I’m Angela, Mum to my beautiful rescue dog-kids. I'm an animal lover, vegan, photographer, Reiki practitioner and lover of crystals, coffee and chocolate, living in Wiltshire, UK. I’m about three quarters human, quarter dog, or at least that’s how it feels sometimes!
I have loved dogs since I was a small child and have lived with dogs for 30+ years. I've shared my life with various breeds and crossbreeds and adored them all. A number of wonderful dogs have come into my life from rescue over the past 16 years and I am very involved with dog rescue.
My passion for photography grew from my obsession with dogs; purchasing my first digital camera many years ago, in order to record precious memories of my own dogs.
If you would like to contact me about pet photography, dog rescue or Reiki for animals, please complete and submit the form on the Contact Me page.
Please take a look through this blog and visit my Galleries to see examples of my pet photography.
You will discover my passion for animals and animal welfare is evident throughout my blog. As far as chocolate goes, it's always vegan-friendly and the darker the better. Raw chocolate and Booja-Booja truffles rule. Just keep it away from your dogs :-)
I have very sadly had to make the decision to take a break from photographing people's animal companions for a while, for personal reasons, but I look forward to meeting you one day :-)
August 2011: Some very sad newsLittle Jim has gone to Rainbow Bridge. My thoughts are with his carers and regular walkers. Run free Jim!
I met and photographed this lovely little chap earlier this week. His name is Jim and he’s a six year old Terrier cross who is at Bath Cats & Dogs Home and waiting for his forever home.
Jim’s carer at the Home told me that he is a cheeky boy who is full of character and having spent some time with him, I would have to agree! He is a talkative little thing and apparently loves squeaky toys – he also loves tuna cake. He is a teeny boy – and a real cutie
Jim arrived at the Home as a stray dog with a broken shoulder, after he was involved in a road traffic accidentAlthough he is currently on limited exercise, he was very lively during our time together – I’m not sure I’d have known about his injury if I hadn’t been told.
Due to his injury, the Home has not been able to mix him with other dogs, unfortunately, so he is currently looking for a home where he is the only dog and where any children are aged 12+. He doesn’t like being left, so he needs someone to be home most of the time. His cat status is not known.
According to Jim’s carer, he is affectionate on his terms and definitely has that naughty terrier side to him. From our short time together, I would agree with the latter part – but he’s certainly a charmer and I think, would make a lovely companion to someone who is terrier-experienced! He is a cheeky boy and I have several photos like the one below – I’m not sure I’ve laughed as much sorting through a dog’s photographs before. I’m pretty sure life won’t be dull for Jim’s forever family!
Jim has a very cute little tail, don’t you think?
and I LOVE his ears – I suspect one is listening out for mischief …
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Animal Allsorts, Bath Cats Dogs Home. Bath Cats Dogs Home said: One of my fave terriers at the home got a fancy photo shoot! Check out Jim – http://www.poochiefreakphotography.com/?p=1480 [...]
**Update** 2 February ~ Wonderful news. Shadow, my favourite Staffie, has found a lovely home!
11 January 2011:
I blogged about Shadow, the Super Staffie, over a month ago. She is a lovely little (the videos at the end show just how little) Staffie who is at Bath Cats & Dogs Home dreaming of her forever home. You can click on the previous link to read more about her and see lots of photos showing just how gorgeous she is.
This week, I had the opportunity to take her into the volunteer paddock and spend some time playing with her and photographing her off lead. I got to see what a fun dog Shadow is – we had a great time with the two large and squeaky tennis balls I’d bought for her – and I think she forgave me my throws-like-a-girl ball skills. Must take something on a rope to throw, next time.
Shadow loves the ball!
Shadow loves running after the ball – and I must say, her retrieving skills would put some Labradors to shame! I found having two balls worked really well as she would bring one back and then drop it as I threw the second, though I’m sure a new owner could use some really yummy treats to encourage her to leave the ball. I think she just adores playing – and who can blame her
Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
Keeping her eye on me
Having fun!
It’s thirsty work, this ball playing!
I said in my previous blog about Shadow that she’s eight years old and still very active – and I bet she would love a new home who would take her for lovely walks and play ball with her and then snuggle up on the sofa with her in the evening.
