Pup of the Month Club

Pup of the Month Club – Fred Daldos

December 31, 2018 by Tailwagger Dog Photographers

A black pitbull lying in the grass at the park.

Congratulations to our newest member of the Human Society of West Michigan’s Pup of the Month Club, Fred Daldos! Fred is a black 3-year-old bowtie-wearing American Staffordshire Terrier, who always has a black Kong in his mouth and a wag in his tail. Fred found his forever home March of 2017 when Erin Saniga and Jared Daldos spotted him in the back of a kennel at the Humane Society of West Michigan. Fred was surrounded by many, many toys and looked to be a bit on the shy side, as he wouldn’t come to the front of the kennel while Erin and Jared were standing there. But somehow both Erin and Jared knew Fred was the one for them – it was that ‘knowing’ that people have continually described when they finally find the ‘right’ dog for their family.

They immediately filled out an application and had a meet and greet. As soon as they met Fred, they knew that one day soon they would take him home, but they had an important obstacle to take care of first. They were in the process of looking for a home to live in together, but so far they hadn’t found one. Erin wasn’t allowed a dog in her apartment and Jared needed permission to have a dog in his apartment. For the next few days they jumped through any and all hoops presented to them by Jared’s apartment complex and the HSWM to get the proper permissions and fill the needed requirements so that Fred could move in with Jared. Meanwhile Erin and Jared continued to look for a permanent home that would work for all three of them. Erin described it as a stressful, anxiety-filled few days in which they were constantly calling the HSWM to make sure he was still there and hadn’t been adopted. But in the end, everything worked out well and they took Fred home a few days later.

A month after Fred’s adoption, they all moved into a new home with a yard and plenty of room inside and out for Fred to play with his many toys and much beloved black Kong. Fred settled in pretty well with his new family – he especially loved the idea of being tucked into bed every night. If Fred misses his tucking in, he stands at the top of the bed by the pillows till Mom or Dad lifts up the covers and allows him to snuggle down in under the blankets.

It just puts a smile on your face thinking that 80-pound Fred won’t go to bed unless he is tucked in, doesn’t it?

A black American Staffordshire terrier running through the grass.

Fred’s goofy personality slowly started to emerge after they moved into their new home. He always greets his Mom or Dad when they come home from work with a sock in his mouth. He holds just a tiny tip of the sock with his front teeth and then prances back and forth and around the house till everyone is settled in, back at home. He is also known for a post-pooping ritual – yup, you read that correctly…a post-pooping ritual. He darts around showing off his doggie play-moves here and there – a poop dance of sorts to show his family how pleased he is with himself and that he is done – mission accomplished!!!

A black pitbull by the lake in a play position.

Fred went to obedience classes to learn his basic commands, but the one command that he has a 100% success rate at is the Kiss Command! Erin says she can always count on Fred for a big smooch whenever she needs it. Fred has also helped Erin with some anxiety issues of her own. “He helps me with my anxiety because if I am having a stressful day he is always there by my side with lots of kisses or it just relaxes me when he rests his head on me to let me know he is there.” Erin also finds that Fred’s head is like a canine version of a stress ball – when she rubs his head it has a calming and relaxing affect on her. “I simply can’t be sad looking at him – he is just a goof ball with his funny faces and the funny things he does”.

A black American Staffordshire terrier sitting in tall grass at Autumn time.

When Fred was first adopted he suffered from separation anxiety whenever Erin and Jared left him at home alone. He ended up being medicated for it to help him along during workdays. But about a year after Fred was adopted, Erin and Jared decided to get Fred a friend to help him with his separation anxiety – that way he would never be home alone. They knew they wanted to adopt another one of the breeds that is considered to be a pit bull or a pit bull mix because they were both cognizant of the bad reputation pit bulls have in the media and our culture, but also knew all of the stereotypes were just falsehoods promoted by ignorance – after all, Fred is a pit bull.

