Tailwagger Dog Photography

Grand Rapids Pet & Dog Photographer

Is It Wrong To Have A Favorite Pup?

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How many people have a favorite pup, but won’t admit it? How many people won’t admit it because they somehow think it is wrong to do so? Our male Golden Retriever, Jasper, is my favorite. The little guy is a master counter-surfer and a habitual thief, but I absolutely love his mischievous, happy and loving personality. He is always smiling and wagging his tail – even as he is getting into trouble. Jasper and I have different definitions of trouble, but that doesn’t bother either of us. 

A male Golden Retriever named, Jasper, smiles into the lens in his front yard in Wyoming, MI.

It’s not as if I don’t love our other two pups, because I do. Boo is very sensitive and will shy away from uncertain situations, but at the same time seems to think she should be in charge of the pack – always an interesting combination. Schatzi is a former EDC who comes with her own agenda of sniffing her way through the world – she is very focused and driven when she is outdoors and very quiet and affectionate indoors. All dogs are special in their own way and mine are no different. 

Back to this idea of having a favorite though. People have repeatedly told me over the years that it is wrong to have a favorite. What’s interesting is that it is generally acceptable to have a favorite uncle or cousin, but not cool to have a favorite pup. I can’t say how many times I’ve gotten a tongue lashing over admitting I have a favorite. One woman that I met in my Vet’s lobby last year was so seemingly incensed that I admitted to having a favorite dog that she looked at me like I was a bad smell, got up and took her two dogs to the other side of the lobby to wait for her appointment. As she was walking away, she turned back and told me it was wrong to have a favorite child as well. 

I don’t have any children, but I could totally see how displaying favoritism to your young children would totally screw up your kids. That’s a no brainer. Although it is sort of ironic in a way, because both my sister and I know that my parents had a favorite. My Dad easily favored me, while my Mother totally favored my sister. I’ve asked numerous friends and acquaintances if their parents had a favorite and so far, I’ve only had one ‘no’. That particular friend emphatically insisted that her parents had no favorites and loved all three of their children equally. 

A male Golden Retriever stands on a flat rock at Millennium Park in Grand Rapids, MI.

 What really stood out for me from my friend’s answer was that she equated favorite with more love. I don’t perceive love that way – I don’t look at love in the way of levels or degrees. I think love is love. I believe either you love someone or you don’t. I can’t quite wrap my mind around loving in degrees, because at that point it is about categorizing and labeling and that just doesn’t gel well for me, as well as goes against the entire unrelenting force of love. Can you imagine categorizing your friends by degree of love – Stacey is a grade A love, Toby is grade C love and Suzy is grade B love? Categorizing love seems mechanical and contrived. 

So, if all love is equal – how can I have a fav? Easy – having a favorite has to do with connection. One thing humans and pups have in common is the need for connection and belonging – we are hardwired for it – although the connection is not always easy to define and articulate. Ever since Jasper was a puppy, I felt more connected to him than the other two. I suspect it has to do with his personality. 

I get a huge kick out of Jasper each and every day. He is so loving and happy all of the time. He is the first to check out something new and each and every day is a brand-new day for him. Every morning we have to check out the same deserted rabbit hole that we have for the past two years – just to make sure a new bunny family hasn’t moved in. Every single morning. I love that he is so forgiving and happy all of the time. His playful antics make me laugh, no matter how I am feeling or what kind of day I have had. Above all else – I LOVE that Jasper represents the way the world should be – loving, forgiving and accepting – this is truly golden for me. 

A male Golden Retriever runs after his tennis ball at Johnson Park in Walker, Michigan.

I’ve never been able to understand why people try to shame me for having a favorite. It would be a different story if Boo and Schatz received inferior treatment than Jasper. I intentionally spend the same amount of time with all of them – they all go on individual walks several times a week, instead of group walks. When I go trail walking, they are on a rotation and everyone always gets their share of cuddles, pets and treats. I am just as distressed when any of the three gets sick or has to have surgery. I love them all. 

So what is the big deal – why people have such a passionate and verbal reaction to someone having a favorite dog? I suspect that some dog moms feel that if they admit to having a favorite, people will assume they are a bad dog owner. This I know to be true because I’ve been called a bad dog owner after saying I had a favorite pup. Or maybe it has to do with our tendency to anthropomorphize our dogs and some people are worried that they will somehow emotionally damage their pups? But in order for that to happen, our pups would have to actually understand the concept of favorite. As long as they are treating all of their pups the same, their dogs aren’t going to understand any difference. 

The other idea I’ve been tossing around is that people obviously tend to react strongly to things that they have an emotional stake in. Is it possible that favoritism in some detrimental form is part of their personal history and they are having a visceral reaction to seeing another form of favoritism? I have no idea why people think it is wrong. When I have asked, I hear the same thing – just that it is wrong. I do know one thing – having a favorite does not mean that I love Jasper more than the others – it simply means I feel more of a connection. 

A male Golden Retriever looks out over a rail in Grand Rapids, MI.

Kristina and Keiko

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A 6 month old female Shiba Inu stands in front of the sun rising over Johnson Park in Grand Rapids, MI.
Keiko

I had the pleasure of meeting a very special duo Monday morning – Kristina and Keiko. Keiko was one of the pups chosen to help us build an urban dog photo portfolio, but after having to cancel 3 or 4 times due to inclement weather, it was looking like the shoot just wouldn’t happen. Fortunately, at the last minute, we were both able to find an hour Monday morning to do a brief shoot at a local park in Grand Rapids. One of the reasons I really wanted to meet and photograph these two is the special bond they share.