Smiley Shadow
I can’t put into words just how sweet Shadow is and I really believe she will make a wonderful new friend for a lovely person/family. Just a reminder that she’s looking for a home where any children are aged 12+. She could possibly live with a suitable male dog – you’d have to talk to the Home about that – but I did notice that as we walked past lots of other dogs on our way to the paddock, she didn’t react to any of the dogs who were barking at her.
Isn’t she a beautiful little girl?
Shadow is adorable. I have to go and say hello to her every time I visit the Home, even if I am not taking her out and she comes out of her kennel to say hello. I do hate saying goodbye to her each time though – and she’s the dog I tend to have a little cry over when I get homeShe so deserves a special person/family to find her and give her the forever home she’s always dreamed of. I hope she finds that really, really soon.
I’ve got the ball, I’ve got the ball!
Oh and as for the naughty invisible dog who snuck into the paddock and took those lovely new tennis balls and ripped off all the yellow stuff and had a munch on the rubber, well Shadow has no idea who would do a thing like that to her new toys, but she’s suitably appalled …
And to finish, a couple of very short video clips showing Shadow playing ball – I LOVE how much her tail is waggingYou can view them in HD for the best quality – there a few squeaky noises and the sound of other dogs barking so you might want to turn the volume down if you have dogs in the room!
If you are seriously interested in offering Shadow a home, please contact Bath Cats & Dogs Home on 01225 787 321 or complete the Home’s online rehoming form, which can be found here. And let them know that you saw her details at Poochie Freak.
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Bath Cats Dogs Home. Bath Cats Dogs Home said: RT @MinnieMooTheLab: Shadow the Scrumptious Staffie ~ loves to play ball!: http://t.co/gTeZlzI Mum photographed this gorgeous girl who's … [...]
[...] Update Jan 2011: Shadow is such a special girl she has a second blog about herI was able to take her into the volunteer paddock so she could have fun with some tennis balls. Photos and videos showing the active side of Shadow, can be seen here. [...]
Update: 25 February 2011: Fantastic news! The very gorgeous Blue has been adoptedHave a wonderful life in your forever home, beautiful boy
I knew as soon as I saw a photo of Blue, that I would love him. He is just my kind of dog. He is an eight year old Collie who is at Bath Cats & Dogs Home and looking for a home.
Before you scroll down to admire Blue, it’s important to note that he is looking for a new owner/family who will see past his utter gorgeousness. He is beautiful, there’s no doubt about that, but he has been in and out of the rescue several times now and is looking for a forever home. He needs someone(s) who will meet his needs as well as admire his good looks and be there for him, for the rest of his life.
Now, let me show you just how stunning this boy is! Please read all the way through to see my favourite photo and a little video clip of him at the end
Utterly gorgeous, yes?
Blue is good with other dogs, but can sometimes lunge at them. When I walked him, I thought he was a very good boy. He did react a little (on lead) to another dog, but only after that dog had barked at him first. I took the photograph below of him as we watched a couple of other dog walkers coming through the gate. Although as a volunteer, I don’t walk the dogs close to other dogs, he didn’t react negatively to any of the other dogs we encountered from a little distance.
His carer tells me that Blue can seem “jealous” around other dogs and tell them off if he feels they are getting too much attention, but he could possibly live with a suitable other dog(s), following a successful introduction.
Blue is very playful, affectionate and loyal. He is good with children aged 10+ and his carer says a home with children younger than 10 may be considered if the children are used to, and good with, Collie type dogs. Blue is looking for a cat-free home as he will chase cats.
I noted on our walk that Blue rather likes to roll! I have a dog who likes to do the same – the benefit with both is that since they are mostly white, it’s easy to see where they have rolledI did attempt to clean a few bits of muck off his face for the photographs and he was happy for me to do this – and thankfully it seemed to be mud rather than anything less pleasant!
Collies are not for everyone, but I love them. I find them to be sensitive souls who are very loyal and loving and from our brief encounter, I think Blue fits this well. He is a really sweet boy. Do I sound rather in love?
