I’ve noticed, in my collection of vintage photographs, that animals, even doted on lap dogs, are left scruffy. Unkempt even. These weren’t animals as fashion accessories, but rather companions that were expected to do the things that animals do. I’m hopeful that after the photo shoot, that this little girl got out of her pristine white outfit, put on her woolen leggings and worn jumper, and went on adventures with her dog. She certainly looks like she’s done with that bow and romper, doesn’t she?
Actually Terry, I do believe that charming child is a wee lad…not a lassie. We have several vintage photos from my dad’s side of the family and that’s exactly how the boys would have been dressed up for special occasions. And just look at the patient and kind eyes on that dog; makes me want to give them both a hug and send them on their way.
I wondered about that. Lord Faunterloy styling was popular back then. What threw me off was the hat. That looks like a girl’s hat from the time. And the shoes have bows.
I thought it was a boy also until I saw the bows on the shoes.
Love the look on the dogs face!
They both look like they are just putting up with the photographer, and can’t wait until it is over!
Scruffy dogs are the best!
Off topic but not sure where else to ask. My new Kindle won’t let me view the Hen Cam. It says”error loading player: No playable sources found”. Any suggestions?
Cheryl, my IT Guy and husband Steve tells me this: “The media player we use, JW Player, does not work well for Android, which is the OS used by Kindle. Hopefully a future version of JW Player and/or Android will make this work, but right now they don’t play well together.”
Thanks to you and your IT guy, Terry, for the info. Why can’t they all just get along ;-p
I love the old photos but notice how a lot of the people just don’t look very happy.
It took so long to take pictures, it’s hard to keep a smile up for so long. Much easier to frown or keep a straight face. Also why very early pictures of children are often blurily. You try keeping any child under seven to keep perfectly perfectly still for 20 minutes.
Maybe they know the blinding “flash” is coming! We have a rescued Dachshund that just melts if she sees us even aim a camera or phone at her, to take a picture! We have not even used a flash around her. Sad to say, I wonder what scared her prior to coming to live with us?
Ditto. Husky/Collie mix. 10 years and many treats later, he’s ‘okay’. Not thrilled, but ‘okay’. When we first got him he would cower and bolt for the nearest exit. We know his previous owners used to beat him, but where did the camera come in? *shakes head*
Same here, Robin! Our little Sadie Mae ONLY cowers when we are holding a camera, or phone/camera at her! She doesn’t act like she has been beaten, thank goodness. She doesn’t even blink when we play and tease with her. She is just “camera shy”!
I don’t think that any of your dogs have been abused with a camera by previous owners. Rather, dogs are acutely aware of our body language, and they feel threatened when stared at. So, when you go to take a photograph, you stare (likely with a more serious expression than you realize.) Then, you cover part of your face with something that looks like a big eye. Perhaps you might say something a tad sharply, like “stay!” You might get frustrated fiddling with the camera (I do!) All of that adds up to scary, worrisome or possibly threatening body language. All without us realizing it or our intent. You can train dogs to relax for the camera, but it won’t be an easy matter of simply showing the camera and saying “good dog!” Now, if only I could train my teenage son to let me take a photo…
“Now, if only I could train my teenage son to let me take a photo…”
They’re worse than the critters… :)