shit sometimes, but she also lets me pick her up and cuddle her. Bonding with animals who are a bit of a challenge is so rewarding. We're solid. Happy!

One of my clients. Need I explain? Perhaps one of my favorite funny pics I've ever taken. This. Guy. Rocks.

Thanks for checking out our happy!

I'd love to tag some others, so here are the rules:

1. Thank the person that tagged you.

2. A shout-out to the originator of the fun, Ariel's Little Corner of the Internet.

3. Post 8 photos that make you happy.

4. Brief description of each picture.

5. Tag up to 10 more people.

tag, you're it!

Hybrid Rasta Mama

Brie Brie Blooms

Mommies in Orbit

Love is Being Owned by a Husky

SoberVeganLesbian

Vegas Rock Dog

natural pet products from @PL360 pet get the job done #giveaway

About five years ago, our family decided (I decided and dictated my mission) to go chemical-free in our home. I'm pretty sure we've tried it all. I'll be honest: natural cleaners don't always work as well as the hard stuff. We have found a handful of brands that we trust to get the job done the natural way, and I am happy to share with you that we have discovered a great new line of natural, plant-based products to add to our go-to list. PL360 is "for pet lovers everywhere," and has created a line of safe, natural products with our furry friends in mind. 

Natural pet products that get the job done from PL360 Pet. Plus, a giveaway for you and your favorite pet charity!

PL360 sent me products in exchange for my honest review. PL360 is not responsible for the content of this article. All opinions are my own.

PL360's products

(PL360's lineup includes the following:)

Grooming. Even Fido wants to look and feel good. This lineup of stellar plant-based grooming products gets the job done the natural way. 

Household. Pets are even more sensitive than we are when it comes to the cleaners we use around the house. Cleaning the natural way is super important.

Health. Natural supplements promote a healthier lifestyle for your dog. No need to introduce chemicals when we are trying to boost our pet's wellness.

PL360's philosophy

PL360's products are serious, but their philosophy is lighthearted and heartfelt:

Our best lessons in gratitude, love and compassion often come from our pets. The same goes for what we know about playing freely and living fully. Each day, or pets look at us like we are superheroes, not knowing they are the ones who inspire us.

To repay them for their devoted, unconditional love, we owe them everything we know about their wellbeing. That's why for 14 years we've made it our mission to create products that keep our pets healthy, happy and clean.

trying PL360's natural products

PL360 sent us a few of their natural products to try out: three products from their household line as well as the all-in-one pet shampoo and conditioner from their grooming line.

We tried some of PL360's natural household products.

When I first used the multi-surface cleaner and multi-surface cleaning wipes, I was surprised that there was virtually no fragrance, which, in my book, is a great thing. The cleaner has a mild, almost imperceptible citrus scent, while the fragrance-free wipes just smell fresh. Neither has ammonia, bleach, phosphates, phthalates, or sulfates. The containers suggest I use them on dog and cat toys, water and food dishes, small animal cages, countertops, stainless steel, tiles, walls, and cabinets. Check, check, and check. These cleaners did a great job, and I can feel safe using them even on things N.A.S.H.A. puts into her mouth or eats from. I also used the multi-surface cleaner on my tile floor when a visiting pooch mistook it for the potty. Oops. No fear! PL360 came to the rescue!

All of PL360's natural products are safe for pets–awesome!

Just a sprinkle of PL360's carpet powder did the trick.

I haven't used carpet powder in YEARS. I love the idea of it, but most of them are filled with fragrances I can't handle and chemicals I refuse to subject my family to. PL360's carpet powder combines baking soda with plant-based neutralizers to eliminate odors and contains no ammonia, bleach, phosphates, phthalates, or sulfates.

Hmmmm...we have this one rather pet-ish smelling area of carpet in our upstairs hallway, so I decided to see if the claims held true. Though the powder was fairly fragrant as I was sprinkling it and while I gave it a few minutes to dig in, it was no where near as potent as other powders I've used in the past. Once I vacuumed it up, only a mild, fresh scent was present. Over the next few hours, I didn't smell anything. No scent, and no doggy odor. Neutralized! A success, in my book, and I'll be happy to use this carpet powder again. As an aside, I love how openings on the top are labeled "little mess" and "big mess." A product that works and makes me smile...awesome.

Since my house was squeaky clean, I couldn't leave scruffy N.A.S.H.A. to dirty it all up again, so into the bath she went with PL360's all-in-one shampoo & conditioner in the "fresh pomegranate" variety. PL360 asked me about N.A.S.H.A.'s coat to be sure I was getting the grooming product best suited for her. If you've been here reading my blog before (thanks for coming back), you know that N.A.S.H.A.'s thin, dry coat is helped by natural supplements, but she still tangles easily. The all-in-one PL360 sent me says it is a "deep conditioning formula for dogs with coarse, dry coats that are prone to shedding and tangling." 

Can you tell how thrilled N.A.S.H.A. is to be taking a bath?

