PORTRAITS

 Recently, half the pictures I take feel like portraits, especially those I take of dogs.

 

They just have such obvious personalities. Personalities? Well, it's the most fitting word I can think of, even though it is not supposed to apply. Look at the pug above, he looks anxious, doesn't he. Does not want get run-over by the larger dogs.

On the left is Bear. She is old and very sweet. When all the other dogs are zooming around the dog park she will  amble stiffly through the humans, looking for someone to rub her ears.

You kinda knew that from the picture, right?

 


The dog in the top picture is my baby. He is sweet, smart, goofy and socially awkward, which does not in the least stop him from having fun with the other dogs and any human he can recruit. But again, you could tell that from the picture, right?

Cause these are not pictures. They are portraits.

 This female, named Ella, has one of the most beautiful coats I have ever seen. Just watching her move, muscles visibly curving under sleek taupe fur, is joy. Her sweetness, combined with so much strength, feels like a dispensation from the commonplace.

 

 Plus,  she also has a sense of humor. 

 
Humor? Oh yes, I've met dogs with a sense of humor.  And if you mention dogs and humor you have to give a shout-out to the comeliest comedian in any house: the poodle. In fact, I have heard it said that poodles are hard to train as guide dogs. While loving, they are just not quite submissive enough. Meaning, that they will play jokes on their people. Fine in regular life, not so good for a guide dog. Thank God they are as sweet as they are smart.Plus, they like to hold your hand. With their mouths. Very gently. And pull you to where you need to go. My mom used to tell our standard poodle to go get my dad and me when dinner was ready. And so she would.

This little guy above is obviously quick and affectionate. While the big guy below has seen his share of life and aquired whatever dog wisdom there is.

                                                             

  So, see this girl with her shiny pink collar? Not hard to tell she's a lovebug.

While this fellow needs plenty of excercise or he get rammy and eats the sofa.

While this girl wants a lap to sit in and as many humans as possible to tell her how wonderful she is.

Well, you get the point. Funny how accessing a moment with a camera helps you to find out what you've always sorta known, but now you can know it better.

So the next time you're at the dog park, look around and enjoy.