New Techniques

Nick Id# 70781
I use the noise to get his attention
and the various tools that I
taught to bring out Nicks features

 I feel that throughout this course so far they a little bit of every technique can help. I know that the videos, class time, asking questions,and  having Professor Shannon there at the shelter have all taught me various steps to help me in my process.  The videos have assisted me with making a blog, setting up my thumb drive, and figuring out the odds and ends to PhotoShop. They are a little tricky to follow, but it really helps that Shannon shows you step by step what to do. Class times allows me to apply the techniques we learned through PhotoShop and apply them to my photos.  The third thing that helps me out is asking questions, they get me father in the process and gets me out of various issues I encounter.  The most important is Professor Shannon. She has showed use techniques with editing our photos to handling the animals. Shannon has helped us  with tools of PhotoShop that cut the time down, and other tools that really enhance our pictures. At the shelter, working with the animals she has taught us how to make noise to get the animals attention, how to approach them and with that comes the love.  I so desperately want the animals to know that we are going to harm by all means. I talk to them like if they are my own, in a calm voice, and give them the love that they deserve. I have learned that each animal requires different kind of noises, attention, and love. 

Other Critters

Roger
ID# 72068

This week and some of last week I had the chance of take pictures of critters. These fellas were quite challenging to take pictures of.Growing up I had two rabbits, fourteen Guinea pigs, 3 water-slider turtles, 5 hamsters, and on top of the four dogs that animals can be a fun handful. For example,I know trying the rabbits that we had when I was a kid was challenging, they would squirm and hop around. The Guinea pigs would make whistle noise and scoot around in places where they wanted hide for me. The turtles would hide in their shells or act like they are trying to swim away in the air. The hamsters are fast and nibble here in there. So, with my experience with my personal farm house i knew my sudden movements would distract the critters.  Using photography with the critters was certainly a challenge. I know at the shelter today even with my past experiences the animals were still scared and reacted accordingly. There were newly delivered Guinea pigs, super cute but didn't want to be held. The poor little guys were startled when I brought out the camera. I wouldn't blame the critters,poor things are in a brand new place. Hopefully with a new home and some love these guys will learn to relax.

Two weeks and still no home :(!

 Many still with no home and a few that have found homes!  

   Today was rough, considering I was out of town and I was a day or two behind in visiting the shelter. When I visited the shelter for the first time this week, I over heard that the dogs  as a whole were not doing so well.  The weather is having a great impact on the shelter, especially with the heat fluctuating. The dogs are acting according to their bowels and other symptoms. It was hard to walk on the adoption dog floor and see  them more miserable then ever today. I really hope that the shelter does something now that the heat is beginning to rise again.  

Coca
ID# 71772
5/21/12 Coca came to shelter and left that day!

  
  When I was browsing the various animals I noticed that in the past two weeks that there had been a handful or more that were still at the shelter.  I went to see the cats and there were about 6 or so cats that had been there for the past two weeks.  On the other hand the dogs, were very new. There were so many new batches of dogs and sadly still some that had been 
since last week. There were about
 three that I had see that had 
overlapped for two weeks and really 

Coca is going HOME! This women that
adopted her was so excited the
come and actually get Coca! Her and her
 sister rushed that morning to come to the shelter
 to see this particular dog!!

to find homes! I a hopeful that these wonderful animals can find homes this coming week. 

Responsible Pet Ownership

Daisy
causal as can be, so cute!

Responsible pet ownership can entail a lot. Over the past two weeks volunteering at Wake County Animal Shelter  I have noticed  how people really do treat their animals. Responsible pet ownership is taking  full care of your pet no matter what. When thinking about getting a pet weigh out the pros and cons and where you are at that time.  That includes knowing what to expect prior to getting the animal,  the expenses that go in to getting the animal, taking care of the animal ( food, vet visits, toys,etc).  I believe there are those few out there that just don't have a clue where to begin with getting a pet and the outcome is terrible. There are a handful of ones that are understandable but there are down right  those ones that are mistreated their pet across the boarder. The few that I have seen that I understand are ones that can't afford the pet, moving, or a drastic experience occurred.  Just in the past two day there have been  a couple of surrender sheets with dogs and cats that have sad reasons as to why they can't keep their animal. On the other hand there are the  are two that I would like to mention that to me have failed their responsibly of pet ownership. The first one I saw today, the dog ran away and got turned into the shelter. Kayley and Brittany were taken their photos when I stepped into the lobby where this man, not all there was trying to claim is dog back.  I over heard him say," It's him, he was even wagging his tail". The employee working with this gentleman was asking various question and the owner clearly did not care just wanted the pet back so his children would quit whinnying. He did seem thrilled that he was getting his dog back or assuring that this won't happen again. I could take it and told Kayley all about what had happen. I guess I'm still at that judging stage and need to work through it. The second incident with poor ownership would be letting or getting dogs just so they can fight. It kills me to see the dogs have abuse marking on them. I couldn't imagine beating or letting my dog fight another.

