Started the morning by partially cleaning my office so I could get to work on some more Holiday orders.  Anybody else out there that likes to do a little tidying before digging in?

After getting to emails, voice mails, I heard that familiar sound rumbling down the street.  No jingle bells, just that purple/blue icon.   I sprang to feet and what did I see?  My Fed Ex Santa, minus the reindeer!

So with a Canvas Cluster and more packages to unwrap and then wrap up again, I know what I’ll be doing tomorrow!  If you’re waiting for your order, now you know where it is.  Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas and Kwanzaa!  

The S8200 now sports 14.1 megapixels with a 25mm – 350mm range. It a layperson’s language that means you can photograph a scene that’s more wide OR zoom way in to photography something that’s far away from you. With Vibration Reduction, most camera shake is a thing of the past. If you don’t want to download your images until you get back home, pony up for a good SD card. I took the Sandisk Extreme Pro 16 GB card with me to Turkey. Lexar also makes excellent cards and I use them as well.

If you’re a Canon fan, check out the Powershot SX230 HS. At 12.1 megapixels, you have plenty of resolution for large blow-ups. This lens is 28mm – 392mm, so again, you have plenty of range in a nice, lightweight compact. while both the Nikon and Canon give you the 1080p HD Video, and 3.0 wide LCD‘s for viewing your images, you might enjoy playing with the built-in GPS unit for tagging your images on Flickr.

One other nice camera in the compact line is the Panasonic Lumix ZS10. You’ve gotta love the Lumix line for their Leica lenses (very sharp)! This puppy sports a 24mm wide to 384mm long lens, giving you lots of range to photograph everything you see. Toss is the 1080p video, GPS function tags and you’re ready to go. Price: $314  This one is catching my eye!

http://www.nikonusa.com/Nikon-Products/Product/Compact-Digital-Cameras/26288/COOLPIX-S8200.html

Nikon S9200

http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/consumer/products/cameras/digital_cameras/powershot_sx230_hs

http://shop.panasonic.com/shop/model/DMC-ZS10S

Panasonic LUMIX DMC-ZS10s

These are powerful, lightweight cameras that are nice to travel with.  Don’t forget your iPhone either!  Just remember to download your images and print out your favorites.  Or go to www.blurb.com and make a book of photos that tell your story.

Dogs and Their Women is 75 pages filled with the wonderful stories and moving photographs of 29 women who share the stories of their lives with dogs.  From the moment they met at a dog rescue/Humane Society to their walks on the beach, and playful, mischievous moments, you’ll laugh and cry as they bring you into their intimate lives with their dogs.  From 5 years to 85 years old, these girls/women open up and share what it is about dogs that makes their lives together so interwoven and precious.  In everyone of their stories, I see the familiar bonds with my dogs.  You will too!

Georgeanne, at 85 is still learning from her dog Nile:  ”I thinks he’s still trying to teach me patience and that life is lived one moment at a time.  The other day I got up and went into the kitchen to get more coffee and when I came back my muffin was gone.”

Nile, the muffin thief

You’ll surely howl when you read about Rebecca and Hudson.  If there ever was a “Marley and Me” dog, Hudson is it!   Here’s an excerpt of his great adventure when he got loose and followed a man through the door into Home Depot. “Let’s face it, Home Depot is NO place for a dog.  Well, unless you’re Hudson.  The concrete floors make it super fun to skid across, and the acoustics make the shrieking of innocent bystanders like rocket fuel to REALLY REV YOU UP.  If I was in a better mood, I’d have been clapping and screaming and singing my own rendition of “GO GREASE LIGHTN’IN. . . GO GO GO” but instead, I was standing there, mouth open, tears streaming down my face, just watching, as my dog was flying over displays of light bulbs stacked like a pyramid, jumping over riding lawn mowers, zipping past paint displays, knocking over small children, racing past plates of glass, shower stalls, laundry detergent, plumbing hoses, hardware, light fixtures, toilets, fencing, lumber, out into the garden area, through the sprinklers, back into lawn furniture.  ”Excuse me miss.”  It was the Store Manager– he’s holding my missing dog’s leash and attached collar.  ”Miss. . .Miss. . . there are city ordinances against this.”   To read the rest of this story and more, go to www.blurb.com and order the book.  You won’t want to miss the last Hudson story with the lilac tree!!

