I speak for those without a voice [45]

Last week I started a project to change this guy's life (→) and this cutie's life (←) and also this baby's life (↓)

How you ask? Well, by volunteering at the local Humane Society and helping with temperament testing and behavior modification plans. Besides me wanting to adopt every single one of the dogs I've met so far at the shelter, I've also gotten to get jumped on and licked and loved by these amazing animals, which is something that has been sorely lacking from my life. Best of all, the work I do will help the shelter better match potential adopters with dogs and improve the dogs' chances of staying with one family rather than being brought back because of preventable and reversible behavior problems. I'm using a program called "Meet Your Match" through the ASPCA at the Humane Society of Delaware County. You can check 'em out at their respective websites (MYM and HSDC) and remember to adopt!

20 steps to photographing a puppy… 

1. Remove camera from box and load SD card.

2. Remove camera box and SD card packaging from puppy's mouth and throw in trash.

3. Remove puppy from trash and brush coffee grounds from muzzle.

4. Choose a suitable background for photo.

5. Mount camera on tripod and focus.

6. Find puppy and take dirty sock from mouth.

7. Place puppy in pre-focused spot and return to camera.

8. Forget about spot and crawl after puppy on knees.

9. Focus with one hand and fend off puppy with other hand.

10. Get tissue and clean nose print from lens.

11. Take tri-pod leg out of puppy’s mouth and clean off slobber, check camera for major damage incurred during fall.

12. Put cat outside and put ointment on the scratch on puppy's nose.

13. Put magazines back on coffee table, later to be squeegeed.

14. Try to get puppy's attention by squeaking toy over your head…

15. Replace your glasses and check camera for damage…again.

16. Jump up in time to grab puppy and say, "No, outside! No, outside!"

17. Call spouse to clean up mess.

18. Fix a drink.

19. Sit back in Lazy Boy with drink and resolve to teach puppy "sit/stand" and "stay" the first thing in the morning.

20. Consider adopting "older, trained" rescue dog.