Chicago's Favorite Pet Photographer

Hello there! I hope everyone has been enjoying the beautiful weather we have been having (at least here in Chicago) for the past week. It looks like it will continue through the weekend!

I have a big favor to ask all of you. I am currently in the running for Chicago's Favorite Pet Photographer through Rovernight Network's Rover Ranking polls. Would you please go and vote for Tails of Love Photography? The poll only requires that you enter your name, email address, Photographer name (Tails of Love Photography), and market (Chicago).

If Tails of Love is the winner there will be a special gift for all of our Facebook fans (so make sure to like us too)!

Click HERE to go to the voting page. Then click on the camera to vote for Tails of Love!

Click HERE to visit our Facebook page.

Hugs & Wags, Jess

Happy Birthday Maggie

Today is my pups birthday.  Maggie is 7 years old.  She has brought so much joy to my life for the last 7 years.  Through good times and bad she has been the one constant thing in my life and has never ceased to bring a smile to my face.  I love her with all my heart and I love that she is so excited to see me every time I walk in through the door.

Now as most of you dog owners out there know, it's not all smiles and laughs (as an incident with my sister-in-law's puppy reminded me today).  So in honor of Maggie's 7th birthday, here are the top 7 things that have tested my love for her over the years:

7.  Having to chase Maggie around the neighborhood when she once got out of the yard by running straight through our fence while chasing a bunny.  The runner she approached looked terrified but Maggie sat right in front of him wagging her tail waiting for her chance to give him a kiss.

6.  Maggie is a hand (paw) holder.  Anytime we've had company over she wants to make sure they are paying the most amount of attention to her and she achieves this by making them hold her paws as we carry on conversations.

5.  Maggie hates the windshield wipers.  The first time I realized this I just picked her up from the vet and it was pouring.  I put the car in reverse, flipped on the wipers, and then suddenly had a 60 lb dog on my dash trying to get the wiper through the glass.  I had to take her back into the vet to see if they had any suggestions for me.  His direct quote..."Wow, in 21 years of working with animals, I've never seen that."  Leave it to my dog.  (We have made great strides in alleviating her fear.  She is still a bit uncomfortable with the wipers going but she doesn't feel the need to protect me from them anymore.)

4.  When she was a pup, Maggie once kept me up all night (on a work night) pulling my blanket off of me, biting my toes, trying to play.  I was very tired at work the next day but still managed to love her.  :)

3.  On above night, I tried locking her in the bathroom (with a bed) to get some sleep.  She ate a hole through the door.  That is a pretty big feat for a 10 week old 15 lb puppy.

2.  At the age of 6 months, Maggie ate a couch.  Well, she didn't really eat it per say, but she did dig on the bottom lining enough that when I came home from work and sat down, I fell straight through to the floor.

1.  When Maggie was three, she somehow found a needle and ate it.  I had no idea until she started getting sick late one night and we had to rush her to the pet ER in the middle of the night.  That was one long car ride with lots of stops.  They took an x-ray and saw the needle.  They had to do emergency surgery to remove it (along with the dust bunny it was wrapped up in).

Now, if you only knew those things about Maggie you'd probably ask why the heck I love her so much.  Well like I said before, she has been with me all the good times and bad throughout my life.  She never judges me or asks too many questions.  She loves unconditionally and always keeps life interesting.  She has made me laugh when I want to cry, smile when I want to scream, and keep going when I want to give up.  She cuddles me when I'm sick and reminds me that life is good.

It is hard to imagine anyone loving a dog any more than I love her. 

Hugs & Wags, Jess

P.S.  My sister-in-laws puppy seems to be fine.  I don't want anyone worrying about it since I sort of mentioned it in passing up above.  And just so you all can get a visual...this is Guinness with his brother Jack.

Holiday Mini Session Special

This past weekend at the Chicago Pet Show in Darien, IL, I announced our holiday mini session special.  I've decided to extend the special show pricing for one week.  Book by September 19, 2011 and get the awesome package for only $300!  That is $450 worth of stuff!

Call or email to book today as there are only 16 available appointments!

