life, photography

If we take the time to look: life truly is AMAZING…


How often do we take the time to strip away what can be defined as difficult times, only to reveal a different truth to the one we thought we knew?
Yes, that sentence is quite complex. But think about it. We can often think we’ve been dealt a tough hand, a bad deal, a horrible time.
Define it how you will, but it comes down to thinking life has not always been kind.
This may well be true in part.
But look deeply. Look hard. What do you really find?
Personally. At this moment, as I sit here listening to music and lolling through old images on the 23rd of May, 2014. I come to a realisation about life.
I’ve had an amazing life.
I’m truly one of the lucky ones.
I’ve travelled. I’ve lost. I’ve cried. I’ve laughed.
I’ve LOVED. And I’ve been LOVED.
What more could I want?
Here’s a few of my favourite images, taken by me and for me that depict a great life.
Life truly is amazing!
Embrace it!

Always…

dogs, photography

Oscar & Stanley…


As we travel through life, we find many who walk beside us and share our journey. Some stay a moment, some stay a lifetime. And in that lifetime, there are lessons.
Lessons of love, lessons of laughter and lessons of loyalty.
My journey with Oscar and Stanley is just that: a lesson in love, laughter and above all, loyalty.

dogs

Introducing Oscar…


In an earlier post I wrote about Stanley’s (my beloved Dachshund) issue with being left alone.

Oscar & Stanley: happy days...
Oscar & Stanley: happy days…

So I researched a number of different sites relating to separation anxiety to find methods that would help overcome his problem.

After following some of the suggested remedies, Stanley has improved, however I feel the main reason his behaviour has improved relates directly to the new addition to our family: Oscar, an 8 week-old Wire-Haired Dachshund.

Stanley is now one happy pooch.

And Oscar, well he is quite simply, divine…

Rob & Oscar: he's fitted in  well ...
Rob & Oscar: he’s fitted in well …
dogs, life, photography

Dogs can speak, just ‘listen’ to their ears…


Dogs can speak. Just as humans use sign language, I believe so do our 4-legged friends, but instead of using their paws, they use their ears. And if you take the time to listen to their ears, you’ll see they actually speak volumes.

With that in mind I decided I would write a post about doggy ear language. On deciding, I thought who better to demonstrate doggy sign language than my beloved Stanley? However there was only one problem with that decision: I needed Stanley to cooperate, but he was too busy sniffing, sleeping, catching a few winter rays or stopping to chat to one of his friends on our daily walk.

So please excuse the quality of the images, it was not an easy task to manipulate leads, IPhones etc to get that perfect shot.  But I was persistent and did manage to capture a little of how his dogship communicates.  Here goes, with a little caption ‘translation’…

And a final note: as Erica says; dogs definitely make everything better. ❤

life, photography

Sunday Post: Surroundings…


Here is something I wrote years ago for my boys about surrounding yourself with loved ones: they loved it and giggled excitedly whenever I read it …

Excuse me, Pardon me…I do believe it’s time for Tea.

Pardon me, said Flea,
I do believe it’s time for tea,
our friends should be here soon,
so shall I pour a cup for you?

Oh yes indeed, said Bear,
then would you care to share my pear?
Flea replied, Well yes, of course,
and can you spare a piece for Horse?

Oh my, I’d be delighted,
as Horse said, How exciting,
for I’ve brought some chocolate cake,
that we can share here by the lake.

Just then Crocodile appeared,
with a grin from ear to ear,
she carried buttered scones,
and on her feet, she wore orange thongs.

Lion arrived right then and there,
Parading his newly coloured hair
It was purple, like his cake,
which he said was freshly baked.

At that moment Bat flew in
He was sad and without a grin
Oh my, my, I’m very late,
and I’ve forgotten to bring a plate.

Flea said, please do not worry,
you should really not have hurried,
we have just begun to eat,
so please find yourself a seat,

Bat then sat upon a chair,
And chose to try a piece of pear,
That made Bear cheer and smile,
along with Crocodile.

So beneath a big fig tree,
they laughed and drank their tea,
Then right on four o’clock,
They hugged goodbye, and all took off.

Excuse me, pardon me, I do believe it’s time for tea…
life, photography

Kangaroos in the back paddock…


I live in suburbia, well Australian coastal suburbia, which is probably vastly different from suburbia elsewhere.
On one side of my house, cars and people pass on the street.
On the other side, it is kangaroos who pass by.
The houses on my side of the street back onto natural bushland and within, a family of kangaroos reside. They roam from property to property as there are no fences between each.
I find their presence unique and beautiful, we share a space peacefully and happily.
This morning as Stanley and I watched them graze, I noticed a new addition, a young joey now makes them a family of four.
Please excuse the image quality…

Breakfast in the backyard…
Stanley keeping an eye out…

dogs, life, photography

Travel theme: animals


Posts that highlight my loveable friend Stanley have frequented my blog and when Ailsa posted this weeks theme of animals, well I felt Stanley needed to star once again. Stanley’s typical day includes a fair amount of ‘travelling’ i.e from the couch to the bed, to the car, to the pool, to the table, to the beanbag, watching our resident kangaroos… ah yes, Stanley’s daily travels.

Chatting to an ant…

Snooze by the fire…

A quick bodyboard in the pool…

An outing in the car…

A heart to heart with Camel…

Letting mum know it’s dinnertime….