This week's CityStream Pet of the Week is Gucci!  Beautiful Gucci is 2 or 3 years old and I wouldn't be surprised to learn that there is greyhound in her ancestry.  This girl is FAST!  She's playful and gentle and sits to take a treat like a lady.  She looks a lot like my dog so she got some extra loves and kisses and really seemed to enjoy it all.  She also got the "zoomies" during our shoot - I think she loved the sunshine as much as I did today - and demonstrated that she would make a lucky someone a fantastic running partner.  Gucci is waiting eagerly for her new best friend to sweep her off her feet, so stop in at the Seattle Animal Shelter and pay her a visit!

Aaaand, on to happier things!  This happy thing is Winston.  My shoot with Winston was on a horrible, soggy, dark day this last weekend but we managed to get some great shots anyway.  Winston's not going to let a little rain get in the way of his good time!  We were lucky that his fur is light, though, or we would have had a much harder time getting decent shots indoors.  Winston seems to be lit from within - it must be all of that terrier enthusiasm and high spirits! 

I lost one of my oldest and dearest dog friends today.  A broken heart is an occupational hazzard in my profession, and though I've been through it several times, it never gets the tiniest bit easier.  I met Alex in late 2000 or early 2001 - his owner had lost his wife to cancer and needed some help caring for his two Labradors.  Alex was about 2 or 3 years old and was instantly one of my favorite dogs - he was a big silly happy guy with a GIANT heart.  We used to roll around in the grass together and he'd pretend to bite my arm, putting almost no pressure into it, then give me these funny panting laughs.  Over the last few months, Alex started to struggle to get around.  Those old hips just wouldn't cooperate and his walks got shorter and shorter.  He never seemed to mind, though - he was always all wagging tail and smiling eyes.  Last week was rough and I started to say my goodbyes - we spent some time cuddling and endulging in extra treats.  Alex loved the attention (but mostly the treats)!  He lived to be almost 14 years old, which is ANCIENT for a big Lab like him.  He was a lucky dog to have such an exciting and well-loved life and he seemed to know it.  I will miss him every day.

This gorgeous and sweet girl is Lilac, CityStream's Pet of the Week this week!  Lilac has had a hard life up to this point, but that doesn't stop her from enjoying people and being a total lovebug.  She came to the Seattle Animal Shelter in an abuse case with a bunch of other dogs.  She looks to have been bred recently and, as you can see in this photo, she has a leg that seems to have been badly broken once upon a time.  It doesn't slow her down much, as evidenced by her "zoomies" attack during our shoot when she ran all around the fenced area like her butt was on fire! Lilac is eager to please and ready to learn good doggie manners.  She's smart and affectionate and will make some lucy person an excellent best friend.  Stop by the Seattle Animal Shelter and meet Lilac for yourself!

Welcome to the first CityStream Pet of the Week of 2012!  After the hustle and bustle of the holidays followed by last week's snowy/icy chaos, I have to say that I'm SO glad to be back to a normal routine!  Watson here has an extremely laid back routine which consists mostly of napping in the sun, ambling about the shelter offices, purring and snacking.  Watson is an older fellow, very distinguished, and would make a great companion for someone with a fairly quiet household.  He'd prefer to be the only pet.  Stop by the Seattle Animal Shelter and meet Watson!