Hugs & Wags, Jess

Rocky's Sneak Peak

I spent a very beautiful Sunday morning with Rocky, a very playful 6 month old Burmese Mountain Dog.  He was sweet and adorable!  We even got to run around the park for a bit.

 

Rocky is part of the Tails of Love Photography Furry Friends referral program.  He loved romping around the park chasing his ball (and me).  You will see much more of Rocky here very soon!

Hugs & Wags, Jess

Riley Sneak Peak

Saturday, I had the pleasure of meeting Riley, the very handsome Portuguese Water Dog.  Riley is two years young and such a happy boy.

Hugs & Wags, Jess

2011 Chicagoland Pet Expo (in pictures)

Here are a few photos from the expo.  I didn't get to go see any of the fabulous shows, but there was some pretty interesting things that passed by my booth.


These pups were so good and so sweet.  They were there for a couple days, just a few booths down at the Hope Pet Rescue.

These next couple are adoptable dogs from Midwest Labrador Retriever Rescue.

 This is Ears (and I'm sure you see why).  He was such a sweetheart and I really wanted to bring him home with me, but it just didn't work out.  He is available for adoption through Bombshell Bully Rescue.

Just a couple random shots of the crowd...

This pup is Jack and he happens to be my nephew.  He was nice enough to come "work" in my booth on Sunday, as you can see here.

This wonderful pup was at the Illinois Shorthair Rescue booth.   He would take that basket right out of someone's hand...it was pretty amazing.

Loved this poodle's style!

All in all, by the end of the weekend, most of the pups agreed:  It is hard work being cute!

Hugs & Wags, Jess

Puppies! Available for Adoption!

Last Saturday I had the pleasure of meeting a very sweet Mama dog and her 6 adorable (adoptable) pups.  Mama was rescued from a kill shelter by Little Orphans Rescue and Dixie, who I met at the Chicagoland Pet Expo decided she couldn't bear to have this little lady have her pups on a cold concrete shelter floor.  She brought Mama home and a couple weeks later 6 healthy pups were born.

These pups are now 8 weeks old and ready to find their forever homes, and so is Mama!  There are 4 boys and 2 girls.  They are playful, sweet, and very curious.  Would one of these pups make a perfect addition to your family?  Contact Dixie at 773-775-3428 for more information!

Hugs & Wags, Jess

Turning Bad Newz Good!

Recently, a nonprofit group (Dogs Deserve Better) asked the question:

Do We Turn Vick's Bad Newz Kennel into the DDB Good Newz Rehab Center, or build in another location? 

People 'voted' with $1 donations for 15 days, and the overwhelming majority of votes said "DO IT!" In fact, 98% of those who voted felt that purchasing the former Vick property was a fitting tributes to the dogs who lived, fought, and died there. 



In order to make this happen they still need to raise more money...$500,000 more to be exact.  Every dollar that's given for DDB to buy this property sends dog abusers like Vick a message: We didn't like what you did and now we as a nation will show you how animals DESERVE to be treated.

Here are the ways we could get to $500,000:
1 Donor of $500,000
100 Donors of $5,000
1000 Donors of $500
10,000 Donors of $50
100,000 Donors of $5

So it's REALLY not that hard! Can you donate $5 and get 5 of your friends to donate $5? If each of us did that, we'd be there in ONE DAY!  Visit DDB for more info or to donate!

Or visit their ebay auction and shop for this wonderful cause. 

This Campaign has Gotten a LOT of National Media Attention to Date. Below are Some Links:

Vick's dogfighting property could become animal sanctuary

Should Michael Vick's Bad Newz Kennels Be Turned into a Rehab Center?

Vick's Dogfight Compound to Become Rehab Center?

Could Michael Vick's old dog fighting home become animal sanctuary?

From Torture To Sanctuary: Non-Profit Seeks To Convert Michael Vick’s Old House

If you aren't familiar with DDB, they are a 501c3 nonprofit organization dedicated to freeing the chained dog, and bringing our 'best friend' into the home and family.  Find them on Facebook too!


Hugs & Wags, Jess

Chicagoland Family Pet Expo: March 18,19, & 20, 2011

Make sure you stop by and visit our booth at the Chicagoland Family Pet Expo in March!  We'd love to meet you (or say hello again)!  We will have all kinds of fun stuff for you to see as well as a very special drawing!  Oh, and I have a stack of $1 off coupons so let me know if you'd like one!

