Having a small dog like Bebop is such a different world than when I had Luna. If Bebop starts to growl at another dog, all I have to do is pick her up by the scruff and yell at her. With Luna, it was a battle of who was stronger each time–and IF I won, it was just barely.

Similarly, Bebop can come on almost any trip with me. She travels easily and she loves hotels–she makes friends with all of the maids and hotel staff everywhere we go. Mostly because they know to give her treats. The only downside is that she is like having a child on vacation. She is so excited to be somewhere other than home that her sleep schedule gets all out of whack. She likes to wake up at the crack of dawn and look out the window, bugging me to wake up too so we can go for a walk and smell all the new smells the city has to offer. If she wasn’t so darn cute, it would be really, really annoying.

These photos were taken with the Hasselblad at approximately 6am. If they’re not quite focused, it’s because my EYES WERE NOT FOCUSING THAT EARLY IN THE MORNING!

…they start photographing their dogs on really classy backdrops from Drop It Modern.

Bebop had absolutely no idea WHAT was going on. Eventually she calmed down, but those first few minutes involved me catching her mid-leap off of the box.

Red on the other hand was a natural. He just plopped down and I couldn’t get him to stand up even after the shoot was over.

I’m attempting to teach Luna about patience. And what better way to do that than with sunflower seeds…her most FAVORITE SNACK IN THE WORLD. By placing the seeds one by one her nose, I made her wait to eat the rest–only, I think this was better in theory than in execution. In actuality, I don’t think she or Red even realized they had sunflower seeds on their snouts. At least not until Luna jerked her head around, not only sending seeds flying in every direction…but also knocking the bag of seeds out of my hands. Sean tackled Red to the ground and I managed to get Luna in a headlock.

Sean: (breathless from holding the Red down) Maybe we should just let them eat the seeds when they fall?

Me: No. They…(gasp)…must…(cough)…learn…(wheeze)…PATIENCE!

Just then, Luna managed to headbutt me and I had no choice but to release her from the headlock. The dogs feasted on dozens of sunflower seeds and Sean and I were lost in a sea of slobber, tongues and sniffing. So much for patience.

I imagine this is what it must feel like to have children…that is, if your children are hairy, slobbery, hyperactive messes who don’t listen to a word you say. I suddenly feel the need to call my mom and apologize…

This is Gracie…my family’s dog and my dog throughout most of college. She now lives with my parents because she would not have adjusted to city life very well. Of course, if it had come down to it, I would have taken her with me, but she bonded with my parents and loved their backyard–and as much as it broke my heart, I didn’t think it was fair to her to take that away. Sure, she would have adjusted to city life…but she wouldn’t have been nearly as happy as she is with my parents. Besides, they have the money to spoil her ROTTEN. This dog gets pig ears like EVERY DAY with them.

Back in college, I was living across the hall from Liza and Maddie, who back then had no fear of dogs. I have no idea what happened to this kid, but she’s terrified of them now! And she used to call Gracie “Wacie”. She’d come toddling into my apartment and wake me up at 7am…on a Saturday…Liza’s revenge to me for teaching her ‘nipple’ probably…and go, “Where’s Wacie? Where’s Wacie Aunt Cayeen?”  And when she found Gracie, she’d throw her arms around the dog’s neck as Gracie covered her face in slobbery kisses. They were totally buddies. Except for when Gracie would chew Maddie’s toys…on those days you would have thought the kid swallowed battery acid by the way she reacted. Like it was THE END OF THE WORLD BECAUSE OH MY GOD YOU GOT SLOBBER ON THE BARBIE DOLL. Never mind the fact that you shared an ice cream cone with the dog minutes ago because HOW WILL MALIBU BARBIE SURVIVE WITH SLOBBER IN HER HAIR.

In any case, Maddie still asks about Gracie and it seems like the only dog she thinks of fondly anymore.

When I was home visiting, I took some portraits of Gracie…because, let’s face it, she’s getting old. Her hip is bad and she can barely walk the stairs down to the yard anymore. Sometimes we have to carry her down there. And while this would under most circumstances cause most dogs to become cranky and tired-not my Gracie. She still plays with the youth and vigor she did when she was only a puppy. And it makes me smile.

Is it me…or does this look like a guilty face?

Prior to the horrible end to our balcony experience…this was us. Lounging around in the sun, enjoying crossword puzzles and warm weather!