Blue has that intense Collie-ness – not for everyone I’m sure but I love it! Here we were watching a couple of other dogs out walking with their owners.
Blue’s carer tells me that he is pretty good off-lead, though could do with a little work. She says he is a little strong on lead but nothing major. I’m quite small and found him easy to handle on lead, just walking him on a flat collar and lead. He is quite a large Collie and was enthusiastic to walk, but certainly not pulling constantly.
I think posing comes naturally to him though!
Blue is yet another dog to approve my home-made tuna cake – and he took it very gently indeed, as you can see from the photo below. What a good boy
Blue was quite keen to pick up sticks while we were walking. I don’t let my dogs play with sticks because of the risk of injury, but Blue carried this one very gently for a little while and as he was on lead he couldn’t run with it. He was happy to exchange it for some tuna cake though and wasn’t bothered about trying to pick it up again afterwards. I’m sure a favourite ball/dummy would distract him
Blue is a very active dog and would do well in a home where someone is around most of the time. Remember that eight is really no age for a Collie type!
I think this is my favourite photograph – isn’t he wonderful?
Paws up if you’re looking for a home …
Here’s a little video clip of Blue too …
If you feel you could give Blue the wonderful – and suitable – forever home that he deserves, please contact Bath Cats & Dogs Home. You can find details of the rescue’s rehoming process here. Please mention that you saw Blue at Poochie Freak.
Good luck Blue, may your special forever home come along very soon.
I adopted Blue this afternoon, having first met him back in 2006 when he had a different name. It took 40 minutes to persuade him to get in the car of his own accord, but now he’s frolicking happily in the Wiltshire countryside with his new best friend Oscar. My thanks to everyone involved in getting him resettled. Now, I wonder if he could do Flyball?
Kirsty -February 24, 2011 - 8:51 pm
Am chuffed to hear he has already settled in, photos soon pleased! Sorry I missed you going! Kirsty
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by sharon and Minnie-Moo. Minnie-Moo said: Blue is @bcdh & seeks a forever home who will look past his beauty and meet his needs too. He's blimmin gorgeous though! http://t.co/glns7wo [...]
I appear to be suffering from cuteness overload, after photographing Zac, who is at Bath Cats and Dogs Home and looking for a forever home of his very own. Isn’t he gorgeous? I think he is a really sweet boy who will make a wonderful addition to the right home
Zac is a teeny and sweet nine year old Patterdale Terrier cross. He is looking for a home where he is the only dog and where any children are aged fourteen plus. He is looking for a home where someone is around most of the day as he sometimes dislikes being left.
Poor Zac is stressed in kennels and ready for a home. He has not been socialised much with other dogs and so is not currently good with them, so should be muzzled when out and about in areas where he may come into contact with other dogs (he did wear his muzzle at those times during our walk).
However I must say after walking him, that he is a very easy dog to walk. His carer tells me that he has quite a number of fans who love to walk him on a regular basis because he’s such a pleasure to walk. He walks very nicely indeed on lead and although we didn’t come into close contact with any other dogs on our walk, he didn’t react to those that we saw from a distance.
Can you resist these sweet little legs and paws?
Zac did have a little bark and reaction to a dog who barked first as we walked past their kennel, back at the Home,
but he is so small that I found him very easy to manage on lead even then.
Look at how little he is (and I don’t have big hands!). He is not the kind of dog who is going to pull you off your feet
He might however sweep you off your feet with his gorgeousness!
Zac is a very handsome boy, don’t you think?
With a cute little nose!
Are you the loving person/family who can offer Zac what he is looking for in a new home? I’m sure you will be rewarded over and over, if you decide to welcome this lovely little man into your life. His carer says he will make a loyal and loyal companion to whoever adopts him – and from the short time I spent with him, I’d have to agree
If you are seriously interested in offering Zac a wonderful home, you will need to contact Bath Cats & Dogs Home. You can find information on the Home’s rehoming process on its website, by clicking here. Please mention that you saw Zac on PoochieFreak.com.
Good luck Zac, I really hope to hear you have found a great new home, in the not too distant future
Little Jim has gone to Rainbow Bridge. My thoughts are with his carers and regular walkers. Run free Jim!
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