So they visited the Kent County Animal Shelter, the Human Society of West Michigan and Harbor Humane looking for a little sister for Fred. They found a white female pit bull mix curled up in the back of a kennel at Harbor Humane that absolutely stole their hearts – she looked so alone, scared and innocent that they decided to have a meet and greet with Fred and see if she was the one to join their little family. The meet and greet was pretty uneventful with a lot of sniffing and checking each other out, but no problems. So, a few days later, Cleo, Fred’s soon-to-be new best friend and playmate, went to her new forever home and the Saniga/Daldos family grew by one!

A black American Staffie stands in the park next to his toy.

Fred did experience some relief from his anxiety and has even become a little more active since his little sister moved in. He was just a little bit of a couch potato before Cleo joined the family. Apparently Cleo can be quite persistent and stubborn when she wants to play and doesn’t easily take no for an answer when she wants her big brother’s attention. She is his constant companion, playmate and cuddle buddy for naps.

A black American Staffordshire terrier standing next to a lake.

Congratulations again to Fred and the entire Saniga/Daldos family! It is so much fun for us to hear everyone’s adoption story, meet their pups and of course hear all entertaining, insightful and touching stories. Pup of the Month Club is a partnership of Tailwagger Dog Photography and the Humane Society of West Michigan. It is a celebration of dogs, dog adoptions and the human/dog bond. If you have an adopted HSWM pup and would like to nominate him or her for the Pup of the Month Club, you can find more information and the entry form on Tailwagger Dog Photography’s website.

Pup of the Month Club – Remington Schuett

November 23, 2018 by Tailwagger Dog Photographers

Congratulations to Remington Schuett – winner of this month’s Pup of the Month Club! Remington is a 6-year-old Papillion mix who is all but 20 pounds. The only thing that is small about this little guy is his stature, because he is personality plus and then some. We met Remington for his photo session at Jenison’s Grand Ravines Park in Ottawa County one afternoon last month. Our first impression of the little man was we wished we could have just a tiny bit of his energy – he was a lovable and enthusiastic big-eared blur of white and black fluff that never stopped moving.

Angie, Remington’s Mom, adopted Remington July of 2014 from the Humane Society of West Michigan. She had been looking for a smaller dog as her house is small and she did not have a fenced-in yard. A month into her search she saw a smaller white pup at HSWM calmly lying in his kennel with his front paws crossed over one another and slightly sticking out from under the door of the kennel. She immediately went to the front desk and asked to see him, but was told that he was a runaway that just came in and hadn’t passed his assessment yet. She was told the soonest she could see him was sometime on Tuesday after he cleared his pre-adoption assessment.

Tuesday sounded like a long way off when it was only Saturday. Angie – not so calmly – waited for Tuesday to roll around and then repeatedly called the HSWM throughout the day to see if he had passed his evaluation yet and when she could see him. Finally at around 4pm that afternoon she was told he had the all clear to be adopted, but that they could not hold him for her until she got out of work. So, Angie did the only sane thing to be done – yup…she left work to go see him.

She was a little disappointed when she first met him – he didn’t respond to her and when asked by a HSWM staff member how it was going she replied that she did not think he liked her. The staff member gently reminded her that he was a runaway and like a lot of dogs that end up at a shelter their name is not known. He wasn’t reacting to the name ‘Artie’ because he was just given the name a few days earlier – he didn’t know it yet. When she returned to the pup she sat on the floor and just started talking to him. He responded by looking at her, then walked up to her and kissed her. It was a deal sealed by a dog’s kiss – they’ve been together ever since – almost 4 ½ years. As Angie says, “This little fella is my whole world!”

Angie thought she was getting a relatively calm pup based on her meet and greet at the humane society. That perception totally changed two days after she got Remington home and his highly active, jumping, happy and it-is-hard-to-stay-still personality came out. She quickly discovered that he loved and needed to be near her – even when he walks next to her he reaches over from time to time to touch his nose to her leg – but the need to be close to her is strictly on his own terms. The little guy does not like to be cuddled or carried! Apparently he wants to make it through the world on his own four paws. Entertainingly enough when Angie tries to cuddle with him he moves just far enough away to avoid her embrace and will remain just out of reach if she moves closer.