N.A.S.H.A. is never a big fan of the bath, but we got her in and got her started. My daughter helped me scrub her clean, and I will say that she did smell more like a fresh pomegranate than a wet dog. We loved how well it sudsed up in N.A.S.H.A.'s fur. N.A.S.H.A.'s favorite part of the bath is always the drying off process...a little on the towel, and a lot on the carpet (which I'd thankfully just cleaned with carpet powder) and a lot on the couch. We waited for her to fully dry, then gave her the brush test. Her fur usually tangles, so, just like brushing my daughter's hair, I'm often met with complaints, but after using PL360's shampoo & conditioner, her fur was easily brushed and silky soft! 

Check out that sudsing action!

After a towel-dry, we give N.A.S.H.A. a sniff test. Fresh Pomegranate!

The most important factors for me when selecting products for my family and my home are safety and effectiveness. PL360 checks those boxes, and more. Their products are created specifically for people with pets, and we all know how messy life is with furry family members. Now no one else has to know (wink). Though their products are ultra safe and effective, PL360 doesn't take themselves too seriously. Their product descriptions and packaging are light-hearted and approachable, which almost makes cleaning fun. 

We're giving away two PL360 product packs just like the one we received! We'll choose one winner at random. You'll receive one product pack for yourself, and we'll send another to your favorite charity. Pretty great, right?

We know you'll love PL360 as much as we do! Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

top 10 crazy pet sitting stories in honor of our 10th anniversary

July 2015 marks the 10th anniversary of Well Minded pet sitting. Though I dabbled in pet sitting for many years prior, I decided to make it my full-time career in 2005 when my family moved from California to Arizona. This career has allowed me to meet so many wonderful animals and their families, some of whom have been with me since it all began. It has also allowed me to be a work-from-home mom. My kids, now eight and six years old, are my junior pet sitters and have been making visits with me since they were each less than a month old. I feel fortunate to be able to do what I love and incorporate my kiddos into the "family business." 

I've been reflecting on the past ten years and remembering special clients and unique moments. Working with animals can be unpredictable. Though my years of experience help me through most situations, there have been lots of curve balls along the way. Ever wonder what it's like to be a pet sitter? I can tell you that every visit is unique, and I learn from each new experience. In honor of our 10th anniversary, I'm sharing my top 10 crazy pet sitting stories.

Top 10 Crazy Pet Sitting Stories in Honor of our 10th Anniversary.

top 10 crazy pet sitting stories

1. The time I had to hand-feed an attack poodle. If I met this dog today, I wouldn't take the job. But since Paco* came to me in my first year, I was hungry for work and cocky enough to think I could charm any animal, a la Caesar Milan. Paco's mom was an elderly lady who was taking a rare 10-day trip to see her children and grandchildren. During the consult, I did find it odd that she insisted I hand-feed bologna to the teacup poodle, but who was I to argue. Paco barked at me a little bit during the consult, but seemed calm enough as his mama demonstrated their elaborate feeding ritual. 

Everything changed when I came for my first visit. He went bat-shit-crazy, barking and snarling at me. He didn't want to come near me, so I sat on the couch opposite him and didn't make any eye contact. For an hour, he snarled at me. Hand-feeding wasn't an option, so I would toss him bologna like he was a shark. Determined to break his snarling and win him over, I put on leather gloves to try to hand-feed him. He would snarl and bite the gloves as I gingerly handed over the Oscar Meyer. In addition to his off-putting demeanor, he had terrible rotten, stinky teeth (on a diet of nothing but bologna...go figure). After a few days of that, I realized that he was going to hate me no matter what. And the feeling was mutual. So I'd toss the food (if you can call it that) in a bowl and would plop on the couch with a book for the duration of the visit.

We got to the point where he would only snarl if I looked at him. I called it a breakthrough and broke up with the client upon her return.

I learned that if a dog won't really warm to you in a consult, it only gets worse from there.

2. The time I traveled the trifecta. Holiday season 2005. I was living in one city while our home was being built 20 miles away in another. In the interest of building my business, I accepted holiday jobs in both cities, and a third, which was the final point in a triangle of 20-mile-away cities. I had one morning, afternoon, and evening visit to make in each city. We had family in town for the holidays and I didn't get to see them at all. I would leave at 5:00 a.m. and return at 10:00 p.m., driving about a million miles each day. I think I spent more money in gas than I made.

I learned to limit my service area. 

3. The time I broke bones. I was walking Ruthie, the sweetest pit bull mix ever. We rounded the corner, and there was a man checking the mail with his three dogs right next to him. It was only when they charged us that I realized they were not leashed. They attacked poor Ruthie, and she wouldn't fight back (pit bull haters take note). I held onto the leash, was pulled down and drug as I tried to pull Ruthie from the pile while the owner of the other dogs pulled them off her one by one. 

Ruthie came out of it without a scratch, somehow. I, on the other hand came out with three broken fingers (not to mention quite a few scrapes). Two surgeries and six months of physical therapy later...I still have crooked fingers that hurt every day.

I learned that no dog should be out of the control of their owner. Ever. I avoid other dogs when I'm on a walk with a client's dog, always. 