He Looks So Innocent in That Tie!

When I met Sharon and Laila Ali (Bug), I knew a special bond existed between them and Bug was only 6 months old.  She was the first dog adopted out from the new Ozaukee Humane Society. As a Besenji mix, Sharon explained that African bush hunters would carry their dogs across the back of their necks, to and from the hunting grounds.  She told me that the first time she tried this with Laila Ali, she immediately relaxed.  But don’t let that calm demeanor fool you!  ”When my son’s Pit Bull, Beverly, visits, Laila believe she should have all of the food and toys.  She very sweetly, coyly, slyly approaches Beverly with smiles and puppy bows, gently licks the toy/bone in Beverly’s possession, and then slowly pulls it away.  Luckily, Beverly is very good-natured and allows this repeatedly.”  Or imagine this:  ”I am always catching her in some odd act and then she freezes in place staring at me; for instance, one she had her back feet on the seat of the exercise bike and her front paws on the handles bars.  For me and my personality, an obedient dog is great, but one that is also mischievous–so that I have to be clever, observant and patient enough to understand and relate to–is fascinating and fun!”

The View Is Better From Here Mom!

If you’re enjoying these little snippets from the book, you’re sure to love the book in it’s entirety!  ALL PROCEEDS from the sale of this book will benefit dog rescue organizations.  So whether it’s a softcover, hardcover or ebook, you’ll be helping the mission of dog rescue organizations – from small breed specific rescues to rural Humane Societies.  Over 5 million dogs are euthanized each year.  Let’s put a big dent in that number!  Please pass this blog URL onto all the dog lovers you know, or those who would love to buy a dog gift for their loved one.  You can also follow the progress of this book and the subsequent distributions of money, on my Facebook page:  Peggy Morsch – Dogs and Their Women

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Peggy-Morsch-DOGS-THEIR-WOMEN-project/101651757807

Save the date: February 4. 2012 for The Great Lakes Pet Expo at State Fair Park, where I’ll be selling signed books at my booth, near the entrance.

In 2012, I’ll begin working on Men and Their Dogs, Volume One and Dogs and Their Women, Volume Two.  If you or someone you know would like to be included in these volumes, please contact me on Facebook (Peggy Morsch) or through my website, www.peggymorsch.com/contact

Tonya Lewis Lee speaks at The Women's Fund of Greater Milwaukee conference

Tonya Lee Lewis makes a point about the health of children and families

She spoke about her work and the need to improve the physical, emotional, psychological and spiritual lives of children and families.  One comment I remember was the need to change how women tend to “shoo” men away when a newborn enters the family and all the women huddle around, insisting that “it’s women’s work.”  While a mother herself, she reminded women that she’s learned that even though she has a professional degree and experience as an attorney, she now knows that her most important job in her life is that of a mother.  Amen.

Tonya with Margaret Hennigsen - Chairwomen of The Women's Fund of Greater Milwaukee

Prior to the main speaker at this event, an earlier panel of 4 women shared their professional and personal experiences with child sex trafficking in Milwaukee.  As I popped in and out of the Social Change Exchange panel’s room to photograph the speakers/attendees, I heard these women describe the hard to hear experiences of young girls who are groomed into becoming sex traffickers as early as  7 and 8 years of age.  The “emotional grooming” that occurs at this age, along the beatings and psychological deprivation that occurs, made it hard to listen to.  Most of us have no idea that this is even possible, but my stomach turned when I heard that Milwaukee is a “hub” for training young girls and boys.  This poster speak volumes about those who can’t speak for themselves because they’ve been told that no one will believe them if they tell another person what’s happening to them.