Headshot of a female Shiba Inu in Grand Rapids, MI.
Keiko

Keiko is a 6-month-old Shiba Inu, a Japanese breed known for their intelligence and independence – Kristina is a 14-year-old with autism. Kristina was one of the first people Keiko met – from that early foundation this duo has built a strong bond that continues to strengthen every day. It didn’t take long before Kristina’s family noticed that Keiko had an unusual and very calming effect on Kristina. Shiba Inus are not a typical breed used for service dogs, but the family, who has fostered for Paws With A Cause in the past, decided to start training Keiko as Kristina’s companion/service dog. 

A Shiba Inu service dog in training sits on the lap of a young woman at Johnson Park in Grand Rapids, MI.
Kristina and Keiko

As Brooke, Kristina’s Mom, explained to me, “Like many autistic kids, Kristina has a lot of ‘melt-downs’. She rocks, flaps her hands, and has trouble being in large groups of people. Even though Keiko is only six- months-old and is a service dog in training, she already has a huge effect on Kristina. Kristina used to have a daily ‘melt-down’ every morning upon awaking. Brooke noticed when Keiko woke Kristina in the morning that Kristina’s cortisol level remained low enough that she no longer had her daily morning ‘melt-down’. So, as part of their daily ritual, Keiko always wakes Kristina up every morning.”

Two people help with a dog photo session at Johnson Park in grand Rapids, MI.
Kristina (left) was an awesome photographer’s assistant – helping when needed by holding a light stick on Keiko’s shadowed side.

Keiko’s companionship and presence helps Kristina be brave at doctor’s appointments, new places and in crowds of people – she is also that social bridge that allows Kristina to interact with people better. 

6 month old Shiba Inu stands in Johnson Park in Grand Rapids, MI.

Keiko and Kristina are both homeschooled by Brooke. She spends a huge part of her day teaching both of them – including teaching Kristina how to train Keiko. They both also attend community classes – dance, drama, and Discovery Wilderness School for Kristina and Canine Good Citizen (CGC) classes for Keiko.

Together? They make a pretty magical team that we have no doubt will go far together!

Why Dog Photography?

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We recently moved to the Grand Rapids/West Michigan area. When we tell people we are pet photographers, we get the same questions over and over – ‘Why hire a pet photographer?’ and ‘Who has dog portraits taken?’

A Chihuahua mix walks next to his owner at the park.
Napoleon skips next to and looks up at his human, Emily.

Hiring a photographer to photograph your dog might seem a little odd. You love your dog and your dog is most definitely a huge part of your family, but professional dog photographs? Some people think of photographs as ‘memory keepers’. They help keep memories alive after the moment has passed – they facilitate remembering. While I agree with this idea, I also think photographs have a more paramount role in people’s lives. Your photographs tell a story – your story.

A mid-sized mized dog lies next to his owner.
Bugsy and his Dad.

Hundreds of years ago people told their stories verbally – individual stories of events or folklore that was handed down generation after generation. The modern day version of telling your story is done with images. Just think of how people post endless images on social media or text/email images to friends and family as a daily part of their lives.

People are telling a story when they show you their images. They are telling you something about themselves – who they are, where they have been and what is important to them. Photographs are an entryway into someone’s life.

Four dogs line up to have their portrait taken, but one does not cooperate.
Sassy looks like she is smiling, Charlie says, “Let’s do this!’, Bear is like ‘hurry up’ and then there is little Boo – who just wants to play with her Dad. There is one in every crowd, isn’t there?

We all bring something unique to the stories we tell as well. What makes your story different from everyone else’s story? One thing that is unique to you is your family, including your pups. Tailwagger Dog Photography is for people who don’t just own a dog – we exist for people whose dog is a treasured member of their family – a constant companion and playmate for your children or grandchildren, an exercise partner, counselor and best friend all rolled up into one, and a constant source of joy, amusement and contentment.

A one-eyed pug lies in the grass with her tennis ball.
Seriously, who could think little Annie Grace is anything but adorable?

We specialize in capturing the little details of your pup that make your dog special – that makes you want to show the world just how important your dog is to you and your family. Whether you have a giant Goldendoodle that can’t (or won’t) sit still or a senior pup that is more interested in watching the squirrels play these days – it makes no difference to us. We are all about dogs and capturing the little details that help you tell your story and show the world that your dog is the cutest, most adorable, goofiest, cuddliest or most mischievous pup around – whatever it is that makes your dog so lovable.

A Chihuahua chases after his blue ball.
Bear has eyes only for his blue ball.

 

BIG Announcement from Tailwagger Dog Photography!

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A black and white border collie with sun coming through the leaves in the background.

We started TDP in Jackson a year and a half ago with the spirit of learning as much as we could about photographing dogs, as well as the business side of starting a niche photography business. It has been an exciting and interesting time, as well as a period of learning. We have been on a steep learning curve regarding the business end of TDP, as well as all of the fun stuff from how to handle run-away 13-week-old Labrador puppies to tackling deaf, blind or shy dogs. It has been an amazingly enlightening journey!

After careful consideration, TDP has decided it is time to close this chapter and open the next. We are at the end of the process of getting our home ready to put on the market and move out of state. We are incredibly grateful to our clients, friends and family who have supported and encouraged us throughout our start-up! Thanks so much, Jackson, for a wonderful start!

BUT it’s not too late! If you have thought about booking a session, but just having gotten around to it – now is the time!

A compilation of Tailwagger Dog Photography dog session photographs.

Tailwagger Dog Photography | tailwaggerphoto.com | trish@tailwaggerphoto.com |   517.990.5630
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