4. The time the ambulance came for me.  I had a heart condition, and I suddenly fell very ill at a client's home. Thank goodness my children were not with me. I called my husband at work and asked him to come right away. I'll spare you the gory details of the condition I was in, but suffice it to say I couldn't stand or walk despite repeated attempts. He asked me to call 911, but I knew I had to give a diabetic dog an injection, so I told him I wouldn't call until he got there and was sure he could give the injection. If he couldn't, then he'd have to carry me to the dog to do it. 

When he got there, I was lying on the bathroom floor. We called 911, and in the moments we waited, I instructed him on how to give an injection to a dog. He was very nervous, but pulled it off and fed them and cared for them before following the ambulance to the hospital.

I learned that a back-up plan is critical. When you think something can't go wrong, it does. (I've had heart surgery, and now I'm all good.)

5. The time a game of fetch went south. A classic game of backyard fetch with an ultra-friendly pooch. What could go wrong? We played, and played, and played. The dog was large and the yard small, so I was tossing underhand, palm down (swinging from the hip with the back of my hand on the upside of the ball, like modified bowling). The dog got excited and playfully charged the ball, only my hand was in the way. His upper fang got stuck in the back of my hand.

I probably should have had a stitch in it, but I'm stubborn and foolish sometimes. Ask my friends.

I learned that even happy dogs can cause injury.

6. The time the dog locked me out. This family recently (and beautifully) landscaped their back yard. They requested that I let the dogs out one at a time, and accompany the outside dog. Apparently, the dogs would destroy the landscaping as a team, but were less likely to disturb things going out solo. I followed instructions.

I took Tango outside first and left Sparky inside. Sparky wanted in on the fun and was quite excited, so she started jumping up and down at the slider. Up and down, up and down, up and down...click. In her flurry to join us, she clicked the lock down. Tango and I outside, her and the key and my phone inside. 

I walked about a mile to another client's house to use their phone to call my husband to bring the back-up key from my office. I went back to Tango and Sparky's in hopes that the landscaping was still in tact. It was. Instead, I could only watch as Sparky drug the bathroom trash to the window and teared through each piece before my eyes, taunting me as I waited for the backup key.

I learned to keep a client's house key and my cell phone on my body at all times.

 7.  The time I found out more about a family than I needed to know. The characters: Two barking dogs. Three talking birds.

The dogs would bark, and bark, and bark at me, at a tree, at each other, and at the wind. It was quite irritating. The birds revealed how the family handled the situation. About five minutes into the bark-fest, I hear:

"SQUAK! QUIET!"

"SQUAK! SHUT UP!"

"SQUAK! DAMN IT!"

 I learned to keep my mouth shut at that house and any other with a talking bird. And I had a good laugh.

8. The time I scared the shit out of a dog. Poor thing. Poor me. It was a big English Sheepdog, and I was instructed to let her out of her upstairs crate and into the backyard. The poor thing was quite fearful of me. As soon as I opened her crate, she bolted toward the stairs which curved twice leading downstairs. As she rounded the staircase, she let her bowels loose and sprayed feces in a fanned-out pattern ALL OVER the staircase walls. 

I learned to always ask a client where they keep their cleaning supplies.

9. The time I was sure a dog would choke. Oh, Quincy. One of my all-time favorites, but not the sharpest tack. The small terrier was rummaging behind a bush, but I didn't think much of it. Dogs nose around in bushes all the time. When he emerged, I saw he had something quite large in his mouth. 

A dove. He had a dead dove the size of his head in his mouth. I slowly approached him to retrieve it, knowing that if I tried to get to him too quickly, he'd bolt. As I approached, I calmly requested Quincy to drop the bird. 

He looked up at me and swallowed it in one gulp. If I didn't see it with my own two eyes, I wouldn't think it possible. He then went about his business as if he'd not just swallowed something the size of his head.

I learned that when it comes to dogs and prey, the impossible is possible.

10. The reunion. Perhaps my favorite memory. When I first opened for business ten years ago I was contacted by a very nice couple with a puppy named Clinton. I cared for Clinton regularly for a couple of years, and we had a special bond. Then the couple moved away. Then I moved. Then they moved. Then I moved. They had a couple of kids, and so did I.

A couple of months ago, I received an email from Emily, Clinton's owner. She said she'd found my web site and wondered if I serviced her area (not really, but close enough). She wondered if I'd be Clinton's pet sitter again. 

So now I am. He's not a puppy any more, and neither am I.

I learned that bonds with animals survive over time and distance.

After ten years, I can definitely call myself a pet sitting veteran. I've seen a lot and experienced a lot. Mostly positive, with a dash of "what did I get myself into?" But every situation has been a learning experience, making me a stronger, wiser pet sitter. I'm fortunate to be able to be paid to do what I love. 

Here's to another ten years of making crazy memories!

* In the interest of privacy and security (and to save off embarrassment), names have been changed.

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

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).

Top o' the mornin' to you! 

Happy Easter from some cute buns. 

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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