For anyone who has never been to this expo, you really should plan on going!  There is so much fun stuff to see and do, as well as cute animals to pet and cuddle!   It is amazing so plan on spending a full day!

Hope to see you all there!


Hugs & Wags, Jess

Missing my pup

Last night I just got home from a double trip.  The first being a week and a half trip to China and the second a week long in Vegas.   The trips were great but it was a long few weeks and I'm glad to be back.  I will definitely be posting some pictures soon so watch for those! 

The worst part about being gone for that long is how much I miss my Maggie.  Of course I missed my husband too, but he joined me in Vegas.  Maggie on the other hand is still at Camp Run-a-Pup.  I know she is in great hands and she always enjoys her time there, but I am having doggy kiss withdrawal!  Maggie has been with me for 6 and a half years now and she is a big part of my life.  I am going to be leaving to pick her up in just a bit and can't wait to see her! 

And just because I love her so much, here is a picture of my baby girl:

Hugs & Wags, Jess

Snow, Snow, and More Snow (and a snowy contest)!!

The last few days here in Chicago we have been...well...buried.  There is snow everywhere and some of it piled 6 feet or more in the air.  The city has to hire trucks to remove it.   They say it's the worst snow storm here since 1967.  I know for sure it's the worst I've personally seen.

I have had some crazy urges to run and jump into some of the big piles of snow but my adult brain took over reminding me how wet, cold and miserable I'd be.  One of the little girls who live next door to me was so restrained.  I let the dog out in the back yard only to find a big hole in a pile of snow near the fence separating our yards and one set of footprints leading out of our gate.  I only wish I had actually seen her jump off of their deck, over the 6 foot wooden fence into the snow pile in our yard.  That is a picture I wish I had gotten!

My pup Maggie has hated this and I can't blame her.  I know I wouldn't want to use the bathroom out there either.  It's cold!

So in the spirit of big snow and that "I can't wait for summer" attitude most Chicagoans are feeling right now, I'm having a contest!  Post a photo of your pup (or cat or any pet) loving or hating the snow.  The winner will receive a summertime pet photo session on a beach or other fun location and an 11x14 print (value of $240).

To enter, please post your favorite snowy photo and brief description on the Tails of Love facebook page.  


This contest is open to anyone in Chicago or Carbondale, IL (or a 30 mile radius of either) or willing to travel to one of those locations for the shoot.  This is a pet photography session, but as with all my sessions human family member are welcome in some of the photos.

The deadline to enter is February 19, 2011 and the winner will be chosen by the most likes (so tell you friends to like your photos!). 

If you have any questions about the contest please contact me the Tails of Love facebook page or email.

Hugs & Wags, Jess

Freekibble!

 Today is a Daily Double for Freekibble, meaning they will donate 2X the amount of food.  All you have to do is click on their trivia question every day (there is a dog related one as well as a cat related one) and answer the question.  Right or wrong, they donate food to hungry shelter animals! 


Check out the Bow Wow and Meow questions today!  Sign up for a daily reminder so you don't miss a day of helping hungry animals!


If you haven't heard about Freekibble you should check it out!  It was started by an 11 year old girl from Oregon, Mimi Ausland.  She wanted to help feed hungry cats and dogs at her local shelter.  "There are 10's of thousands of dogs and cats in animal shelters across the country, all needing to be fed a good meal." So in April 2008, she launced Freekibble.

Per their website, "Freekibble.com's primary mission is to provide healthy, nutritious food to the dogs and cats at shelters who are working so hard to see that none of their animals go hungry - they need our help. Now, in addition to providing free kibble to the Humane Society of Central Oregon, Mimi and Freekibble are feeding many 1,000's of dogs and cats in shelters, rescues and through food-banks across the country... EVERYDAY!"


Hugs & Wags, Jess

Solomen Sneak Peak

On Saturday I got to meet Solomen, a 3 year old, very handsome, very playful Long-Haired Dachsund. He loves to play and sit on the couch watching the world outside.

Solomen, thanks for being such an easy (and cute) subject!

Hugs & Wags, Jess