We always look for what is special in each dog we photograph, because after all they are all special in their individual way. What struck us after meeting Rem (as his Mom affectionately calls him) and hearing his story are the bonds that Remington has created with Angie’s family – especially her nieces, sister, brother-in-law, father and her Grandfather, Opa.

Angie’s nieces were a little intimidated by his jumping, active nature when they first met him. That completely changed after Angie taught them how to have him sit, stay and lie down. Now they love running him through his commands and are even working on ‘roll over’ with him. He is endlessly patient with them and even allows them to dress him up in clothes. I’ve been by told by a reliable source that he makes a very pretty princess.

He has an even different relationship with Angie’s sister, Kim. Kim is convinced that one of these days, Rem will actually love being picked up and cuddled – as long as she keeps after him. Remington wants nothing to do with this conviction. Every time she tries, Remington gets stiff as a board and looks like he would rather be anywhere else in the world.

Eric, Angie’s brother-in-law, and Remington are best buds. Rem doesn’t have to worry about cuddling with Eric, but instead get to hang out as one of the boys and tune everyone else out. Eric talks to Rem, scratches behinds his ears while Rem whimpers back with love and affection.

Interestingly enough when Remington is around Angie’s Dad he is on his best behavior. He completely minds his manners: he doesn’t jump, isn’t as excitable and acts calmer than his normal excitable, jumpy self.

Rem also had a unique bond with Angie’s grandfather, Opa (Grandpa in German) who passed away about a year ago. Rem went with Angie for every visit to see Opa and was often at the car waiting for Angie to hurry up and let him in for the ride to the care home. Remington was very calm and patient with Opa. He would not jump on Opa, but would sit right next to him the entire visit. It was as if he knew Opa was too fragile to jump on and what Opa needed was for him to be his companion and just sit and be still next to him. Even after Opa was in a wheelchair Rem would walk next to the wheelchair while Opa held his leash and Angie pushed the chair. Remington was even with Angie for the last visit – the afternoon before the night he passed away.

Not only did Remington get a forever home when Angie adopted him from the Humane Society of West Michigan, but he got an entire extended family as well. Just the way it should be!

If you have an adopted HSWM pup and would like to nominate him for Pup of the Month Club, you can find more information and the entry form on the TDP website.

Pup of the Month Club – Spinelli Dahl

October 15, 2018 by Tailwagger Dog Photographers

A Shar Pei, Boxer, Lab and Beagle mix runs through a field.

The first recipient of the Pup of the Month Club is Spinelli Dahl. We are so happy and excited this project is finally coming to fruition. Pup of the Month Club is a partnership between Tailwagger Dog Photography and the Humane Society of West Michigan. It is a celebration of dogs, dog adoptions and the human/animal bond adoption creates when a homeless dog is welcomed into a home as a family member and given a second chance at life.

A headshot of a brindle Shar Pei, Boxer, Lab and Beagle mix.

We met Spinelli and his owner, Ashley, at the Millennium Park in Walker, MI. Spinelli is a 5 ½ year old Shar Pei, Boxer, Lab, Beagle mix. He has quite the personality – at times he seemed very serious and no-nonsense, surveying the area around him with a keen eye. But then he would completely ruin that façade by grabbing his giant stuffed puppy and take off doing a bucking, jumping gait that almost gave the impression he was trying to dislodge an imaginary rider from his back. Like I said – Spinelli has quite the personality.