Observe for signs, speak up, and speak out for girls, women and boys.

The Women’s Fund of Greater Milwaukee exists to make social change through the lives of women and girls.  They believe in using philanthropic power to make a world that is just and fair.  Their mission is good and their numbers are strong so change is already in motion in Milwaukee.

(Tech notes:  Nikon D3s, 24-70mm f2.8 lens and 70-200mm f2.8 lens, ISO 6400 for speaker photos with monopod)

Is spite of 35-40 mph winds whipping the area on Saturday, I headed out with a favorite family to Hubbard Park.  Hoping for some natural wind block down by the river, we knew the wind was still going to get us so we decided to ‘go with it.’  Dad tossed his daughter into the air and the very essence of that father/daughter relationship was captured.   Sophia seems to fly as she laughs at the feeling of  zero gravity.  Here’s to all the dad’s that instill that sense of adventure into their daughters lives, teaching them that taking a risk can be fun.  Taking a risk is always fun when you have the hands of your father to fall back into!  I’m thankful for that gift from my own father, who told me that I could do anything I wanted to.

I Can Fly!

One of the other things that touches my heart is dogs and how they fill a special place in the lives of those who live with them.  This family has an older Border Collie and recently got a new, younger model of the same breed.  At 4 months, Finn is full of energy, but the 4 kids in his life have a way of dissipating that in him.  As I attempted to get a shot of the 2 boys with Finn, I really wanted them to kiss the side of his face, simultaneously.  A ‘canine take’ on an old theme.  Instead, what I got would probably have been an edit-out to some photographers.  Instead, I love how Finn’s timely blink gives the appearance of being in absolute heaven with his newfound brothers.  Tell me  - what  do you think Finn would be thinking at this moment

"Oooh, I love my forever brothers!"

Yesterday I moved onto Naga Waukee Park with another dog family.   The one image mom was hoping for was her labs busting through the water after their ball.  After coaching dad, the ball thrower, we took off our shoes and socks, rolled up our pant legs and headed into the cold water of Lake Nagawaukee.  (was so glad to only have my legs in the water!)  Dad got the ball toss down quickly and Triton, the ball-driven black lab, played right into my script.

Target locked-on!

Splashdown!

Earlier, I had been photographing Triton’s brother, Zeus.  On land, Zeus was all over the ball – sprinting after it and leaping into the air to grab it before Triton could get close.  In the water, however, the opposite happened.  Zeus lagged behind and seemed like a totally different dog.  It made me think about how we all have aspects of our lives that we’re good at.   While we have to work or practice to be better in certain areas or subjects, everyone has a strong point – an ace in their hand.  Triton and Zeus remind me that even if I don’t readily see in other their strong assets, those assets are still there.  Perhaps the right ball has not yet been tossed their way.  Don’t forget to wait for it.

Airborne catch

(Images of dogs in water made with Nikon D3S camera settings on Continuous High, Center-Weighted metering, and 11 frames per second at ISO 400, f 4, 1/2000.)

Those of us that identify with one of these groups, are healthier spiritually, physically, and mentally when our loved ones, and those we interact with on a regular basis, accept us for who we are.  This love and acceptance builds self-esteem and translates into a feeling of worthiness, leads to a sense of purpose, and a provides a positive sense of self.  Who wouldn’t want to work, play and interact with people like that?

Love: give it, accept it!

When I was asked to participate in this project, I readily accepted.  It started with photographing groups of people that are LGBT and their straight allies.  I met a variety of people:  direct-line family members like parents, grandparents, cousins, uncles & nieces.  Then it was co-workers, pastors, and friends of the LGBT participants.  As a photographer, I knew that each group would be photographed first and then they’d be interviewed by Kofi Short, at Diverse and Resilient.  It was challenging to quickly come up with new ideas and coax out their relationship to one another, as literally, one group after another, reported to my studio.  You know, not everyone likes to be photographed!!  One of the things that made my work easier was that everyone involved was glad to be involved in the project and committed to its mission.  I thank all of you for opening up yourselves for the benefit of others who don’t have love and acceptance in their lives.  It was an honor to be a part of such a positive project!

