The Sparrow

Remember I told you we were getting a puppy? Well, the fluffball is here now! Let me introduce Cooper, our 9 week-old  Australian Shepherd puppy.  He’s as gentle as they come.  He has a good dose of energy, it’s a dog that loves to play and that’s exactly what I was looking for.  He adapted really well to our family and routine. So far, so good.

He gives us a massive amount of love, and the boys are in love with him.  I must be honest and admit that the first few days weren’t the “honeymoon” I expected. The constant hovering over the dog to watch if he had peed or pooped, munched on furniture, put something in his mouth he shouldn’t was overwhelming. I think I suffered a bout of Post Puppy depression (as pointed out by a friend).  This is a real thing.  You ask yourself : ” Why did I do this?” I made the biggest mistake of my life, and I’m stuck with that creature who depends on me and feels like a stranger for a good fifteen years. Thankfully, the love comes back after a few days, the strong bond you were wishing for is created and the puppy settles in your own routine, not the other way around.

You’re going to be 11 on St. Patrick’s  Day.  My little  good luck charm as I so often call you. It’s true, since you came into my life, you only brought smiles, light and so much love.  You still hug me as tight.  You still kiss me good morning and goodnight.  You are my serious and responsible one.  You always choose what’s right and fair, you put others before yourself.  You are wise for your age.  But, in all that seriousness, sometimes you allow a little silliness to show.  That’s when the light you carry shines the brightest.  The twinkle in your eye, the goofy smile, it’s all there, and it’s all good.

I’m lucky to belong to a special group of ladies who were challenged, at the beginning of this year, by Eva Ricci Studio to create a monthly color themed portfolio of images.  It’s my honor this month to showcase the collages created by the fine artists in this group.

Fine art, still life, and even food photography is often discredited by others in the industry.  They tend to believe it’s easy, and that these photographs don’t require a lot of time, planning or attention.  Well, I tend to disagree.

Take this cherry photo, how much time did I spend on it?