A Shar Pei, Boxer, Lab and Beagle mix runs with his stuffed animal in his mouth. Spinelli had a bit of a rough start in life. He was found with 8 littermates in a box at Riverside Park in Grand Rapids on Thanksgiving morning 6 years ago. 7 of the 9 puppies survived thanks to a jogger who found the box that morning and contacted the Humane Society of West Michigan. The puppies were only a few hours old. Spinelli and his littermates were bottle fed until they were old enough to be weaned – a huge task as the puppies needed to be fed every 2-3 hours for the first few weeks, as well as kept warm because puppies of that age are unable to regulate their own body temperature.

The puppies were split up between two teams of HSWM sisters. The five that included Spinelli went to Ashley and Lindsey Dahl. They coordinated their schedules so that the puppies were always fed and warm. They kept the pups warm with electric heaters and rice filled socks that were microwaved warm so the pups could snuggle up to them. The sisters had to be extremely careful about exposing the puppies to microorganisms, as the puppies were not receiving the antibodies that they normally would have, if they were being nourished with their mother’s milk.

A Shar Pei, Boxer, Lab and Beagle mix catches some air running down a path.

After the puppies were three weeks old, the feeding schedule lightened up just slightly to every four hours, but the pups still needed to be kept warm and away from chilly drafts, especially during the winter cold.

Unfortunately, when Spinelli was a few weeks old he hit a rough patch. He stopped eating. He was plagued with a horrible infection of worms. Spinelli’s caregivers were quite distraught to say the least, after everything that had put into his and his siblings’ care the first few weeks. At such a young age, life is so fragile. Both Ashley and Lindsey were afraid Spinelli would have to be euthanized. The HS Vet knew how much effort, love and care Ashley and Lindsey put into the puppies’ survival and as a last ditch effort to save him, started tube feeding, along with administering a dewormer. It was just the thing to jumpstart little Spinelli’s system and helped him make the turn he needed to make.

A Shar Pei, Boxer, Lab and Beagle mix headshot in front of some greenery.

Ashley, who is a HSWM staff member, said it was easily the most physically and emotionally exhausting time of her life. Loosing one of the five puppies during week 1, without a doubt, exacerbated the emotional roller coaster.

Eventually when it came time for the puppies to be adopted out, Ashley decided to keep Spinelli. He started taking puppy classes at the age of 10 weeks old and continued up through basic and more advanced obedience classes and eventually passed his Good Canine Citizen test around 6 months of age. Spinelli hasn’t looked back since and is involved in educating the community through demonstrations (with Ashley) in classrooms, clubs and companies on how to safely approach and be respectful of dogs and other animals. He is also involved in the occasional tour of the Humane Society and is ‘camp dog’ for the Humane Society’s summer camp programs – he even has his own business cards. As Ashley so aptly puts it, “The HSWM saved his life and now he helps the HSWM by teaching kids about being safe and respectful of dogs, as well as being kind to all life.”

A mixed dog working with kids. — Spinelli at work. (Photos courtesy of HSMW)

What struck us most about Spinelli’s story is simply how he survived to become Spinelli. The devotion and around the clock care that was put into his and his siblings survival is to be commended. People literally tuned their lives upside down for weeks on end to give Spinelli his best shot at survival. For a lot of volunteers and staff of the HSWM, as well as other rescues and shelters – it’s not a job…it is a devoted passion.

A Shar Pei, Boxer, Lab and Beagle mix looks like he is stalking the photographer.

Ashley has fostered over 100 animals at her home over the past 16 years that she has worked and volunteered for the HSWM. Spinelli is the only animal she has ever adopted. Why Spinelli – why not any of the many others? I wasn’t surprised at all from the answer – there was a ‘click’ or a feeling that it was just the right thing to do. It’s not surprising that it is hard to describe what makes Spinelli so special. What makes any of our pups special? And they all are – all dogs are unique and precious – it is a hard question to answer. I think one of the reasons it is so hard to explain is simply because words cannot do justice to the feelings and emotions we have for our dogs. It is about something so much more innate and essential. Something dogs and humans both have in common is the need for connection – to be loved and to love. Without a doubt, that connection is at the core of what makes our dogs so special to us.