On a related note, Chely Wright is the first country music performer to come out as a lesbian.  A documentary film about her coming out process, “Wish Me Away” recently played at the Milwaukee Film Festival and it was wonderful to see how she unloosened the noose of a Bible-belt Christian upbringing and pushed through to her own self-acceptance while keeping God in her life and heart.  In her book, Like Me, Chely describes the negative, downward spiral of her life as she hid her personal life away from even her closest friends, and compartmentalized her life as an award-winning, top female, country music performer.  This path of self-loathing and believing that her music career was more important than self-acceptance of her sexual orientation, almost ended her life via suicide.  Unfortunately, we read about other young LGBT people who are bullied and lack the acceptance that Chely and others in this “Acceptance Journeys” have found.  I think Chely would applaud the “Acceptance Journeys” project.

I thank all of you for opening up yourselves for the benefit of others, who don’t have love and acceptance in their lives.  It was an honor to be a part of such a positive project and work with my ‘tribe.’  For all you straight allies out there, connect and talk to the LGBT person in your life.  Get to know them and show them that ‘you’ve got their back.’  We’ll enrich your life!

(for more images and the stories that will move you, visit “Acceptance Journeys”.  Look for more of the project in both print and billboards.  For Chely’s related album, head to iTunes for “lifted off the ground”)

I had been forewarned that Arbor Pros would be in the neighborhood today to take down this huge,  old tree.  As I stand on my second story porch photographing them, I noted that the top of the tree is at least 3 stories taller that the 3 story houses it neighbors.  Wow!  So when I watched the skilled arborists do their work, I was is awe at their skill and safe methods when working that high up in the air.  It’s the same with all professionals – who are skilled and draw upon training and experience that the rest of us just don’t have.

Taking Down a Lower Branch

With all the lower branches removed, they prepared for the last canopy of the cottonwood, reaching high against a cloudy sky.  Having looked at this tree for years, I got a different sense of it’s height when just the last branches were left.  As the arborist got his bucket into place, he looked up as he prepared for the final cut.  For a moment I sensed that he might be saying, “OK, here we go!”  Then with a short tug on the chainsaw, he began the last high cut into this old, successfully lived tree.  The canopy started it’s tell-tale crackling of the pull of gravity and down it came – gracefully falling through the air.

"Here we go . . ."

Although it’s a rainy, cloudy day here, after the final canopy came down I appreciated how much light was now falling into my backyard.  On one hand it was sad to see it go and on the other, maybe now I can plant a garden next summer.  That’s one DIY project I can handle.  As for arbor projects, I’ll leave that to the pros!

Nikon D3s with Nikkor  70-200m f2.8 lens  ISO 40o      Post Production software:  Photoshop CS5, Topaz Adjust 4, Nik Color Effex 3.0

After our block party, a neighbor told me of the cat and her kittens.  I’ve seen the cat since winter and thought someone on a neighboring street owned it.  So I was surprised to see that she was a stray mother of three!  Kittens were cute but I don’t want her reproducing ‘in our neighborhood’ again.  Kinda like the ‘not in my backyard’ movement, if you get my drift.

I signed up and became a trained Trap-Neuter-Release volunteer through the WI Humane Society and this morning, momma took the bait!  At 6:00a.m. she got hungry and when I saw her beautiful, green eyes staring back at me from the live trap, I was glad to have her in there safely.  However, where was her kitten?  Another trap has been set to try to catch that one.

Momma was dropped off at the WI Humane Society this morning and I’m about to return, on this same day, to pick her up.  She’ll be loaded back into the live trap, for my safety, and she’ll be sporting an ear tag that signifies she’s part of the Trap-Neuter-Release program.  She’ll also have vaccinations for distemper and rabies and between her shoulder blades will be a micr0-chip that will signify me as her momma!  After a couple of days in our basement ‘recovery room’, she’ll be released back into the neighborhood, where she’ll likely resume her residency in a neighbor’s garage.  Now come on little, kitty, kitty, kitty!

