As West Michigan and Grand Rapids pet photographers we are so excited to be participating for the first time at the Eastown Bizarre Bazaar this Saturday, June 22^nd, from 9am to 6pm. Our location will be on the south side of Wealthy Street between Ethel Ave and Norwood Ave (more on the Norwood Ave side).

Stop by and tell us all about your dog – we love to hear all the goofy, adorable and special stories everyone has about their pups! Better yet, stop by with your dog – we will be taking snapshots of all pups that stop by and say hello who want a quick headshot taken. Follow our Facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/tailwaggerphoto/ – for instructions after the Bizarre Bazaar for a link where you will be able to download the images of your dog.  

We’ve saved the BEST FOR LAST! We will also be giving away a free Tailwagger Dog Photography photo session good for up to three dogs from the same household, as well as $250 wall art credit. But you can’t win unless you register! To register just stop by our location and fill out a registration form – we look forward to meeting everyone and their pups!  

Dear Memphis,

It is just too painful to contemplate that you are no longer with us. 2 1/2 years is a frightfully short and unfair amount of time to have spent with your family. For that we are so very sorry – you deserved so much more.

We first met you when you were just a wee pup coming in for studio shots for Kibby Park Animal Hospital’s Pet of the Month. You were just a tiny thing – wide-eyed, shy and timid – but we must say, you wore your bow tie so well. You had a hard time standing on the white seamless background without your paws sliding out from under you, so we brought in a bed for you to sit on and then you settled down and looked right into the lens. When the strobe fired the first time, you jumped straight up in the air like a cat and looked around nervously, but you hung in there, little man, and we got the shots.

We saw you a few times over the past two years – mostly in passing at the Vet. The last time we met, you had transformed into a handsome, confident and well-behaved young man. You came over to our house last summer with your Mom and older sister, Raven, right before we moved. Your Mom really wanted to have some ‘grown-up’ photographs of you before we left town. We were so impressed by your demeanor, charm and composure (not to even mention you were just so adorable) that we wrote a blog post about you. It was so fortunate we were able to squeeze in a meet-up before we left and we are even more grateful that your Mom now has those photographs of you.

We are also grateful for the help you recently gave us with a project we started a few months ago promoting rescues and dog adoptions. We knew it would be near and dear to your heart, because you were once a rescue and needed a home.

You will be missed little man – by one and all, but especially by your Mom who has, quite honestly, gone through way more loss in such a short amount of time than any animal lover should ever have to endure. Thank you for being such a special pup, Memphis. Until we meet again…Godspeed. And never ever forget, little man, you will always be your Mommy’s precious baby boy.

Rest in peace Memphis – so truly, very sorry, Ashlee.

T & B

Spice..the perfect name for a playful, curious, funny and spunky pup – an extraordinary dog that is in need of an extraordinary owner. Spice is a 2-year old American Staffordshire terrier mix with alert, beautiful eyes that is available for adoption at the Humane Society of West Michigan.

We first met Spice while we were at the HSWM in November doing a pet portrait fundraiser. While we were there we took some headshots of newly available dogs, as well as a few ‘long term’ pups – Spice was amongst the long-term pups. When we heard last week that Spice still hadn’t been adopted, we decided to pay her and her trainer, Tanelle McFadyen, a visit to learn a bit more about her.

When we arrived at the humane society, Spice was giving an obedience demo with Tanelle in an educational class for a visiting group of high school students – participating in demos is something she does quite often. Spice knows her stuff too – all her basic commands (sit, stay, down, leave it, sit and wait, etc) and is a very motivated learner. She also walks exceptionally well on a leash. Tanelle has worked extensively with her in Spice’s one-year tenure at the HSWM. After the demo was over, Spice came strutting down the hall greeting us with a wag in her tail and a huge smile on her face.

It is hard for us to believe that Spice hadn’t been adopted yet – she is such a beautiful dog. She is exceptionally smart, playful, curious and energetic. What is the deal? Why hadn’t she been adopted yet? Tanelle believes part of the problem is Spice is quite often misunderstood. She has a huge amount of energy that needs to be channeled in a positive and productive way – otherwise life can get a little chaotic. She needs an owner that understands what her needs are, as well as one that is willing to spend the time and energy with her.  She has been adopted several times and returned with the adopter stating the same thing – she was just too much for them to handle. Too much is what you get when Spice doesn’t have structure in her life – a funny, energetic, affectionate companion is what you get when she does have structure in her life.

The first thing Spice did when we went into the dog park at the HSWM was run for 5 minutes straight chasing a tennis ball or just running for the sake of running – expending pent-up energy. But when she was done she easily settled down, as Tanelle ran her through all of the commands in her repertoire. Spice is very food motivated and was quite focused as Tanelle worked with her. Tanelle states that it is imperative that she has a patient owner that is willing to continue with her training, because she needs structure – structure given with positive reinforcement – clear, calm and concise directions of what is expected of her. If she gets this, she will thrive.

While Spice is a high-energy pup, she has a mellow side as well and can be often found curled up in a chair in someone’s office snoozing away. She is also known for looking for a favorite HSWM human’s lap to curl up in as well and is known for giving huge kisses.

Spice is definitely not for the first time dog owner – she needs an experienced, active, willing and patient human to help her on her journey and give her a forever home. Spice also needs to be placed in a home in which she is the only animal. And what do you get in return? A lifetime of loyalty, companionship, affection and joy – possibly even a running buddy, an agility dog or exercise mate.

All pups need time to adjust to their new homes after they are adopted. Spice is no different and will more than likely need a little extra time than normal in order for her to settle in and for her goofy and loving personality to emerge. To help facilitate the adjustment, Spice and her new family will receive several in-home training lessons from HSWM personnel.

If you think you might be the perfect human for this beautiful, smart and goofy pup, please call the HSWM at 616-453-8900 ext. 201 or email them at adoptions@hswestmi.org for more information or questions/concerns.