A Shar Pei, Boxer, Lab and Beagle mix sits in the grass with his stuff toy.

It was an inspiring meetup with Spinelli and Ashley and hearing his HSWM adoption story. We can’t wait for the next! If you have an adopted HSWM pup and would like to nominate him for Pup of the Month Club, you can find more information and the entry form on the TDP website.

September 20, 2018 by Tailwagger Dog Photographers

A chihauhau mix running at the park photographed mid-air. — Napoleon enjoying a visit to the park – that’s some serious HAPPY on the little man’s face!

We are thrilled to be able to launch this program in partnership with the Humane Society of West Michigan! What is Pup of the Month Club? Simply put…Pup of the Month Club is about celebrating dog adoptions and rescues – showcasing your amazing, one-of-a-kind HSWM pup through photographs, while telling his or her unique story with words. It is about showing the successes and telling the world what an amazing, worthwhile and rewarding experience it is to give a homeless dog a new start in life – in many cases just as life changing for the adopter as for the rescue.

Morkipoo looking down at the camera from on top of a tree stump. — Boo, an adopted pup from Jackson Co, Michigan, is wondering why the photographer is lying on the ground.

A Chihuahua mix walks next to his owner at the park. — Napoleon, an adopted dog from Jackson Co., MI, skips next to and looks up at his human, Emily.

If you adore and cherish your HSWM pup and simply cannot imagine your world without him, then we want to hear from you! And…we want to hear absolutely everything: what it was like working with HSWM staff to find a pup that would best fit your family and lifestyle, the ups and downs of the transition period after you brought him home, the challenges and funny stories and most of all what your pup is like – his personality, his goofy traits and what he does to make you smile or laugh. We want to hear anything and everything you wish to share about your HSWM pup!

• Pup of the Month Club recipients will be photographed by Tailwagger Dog Photography and receive a collection of 5 high-resolution, fully edited digital negatives. Don’t worry if your dog cannot be off a leash (we remove leashes in post processing) or isn’t the most obedient. It is all good! We’ve worked with all kinds of dogs – shy, playful, goofy, serious, reserved and very energetic to name a few.

• A TDP blog post will feature your pup, along with the photographs from the photo session. If you are wondering what the blog post will be like, you can check out our first Pup of the Month Club post on Spinelli Dahl.

• An image from your pup’s photo session will be featured in the Humane Society of West Michigan’s lobby for a month and then you will receive the print after the month is over.

Black put bill running across the grass photographed in mid-air. — Example of Pup of the Month Club print that will hang at the Humane Society of West Michigan.

If you feel the way we do about rescues and dog adoption and are willing to share your pup’s story with us – we would love to hear from you! To nominate your pup for the Pup of the Month Club, simply fill out the form at the bottom of this page. The Humane Society of West Michigan will go over and select the successful candidates. If your pup is chosen, Trish from Tailwagger Dog Photography will be in contact to arrange the session date, time and location, as well as to hear all about your adoption story.

English Springer Spaniel lying in the grass with golden light in the background — Schatzi the Wigglebutt, TDP’s retired explosives detection adopted pup, relaxing in her yard.

To nominate your Humane Society of West Michigan adopted dog for Pup of the Month Club, please fill out the form below:

Oops! We could not locate your form.

Terms and Conditions: All nominees need to have been adopted through the Humane Society of West Michigan. Pup of the Month Club nominations are for one dog, if you have multiple HSWM adopted dogs and you wish to nominate more than one, please fill out a nomination form for each dog. Session location needs to be agreed upon by both TDP and the recipient of Pup of the Month Club. All sessions need to take place within the metro Grand Rapids area, unless otherwise agreed upon by Tailwagger Dog Photography. Recipients of Pup of the Month Club must be willing to sign a property/model release and agreement for all people and dogs involved in the photo session. Pup of the Month Club awards cannot be redeemed for cash.

Subscribe to the Tailwagger Newsletter