Out for her walk

I ran inside for my 70-200mm  f 2.8 lens, slammed in a fresh card and out I went ‘turkey hunting’.  Preferring to be unobtrusive and wanting to stay outside her amazingly small circle of safety, where animals will alarm and flee, I positioned myself in front of a parked car and went to work in high-speed continuous mode.  (Former digital photo class members should recognize this setting!)

Here's my best side!

Curious to know what they eat, I googled it and found that they like insects, grasshoppers, small frogs, crickets, etc.  Basically things that hang around in grassy meadows or wood’s edges.  Seems as thought she’s getting plenty to eat!  The neighborhood talk suggests that we’ve adopted her as a permanent resident.  ”I hope she doesn’t get hit by a car,” said more than one neighbor.  We’re concerned for her safety from the resident red fox, as well.  Although I did read that they fly up very quickly and I vividly recall a personal experience with that once, when I was running in the Kettle Moraine Forest – North Unit on the Ice Age Trail.

My dog at that time, Murphy, was part border collie and was good for 18 miles with me on the trails.  We ran up a short, but steep hill on the forest trail and couldn’t see what was on top.  As we crested the trail, we were met with a cacophony of beating wings as a flock of turkeys forcefully left the pull of gravity  and headed for the safety of the trees.  Murphy and I, scared by the sudden noise and movement, reflexively hit the forest floor in record time!  He on his belly and I on my knees.  In milliseconds, when you collect yourself and you’ve figured out what it was that happened, I turned and looked at Murphy.  He looked back at me with white eyes showing and I burst out laughing.  Relieved that it was nothing life threatening and looking back at our primitive, fight or flight response.  We dusted ourselves off and continued on the run, thankful for that funny, memorable moment on a Wisconsin hiking trail.

My profile view

If you’re in the neighborhood during the day, please drive slowly.  You never know if you’ll see our resident turkey.  Shall we name her?  If so, what would you call her?  No, we won’t be calling her to dinner but no doubt she’ll have a few Thanksgiving jokes tossed her way.  For more info on wild turkeys, go here.

There’s a real kinship I feel when photographing dogs and their people, so when the time of sharing your life with your dog becomes shorter and the reality of their eventual passing becomes more imminent, the daily walks, feedings, and rides in the car become highlighted, more careful, more watchful.  Every moment becomes more special and pronounced because we’re aware of the fragility of time.

After the grieving comes the decision whether or not to extend yourself and open up your heart to another life that needs a loving home.  So do, some don’t or can’t.  I recall the 82 year old woman that I met in a dog training class a number of years ago, with my now 13 year old coonhound/lab mix.  Yes, at 82, after living with schnauzers her whole life, she invited another schnoodle puppy into her life.  She loved that dog and when it came time to move into a nursing home, trying to find a suitable home and then turning the dog over to a schnauzer rescue was the hardest thing I had to do.  I knew the void it would bring to her heart.

Puppies have a way of crawling into our hearts and opening them up again.  We laugh, talk baby-talk and enjoy all the antics that a puppy can deliver.  We also loose some sleep and who doesn’t remember the sharpness of puppy teeth and breath?

So in this spirit of cycles of the lives we share with our dogs, I offer you a glimpse of life as dog owners know it.  A new puppy, a older lab and a 6 month old that knows it’s African heritage.

Maya the Golden Retriever at 12 weeks.

I'll be with you through it all - Booker (Yellow Lab)

Laila Ali - 6 month old Besenji mix - Congo dog

If you lost a dog, how long do you think you’d wait to open your heart up to another?  Or would you not adopt again?  What would it depend upon?  Would you become a ‘foster mom/dad’?  Let’s see what you have to say.