Interview with an employee

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8LNqLdCc8E&feature=youtu.be

Video curtousey of me and and permission with interviewer Joanne Duna

May 24, 2012

Stella
Living  the life!

Interview with a visitor

   " Responsible pet ownership consists of an owner taking a pet into their home with the understanding and passion to support and care for the animal. A pet owner should be willing to put their  time money and effort into their pet to provide the animal with the best care to provide a safe, happy , and positive environment.  "

-Emily Stephens, May 24, 2012

Surrender Sheets

Surrendering 

Surrendering animals to the shelter consists of a number of reasons that the owner is turning them in.  Volunteering for the past two weeks I have read some pretty heart breaking stories and reasons behind giving up their animal. It is very tough  to not judge when they come in personally to the shelter and you over hear what they have to say, it's defiantly a learning process for me in this situation still.  Being in contact with the animal and knowing wht they have been through brakes my heart and puts tears in my eye.  I know I am doing the right thing to help these animals out the best I can.

Here is just a few of the many of my experience with animals that have been surrendered.

1. Felix ID# 36960

Felix is a male who is 2 1/2 years old. This little guy is quite the little character and he was surrendered to the shelter because the owner  was moving. This cat has such a great sweet personality and he is very friendly to just about anyone. Felix like to play, cuddle, and isn't shy to tell you when he wants some attention. This cat keeps makes me smile when i see him and just wants someone that really cares for him and love him the way he needs to be love. 

1. Abby ID# 71472



Abby is a year old lab hound mix.  She was surrendered to the shelter May of last week due to her loving owner getting too old to take care of. Her owner adored Abby and had lots of great things to say about her.  Abby is some what house trained, she does well with cats and other dogs too.  She is filled with personality and she knows how to sit and is still working on shaking.  She is going to be a great addition to any family, even with other animals. 

2. Mini ID# 71430

 Mini is an 11 month old female cat.  She was surrendered to the shelter  May of last week due to her owner was loosing his or her job and had to move from a house to an apartment.  Mini is a cat that just wants to cuddle up next to and and get some attention.  She is super young and just wants the right family to scoop her home and treat her right. 

Turn-Over

There are a few observations that I have made about animal turn-over at the shelter.  I notice today that when taking note of all the dogs on the adoption floor and  there was a number of over lapping. I had seen a handful of dogs that I had seen last week.  Out of the dogs in each of the room I spotted about twelve from last week the were turned-over and about eight fresh one's for this week so far. The room that had one of the dogs I had photographed from last week had six that had been overlapped. No, this does not surprise me that there was that much of a turn-over. I think the reason that there are turn-overs is because the dog is not feeling well, in surgery, resting for the day, and in foster & has come back. On the other hand, yes, I am surprised that animals are being over lapped.  I think the volunteers and people who work there can spice things up for the animals as much as they can if possible. To do so, getting them healthy, clean, put back in place and them looking 100% the best that they can be.

Abby

Id# 71472

 Sweet Abby here is filled with energy and is super cute. I believe that she
  her potential reason for  her overlapping is because of where she is being placed and that people probably think she is too wild. She isn't wild she is just eager to have attention and be loved. 

Critique: Strengths & Improvement

This photo was in the first batch of photos that I took. This photo was not on the top of my list of being the best but it is suitable for the job. There are a few strengths that bring out the picture and there are defiantly areas of improvement they could be done.

Strengths are very  important to the photos, really shows off the animal. The positive sides to this photo are key  to what sells the animal so that they can be adopted. People are attracted to the ups of the photo.   The three strengths that stand out to me the most  are  the amount of light, eyes, and how the dog doesn't look miserable.   The first  one, the amount of light is key because its brings out the color and there are a lot of color . Light  is also a strength because it livens  the animal , rather them be in total darkness and can't really notice them. The second  strength are the eyes. I think that I capture the spark;e in both of the eyes at Baylee is  looking at me.  The last strength is how Baylee does not look miserable. She is so sweet , cuddling,  and just looks so happy with he r little tongue sticking out.

There is also areas of improvement in this picture of Baylee. The three improvements are background,  more  of the dog, and expression. The background needs much improvement, I should of done a better job cropping more of my partner out. The background is distracting in a way that takes away from the main image. The next improvement would be to see more of this dog. I should of gotten a full shot of Baylee standing and more of her body should of been visible. Finally the last area of improvement would be the dogs expression. Getting the dog to focus is hard enough and to capture them to get an impression is even more of a struggle. They are just so excited to get attention and love that capturing that one moment is tough. 

Baylee
Id #70974