Emilee Fuss Photography – the blog

Technically, summer isn’t over for a few more weeks, but nevertheless, it’s ending. It’s already the last day of August! This year has absolutely flown by. It’s true that as you get older, time seems to go by much faster. I remember being so impatient for Christmas and birthdays when I was little, but now it feels like there isn’t time to breathe before those events, seasons, and celebrations are upon us again. We’re only 4 months away from Christmas, then it will be 2011. Wow. Let’s all take some time to stop, breathe, and enjoy life, because it’s flying by faster than we think.

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Every day, morning and evening, rain or shine, Buddy and I go on a walk. He needs to exercise and go potty, I need to get away from the computer. So, off we go. He never runs ahead or lags behind, he’s always right at my side, even when bunnies are close enough to touch. Now, he hasn’t always been like this. When Buddy first arrived he was not so well-behaved on a leash. We looked like two cartoon characters when we walked – he ran ahead, I flew behind, dangling from the end of the leash. Thankfully, after four years, those days are behind us. Our walks are now relatively peaceful. I need them as much as Buddy does. It’s time to think, pray, get outdoors. A chance to explore the world around us. Time together. The day that Buddy is too old and decrepit to go on our walks will be a heartbreaking one, but I won’t think about that now. I’ll enjoy the way things are right now, in the moment. The way Buddy pants and whines when it’s almost time to go out. The way he jumps up and down when I grab the leash, then sits politely when I put his collar around his neck. The way he waits for me to go outside first. The way he just is.

We’ve walked twice a day (sometimes more) for over four years. That’s 3,242 walks with Buddy. I’m looking forward to at least 3,000 more. :)

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This dreary, rainy week was brightened up on Tuesday when my new camera, the Nikon D700, arrived. I’ve been wanting this camera for a while and am so happy to finally have it. I’ve used the Nikon D80 for almost 3 years, and while it has served me well, it’s certainly no D700. I am loving the full frame (where have you been all my life?) and the ISO sensitivity. It’s just wonderful. :)

Not only did my camera bag receive a new addition, our furry family did, too! Yesterday my little sister spotted a grey, domestic bunny in the neighborhood. According to our neighbors, she’s been hanging around since late last week, which means she’s been all alone in the awful storms we’ve had! But she’s safe, warm, and well-fed now. She even has a name! We’re calling her Lucy. Buddy’s still adjusting, though. He follows her when we let her hop around the house and sticks his big nose into the cage. We called Suncoast Humane Society to see if anyone reported a missing rabbit, but no one has. It’s most likely that someone didn’t want to care for her anymore, so they let her go. I’ll refrain from saying what I think of people who do that, though, and instead share some images taken with my D700. Enjoy!

First up, Lucy the bunny! She is not interested in modeling at all, but hopefully that will change. Isn’t she cute?

The wide angle made some crazy distortions on Olivia Jane! It looks like she’s going to bend in half, especially in the shot on the right.

And sweet Layla Grace helped me test out the new camera indoors. Don’t you love the precious Lab onesie she’s wearing? I wonder who got that for her… :)

She is in the hair pulling stage. Well, more like the grab-everything-within-reach-and-put-it-in-my-mouth stage.

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After Jouvert was diagnosed with cancer last week, his mom decided it was time for professional photos. I met the fourteen year old Lab at his home in Venice for our location session. We attempted to start our shoot in the yard, but Jouvert was having none of it, so we moved inside. At fourteen, all this old man wants to do is sleep, eat, and be loved on. He definitely receives lots of the latter! Jouvert reminded me a lot of my Buddy. He loves to curl up in his soft bed, doesn’t like to swim, and eats with every meal like it’s his last. I just loved spending the morning with Jouvert and his mom, learning more about the sweet four-legged family member while I photographed him. He was bred to be a guide dog, but didn’t quite pass the test. He was “too much dog,” his mom said. While he wasn’t right for guiding the blind, he was the perfect companion for his mom and her family. Today Jouvert is in surgery to remove the cancerous tumor from his side. It’s an emotional day for his family, so hopefully these photos will be a comfort to them while their boy is away.

He has such sweet big brown eyes…

Jouvert likes to cross his paws when he lays down, it’s so cute! What a gentleman.

I love his freckled nose. Don’t you just want to kiss it?

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And the winner is commenter number 14! Congrats, Brandi! I’ll get you in touch with Uprinting.com so you can get your lovely 16×20 rolled canvas print soon. :)

I asked everyone who entered the giveaway to share their dog’s obsession, and here’s what our winner said: “My dog Belle is obsessed with carrying things in her mouth. It is the cutest thing but sometimes it looks like it hurts she stretches her mouth sooo big! My other dog Jacey is obsessed with looking out the window and waiting for someone or something to pass so she can bark at them.” Buddy is just like Jacey – always waiting for the UPS person to come around so he can bark at him/her!

Congratulations again, Brandi. Enjoy the canvas!

I’ll leave you all with an image of Jouvert, the 14 year old Lab I photographed this morning. Isn’t he handsome?

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