Cuties & the Blowfish

Ugh, I know, terrible play on words for the title!

Dora got a new blowfish toy for Christmas and she loves it. She will let Tilly play with it, but she keeps a good eye on things...

So, here's how we are going to play with Blowfish, listen carefully:

Tug of war is a bit one sided

No, you can't have it right now:

It's mine

But I waaaaannntt it!

Fine, we'll just let Blowfish have a rest, shall we?

Now I'm going to play with him...you wait

You can have a little play

Time to rest


I just can't stop myself from snapping away!

Using some new gear

While back in the US late last year I purchased a ton of new photo equipment to help me develop my skills and my business. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to find the time to dedicate to actually using much of it bar one new lens that just lives on my camera now. So with the new puppy I thought it would be the perfect time to pop my gorgeous Canon 70-200L 2.8 IS glass on the new 40D and practice with it and some bounced flash indoors.

Those who have puppies will figure out the problem - they move too much and my living room is too small for this lens mostly LOL! So I had to wait until MatildaLily was crashing to really do much...it's still a good workout (the lens is massively heavy!)

Dora and MatildaLily share a quiet moment

Considering relaxing

Double checking that she isn't missing anything

Zonked!

After week one...

MatildaLily has been home for just over a week so far and she's fitting in and holding her own.

The cats still aren't 100% relaxed with the new puppy, but they're not running for cover every time they see her anyway. Lobo is letting her get pretty close and when she's calm, he lets her give him a big sniff and a bit of a cuddle. When she's not being calm, he gives her a little bat on the head!




She and Dora are great friends now, they play all day long and when playtime gets too much, they stop and flop together. Tilly isn't as needy as Dora was with Diva, but she'll still cry and moan a bit if she's not napping with Dora and she does like to be "on" her whenever possible.


Dora is uber patient with Tilly: she'll let Tilly grab her neck, jump on her, take her toys away and generally push her around.



Often during playtime there will be a small lull in the action and they share a sweet moment.


Tilly loves toys and is constantly going from one to another. Of course, the best way to interest her in a toy is to have Dora playing with it first! And Dora loves to beat Til' to a toy, too. They are just too cute!


We are trying to give Dora lots of good individual time away from the puppy, but mostly she seems to prefer to hang out with MatildaLily. Sometimes, a little quiet time is good, though.

Something completely different

Some of you may know that late 2007 saw me move towards some different activities, most notably topside photography. Who knew my camera gear could work so well above the water?! This year was dismal for my dive count and so getting out and about with my gear was essential.

Friends and I went out around the Cape a few times just shooting whatever we came across - it was great fun and a fantastic learning curve. I did flowers, landscapes, surfers, the beach, our pets (who now hate the camera!) and just general stuff. Here's some random ramblings:













I haven't had much time to head out and do spur of the moment shooting like this for several months now as I've been busy at my full time job and with trying to start my own photography business. I'm getting there and have had some weddings, family portraits and baby shoots so far. Hopefully 2008 will see this new venture take off and give me the opportunities I want to head out for fun stuff, too! I'll get some shots from my various shoots up soon - and more puppy photos, too!

Acceptance!

Dora has already accepted her new sister! We were very happy yesterday when they started playing happily together as for the first day and a half Dora was definitely not impressed most of th time!

Dora was extremely gentle with Tilly, even if it looks like things might be getting out of hand a little bit in some of the shots. Dave and I were right there making sure both girls remembered to keep it nice - Dora's bigger, but Tilly's got vicious sharp teeth and doesn't quite know she's not meant to use them yet.
Look at me!

Play!

C'mon, c'mon, PLAY!

OK, I'll play, says Dora:

I've got big teeth, too!

A little break in the action:

I'm ready to go again, Sis!

Full body combat!

A coy ploy before more romping:

And then there was quiet: