Tricks of the Trade...one frame at a time

Partnering with your Pet

Great photos happen when your vision for a photograph aligns with what your subject has to offer.  You both play an equally important role — your pet as the star and you as photographer.  Thus, a good portrait session is when you and your subject partner in a way that you both get something out of the experience.

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Portland’s First Dog Wash is Top Dog in 3 Categories

Two decades ago, washing a dog was either a back-breaking battle in the bathtub, or a wet and wild experience with the hose.  In other words, bathing your dog, especially the big, hairy ones, was messy business.

Then came self-service dog washes.  Michael Shapiro, owner of Beauty for the Beast Pet Launderette, came across such a then-new establishment while traveling and was delighted with the idea.  “At the time, I had a very furry Samoyed who needed a lot of bathing,” he recalls.  

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Parkway Vet: A Favorite with Cat Lovers

Living up to the distinction earned in 2010’s Top Dog Awards, Parkway Veterinary Clinic was a strong winner again this year.  This versatile and cutting-edge practice  ranked highly among Northwest cat lovers, winning 1^st Place in Cat Medical, 2^nd Place in Cat Grooming, and 4th in Cat Boarding.  Voters also bestowed Parkway with a prestigious 2^nd Place for Veterinary Practice.

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Compassion and Care

Drum roll please . . .  “And now, the Top Dog in two major categories — Veterinarian and Veterinary Practice.  And the award goes to . . . Dr. Courtney Anders and Pearl Animal Hospital!”

Congratulations — Spot readers spoke loud and clear and the veterinary pearls of The Pearl came out shining.

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Lazy Dog Crazy Dog: Smiles Guaranteed

Top Dog Winner Lazy Dog Crazy Dog is reinventing doggie daycare and boarding in Portland.  Its owners, Pete and Jackie McClellan, are also inventing a new language for their industry.  For example, “tommy and taddy,” meaning “temporary mommy and daddy,” refers to them and their eight employees.  The McClellans maintain the philosophy that a dog “is more than a family member.”  Says Jackie, “We treat our dogs like they’re somebody’s kids.  Like they’re our kids.”

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10 years old and gone to the dogs

Portland’s Tin Shed Café celebrates its 10^th anniversary this month and a win for best pet-friendly restaurant in Spot’s Top Dog Awards.

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We've Been Shopping!

Here’s what we love . . .

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Matchmaker, Matchmaker

Drawing by Megan MahanThe Chow Chow

Interesting Facts:  The Chow dog’s mouth and tongue are blue-black.  The breed originated in China where they served as guard dogs and companions.

Appearance:  A Spitz breed, the Chow has a square build with a tightly-curled tail and upright ears.  His coat is thick and plush, and may be black, red, blue, fawn or cream.  Chows can reach 22 inches at the shoulder.  Their movement appears slightly stilted thanks to a stiff-legged gait.

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Blog Report: My Life with Flyball Dogs

Looking for a little variety, a little spice in your blog reading?  Look no further than My Life with Flyball Dogs (mylifewithflyballdogs.blogspot.com).  From cats to dogs to sports to menu planning, author Crystal keeps the flavors a changin’!

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2 Top Dogs a Dynamic Duo

Top Dogs Diane Kunkle of Paws Aquatics and Rubi Sullivan of Heal Animal Massage are rehab rock stars alone.  Together, they are a super-duo in treating ill and injured animals.

Kunkle, a licensed vet tech, welcomes clients to the spa and pool in her Milwaukie home.  Her clients come for rehab, but also fun swimming and dock diving.

Sullivan’s business is thriving too, and it shows — she’s been the Top Dog in her field since the Awards began in 2008.  Heal operates out of vet clinics, businesses, and client homes; Sullivan also visits daycare/boarding facilities, where massage reduces stress and promotes circulation.

Get to know Rubi Sullivan and Diane Kunkle intimately next month when Spot follows their (success) story with 9-year-old, 8-pound Sophie.